Being sickle in Nigeria is HARDER!!

[Drivee]

I just need help!!! I need more access to treatment, and the government is nothing to write home about. I need who is related with my condition and share tip of survival ... by the way I'm SC.

[baba360]

Hello Drivee, where are you based in Nigeria?

[Drivee in reply to baba360]

I shuffle between Lagos and Ibadan.

[BristolOne]

Mehn...being Sickle Cell in 9JA is no joke.

First things first, listen to your body. When it tells you enough is enough, sit down and rest. Do not be ashamed to tell family and friends about your SC, they are your 1st responders. Keep yourself hydrated, carry a small bottle of water with you always. Alcohol is your enemy, keep away from it. This is followed by stress. Both will damage your organs through high blood pressure and dehydration.

Wish you all the best!

[Drivee in reply to BristolOne]

Thank you BristolOne. Family are well aware of the condition. I always stay hydrated. I have a water timer on phone, and I drink up to 5liters everyday. I don't smoke nor drink. Thank you for the wishes.

[iamole]

Hello Drivee,

I feel your pain. My wife is SC and we lived in Nigeria for quite a while before relocating to Canada.

In addition to the tips provided by BristolOne , mosquito is your number one enemy, since malaria can easily trigger your crisis. You cannot afford to eat out in just any place as food contamination is rampant in Nigeria and your system is easily susceptible to infections. You can take some multivitamins to make up the dietary requirement your body needs.

Ultimately, find your way out of Nigeria legally. Dedicate time and resources to achieving that. It will be worth your while. Canada is a great place you can try to migrate to. The way SC is being managed here is phenomenal. My wife was placed on meds and occasional blood work to ensure the meds are working great. We cannot remember the last time she had crisis. We are blessed with 2 kids and life has been normal.

All the best and please keep well.

[Drivee in reply to iamole]

Thank you very much @iamole. I really appreciate this tips. Thank you. This would make me write some stuff about me. I am a just graduate. I am currently studying software engineering in Lagos. I'll graduate in like 4 months. I absolutely want to leave this country, I am trying have a skill like software development and make enough money before I proceed on moving. I would appreciate a private discussion with you @iamole. Thank you for the tips again.

[Hazeleyes05 in reply to iamole]

I've always thought I wouldn't survive in Canada because of the weather & my health, reading your response to Drivee has definitely changed my view although I live in the UK where treatments are readily available & we get lots of support. I know living in Nigeria with SC is tough as written by Iamole, I can't say anything different from what's already written but growing up in Nigeria my parents kept me away from mosquitoes & getting any sort of infections which triggered crisis. I'm not sure what medications you are on but getting to UK I've being on penicillin & the almighty folic acid for close to 19 years and I can count the numbers of crisis I've had in those 19 years is not close to 5. I've only been hospitalised since I've been in UK for just about 3 times in 25 years living in the UK. Do you still have a spleen? If not you should be on a low dosage of penicillin please check with your doctor also a quarterly haemoglobin check has helped. I see the haematologist every 3months at these stage I'm not sure if its it's necessary for me anymore but you never know what's happening with the blood till its checked. Find out if there is such service I'd advise you subscribe to that as well. I wish you good health.

[tamarat1002002 in reply to Hazeleyes05]

I have read several reports about how having the sickle cell gene prevents malaria from developing in your blood. Is this not true? Have you ever had malaria?

[Hazeleyes05 in reply to tamarat1002002]

Hello Tamarat,

I'm not sure how accurate that report is but I remember having malaria has a child in Nigeria a few times. Please speak to a health professional they might be able to advise you better. Stay healthy

[Hazeleyes05]

I've always thought I wouldn't survive in Canada because of the weather & my health, reading your response to Drivee has definitely changed my view although I live in the UK where treatments are readily available & we get lots of support. I know living in Nigeria with SC is tough as written by Iamole, I can't say anything different from what's already written but growing up in Nigeria my parents kept me away from mosquitoes & getting any sort of infections which triggered crisis. I'm not sure what medications you are on but getting to UK I've being on penicillin & the almighty folic acid for close to 19 years and I can count the numbers of crisis I've had in those 19 years is not close to 5. I've only been hospitalised since I've been in UK for just about 3 times in 25 years living in the UK. Do you still have a spleen? If not you should be on a low dosage of penicillin please check with your doctor also a quarterly haemoglobin check has helped. I see the haematologist every 3months at these stage I'm not sure if its it's necessary for me anymore but you never know what's happening with the blood till its checked. Find out if there is such service I'd advise you subscribe to that as well. I wish you good health.

[Drivee in reply to Hazeleyes05]

Thank you very much Hazeleyes05 Well, I'm unlucky to have a very caring parents, they do what they could but, I am grown to the stage where I fend for myself. I'm not currently on penicillin, I'm only on folic acid, and since I still have spleen, maybe I should add penicillin too. I'll read up on what it does to the body. I have followed you, I'll chat with you privately, thank you.

[JJibogu]

Hi,

Follow @sicklecellnig on Twitter, sicklecellfoundation.com.

They have an office in Lagos. Hopefully you will get the much needed support necessary and networking.

Wishing you the best of health in the new year.

[Drivee in reply to JJibogu]

Thank you so much. I'll check that out

[msskydancer1]

We got you! Contact me for a distributor of hybrid organic medicinal mushroom powder blends in SC. This stuff is amazing. [e-mail]