Lupus or sickle cell?? Now I'm not sure.

[LupusDiva45]

I was told that I had the sickle cell trait when I was 15 years old, after I passed out during a test, and blood work was done after an ER visit. Skip ahead a few years and I gave birth to my 3rd child who it was discovered has the trait at birth.

I was diagnosed with lupus 5 years ago, among a slew of other diagnoses. 20 years ago I had several transfusions due to flatlining (loss of blood etc.) during a surgery.

Is it possible that I have the disease and it's not showing u due to the transfusions, and could i have been misdiagnosed with lupus ( although I have seen the paperwork)?

This is really baffling. My son with the trait is now exhibiting symptoms of joint pain and was recently sent for blood work.

Is it possible that the trait is being downplayed a little too much?

Concerned.

[bluebug]

Believe it or not you can have both conditions. Just because you have trait doesn't mean you cannot have any other autoimmune/immune or blood condition.

Having a blood transfusion doesn't alter your bone marrow where cells are formed. The blood transfusion just replaces the mature red blood cells you have lost.

Due to sickle cell not affecting white people in the main - there are some white people with it - then there is limited research on it. Therefore it wasn't acknowledged until this century that those with trait can have symptoms. Part of this is thanks to the unfortunately people in the armed forces and sports field who have had crisis.

[Hidden]

Totally agree, the decease is downplayed in the medical community.

[Finalybeingheard]

I believe it is I think "Trait" is a made up for "well you have the symptoms of sickle cell but you blood isnt suckling enough to be the full disease" hogwash. I just got diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, fighting bacterial infections i have damaged lungs and now they're suspecting Lupus or connective tissue disease. my mom has sickle trait and was recently diagnosed with MCTD and leukemia so dont listen to the lies, they dont know how to deal with our complications but they cant admit that.