In ig i n SAVED MY LIFE
Danielle’s re ux revealed an undiagnosed condition Danielle Boyle, 45, Coorparoo, Qld I’ve learned to listen to my body
Loading up the dishwasher one night, I felt a crushing pain in my rib cage.
I’d had chest pains on and off for years, but usually they went away on their own.
My GP was aware of the issue, and recommended a wait and watch approach if they lingered.
That night, though, the pain was ongoing and consistent.
I’m heading to the emergency room, I texted my husband, Jake, then 39, at work, asking him to come back home to watch our kids, Chloe, 20, and Kyle, 12.
There, a chest X-ray and blood test revealed I had a rare condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
The doctor explained that it’s a rare autoimmune disease where the body doesn’t produce enough platelets and destroys the healthy ones that usually help blood to clot. It meant I was more susceptible to bruising and bleeding.
‘But I was here for chest pains,’ I said, confused.
‘They seem to be unrelated, but thanks to them, you were diagnosed. Otherwise, you might have gone undiagnosed for years and potentially suffered a brain bleed,’ he replied.
I was stunned.
At home, Jake was as shocked as I was.
‘Whatever you need, I’m here,’ he said.
We found out my other symptoms – spontaneous bruising and bleeding gums, which I’d had for years – also pointed to ITP.
Visiting a specialist, I was instructed to cut down on contact sports and heavy exercise, as a hard knock could cause internal bleeding.
Even running and riding my pushbike was deemed too risky. Gutted, I felt like I needed to wrap myself in cottonwool.
Then, three days later, I was admitted back to hospital with a low platelet count. I was prescribed steroids to suppress my immune system, and doctors suggested I undergo a six-month clinical trial to help treat my condition.
Doctors also found my chest pains were due to acid re ux and indigestion, which had inadvertently agged my
ITP and saved my life.
I looked healthy, but my condition was known as an invisible illness, and I was desperate for support.
When I couldn’t nd any groups for people like me, I decided to start my own charity – ITP Australia – to share information and support to others.
Thanks to treatment,
I’d been doing well for almost three years. But in October 2018, my platelet counts started to dive.
I began feeling fatigued, and had more bruising, heavy menstruation, nosebleeds and blisters in my mouth.
Doctors removed my spleen to help ease my symptoms. Sadly it didn’t work, so I was placed on medication instead.
Six years on from my diagnosis, there is still no cure for ITP.
So I have six-weekly blood tests to monitor my platelet levels.
It hasn’t been easy, but my condition has taught me to listen to my body and live in the present.
After all, life is too short not to enjoy it!
For more information, visit itpaustralia.org.au