Hi.  I was wondering if anyone has any experience with petechiae.  If you read my other post, I've been dealing with 3 slightly swollen lymph nodes for 4 months.  All of them at last check-up were less than 1.5 cm with two of them being very slightly less than .9 cm, although when originally found they were all between 1.3 cm and 2.1 cm.  My primary care doctor, 2 ENTs, an endocrinologist that I was sent to due to a mislabeled FNA specimen, and a hemotologist all say that these lymph nodes "seem" benign.  I'm hoping they are right.

I've noticed that since August I've been developing petechiae on my upper arms, side trunk, and back.  When I originally started noticing them (I was looking out for them as they are a symptom of lymphoma) they were very few in number.  They would fade within 8-24 hours but would come back in a different location within 2-3 days.  While on vacation in late August I ended up with a long line of them extending from the front part of my trunk to 1/4 of the way on my back.  All the dots were in a straight line.  They too went away although I started getting reoccurances of them quicker...within 1-2 days.  Now I am getting new ones everyday.  They are larger in number most times although not as widespread as the pictures that I see online.  Last night I freaked out because I developed them on my shoulder which is a new spot.  I also had them earlier in the morning on my trunk.  Those were almost faded by the time the ones on my shoulder appeared.  I'm 100% sure they are petechiae, although they were not present when I went to see my primary care doctor who referred me to a hemotologist.  They weren't present for that appointment either.  However, based on the description of petechiae, tiny round blood spots that do not blanche and fade, I'm positive that these are petechiae.  I have cherry angiomas and I know the difference.  Plus you have those forever.  I called my hemotologist's office and I have an appointment for Friday afternoon.

3 weeks ago the hemotologist tested my CBC w/differential and platelettes again (it's been tested numerous times this year) along with LDH, clotting time, and von Willebrands.  Everything came back fine.  I have copies of most of my bloodwork from this year and everything seems within range and fairly normal.  Platelettes are always within the mid 200 - mid 300 range which is well within range.  The only thing that was ever very slightly high was my MCHC which I was told sometimes happens but is ok since all of the other red blood cell counts are within range.   My WBC was near the high limit of in range amount once at 10.4 with slightly high poly (I think that was the one) and slightly low Lymphs which would indicate an infection.  I was never told of this so these numbers must be ok in the big picture and those numbers never reappeared.  The only other striking thing I saw was that the last time my primary care doctor tested my CBC, he also checked my B12 level which was within range, however on the very low side at 274.  There was a notation on the report that said 200-400 can cause neurological and hematological problems.  I asked the hematologist about this thinking that since my platelettes are normal that the petechiae could be caused by a B12 deficiency.  He didn't think so.  He said that the B12 was ok but I read that only when it's above 400 is it considered really ok.  My liver bloodwork also looks normal (bilirubin, alkaline, AST, ALT, creatine, etc.).  My ESR was a 1 (very well within range) back in early March.  LDH I was told was normal although I don't know the number.  My lyme test was negative as was my ANA test (for Lupus I believe).  It doesn't look like I have an autoimmune disease.  I think that all of these doctors have covered all bases.

Does anyone have any clue what could be causing the petechiae?  The only medication that I take is Zyrtec-D (allergy plus psuedephedrine).  I wasn't taking this type of antihistimine when I started noticing the spots so I don't think that it's causing them.  I haven't changed detergents or soaps and do not wear perfume.  My deoderant is hypoallergenic and the spots aren't on my arm pits.  The hematologist said that if I had lymphoma, which is my main concern because of the lymph nodes, the petechiae would be caused by low platelettes.  Is this correct?  I assume it is because this doctor is a hematologist oncologist so he treats this everyday.  Should I request a bone marrow aspiration?  Are there other blood tests that look for the cause of petechiae?  I know it's ok to get a couple once in a while.  I was told that that is normal.  However, I'm getting them everyday and I'm happy that they fade quickly, but something just doesn't seem right.