Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell

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Hello everyone. I'm happy we can be able to discuss the struggles we face living with sickle cell. My questions to yall. Do you get depress often? I started having sickle cell crisis when I was 18 ye…

Hello everyone. I'm happy we can be able to discuss the struggles we face living with sickle cell. My questions to yall. Do you get depress often? I started having sickle cell crisis when I was 18 years old. Now I'm 28. I had my first panic attack when I was 20. I couldn't breathe and my heart was beating fast. Later on, I was feeling depress about life. I felt alone eventhough my boyfriend at the time mother has sickle cell, as well as my sister, I felt alone. I was angry that I had to endure so much pain. I felt incompetent on my jobs because of the lack of energy. I felt embarrass to tell people of my condition. Carrying on all the burden, I was gradually getting depress. It's became difficult to handle bad circumstances in life. I had to do something about it before it overcomes me. I visited the sickle cell foundation and explained my depression and asked was it normal. The lady verified that it was a normal behavior for people living with sickle cell to experience depression. Since I was aware that I had a problem and talked with someone about it, I was able to face it and study it. Now I'm learning to handle depression. Do or did anyone experience the same thing?

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Comment by lex on January 9, 2011 at 2:25pm: Wow Veon, that's great news. Listening to gospel will surely encourage you.

I surely understand that you don't wont your boyfriend to see you in these condition. I was struggling with that for years. I would try to hide from my boyfriend each time I was admitted in the hospital. He would get worried about me when I would not answer my phone while I was in the hospital so that he wouldn't know I was in there. That's how bad I was ashamed and afraid that he would think it was too much to have a girlfriend with a condition that requires numerous of hospital visits. He was always supportive and there for me when I was sick, but I messed it up with my insecurities. I learned that a person have to accept me for everything. Even though the relationship did not workout, I found someone else "a guy friend" who seems caring and passionate about others circumstances. He's also a christian. So, God will always looks out for you. Even with all the struggles and some days are worse then others, God will pull you through. So I'm glad to hear you are reading the bible.

I also understand the days when everything is going great and then later that night you're going through a sickle cell crisis. Funny thing is that my sickle cell crisis start acting up during night time while I'm sleeping and it would wake me up. Then I would have to drive to the hospital at night. Hate that. But for some reason my blood count goes very low when I'm resting.

Comment by Veon A. McGlory on January 3, 2011 at 5:44pm: Yes i do know wgat your going through. Last night i was at my boyfriends house and he's so good to me. I felt good all day long we went to church and then we went to his grandma's house and i felt great. When we went back to his house to relax from the day we had. I started to go into a mild pain crisis and he telling babe is there anything i can do for you, i was like no not really. Then i started feeling real bad and i started to breathe real hard and clinch my teeth together real hard and i dont like him to see me in that kind of pain. then all of a suden i felt real down and out because i felt good all day long and then i go into a pain crisis and there's nothing he can to to help me and i hate when im good all day then go into a pain crisis at night. that makes me feel like no one understands me at all. this morning i woke up and began praying and reading my bible and that helps me. I've been listening to nothing but gospel all day.

Comment by lex on December 19, 2010 at 11:05am: I know it will be difficult times. There will be moments when you feel alone because people around you are healthy and not going through what you are going through. How I am dealing with my depression is by fighting it. Depression can take over you or you can take over it. Either way you have to make a decision because it's not going anywhere. I've heard people getting healed from sickle cell by Jesus Christ, but until a healing comes, you have to deal with the condition and depression. First, dealing with depression is taking control of it. How to take control of it? Face it. You are taking the first step by facing your depression because you are aware that you have depression and many people don't want to admit they do. So congratulations. Second is to research about depression and how to take control of it. The internet is a good tool to use to get information. You will be surprise how much information you can find on any subject on the internet. Another thing that helps me with my depression. Having a real understanding that sickle cell is not the only condition the world throw in people's lives. There are so many health conditions that are far more worse than sickle cell. I'm not saying sickle cell is not bad because I will be lying. Sickle cell is a pain in my butt. However, to know that there are worse condition people are dealing with, makes me strong to handle my condition. Another thing is to continue to socialize with others who are dealing with the same thing you are dealing with; as well as socializing with people who are dealing with a worse condition. This will help you to know you are not alone. You don't understand the power behind feeling like you are not alone. It's gives you confront and strength. Now dealing with your condition is to take over it as well. Research as much about Sickle cell. I found out doctors don't care. Period. Doctors are not going to tell you about supplements that are natural and does not harm to your body, but can help you. They are not going to tell you that pain medication harms your liver and heart and brain and so on. Take pain medication when needed, not for small pain. Back to researching. RESEARCH RESEARCH about sickle cell. When you know the ends and outs about the condition, you will live a healthier life. I found good news when I researched about sickle cell. Sickle cell is a condition that you can take control of. Only you have to power to change your life. But when you feel you are lost and hopeless, just know it's better to be strong. Enjoy your life that was givin. Make the most out of it because some people don't make it to see 21 or even 1. Keep that in mind. If you ever want to talk to me, I'm here. I look like I'm 18 but I'm 28 now and been through a lot with this condition. I can give encouragement with my stories. Until then, be bless.

Comment by karen collins-glasgow on December 18, 2010 at 5:03pm: hey girl be strong and rememeber you not alone i does go through depression myself when am in pain and people feel you not really in pain and you have to beg for attension or people treat you like thats a normal thing.

Comment by Luchy Ejiz on December 18, 2010 at 9:40am: Hey dear,you are not alone. Am feeling very depressed after taken blood for the first time at age 21.. I'm depressed cuz i felt i shldnt and i never wanted to. All my life,i have rejected accepting the conditions that comes with SC.. I dont know if am doing good or bad by believing that.. How are u dealing with depression?pls share

Comment by Ade Dotun on November 12, 2010 at 11:35pm: i am glad to hear that u are doing better and in higher spirits, i do have my down times, but i dont think i was actually ever really depressed, although i used to think i was, i just have random mood swings at times, but i try not to wallow in it. It would be great if you could share some of the ways that you have learned to handle your depression. stay strong!