I've talked about my issue before on the forums, but I'll say it here too. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia (disease) Type SC. And let me tell you, I've had quite a few experiences because of this. On a basic level, Sickle cell is a genetic disorder in the blood, hemoglobin specifically, that requires a certain gene to be present in both parents. Normal hemoglobin, dubbed hemoglobin A, is what you all have. Then there are the mutated versions. The more common one is S, the rarer one is C. If a person has SA then they have Sickle cell trait, which doesn't do anything. If they have AC its the same story. However if two people, both with SA have a kid, there's a 25% chance he will have hemoglobin SS, aka the worse version of sickle cell. I have SC, a rarer, milder version. Science stuff aside, what exactly does it do? Well its in the name. Some of my blood cells are shaped strangely. Instead of the usual "donut" shape, a few of mine can become shaped like sickles. These cells can get stuck in capillaries and when they do it hurts like nothing you've ever experienced. This is called a Crisis, and for good reason. There are some triggers, but this is where things get weird. For whatever reason, my triggers are different than the normal ones. Normally, the main triggers are dehydration and cold exposure. The cold makes your blood vessels shrink and the sickled cells can't get through easily, causing pain. Dehydration works just about the same way. In this case the pain occurs in limbs usually. Sometimes in the chest, but that's a different thing. Also, side note, sickled cells are harmless until they get stuck. I have no idea what causes them to sickle, but 99% of the time nothing happens when they do. It's just that one percent of the time when the scenario is right.
I'm going off my experience with SC, SS is a whole nother level. Physically, sickle cell inhibits my athletic ability. The messed up hemoglobin can't carry as much oxygen, so I lose my breath faster and my stamina is lessened. This can be counteracted with water. How much water I have in me, the more I can do. In cooler temperatures, this results in me having more stamina and such. I become pretty much normal, and maybe even above that. With me cold has 0 negative effect. Doesn't bother me, doesn't cause a crisis. Unless it's cold water, like swimming in cold water, but everything else is fine. So while cold is good for me, heat is my weakness. The dehydration thing is still in effect, and I get hot easily. Combine that with heat and I get tired very easily. This is where it goes downhill.
When I reach my limit and I keep going it can result in a crisis. What my limit is depends on the temperature and my hydration. The chance of having a crisis increases the more I push. Athletic induced problems occur in the lower back for me. It hurts like hell, makes it hard to move, leaves me bedridden for 2-4 days. Feels bad man. If I have some kind of infection or something that can cause my lungs to not get as much oxygen, like pneumonia, then the chance of crisis and the level of pain increase. And the amount of physical stuff I can do decreases.
This all sounds very technical and bad and stuff, I know, but for me it's not as bad as you think. Yes, I lose my breath quickly, but I also recover it quickly. A two minute break can completely rejuvenate me. Also, what I lack in stamina I make up for in everything else. And the more I work on it and train, the more I get. At this point no one notices that there's an issue unless I tell them. And if I'm hydrated I'll be fine. As long as it isn't hot, cause the colder it is the better. I can do pretty much everything a normal guy can do. Except I'm faster than a normal guy. My one athletic gift is speed. And the chance of anything bad happening is pretty low. I still don't like sports much, especially fall/spring season. But as long as I take care of myself and take a breather every 15-20 minutes, I'm every bit as good as the next guy.
Sorry if this was hard to understand or repetitive. It's really hard to explain. Just be glad I didn't get into the social consequences I experienced at my old school. That's a long story. Let's just say, middle school was rough. And kids are mean.