Sickle cell complications

Hi @mandic, you are obviously very worried for your sister. People with sickle cell can experience periodic episodes, called pain crises, that can be painful and cause . Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few days. During sickle cell crisis, platelet counts can also decline in the initial phases and rise later during recovery.

Fellow members like @derikburger @jrwilli1 @loribmt @hlmcneely @eibsee1948 have experienced low platelet counts, however not related to sickle cell.

Is your sister currently in sickle cell crisis?

No she is not. Just that she went for a test and she was told that her platelet count is very low (72%). I just want to know why and how it would be possible to boost it. Maybe, any medication to help her. I am presently in Nigeria.

Hi @mandic, as @colleenyoung explained in a previous reply, platelet fluctuation can be a side effect of your sister’s sickle cell anemia. While her platelets are lower than the ‘norm’ of 150,000 to 450,000, at 72,000 she still isn’t in a dangerous zone. If the count gets critically low, her doctor may suggest a platelet transfusion, though that generally doesn’t happen until the level gets below 10,000.

There are some natural, nutritional ways to help boost platelet counts but I’m not sure how helpful it may be for your sister because this may be an ongoing situation for her. Here’s is a link to to the Very Well Health website.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-increase-your-platelet-count-5190448
Before eating certain foods like Papaya, oranges or grapefruit, it would be best for your sister to speak with her doctor or pharmacist first. There are some fruits which will interfere with medications.

That leads me to this question…is your sister on any medications or does she have blood transfusions for her sickle cell anemia?

Hi @mandic, you are obviously very worried for your sister. People with sickle cell can experience periodic episodes, called pain crises, that can be painful and cause . Pain develops when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through tiny blood vessels to your chest, abdomen and joints. The pain varies in intensity and can last for a few hours to a few days. During sickle cell crisis, platelet counts can also decline in the initial phases and rise later during recovery.

Fellow members like @derikburger @jrwilli1 @loribmt @hlmcneely @eibsee1948 have experienced low platelet counts, however not related to sickle cell.

Is your sister currently in sickle cell crisis?