My experience with sickle cell anemia became easier with the more knowledge I have had over the years. My toughest years were my 20s, when I found myself going to the hospital with great frequency because of a series of crises. My late 30s and 40s were better. I only went to the emergency room every 13 months or so, allowing some hospital staff to call me the "rare" sickle cell patient. My early 50s were very tough, particularly 51 through 52, where I was hospitalized frequently because of frequent crises. Now that I am on hydroxyurea, my crises have been rare. I currently have hip pain, which I am sure will lead to a hip replacement this summer. One note though, a healthy diet is extremely important. Have lots of juices, fresh fruits, and vegetables. I am also an advocate of physical exercise, using my health club membership religiously. Meditation is good, as is good warm showers, and saunas. Published: April 22 ::

I am 45 years old and was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SC) when I was five years old. For me childhood and young adult were the most difficult times. That's when I had the most crises. I was never hospitalized, at that stage, but I missed a lot of school days and was always playing 'catch-up'. I had my first child at 29 years old. Three months later I was diagnosed with aseptic necrosis at the left hip. I have only just now been diagnosed with bleeding in the eye and require laser treatment. I must say that I have been blessed, because I have only needed to be hospitalized about four times because of painful crises. Other times I am treated at home (maybe it’s because of my dislike for hospitals that I am not there more often) and also I think my pain threshold is high. I have gone for years without having a crisis. My necrosis does not bother me a lot. Sometimes I forget about it until I feel a little twinge or something. At other times I can barely walk, but still I go on because the good times are a whole lot more than the bad times. I do try to eat right and have plenty fluids and rest (sleep). I live in Jamaica so I don't have to contend with extreme cold (except A/C in some offices). I try not to physically exert myself too much as I find that this can bring on a crisis as well. I have had medical doctors look at me and try to convince me that I am not a 'sickler' because they say I do not present like the typical sicker...I look healthy. I don’t know, am I just extremely fortunate? Published: June 03 ::

I am a 32-year old African American female with sickle cell (SS). My experience has been generally good. I suffered with crises mostly in my teens and early 20's. I find that 'triggers' (cold, wet, stress, infection) vary for each sickler and it is best to know your own triggers to help in pain avoidance or management. In my 30's the frequency and severity of the disease has decreased. I find that a balanced diet, lots of daily fluids, vitamins and rest help greatly. The herbal supplement of garlic helps me personally (possibly because it thins the blood slightly so it can flow easily). The disease is very manageable and need not be frightening or life-threatening. I have no children yet and have concerns/fears about pregnancy complications however I am encouraged by the stories of other sicklers. Published: June 03 ::

I am a 32-year-old African American who has sickle cell anemia. All my life I have struggled with this disease. It's very painful when you have a pain crisis. One time that I can remember is when I went to the emergency room and they gave me two rounds of pain medicines that didn't help. I was told that it's impossible to still be in pain. They discharged me and said that I was a junkie. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I tried going to another emergency room and had to wait more than four hours to be seen. Since then, I have relocated to Tennessee, and the care that I receive here is overwhelming. I have never seen such great medical staff that takes the time to understand what I'm going through. I have three healthy children. What I have learned the most about having this disease is not to let your sickness get the best of you. Drink plenty of water. Exercise daily, even if it's just a walk in your neighborhood. Join a support group in your area; it really helps to be round people who understand your pain and don't judge you for being an outsider. One thing that I struggle with more than anything is holding a job. I start out good, but my attendance affects other co-workers, so I get let go. Published: April 22 ::

I’m only 14 now, but since I know I have sickle cell, and I know how to control it, it's much easier for me to deal with it. Sometimes I have problems at school because my school is literally 1/4 of a mile long and I have trouble walking from one class to another, but my teachers know what’s wrong with me if I don’t look like my normal self. And missing school is always hard because I have to catch up, and when I do come back, all the kids ask why I was out, and I can't tell them the truth because I'm scared they might not like me anymore. I know it's stupid, but that’s how I feel. Published: November 04 ::