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There’s tiredness, and then there’s fatigue. Fatigue is more than just being sleepy or worn out. It’s a deep, ongoing tiredness that doesn’t go away even after you rest. If you have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), you may already know how draining it can be and how much it can affect your quality of life.
In this article, we’ll look at why people with ITP often feel fatigued and share five ways to manage it.
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Fatigue is a commonly reported symptom of ITP. In a study of nearly 1,500 people, 58 percent reported fatigue at the time of diagnosis. In focus groups, the ITP Support Association found that more than 90 percent of people with ITP described fatigue.
Children and adolescents with ITP can also experience fatigue. Sometimes it shows up differently than it does in adults. Instead of saying they feel tired, children and teens might seem unusually irritable, emotional, or restless.
Does ITP Cause Fatigue?There are several possible reasons you may feel fatigued with ITP. The cause may not always be clear, and factors unrelated to ITP could also contribute to your fatigue.
Below are some factors that may contribute to ITP-related fatigue.
Thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) may be a factor in ITP fatigue. Some people report that fatigue is worse when their platelet levels are low. One study found that people with ITP who had lower platelet counts reported higher levels of fatigue.
However, fatigue in ITP may have more than one cause.
Inflammation — the immune system’s response to injury or infection — may also play a role in fatigue for people with ITP. Inflammation is thought to cause fatigue in some long-term diseases. Researchers are studying whether inflammatory processes may contribute to fatigue in ITP.
Sometimes fatigue is caused by another health condition you have in addition to ITP. A condition that occurs alongside another condition is called a comorbidity. Health issues that may add to fatigue include:
Certain treatments for ITP may increase tiredness as a side effect.
Examples include:
If you’re feeling tired or notice new side effects after starting treatment, talk with your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your dose, suggest another treatment option, or help you understand what to expect as your treatment continues.
Raising your platelet levels doesn’t always make fatigue go away. Because fatigue in ITP may have more than one cause, managing it often takes time, patience, and support from your care team.
Here are five ways to help manage fatigue with ITP:
If you have ITP, you may feel tired during the day but have trouble sleeping at night. Daytime naps can also make it harder to fall asleep later.
Here are some tips for better sleep:
If sleep problems continue, talk with your doctor. They can help find the cause and suggest solutions.
When you’re already tired, exercise might be the last thing you want to do, but gentle movement may help boost your energy. Regular light exercise can be helpful for fatigue.
Low-intensity exercises that may be good for immune thrombocytopenia include:
Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan or increasing the intensity of your current routine. If you have ITP and a very low platelet count, a head injury can be dangerous.
There’s no official ITP diet designed to combat fatigue or raise low platelet counts. The Platelet Disorder Support Association notes that there’s no scientific evidence that specific foods can boost a low platelet count.
Still, a healthy eating pattern may help you feel your best. Eating more iron-rich foods may also help ease fatigue caused by iron-deficiency anemia, which can develop from ongoing bleeding due to ITP. Try these tips:
A small case series described papaya leaf extract as an add-on therapy for four people with chronic ITP, but a larger clinical trial is still needed. Talk to your doctor before trying papaya leaf extract or any supplement.
If fatigue makes it hard to cook, try healthy, low-effort meals, like:
Prep meals on days you feel well, so you have ready-to-eat meals on days when cooking is hard. For questions about diet and ITP fatigue, talk to your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian.
Living with ITP can be stressful, and stress can make fatigue worse and affect your quality of life. Reducing stress may help boost your energy.
Try these tips:
Long-term stress can contribute to inflammation and may affect your immune system. If stress is a regular part of your life, it’s worth asking for support. Ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a therapist, social worker, or support group for help.
Whether you are living with ITP or are the parent of a child with ITP, you do not have to go through this alone. Let your friends and family know you need help.
Here are some ways others can help:
Your healthcare team can help, too. Tell them if you’re struggling with fatigue, want to try new treatment options, or need a referral to a therapist or social worker.
Sometimes, fatigue may not be caused only by ITP. Ask your healthcare provider about getting tested for vitamin or nutrient deficiencies or sleep disorders like sleep apnea, in case something other than ITP is causing your fatigue.
Living with ITP fatigue can be difficult, but help is available.
On myITPteam, people share their experiences with ITP, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How do you manage fatigue with ITP? Let others know in the comments below.
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Sounds very much like ITP with bruising, fatigue and nose bleeds. I would see your Dr a.s.a.p and ask for a blood test to check your platelet count
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