Low Platelets & High Anxiety

TLDR: Possibly have ITP & my anxiety is out of control while waiting to see hematology. How do you cope?

Hello. I am new here but have read articles & discussion forum extensively. I am glad to have found this site as it has been the most informative. So firstly, thank you!

Background: I am a 42 year old female with generally good health. My only prior issues have been borderline high cholesterol, anxiety & IBS. At the end of February, I went to the ED with severe stomach pain, concerned of appendicitis. Literally every single test, including CT with contrast, came back normal. Except for my platelet count. It was at 76. First time it has ever been abnormal. My PCP scheduled a follow up CBC on March 4 & they were at 51. Subsequent follow up on March 8 with platelets of 120. March 15 they were 123 so she said she thought they were coming back up & we would test again in 2 weeks. The test on March 27, they were back down to 86. I now have an appointment with hematology & was told to watch for signs of bleeding. So far, I have had no symptoms other than some fatigue. PCP thinks it is ITP since all my other bloodwork is "perfect" but wants hematology to confirm. 

I am diagnosed with anxiety & on medication for it but this new potential diagnosis has my anxiety off the charts. I am constantly checking myself for symptoms. I had very minor gum bleeding today & almost went to the ED because of it. I had to calm myself down that it is minor & I can wait until I see the specialist. Especially since I have out of town plans with family all weekend for the holiday. 

For those of you with anxiety, how do you manage living with a platelet disorder (likely ITP) without driving yourself insame with worry? 

Sorry for the long post, i just need people with experience to talk to i guess.

A count of 86 is completely acceptable. Unless you have any symptoms it is highly unlikely that any haematologist will commence treatment unless your count is under 30. Even then if you have no symptoms a watch and wait approach will probably be adopted. `
At this moment in time there is nothing to worry about.

I think my biggest anxiety at the moment is wondering what is causing this. Is it ITP or something else. And the wonder of what tests hematology will do when I start seeing them. I do not handle the unknown well with my anxiety. Thank you for responding though. Knowing others live with low platelets (much lower than mine are or have been) helps ease some of my fears.

I'm with mrsb - a count of 86k is very good, as long as no symptoms! Unfortunately you may never know what is causing the low platelets - we believe (that includes the hematologist) we know what caused mine, a gamma globulin injection which was required by my husband's company before we could go to Tokyo to find an apartment for a move there. It was shortly after that injection & while in Tokyo looking for the apartment that the petechia showed up on my torso. When we got home to pack a week later I looked like I was beat up in a back alley with a 2x4 & had a count of 11k and dropping - I can laugh at that now, 35 years later. We moved to Tokyo a couple months later while I was on a high dose of prednisone, had THE best hematologist there who actually knew my hematologist here in the US - and later moved to Hong Kong before moving back home.

However I do understand your anxiety - all is right with the world and then bam, something we never heard of muchless dreamed of entered our life (ITP). I am glad your doctor is sending you to a hematologist, I still see a hematologist all these years later & my count is now fairly stable & decent.

Please keep us posted on how the visit goes with the hematologist and how you are doing!!