Blood transfusion is a lifesaving part of my sickle cell management
A physician dispels several myths about the procedure
Blood transfusions play a critical role in the management of sickle cell disease. They can help prevent and manage various complications as well as reduce disease severity. This lifesaving intervention has brought many sickle cell patients on the verge of death back to life — including me.
Despite being diagnosed with sickle cell when I was just 1 year old, I didn’t receive my first blood transfusion until I was 22. I took pride in that, feeling I was a special sickle cell warrior. My parents shared this pride, often mentioning that I’d never received a transfusion. When I finally received my first one, I felt a tinge of sadness, as if my pride had been stripped away.
But as I gained more knowledge about the disease and faced numerous complications, my perspective on blood transfusions shifted dramatically.
My experience with transfusions
The first time I was diagnosed with severe anemia, I was 12 years old. My hemoglobin level was about 5.5 g/dL (normal levels for children that age are 10-15.5 g/dL). It was the first indication that I might need a transfusion.
My doctor diagnosed me with malaria in addition to severe anemia. He placed me on antibiotics and double hematinics for several days before deciding whether to transfuse me or not. My mum started me on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, including a juice made from pumpkin leaves, known for their high folate, iron, and vitamin content. Thanks to these measures, my hemoglobin level increased, and I managed to avoid a transfusion.
Ten years later, I was admitted to the hospital with a severe infection and anemia. My hematologist decided that I required a transfusion, and I received two pints of blood. After the transfusion, I made a full recovery.
My second transfusion occurred in my late 20s after a surgical procedure resulted in significant blood loss. The surgical team rushed me to the intensive care unit. At one point, I was scared I would die because accessing my intravenous line was challenging and took hours. Eventually, though, I received three pints of blood, which saved my life. I recovered remarkably and was discharged home within a week.
My last transfusion was in 2018. After feeling feverish and weak, I tested positive for malaria. However, two days later, I began to feel dizzy and experienced occasional difficulty breathing while sleeping, which led me to suspect I was severely anemic. A full blood count test confirmed my fears; my hemoglobin level was 4.6 g/dL. (The normal range for adult women is 12-16 g/dL.)
Recognizing the need for urgent intervention, I insisted on being taken to the hospital for management. There, a transfusion saved my life.
The significance of blood transfusions in managing sickle cell
Not getting transfused isn’t always a sign of mild disease severity, as many patients assume. Despite the benefits of blood transfusion for sickle cell, many myths and misconceptions surround this procedure. Some common ones I’ve heard include:
- If you receive a blood transfusion, you’ll need to receive frequent transfusions for the rest of your life.
- Blood transfusions will transmit personality traits or characteristics from the donor to the patient.
- Blood transfusions can worsen sickle cell crises or cause avascular necrosis.
As a physician, I can confirm that these myths are false and unfounded. I hope patients won’t avoid a lifesaving treatment because of these lies.
Some individuals have valid concerns about potential complications, such as transfusion reactions, the transmission of infections, and iron overload. However, these complications can be easily managed and prevented with proper screening of the donor, the donor’s blood, and the patient.
Adopting proactive monitoring and management strategies can prevent and stop transfusion reactions. Patients who require frequent transfusions should be tested for iron overload and, if necessary, placed on iron chelation therapy to eliminate excess iron from their bodies. With the proper precautions, major complications associated with blood transfusions can be avoided or actively addressed.
The significance of blood transfusions in managing sickle cell disease cannot be understated. The procedure can be lifesaving during episodes of exacerbated anemia. Exchange blood transfusions can help prevent and manage various disease complications, including stroke, multiple organ failure, frequent intractable crises, severe priapism (a prolonged erection) not responding to other forms of treatment. It can also be given as a prophylactic procedure to reduce surgical complications in sickle cell patients. Transfusion therapies can help modify disease severity.
As a medical professional, I often reflect on my experiences and believe that had I undergone more diagnostic tests earlier and perhaps started regular transfusions sooner, I might’ve sidestepped some complications I faced in adulthood.
Contrary to what some sickle cell patients think, blood transfusion is more of a blessing than a curse. If a physician ever recommends a transfusion as part of your disease management, don’t avoid it because of unfounded myths. It could save your life, as long as necessary precautions are taken.
Note: Sickle Cell Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sickle Cell Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sickle cell disease.
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