Sickle Cell Patients are not junkies...

Some patients with sickle cell disease are looked upon as junkies when they enter the hospital complaining of pain.   The staff immediately thinks they're faking their pain just to get medication.  All hospitals are not built alike.  Walk into an ER where the staff has little experience dealing with sickle cell patients and you may not get the care you need to save your life.  That's why it's so important to find a competent doctor/clinic and learn to advocate for yourself.  Going from one hospital to another to get your care is a recipe for disaster.