[Marlene]

Platelet are pretty unpredictable when it comes to transfusions. It's not unusual for them not to take. Even when you get a bump, it usually doesn't last long. Your own platelets only live for 8 -10 days so that would be lessened for transfused platelets since you are getting someone else days later and all in different stages of their life cycle.

That being said, you may want to check the expiration date of the platelets and ask them to transfuse fresher ones if the platelets are nearing their expiration date. IMO, those needing frequent transfusions vs one-timers say for surgery, should get the fresher products. You would like for the transfused products to last as long as possible to reduce the overall number of transfusions.

Also, Single Donor platelets may work better. When John was in the hospital, Johns Hopkins would "match" his platelets. He would get huge bumps with matched platelets. They had their own blood blank and could spend the time to match them. Not many places do this.

Some have gone through the trouble to set up "directed donor" transfusions where they have friends and family donate platelets. They are matched to the patient. It's a lot of coordination and cannot be put in place immediately. The intent is to find 8 or 10 people whose platelets work and have them donate at a scheduled interval. However, the patient, overtime, may become refractory to those too.

If there is no active bleeding, then maybe consider holding off on transfusions if the platelets are holding at 5-10K range.