Platelates defficiency

[Anit]

This is Anita, 26 yrs girl from Kathmandu, I encountered low platelates count(14000) in my blood around 3 months ago when i had heavy bleeding at the time of my periods and consulted a Hematologist for the same. He couldn't inform me the reason but gave me the medicine Cortilone-60 for 15 days. After 07 days my count went to 193000 and the dose was reduced to Cortilone-40 after 15 days of entake of Cortilone-60 for next fifteen days. The count was 3,80,000 after 15 days of Cortilone-40. Then again the dose was reduced to Cortilone-30. After next 15 days my count was 340,000 and its currently its been 20 days that i a having Cortilone-30 and my count is 3,13,000. My concern is that i am not being told the reason for the low platelates and don't know until when i need to take the medicine. There has been side effects of Cortilone as weight gain and swollen of the face. I am worried that if this problem will be permanently solved or not...and how....

[Maria RN]

Hi. Low platelet count or thrombocytopenia is one of the symptoms of a condition called idiopathic trombocytic purpura.This is treated with corticosteroids. I don't know whether you have that condition as it's only the doctor who examined you can tell you what is exactly going on.
Here are links for more info:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/idiopathic-thrombocytopenic-purpura/DS00844

http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec11/ch133/ch133d.html

Corticosteroids should not be discontinued abruptly as withdrawal symptoms may occur. You need to contact your doctor to find out how long you need to take you medicines for.

When you go back to your doctor, do not hesitate to ask about the diagnosis. I don't know how it's like in your country, perhaps they won't say what underlying problems they suspect unless the patient asks them right away?