Routine blood transfusion therapy is, as you know, a common treatment in Sickle Cell healthcare. Though iron is important to the body’s health, having too much can be dangerous. The body can’t rid itself of excess iron very easily. After a patient has received twenty or more units of blood—generally ten or more transfusions—iron builds up in the body. Unable to shed the excess iron, the body will begin storing it around major organs such as the heart and liver. This can cause damage to those organs as well as other problems for the patient.
A nightly infusion of a drug called Deferoxamine can help the body shed excess iron. Five times a week the patience would have to endure a very unpleasant treatment. I remember far too well having to undergo this most unpleasant treatment—or torture, as I called. A small needle was inserted in my stomach just below the skin and taped down. Over a period of about six hours, a small pump—like a mini I.V. machine—slowly injected a medication into me.
The treatment took several hours, so I usually did it at night while I slept. I had a tendency to thrash around in my sleep. This would often cause the needle to loosen from the tape and move around inside me. If this happened, a painful welt would form by morning. The welts were so sensitive that the weight of a shirt caused discomfort. Other times, the welt was at the same level as the waistline of my pants. That also was most uncomfortable.
Today, many patients are able to take EXJADE, a pill form of Desferoxamine. While many patients respond well to EXJADE, others prefer, or do better with the injections.
As needful as blood transfusions are for Sickle Cell patients, it’s good to be aware of some of the risks that go along with them. If you’re receiving regular transfusions, ask your doctor about your iron levels.
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