Medications and their relationship to the management of sickle cell disease

When I was younger, I hated taking medication. It didn’t sit well with me that I had to take it for something I never asked for. Having to do it every day was particularly difficult, and when it came to managing pain, the size of some of the tablets and the quantity I sometimes had to take made me want to avoid them even more.

So I often did.

I would convince myself that if I ignored the pain and pushed through, my body would eventually recover and I could carry on with my day. Somehow, not taking medication felt better than having to take it. The irony was that this approach often made things worse.

By refusing to take it, my pain might progress or I might take longer to recover. I can remember countless occasions when I limped my way to school, university lectures, or work because I hadn’t taken anything, hadn’t taken it early enough, or didn’t have it with me when something started.

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At the time, I thought I was being strong by pushing through. As I got older, though, my understanding of sickle cell disease and my relationship with my medication changed. The more I learned about the condition and paid attention to my own experiences, the more I understood the importance of responding to pain early. For me, treating pain earlier can sometimes prevent it from becoming more severe or lasting longer.

Medication gradually stopped being something I wanted to avoid and became another tool I could use to manage my sickle cell disease.

That doesn’t mean I suddenly became comfortable with taking it. I still think about what I’m putting into my body, particularly when I’m using medication frequently. I think it’s reasonable to consider the potential risks and benefits of any medication, especially when you’re living with a condition that can require treatment repeatedly throughout your life.

But there is an important distinction between questioning medication and refusing treatment. I’ve learned that there are times when taking it is not a sign that I’ve failed to manage my disease. It’s actually part of managing it responsibly. There is also something empowering about recognizing that I don’t have to wait until my pain becomes unbearable before doing something about it. For years, I thought enduring pain was somehow a measure of resilience. Now, I see resilience differently.

Sometimes resilience means listening to your body, acknowledging that something is wrong, and taking the appropriate steps to address it. Medication is one of those steps for me. It isn’t the only tool I have, and it certainly doesn’t mean I should take medication unnecessarily. But I’ve come to understand that avoiding it simply because I don’t like taking it doesn’t make me stronger. Sometimes, taking care of myself means accepting the help that medication can provide.

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.