Helicobacter Forums

I have suffered from chronic ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, it means that my body inexplicably kills off my platelets) for 15 years. I've had 2 splenectomies (yes 2, they took out the main one then a few years later found an accessory spleen, finally got that one out this year), been on countless treatments. The only treatment that ever seems to work is intravenous treatments of IviG which do boost my platelets up from 12-15k to 85-90k, but that only lasts a couple of weeks and I'm back down to 12-15k then repeat.

I have been very recently diagnosed as testing positive through a blood test for H. Pylori (that just might explain my seemingly random stomach problems my whole life), and have been told and have read that there may be some link between ITP & HP. Anyone out there heard of this or have any further info?

I will be starting my 10 day treatment for HP next week and am told that it's not out of the question for me to see some improvement in my platelet counts after the HP is successfully treated.

Anyone at all have anything on this?

Many thanks.

Just focus on eradication of Hp then see what happens after that.
I recall that there is a new publication about this where the actual antibody / tissue antigen cross reaction was identified. It would help predict your outcome better I expect. You will have to look for that yourself as I am busy this month.

Darcman wrote: I will be starting my 10 day treatment for HP next week and am told that it's not out of the question for me to see some improvement in my platelet counts after the HP is successfully treated.

So any improvements?

Just took my last dose of HP treatment this morning. I go in for my bi-weekly treatment for my ITP tomorrow. Not sure if there will be an improvement or not that quickly, but will keep you all posted.

I would also like to know whether there is any connection between ITP and HP as a friend has very similar health problems. I just happened to read about the chronic ITP here when I realized that he has been having some gastric problems for some time now. I will ask him to check out this post and do some tests!!