question: I have had a recent history of low blood platelet counts while my actual RBC is normal.  I have many different health issues; including osteo and rheumatoid arthritises, fibromyalgia, heart valve replacement (mitral w/ a St. Jude Mechanical Valve), CHF, dilated cardiomyopathy, COPD (caused by second-hand cigarette smoke), spinal stenosis and ankyling spondilosis in the lower spine.  There are a few other issues; however, these are the major ones.  I have successfully been taking 200mg. Celebrex for about 12 years now, but it has caused an increase of bruising and now, the low platelet count.  My doctor has decreased my Celebrex in half, to 100mg.  Of course, I am "feeling" the effects upon the lowering.  My question is this: what is the risk in increasing the Celebrex back up to 200 mg?  And, would I be a candidate for Blood Platelet Replacement Therapy to overcome the counts being low?