text: Sickle cell is a very sad disease.  The blood cells are sickle shaped..and cause severe pain, anemia, and because they are not carrying enough oxygen, weakness.\n\nThe disease can be tolerable with heavy morphine use by the person.  But, often the pain is so excruciating they get in a really bad sickle cell crisis.  The pain meds by mouth won't work.  So, they have to go in the hospital and get high doses of fluids in their bodies to keep the complications of necrotic joint disease from developing.  This is when it collects in the joints like your shoulder and causes very serious problems.  Also, pain meds in the veins and oxygen to help.  Some have to have blood transfusions.\n\nIt is really important to have a blood test before two blacks marry to rule out the sickle cell trait.  Seeing the young children crippled with this devastating disease is sad.