When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have sickle cell disease and one or more of the following symptoms are present:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sudden weakness
• Sudden numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, fingers, or toes (even if it goes away on its own)
• Sudden poor balance and poor coordination when walking (even if it goes away on its own)
• Confusion (even if it goes away on its own)
• Garbled speech or an inability to speak (even if it goes away on its own)
• Sudden change in vision
• Severe headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Fever higher than 101°F (38.33°C)
• Severe cough
• Repeated vomiting or persistent diarrhea
• A sudden increase in the size of your or your child's spleen (Learn from your doctor how to feel your child's spleen to check its size.)
• Increased paleness
• Lightheadedness
• Persistent erection of the penis (priapism) that lasts more than 3 hours or is extremely painful
• Severe pain that can't be relieved with your usual prescription painkilling drugs or other pain-relief methods

Call your doctor if you or your child has any of the following symptoms:

• A painful event
• An open sore (ulcer) on the leg
• More frequent urination than usual

Make a plan with your doctor that includes where and when to get treatment in case of a sickle cell emergency.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is when you and your doctor watch your symptoms to see if your health improves on its own. If it does, no treatment is necessary. If your symptoms don't get better or get worse, then it’s time to take the next treatment step. Some complications of sickle cell disease may not need immediate medical attention from a doctor. In these cases, you can try home treatment.

Painful events can be treated at home depending on how severe the pain is and how long you've had it. Try over-the-counter pain medicine for mild pain. Or take a stronger medicine, if prescribed by your doctor. If this doesn't work, contact your doctor or seek emergency medical treatment.

You may treat persistent, painful erection of the penis (priapism) at home by drinking fluids, taking over-the-counter pain medicine, and urinating as much as possible. If this doesn't solve the problem within 2 to 3 hours, seek emergency medical treatment.⁵

Who To See

If you or your child has sickle cell disease, try to find a doctor who has special training for this disease. Some medical centers and hospitals specialize in sickle cell disease treatment and support. If your local community doesn't offer this option, look for a doctor and a pain treatment specialist who have experience in treating sickle cell disorders. Choose a doctor you are comfortable with and can partner with over the long term.

The following types of health professionals can diagnose and help treat symptoms of sickle cell disease. Some of these health professionals may provide specialized treatment or counseling.

• Hematologist
• Family medicine physician
• General practitioner
• Pediatrician
• Pain management specialist
• Pediatric hematologist-oncologist
• Pulmonologist
• Neurologist
• Ophthalmologist
• General surgeon
• Medical geneticist

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.