Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia/ Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

[ArNG11]

I've been reading and trying to find resources for this condition. I just got hit with it out of the blue and it landed me in the hospital for 8 days or so. It got real serious and quite scary when they were talking about removing organs and constant blood and platelet transfusions. As there is no known specific cause for this disease it is difficult to research. Has anyone who has been to SW Asia, 2007-2008, had any problems with coming down with this? If so what treatment path did you take and how are you managing with the choices you made.

[Berta]

Sorry to hear that news!

This is a ratable condition if you can proved service connection.

This veteran was service connected for ITP by the BVA recently:

Based on the foregoing, the evidence of record reveals that the
Veteran has a current disorder of ITP that is related to in-
service exposure to chemicals, including jet fuel. Accordingly,
the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the
Veteran's current ITP was incurred during active military
service. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service
connection for ITP is warranted.
http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp11/Files1/1105289.txt

The veteran not only had an IMO from his treating physician but also a favorable VA doctor's nexus statement.

You might have checked these links out already:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/itp/

http://www.medicinenet.com/idiopathic_thrombocytopenic_purpura_itp/article.htm

I think we have had another vet here with this conditon.

If I can find their posts I will post the link to them.

[Berta]

Gee I found this faster than I thought I could.....dogmeat,our member here ,has ITP rated at 30%



Perhaps he has some contact info in his profile.

Maybe Rick Zoo has contact info here too...he tried to get a 70% rating, her has 30% SC ITP:

[ArNG11]

Sorry to hear that news!

This is a ratable condition if you can proved service connection.

This veteran was service connected for ITP by the BVA recently:

Based on the foregoing, the evidence of record reveals that the

Veteran has a current disorder of ITP that is related to in-

service exposure to chemicals, including jet fuel. Accordingly,

the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the

Veteran's current ITP was incurred during active military

service. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service

connection for ITP is warranted.

http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/view.jsp?FV=http://www.va.gov/vetapp11/Files1/1105289.txt

The veteran not only had an IMO from his treating physician but also a favorable VA doctor's nexus statement.

You might have checked these links out already:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/itp/

http://www.medicinenet.com/idiopathic_thrombocytopenic_purpura_itp/article.htm

I think we have had another vet here with this conditon.

If I can find their posts I will post the link to them.

Thank you for the info. I have been looking on the web for this. I was having trouble locating any references in BVA decisions. Correlation in health studies, possible avenues of investigation. As many who message and respond to my inquiries, who know of me now here, I am or was a Army Guard member, the problem that I believe will hurt me the most is that there is not much in service medical records listing some of my problems, that is due to me seeking care in the private sector. The guard never really provided care for me other than routine exams and a script or two for pain medication. Oh and for a time psych services but I won't go into that either. My care has been exclusively private. I can't honestly say that I know for sure that this is related at all to my service in the gulf. Just very coincidental when looking at statistics. I can honestly tell you that I was not sick before I went to do my tour. During the later part of my tour I started having problems, slight at first, and then well the problems have reached levels now with current conditions. I think Iwould just throw way too much of a lot out there if I went into it all. I'm beating this now, I'm stabilized, but I want to be ready if this pops its ugly head again.

Maybe when I get the 2 claims that I am fighting done with I may deal with a third. Next time I think I will just hit one at a time though, this is way too much do.

[ArNG11]

Figured I would get on here and post some updates. I have been out of the hospital for a little over a month and a half and I am doing better with the ITP. Today I was taken off steroids and no more weekly blood draws. Platelet counts today were in the 400k which is fantastic compared to the 2k while hospitalized. Looks like I am in the clear for the moment.

As for the cause of this disease it is of unknown cause, hence the name ideopathic, I will be doing my research on it. There is a correlation to vets that have been in the gulf and SW Asia theather, but alas, no concrete proof, other than numbers and a few successes from claimants.

Im in the hopes that this snake doesn't rear its head no more, but I will be ready next time if it does.

[ArNG11]

Another update for this condition that I came down with. A little over 3 months and my counts have been great. I dropped to 225k from 400k on platelette counts, however, that is still way up in the green. My doc has cleared me for the condition, however, she strongly suggested that I keep watchful eyes for the symptoms and not wait so long to go see a primary care doc. In fact, she stated that I go straight to the ER if I have the early symptoms come up.

[ArNG11]

Almost two months and so far so good. I go up and down on counts, however, still in the green range. 138K as of VA count last week. Went to see my VA primary doc and she didn't ask for any records although I offered and she stated that it wouldn't be necessary. Being the person I am, I made an inquiry on my Gulf registry exam and she stated I am good to go.

In any case I am back to seeing my private primary doc to keep track of the issues I am having. I still send emails giving the VA doc an opportunity to look at records and look over my health stats but she's not really interested. So I am going through the process of rectifying that. Documentation and evidence are still king here.

On a positive not the VA doc changed my omeprazole to pantoprozole different chemistry but similar to each other. It seems to be helping with the chronic diarrhea. Also VA gave me fiber supplements which, lets just say does not win any tastes tests, however, I have had much worse. The big thing here is documentation. Not that I may have a chance at service connecting this disease, if indeed I ever could, but recording facts and probing for the best treatment options from all avenues.