Sickle cell trait and pain.

I have had pain in my legs for years with no explanation for why other then the fact that I could be a little dehydrated at times. It's usually after a good work out at the gym or if I had beer or alcohol the night before. I do believe that it's a result of being dehydrated that causes a form of a pain crisis.

[Anzy]

I think its definitely a myth that only people with sickle cell anemia get pain, I have heard many stories of people with trait suffering with the same or similar symptoms that people with sickle cell anemia face. After-all you technically still have sickle cells in your body, so they can still cause problems for you. I think you should speak to your Doctor, in the mean time, drink plenty of water, and don't exercise so vigorously if you can help it, also cut back on the alcohol. Hope you get better soon.

[bluebug]

It has been proven by unfortunate deaths in the US military that if you engage in vigorous exercise ( or are otherwise dehydrated) AND have sickle cell trait CAN HAVE a crisis when dehydrated.

The solution? DRINK WATER

People with the disease are medically advised to drink water regularly and we are no different. In fact when they have a crisis they end up with a drip of saline in them.

You need to ensure you drink plenty of water through the day. Enough to make your urine light coloured yellow. In otherwords always have a water bottle on you and sip from it constantly regardless of the weather.

If ever your urine isn't that colour then you need to drink WATER.

If you drink alcohol you need to make sure you:

1. Drink water after every alcoholic drink - so if you drink 1 beer/1 glass of wine/1 spirit you should have a glass of water.

2. Drink water 500ml of water before you go to bed

3. Drink water first thing in the morning. If you can't stomach water in the morning after a heavy night then drink a sports drink without caffeine in it.

Also make sure you have some rehydration mixture in your house/with you to take it if you vomit or otherwise are ill from any cause.

YES you will go to the WC regularly but it's better than being in pain, damaging your kidneys or worse.

I should point out I've done vigorous exercise for years and also drink alcohol. (Not at the same time.) Other people can actually tell when I'm dehydrated because it effects my performance. In some cases it has worried them because I drink lots of water but I point out I know the cause.