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The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Thank you 2025 Sponsors for helping us reach our goal!! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. SCDAA-MI provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Sickle cell is a complex biopsychosocial condition affecting every blood vessel, organ, and system in the body. While its severity impacts each individual uniquely, sickle cell’s most common visible presentation is excruciating, unpredictable pain. However, the condition’s less visible complications of continual hemolytic anemia and vascular and organ damage are silent, but life-shortening, ramifications suffered by every individual with sickle cell. OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN - SHARE - DISCOVER Anniversary STATE OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE EXPLORE TREATMENTS WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH SCDAA-MI NEWS & MEDIA SPONSORS & ALLIANCES QUESTIONS ABOUT HYDROXYUREA WE'RE NOW WORKING REMOTELY TO HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU! DETROIT OFFICE 18516 James Couzens Fwy Detroit, MI 48235 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special Event Hours as Posted CONTACT US Detroit/SE Mich: (313) 864-4406 or ( 800) 842-0973 Children's Hospital SC Clinic: (313) 745-5613 Sickle Cell Trait Counseling: (313) 864-4406 School/Job Assistance: (313) 595-0541 Email: info@scdaami.org SATELLITE OFFICES Adult Clinic Caseworker: (313) 864-4406 Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Area: (269) 927-5629 Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area: (616) 788-9816 Jackson/Lansing Area: (517) 249-3528 Saginaw/Flint Area: (989) 755-7752

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External jobs/ careers Dedicated Career Opportunities The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Michigan Chapter (SCDAA-MI), offers external job postings that attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates, helping them find the right talent to drive growth and success in a environment that is suitable to their educational and experienced background. Please see below of a list of job positions that are available in other companies seeking individuals who qualify. Since we are a community based organization, are goal is to improve the well-being of the community it serves, whether that's through economic growth, educational opportunities, job opportunities, healthcare access, or social services Position Available: Bronson Careers The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter and our affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer

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symptoms& complications Info You Should Know: Symptoms and Complications of Sickle Cell Disease (Although the language here is directed to parents, this list applies to both children and adults with sickle cell. When in doubt, please contact your medical provider or go to the hospital.) NIH NHLBI g uidelines for treating complications Anemia Your baby may have this condition if he/she lacks the number of healthy blood cells required to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body. Some of the most common symptoms include paleness, low energy, breathing problems, and slower growth. Treatment: The doctor will consider the severity of the symptoms to suggest a treatment plan, but they may rely on antibiotics and blood transfusion to treat the condition. Acute Chest Syndrome It could be an extremely painful and serious situation because it restricts blood flow to the lungs. Some common signs and symptoms include chest pain, breathing problems, and fever. Treatment: The doctor may recommend treatment with blood transfusions, antibiotic medicine, pain medicine, and oxygen to help improve breathing. Pain Pain is common and happens when sickled cells restrict blood flow. Pain can be anywhere in the body – it can be in organs and joints as well. The pain may continue for a few hours or extend to days and even weeks. It is important to give your child plenty of fluids, maintain temperature, and keep them from high altitudes to limit pain episodes. Treatment: Some of the most common treatment options include heating pads, prescription pain medicine, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen, and hydroxyurea to help produce a specific type of hemoglobin. Extended pain requires hospitalization and narcotic medications. Hand-Foot Syndrome A child may experience pain, coldness, or swelling in the feet and hands when the sickle cells affect the blood supply to these limbs. Treatment: The doctor may rely on certain pain-relieving medicine to treat the symptoms. Giving your child plenty of fluids may also help. Splenic Crisis Sometimes, sickled cells accumulate in the spleen and clog it. This leads to swelling that prevents the spleen from filtering blood in the body. Specific signs include weakness, pain on the left side of the belly, and a rapid heart rate. Treatment: The usual treatment option is blood transfusion. The doctor may also consider removing the spleen iif splenic crisis becomes a regular issue. Infection Your child may have to fight with several infections including the infection of the lining of the brain and lung infection. Signs and symptoms include breathing problems, fever, coughing, headaches, and pain in the bones. An oral temperature over 100.3 requires a trip to the emergency room to help prevent bacterial sepsis. Treatment: It is important to prevent an infection from happening by staying up to date on vaccinations. If your child gets an infection, your doctor may recommend some antibiotics to clear the infection. Taking antibiotics regularly may help prevent infections when your baby is between 2 months and 5 years of age. Stroke Those altered red blood cells may restrict blood flow to the brain, which sometimes leads to a stroke. The most common symptoms include weakness on one side of the body, severe headache, and changes in speech, alertness, hearing, or vision. Treatment: Your child's healthcare provider will first notice these symptoms and then ask for an ultrasound, called Doppler ultrasound, to determine your child's risk for stroke. Vision Loss Blindness and other vision problems may happen when these cells block blood supply to your child's eyes. Sometimes, the cells block the blood flow to a specific part of the brain that leads to vision loss. Treatment: A regular eye exam with an ophthalmologist is necessary to avoid such issues, but your doctor may also recommend additional eye treatment to prevent further damage. More on major complications and their treatments from the CDC

site map Our site is filled with valuable, credible information! You can explore its content here or use our search feature. Home Highlights Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources Spring E-Newsletter Explore Treatments News & Media Sponsors & Alliances Advocacy & Legislation Locations Detroit Office Contact Us Satellite Offices Map About Us Our History Our Impact Our Board Our Staff Jobs/Careers Services Office and satellite location contacts Our Services Newborn screening Testing and genetic counseling Social work services Career development Public education Summer Camp Covid-19 information Conditions What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease How Do You Inherit Sickle Cell Disease? Explore More In-Depth Information American Society of Hematology Centers for Disease Control National Institutes of Health The Problem with Sickled Cells (video) A Century of Progress A History of Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Trait Sickle Cell Trait Facts Know Your Trait Status Sickle cell trait info from the CDC NCAA Fact Sheet for Student Athletes Testing for sickle cell trait and disease Symptoms & Complicatons Symptoms and Complications Anemia Acute Chest Syndrome Pain Hand-Foot Syndrome Splenic Crisis Infection Stroke Vision Loss More info from the CDC Treatments Feb. 29, 2020 treatment workshop videos Bone marrow and stem cell transplants Medications Penicillin Hydroxyurea Endari Adakveo Oxbryta Transfusions Media News & Multimedia SCDAA-MI Out and About News From Around the Community Patient & caregiver-focused videos Provider-focused sickle cell videos Press Releases E-newsletters News archive Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources Section 1 Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources SCDAA sickle cell/COVID-19 guidelines Patient Provider SCD COVID Registry Contact info for Drs. 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Other informational resources One SCD Voice Cheat Codes Podcast Living with SCD Self-Care Toolkit Get Connected Patient Powered Registry The Sickle Cell Podcast Generation S Get Involved Donate Ways 2 Give Why donate? Donate online Host a Facebook fundraiser Amazon Text to Give Kroger community rewards Check or money order Corporate partnerships 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk Host Committee Our Donors Advocate 2020 Census information Current and recent issues we’re working on Advocacy training Are you ready to vote? Michigan voter information Our advocacy partners Do you know who represents you? Find your representative. Volunteer Sickle Cell 911 SCDAA sickle cell/COVID-19 provider guidelines SCD COVID Registry ASH COVID FAQs SAFE(R) card and accompanying NIH guidelines NIH and AHRQ ER triage guidelines NIH Sickle Cell Pain Algorithm How to conduct a sickle cell assessment (6 min video) High ER utilization and perceptions of addiction/drug-seeking behavior (3 min video) About the SAFE(R) Initiative CDC clarification on opioids for sickle cell disease NIH Guidelines NIH full recommendations NIH quick guide to recommendations NIH guidelines – acute care breakout (11 complications) ASH pocket guides for acute and non-acute care management Management of acute complications of sickle cell All pocket guides Cardiopulmonary and kidney disease Health maintenance and management of chronic complications Hydroxyurea and transfusion therapy About SAFE(R) SAFE(R) card How to partner Provider and patient anecdotes CDC opioid guidance for sickle cell HHS Asst. Sec’y for health comment Office of Minority Health statistic SCD Education Resources for provider education Improving Emergency Department-Based Care of Sickle Cell Pain American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Resources Acute and Emergency Department Assessment and Treatment Sickle Cell is More Than Pain: Managing Complications Helpful Contextual Videos About Sickle Cell Disease Ongoing Educational Opportunities Events Event Calendar 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk Register today Set up your team Sponsor info Vendor reservation Volunteer Warrior Stroll Salute to Legacy Warriors Virtual Summit Leadership and Key Volunteers Who to contact 2019 Event Gallery Cynthia Coles Circle Luncheon, May 18 World Sickle Cell Day, June 19 Sickle Strong Empowerment Circle Balloon Launch, June 19 2019 Sickle Cell Matters Walk 2018 Gallery 2018 Sickle CELLabration World Sickle Cell Day 2018 2018 Sickle Cell Matters Awareness Walk 2018 Cynthia Coles Circle Benefit Luncheon Campaign Awareness Launch More Contact Us Client Feedback Volunteer Search Client Assistance Phone numbers to reach our patient advocate and social work staff throughout the state of Michigan.

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Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter Staff Tracie L. Conic, M.A., B.S.W Director of Client Services/HIPAA Compliance Officer Tonya Ashwood-Malone Data Manager Donell R. Love, B.S.W. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Detroit Michael Copeland, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area Jessica Williams Program Assistant Krystin Martinez, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Saginaw/Flint Area Melanie Greer, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Craig Bradley Director of Operations & Outreach NiQuan Webb Maintenance/Courier Kristal Johnson-Cobb Administrative Assistant Cree King-Jackson Executive Assistant/Newborn Screening Assistant Clifton Kirkman II Social Media Specialist Jerica McBride, M.A. Education/Career Coordinator Angela McCreary, B.S.W. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Lansing/Jackson Area Richard Reed Finance Manager Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D. CEO & Medical Director our staff

media Keep up with SCDAA-MI news, articles and information from a variety of outlets on issues affecting sickle cell, and videos and webinars to keep you up-to-date about what's happening in the #sicklecell community. SCDAA-MI OUT & ABOUT SCDAA-MI World Sickle Cell Day press release SCDAA-MI ANNOUNCES SAFE(R) INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY SICKLE CELL CARE Effort aims to assist medical community in proper treatment of long-misunderstood disease February 26, 2020 Read more SAFE(R) provides medical professionals with quick access to an online portal at SCDAAMI.org/SickleCell911 that provides clinical practice guidelines for sickle cell established by the National Institutes of Health, sickle cell-specific opioid guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as best practices and recommendations from the American Society of Hematology and other leading experts in sickle cell treatment. NHLBI Speaker "Thank you National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for having me alongside these devoted advocates as a panelist for the “What is a Meaningful Cure?” panel discussion hosted by Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney . #CureSCI #sicklecell Thanks Teonna Woolford for the pic!! — with Velvet Brown-Watts , André Marcel Harris and Cassandra Trimnell at Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel and Executive Meeting Center ." NEWS FROM AROUND THE COMMUNITY Toledo's Promedica Hospital has added an adult sickle cell clinic, the first of its kind in northwest Toledo. - WATCH & READ Get the clinic's info here Could gene therapy cure sickle cell anemia? - WATCH FDA approves first targeted therapy to treat patients with painful complication of sickle cell disease - READ FDA Approves Oxbryta™ (Voxelotor), the First Medicine Specifically Targeting the Root Cause of Sickle Cell Disease - READ Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Has Oklahoma Roots - READ Patient & caregiver focused videos All Categories Play Video Play Video 10:35 Sickle Cell Disease: a battle for equality, justice and respect | Ahmar Zaidi | TEDxDetroit What led a 46 year old Haitian artist to being kicked out of the hospital in the dead of winter? What led him to joblessness and homelessness? Part of the answer was in his blood...but most of the answer is us. Dr. Ahmar Zaidi is a pediatric hematologist who focuses on the care of people with sickle cell disease. He works at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and is involved in research looking at pain in sickle cell disease patients. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Play Video Play Video Hour Detroit’s Excellence in Care Award Sharada Sarnaik, M.D., Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologists at Children’s Hospital of Michigan presented Hour Detroit’s Excellence in Care Award Play Video Play Video SCDAAMI Questions about Hydroxyurea OUR THEME: Together we can make a difference and "break the sickle cycle" OUR MISSION To maximize the life potential of individuals living with sickle cell disease To enable individuals with sickle cell trait to make informed decisions with respect to family planning. To provide education and testing for the general public Play Video Play Video 10:16 World Sickle Cell Day | American Black Journal Clip Air date: 6/19/16. Three women on the front lines in the battle against sickle cell disease: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who is Board Chair of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Michigan chapter; Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Michigan; and Anastasia Worthy, Youth Ambassador of the Michigan Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Episode 4437/Segment 1. Play Video Play Video 02:00 2018 Access to Care Summit Educating and Empowering Sickle Cell Patients 2018 Access to Care Summit: Educating and Empowering Sickle Cell Patients. Original published link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEHsyeTbYT8&t=9s Play Video Play Video 00:31 Annual SCD Therapeutics Conference Experience Wanda Whitten Shurney, M D Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D., the CEO and medical director of SCDAA – Michigan Chapter, explains the value that the annual Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics Conference offers to the SCD community in this short video. To learn more, visit scdconference.com. Original published link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYP1YkA0W3A Play Video Play Video 05:48 Sickle cell disease: Why is it hard to talk about our pain? BBC Stories Sickle cell disease is a serious and lifelong health condition that predominantly affects people from African or Caribbean backgrounds. Symptoms include bouts of pain, strokes, organ failure, and complications that can result in reduced life expectancy. Some consider it a 'silent illness' as those who have the condition rarely speak about it or the pain that they live with. We speak to 25 year-old Chris who lives with the disease and started his own initiative that aims to create conversation about the condition. Produced by: Kesewaa Browne Filmed and edited by: James Stewart Animation: Gerard Groves Commissioning Editor: Kimberley Rowell #sicklecell #sickle #bbc We are BBC Stories, a group of journalists making films, long and short, with the younger audience (18-24) in mind. The idea is to tackle issues which concern and impact this group of people. So think about anything from race and identity to mental health, money and much more. Play Video Play Video 05:07 Prodigy Talks With Real Health About His Life With Sickle Cell Anemia Hip-Hop Star Prodigy talks with Real Health editor in chief Kate Ferguson about his life with sickle cell anemia. Provider-focused sickle cell videos Play Video Play Video 10:35 Sickle Cell Disease: a battle for equality, justice and respect | Ahmar Zaidi | TEDxDetroit What led a 46 year old Haitian artist to being kicked out of the hospital in the dead of winter? What led him to joblessness and homelessness? Part of the answer was in his blood...but most of the answer is us. Dr. Ahmar Zaidi is a pediatric hematologist who focuses on the care of people with sickle cell disease. He works at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and is involved in research looking at pain in sickle cell disease patients. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Play Video Play Video 04:23 Burden of Sickle Cell Disease Expert clinicians discuss the prevalence and overall burden of sickle cell disease across the globe and recognize the role of community physicians in managing the disease. Play Video Play Video 01:19 Dr Ahmar Zaidi on Efforts Needed to Address Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Ahmar Zaidi, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children's Hospital of Michigan, discusses the need for more efforts from both the medical community and regulators to address the psychosocial complications of sickle cell disease. Play Video Play Video 09:09 Freda Lewis-Hall and TLC's "T-Boz" Discuss Sickle Cell Disease on The Doctors Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer of Pfizer, appears on The Doctors to speak about sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that primarily affects African Americans, and the genetic trait linked to the disease. She and The Doctors are joined by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, of the musical group TLC, who lives with the condition. Check your local listings to see the whole show and learn more at www.GetHealthyStayHealthy.com. Freda Lewis-Hall and TLC's "T-Boz" Discuss Sickle Cell Disease on The Doctors

Sickle Cell 911 provides fast, simple access to NIH recommendations and guidelines in treating acute sickle cell complications. SICKLE CELL 911: FAST ACCESS TO GUIDELINES & BETTER CARE Empowering medical professionals to implement evidence-based sickle cell action. Amplifying the patient's voice in care. " Only about 1 in 4 patients with sickle cell disease receive the standard of care described in current guidelines, and many studies have shown that patients do not receive treatment for their pain as soon as, or in appropriate doses as, other patients." - HHS Office of Minority Health PROVIDER INFO SCDAA HEALTH ALERT - COVID-19 AND SICKLE CELL DISEASE: An Outline to Decrease Burden and Minimize Morbidity PARTNER WITH SAFER COVID REGISTRY ASH COVID FAQs TOP OPIOIDS & SCD NIH GUIDELINES COMPLICATIONS ASH POCKET GUIDES ABOUT SAFE(R) SCD EDUCATION IF A PATIENT GIVES YOU THIS CARD, PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE FOR NIH GUIDELINES! PLEASE TRIAGE AS ESI 2 PER NIH AND AHRQ "It is not possible to manage pain at triage for patients with renal colic, cancer, or sickle cell crisis. These patients should be triaged as ESI level 2 and rapid placement should be facilitated whenever possible." - AHRQ, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Implementation Handbook (see page 26) Web site PDF NIH SICKLE CELL PAIN ALGORITHM HOW TO CONDUCT A SICKLE CELL ASSESSMENT These videos from Duke University's School of Nursing demonstrate how to conduct an assessment for a sickle cell patient's vaso-occlusive crisis (6 mins) and a patient with a high number of ED visits who might face perceptions of opioid addiction or drug-seeking behavior (3 mins). ABOUT THE SAFE(R) INITIATIVE SAFE(R) stems from the sad and dangerous reality that many individuals with sickle cell opt to "wait out" an acute episode as long as possible rather than endure a traumatizing trip to the ED where they're likely to be stigmatized and/or undertreated. This treatment time lost equates to eventual organ failure or other tragic complications. We're asking the medical community to partner with us in assuring patients that they'll be SAFE(R) in your facility because you'll adhere to CDC and NIH guidelines in their care. Access/download a compilation of NIH guides specific to SAFE(R). Printable patient SCD911 SAFE(R) Card . Learn more about the SAFE(R) Initiative . CDC CLARIFICATION ON OPIOIDS FOR SCD Read the clarification letter from CDC to ASH online . Read the CDC's statement against misapplication of the guideline here. Opioids and Sickle Cell BACK TO THE TOP NIH Sickle Cell Guidance NIH EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE NIH full recommendations Click the image at left for a PDF of the full 161-page NIH recommendations. This link will take you directly to the full document at NIH's site. NIH Quick Guide to Recommendations "The purpose of this Guide to Recommendations is to provide clinicians with a digital resource of the treatment recommendations extracted from the full report. For more information, please refer to the full report. . . ." Click the image at right for a pdf of the 48-page Quick Guide. This link will take you directly to the Quick Guide document at NIH's site. NIH GUIDELINES: ACUTE CARE BREAKOUT For ease-of-access, this section contains a breakout of individual acute complications of sickle cell with links to corresponding PDFs from the Quick Guide and the full recommendations. What does the patient report? Remember, there are no labs that can indicate or confirm a patient's level of pain ! Acute Chest Syndrome: Quick Full Acute Stroke: Quick Full Anemia: Quick Full Fever: Quick Full Hepatobiliary: Quick Full Multi-System Organ Failure: Quick Full Ocular Conditions: Quick Full Priapism: Quick Full Renal Failure: Quick Full Splenic Sequestration: Quick Full Vaso-occlusive crisis/pain episode: Quick Full Complications ASH Pocket Guides ASH POCKET GUIDES FOR ACUTE AND NON-ACUTE CARE MANAGEMENT ASH POCKET GUIDE - MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE COMPLICATIONS OF SICKLE CELL Click the image to access a PDF of ASH's Management of Acute Complications of Sickle Cell Disease pocket guide. Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014. (Click here to go directly to ASH's web site for links to all its sickle cell pocket guides.) ACCESS ALL ASH POCKET GUIDES FOR MANAGING SICKLE CELL Click here to go directly to ASH's web site for links to all the sickle cell pocket guides. The following links will take you to individual PDFs for download. Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease in Sickle Cell Disease: Screening and Management This pocket guide includes key recommendations from the American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for sickle cell disease: cardiopulmonary and kidney disease, available soon in Blood Advances. Health Maintenance and Management of Chronic Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014 Hydroxyurea and Transfusion Therapy for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014 Download the apps: For iOS For Android Web version of the apps BACK TO THE TOP SOURCES: https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/sicklecell/, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/evidence-based-management-sickle-cell-disease, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media/docs/Evd-Bsd_SickleCellDis_Rep2014.pdf, https://www.hematology.org/Clinicians/Guidelines-Quality/Quick-Reference.aspx, https://sickleemergency.duke.edu/educational-resources/videos, https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/professionals/systems/hospital/esi/esihandbk.pdf

sickle cell treatments While there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease (yet), there are several therapeutic approaches to relieve symptoms, reduce complications, and extend life. Early treatment (by eight weeks) by a hematologist is critical for newborns. Beginning a course of prophylactic penicillin at age two months was a historic intervention in changing the course of childhood sickle cell survival. View our Feb. 29th Treatment Workshop where we discussed all the current treatments available to cure sickle cell. CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 1 with Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney (44 mins) CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 2 with Dr. Ahmar Zaidi (58 mins) The only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Most sickle cell disease transplants are currently performed in children who have had complications such as strokes, acute chest crises, and recurring pain crises. These transplants usually use a matched donor. Blood and bone marrow transplants are riskier in adults. Read more Medicines can reduce or alleviate symptoms and complications and prolong life. Penicillin In children who have sickle cell disease, taking penicillin two times a day has been shown to reduce the chance of having a severe infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. Newborns need to take liquid penicillin. Older children can take tablets. Many doctors will stop prescribing penicillin after a child has reached the age of 5. Some prefer to continue this antibiotic throughout life, particularly if a person has hemoglobin SS or hemoglobin Sβ0 thalassemia, since people who have sickle cell disease are still at risk. All people who have had surgical removal of the spleen, called a splenectomy, or a past infection with pneumococcus should keep taking penicillin throughout life. Hydroxyurea Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that has been shown to reduce or prevent several sickle cell disease complications. This medicine was studied in patients who have sickle cell disease, because it was known to increase the amount of fetal hemoglobin (hemoglobin F) in the blood. Increased hemoglobin F provides some protection against the effects of hemoglobin S. Watch Dr. Shurney’s animated video about Hydroxyurea and how it works Endari Approved by the FDA for sickle cell use in 2017, Endari is an oral L-glutamine therapy for sickle cell disease and sickle cell thalassemia that reduces the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adults and children 5 years and older. It works by increasing the amount of glutamine in the blood. The added glutamine is taken up by the defective sickle cells, and when metabolized (broken down) results in the release of antioxidants.Common side effects include constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in the extremities, back pain and chest pain. Patient web site Endari co-pay assistance Adakveo In 2019, the FDA also approved a new medicine to reduce the number of pain crises experienced by adults and children 16 years and older who have sickle cell disease. The medicine, which is given through an IV in the vein, helps prevent blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and causing blood flow blockage, inflammation, and pain crises. Possible side effects include nausea, joint pain, back pain, and fever. Patient resources web site Downloadable patient brochure Oxbryta The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medicine in 2019 to treat sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years and older. The oral medicine prevents red blood cells from forming the sickle shape and binding together. This may decrease the destruction of some red blood cells, which in turn lowers the risk for anemia and improves blood flow to your organs. Possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur, causing rashes, hives, or mild shortness of breath. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you take. Patient web site Caregiver tips Downloadable patient information leaflet Transfusions are often used in acute or preventive situations. Transfusions are administered to treat and prevent certain sickle cell disease complications. These transfusions may include: Acute transfusion to treat complications that cause severe anemia. Doctors may also use transfusions when a patient has an acute stroke, in many cases of acute chest crises, and in multi-organ failure. A patient who has sickle cell disease usually receives blood transfusions before surgery, to prevent complications. Red blood cell transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells and provide normal red blood cells that are more flexible than red blood cells with sickle hemoglobin. Regular or ongoing blood transfusions for people who have had an acute stroke, to reduce the chances of having another stroke. Doctors also recommend blood transfusions for children who have abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound results, because transfusions can reduce the chance of having a first stroke. There are other treatments for specific complications. Be mindful that not all treatments work for everyone. Some people find success with alternative treatments as well, including medical marijuana (be knowledgeable about legalities that may impact school, work and overall health). To stay as healthy as possible, patients should be sure to get regular medical care that includes a pediatrician (for children) or primary care physician (for adults) and a hematologist and work with them to create the best individual care plan. Patients should also live a healthy lifestyle and avoid triggers that may cause a pain crisis. Page sources: NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, FDA.gov, Endari, Adakveo, Oxbryta