My father has a very low platelet count(10) They have ruled out cancer, HIV, and Hep C. In research pain medication can cause low platelet count. My father has had 5 back surgeries and now for 2-3 years has pain pump underneath the skin in his back to help with the pain. He can have no more surgeries. He is 86. He also has RA. Now they are checking the spleen. Why would low platelet count effect the spleen?