mummy_channon

is there still no one out there who can advise me on sickle cell??

anita665

What is it that you want to know? I know a fair bit about it as I have a close relative with it.

loubieloulou

really sorry but i havent a clue, just didnt wanna read and run! hope you get the information u need, im sure there is plenty online best of luck, keep us posted x

Ann-Marie

I'm not familiar with it, sorry. Your doc or mw would be able to tell you though?

anita665

All I can think to tell you without knowing what info you want is that it is hereditary and a blood condition. The Red blood cells sometimes go a funny (sickle) shape. Then they get stuck in the blood vessles and can cause damage to the vessles and organs by cutting off the oxygen. I think most commonly the liver and kidneys are affected but all the organs can be. This only happens in attacks (crisis) which for some people can be quite often and for others not very often at all. The rest of the time people with sickle cell can be perfectly fine. The attacks I think can be brought on by things like dehydration and stress (I'm not 100% sure on that though).

It's most common amoungst African and hispanic people. Pretty much people who's origins are from countries with maleria as it's actually something the body has done to fight it. I don't think people with sickle cell can catch maleria at all (although again I'm not certain).

It's a very painful condition when the crisis happen though and does reduce life span but not by much nowdays since treatment and medical care is so good. I think its common for people to live into their 50's and 60's. There is no cure but people are give a blood transfer during crisis to limit the damage to the organs.

Hope that helps.

Whisper

Yup the above pretty much sums it up, i have Beta Thalassemia minor (i think it means i am a carrier of it). It doesnt really have any effect on me other than symptons similar to that of someone with anemia.

tinkerbelll

i also have the thalassemia trait, it doesnt effect me much either although you do have to get your partner checked for it