Ginkgo Biloba

Hello,

I was diagnosed ITP since 2003 at 55,000 count, and have so far not managed a stable count without medication. I have tried by improving my lifestyle - eating healthier food, getting adequate amount of rest, be more sensitive to my activities, no alcohol but my platelets are still crashing.

On the natural treatment, I have tried consuming vit c, blood well, 4-life factor didnt work.
Following up on this site, papaya leaf extracts seems promising to some ITP patients I may probably want to give it a try. On the other hand, anyone tried Ginkgo Biloba - did it work??

Have anyone of you actually feel that there could be just one particular virus/bacteria in the body that is causing our body to self-attack, do you remember what event took place when you were diagnosed - was there anything in particular? It was the SARS outbreak during my diagnosis, and I always have this idea that when the doctor decided to pump me with 60-80mg of prednisone in 2003, that changed my base-line ever. I could probably had never come this low at 5,000, or even if I had now I would probably be more content that it happened on its own, and not because the steriods were tappered down.

Tks for sharing your experience

rgds
steph

I notice that gingko biloba is on the list of "food and supplements that interfere with platelet function" on the PDSA "warnings" page.

Thanks Karen, didnt know that at all. For some reason, I remember coming across some clincial research article with the conclusion that ginkgo biloba increases platelets...

For the last 19 years since I was first diagnosed in 1994, every time my platlets crashed the consultant has always asked if I have done anything different. Naturally over that time I must have had changes in life. But nothing where I can put my finger on and say well could it be that? The nearest any of us have ever got is that consultant checked my blood film the 2nd time they crashed and discovered to his amazement that my spleen had regrown. He checked it every single time since then and its only regrown that once. I don't know if the new consultant has checked but since reading some things on here, if my count is lower than last time I am going to ask him to check. After all, it don't involve me going through any extra tests. I only say so because on another post someone had 4. Nothing is impossible so it seems with our bodies and whilst there has been some time lapse. It could be that the dedbry in the blood isn't sooo dead. I hope you find and answer for you soon