In opioid crisis, those with sickle cell disease face challenges getting them in emergency
CINCINNATI (WKRC)- A local mother and daughter say in the battle against addiction, they face a different fight in getting the pain treatment they need.
"I just try to make sure that the people that I'm around know what's going on or know what to do when I come to a really bad pain crisis," said Samone Meatchem.
Meatchem lives with sickle cell disease; it impacts the red blood cells and can cause intense pain. She is managed mostly with blood transfusions, but, in a crisis, may need emergency pain medication, such as opioids.
But when she requests them in an emergency setting, her family says she's often made to feel like an addict or that she's faking it just to get pain pills.
The Sickle Cell Alliance Foundation wants all of us to learn more about the disease in case of an emergency. Lisa Meatchem, the CEO of the foundation, and Dr. Charles Quinn of Cincinnati Children's Hospital talk more about it in the video above.
