Sickle Cell Warrior

Hey, stop that! We are wonderfully and fearfully made. Life comprises of different people with different characters, temperament, skin colour, facial look, gene and so on but the main fact here is that we are all classified as “ human being”. We have just one source which in turns nullifies all differences. Many SCD persons have suffered rejections, stigmatizations, frustrations in one way or the other as a result of their unwished genotype. Yes, unwished because they never planned nor prayed for it but because it pleases the creator to make them in that likeness. The first set back I witnessed in my life was when I was dismissed from my work place as a result of my genotype haven fallen ill. I was just a college graduate waiting to secure admission into higher institutions, so I decided to work as a teacher in a primary school. Lo and behold, I was dismissed because I took some days off to take care of myself. No matter how much I explained to the proprietress, she wouldn’t lis...

This discussion is addressing Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). At present, the cure there is for sickle cell is Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). This provides information you may wish to know about BMT. Please feel free to send in any further questions and comments. #CureForSickleCell QUESTION: Is there a CURE for SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA (Haemoglobin SS)? ANSWER: YES, there is a cure for sickle cell in the form of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). BMT for sickle cell has been around since the late 1980’s – although still not widely available. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION (BMT): WHAT IS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION? BMT for sickle cell is a procedure whereby cells from the bone marrow of a donor (ie someone who is Haemoglobin AA or AS) are transplanted into someone with Haemoglobin SS WHERE DO THE DONATED CELLS COME FROM FROM?: Bone marrow cells are usually taken from the hip bone of the donor – who must have either Haemoglobin AA or AS. U...

Many people living with the Sickle Cell Disorder often witness difficulties in chosing and having a life partner as a result of the disorder in their blood and the fear, misconceptions and believes that exist in the society. The four common genotypes we have in Nigeria includes: AA, AS, SS, and SC People with AA are at will to choose any other partner with any other type of genotype without any form of having to bother about any gene disorder. When it comes to the turn of AS, SS and SC, they need to be careful (genotype wise) as to who they choose as their life partner. As earlier established, AS can get married to AA as the possibility of having a child with the trait (Hb S-AS) is 25%, away from this, all their children can also have the AA genotype. Also, AS to AS is really not adviseable because the possibility of having a child with SS is 25% while the possibility of having a child with the trait (Hb S-AS) is 50% whilst having a child with AA is also 25%. Futherm...

I grew up with an illusion that SCD is a killer disease and anyone with SCD can not live more than 20 years of age. As a child, I do think of my death as I approach the age of 20. Whenever I'm having crisis is another perfect time for me to think of my death. I must tell you, living with SCD is one thing you should not wish for your enemy especially crisis period. The pains you go through as a person is like that of the pains Jesus went through on the cross of Calvary (apologies to the non-Christians). Studies have shown that about a significant percentage of people posses low and quality information about Sickle Cell Disorder and this in turn has led to a misconceptions about what really the disorder is. Don't be surprised I'm using the word disorder, it's not a disease, it is simply a gene disorder. Many people seem to term SCD with what it is not, SCD IS NOT A KILLER DISEASE neither is it a DEATH WARRANT.   There are persons living with SCD leading and livin...

In management of Sickle Cell Crisis, a good history about the disorder is required also, regular physical examination is required vis-à-vis investigations and diagnosis. More so, precipitating factors should be avoided and treated promptly. It should be known that acute painful attacks require supportive therapy with intravenous fluids adequate analgesics like NSAIDs or opioid analgesics. Also, sickle-cells crisis requires strong analgesics usually narcotics, morphine is the drug of choice. Also, exploring the following can help in the management of sickle cell crisis. These include;  Non pharmacological:  massaging, warm application, bed rest, bandaging, bed rest and cognitive behavioral therapy Prophylaxis:  folic acid, penicillin and proguanil daily as well as taking plenty water and avoiding exposure to precipitating factors. It is also important to know that “The safest blood transfusion is NO transfusion” (Shamsu Abdullahi Dangulbi) Transfusion i...

Information About Sickle Cell Disorder Sickle cell disorder is by far the commonest inherited disorder in the world and three quarters of cases occur in Africa. In Nigeria, where it affects two out of every hundred children born, it causes suffering for innumerable patients and their families. However, despite its importance, until now there has been no dedicated sickle cell center in Africa. This is partly because the very scale of the problem makes it difficult to see how to start. Sickle cell disorder is an inherited haemoglobin disorder comprising sickle cell anaemia (Hb SS) and some less prevalent but related conditions such as sickle haemoglobin C disorder (Hb SC) and sickle beta thalassaemia (Hb SBthal). The genes for these conditions arose by mutation but proliferated in areas where there is or there was a high incidence of falciparium malaria, the most lethal strain of malaria known to man. The individual with the sickle cell trait (Hb AS) is protected from s...