ITP patient with stomach upset and sore throat. What to do?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 31-year-old male. I have stomach upset, shortness of breath, sore throat, chest pain, and tightness in chest for the past couple of months. I am an ITP patient. I have fluctuation in my platelet count between 400,000 to 600,000 for the past six months. Till now, I have consulted more than ten doctors. I am feeling very uncomfortable.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. According to the statement, you have been suffering from stomach upset, shortness of breath, sore throat, chest pain, and tightness for the past few months. You are a known case of ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). According to the investigation provided here, it shows that you were free from HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and hepatitis B and C at that time.

A viral infection is one of the triggering factors of ITP. You can have these clinical features due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux, allergic reactions, and anxiety disorders. Treatment depends on the cause. You need to do some investigations, such as a barium swallow test, ECG (electrocardiography), and CXR (chest X-ray), to rule out the cause for the present sufferings and then treat them accordingly. You can take Domperidone and antiulcerants. It helps to improve your digestion process, and it reduces your present sufferings.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You have just attached the blood tests for HIV and hepatitis B, and C. All the results are negative. You have not attached the CBC (complete blood count) report, peripheral blood results, and other tests that were done previously. Without seeing the test results, I cannot predict anything. You are suffering from ITP. The exact cause of ITP is idiopathic, or unknown. Some of the triggering factors are viral infection, autoimmune diseases like SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia, and bacterial sepsis.

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) infection and blood thinner medications can also aggravate ITP. If you do not have any signs of bleeding and your platelet count is not too low, then you do not require any treatment. If your symptoms are severe, then medical treatments with medications help to boost your platelet count.

Splenectomy may be needed. You need to undergo a barium swallow test to exclude acid reflux or GERD. If the result is negative, then you can consult a psychiatrist for further treatment, as your reports are normal. Your present suffering can be due to functional causes.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in back of further queries.

Thank you.