Sickle Cell Fatigue: We’re Not Lazy, We’re Battling an Invisible War

One of the most painful and persistent misconceptions about living with Sickle Cell Disease is the idea that people with the condition are lazy. This notion arises because individuals with SCD often rest more, lie down more, or cannot “push through” periods of extreme fatigue, leading to the false conclusion that they’re not trying hard enough, especially with the chronic fatigue associated with the condition.

But the truth? Fatigue in Sickle Cell is a constant, exhausting companion for those who live with it.
Because their red blood cells don’t carry oxygen effectively and die faster than they should, the bodies of people living with SCD are in a never ending game of catch-up. Everything takes more effort: walking, talking, concentrating… even just existing when you have sickle cell anemia.

Imagine trying to wash your car with a twisted hose. Sure, water still comes out, but it’s slow, inconsistent, frustrating. That’s what sickled blood does in the body. It flows, but never like it should. And the result is a bone deep fatigue that can’t just be “slept off.”

The Invisible Burden: Understanding Sickle Cell Fatigue

This fatigue can be even worse for women during menstruation. Personally, I’ve had days where I felt remarkably strong and ready for anything but then the very next day or sometimes even the next minute, walking from my room to the parlor left me breathless and shaking. The energy it takes just to get through the day when battling sickle cell disease fatigue? Most people will never understand it.

The Daily Struggle: Navigating Life with Chronic Fatigue

Now, consider adding a career, school deadlines, family responsibilities, or running a business to that pervasive chronic fatigue. Add the pressure to “show up,” to smile, to be high-performing…because if one doesn’t, society will often label them as lazy. This pressure to perform despite constant tiredness is a daily reality for many living with sickle cell symptoms.

There are mornings when people with SCD wake up with their body screaming for rest, yet they still put on their work clothes and show up to their 9–5. Not because they are fully okay, but because they don’t want to be judged, pitied, or underestimated due to their energy levels with sickle cell and well, bills must be paid.

There are times when people with SCD want to show up for friends, to hang out, to dance, to travel, to be normal. But their bodies have limits. And when those limits are ignored, crisis often follows. This is a crucial aspect of managing sickle cell disease.

Beyond the Limits: Honoring the Body’s Needs

So if you see a warrior resting, understand:

• They are not lazy.
• They are not weak.
• They’ are surviving a war inside their bodies.

Fatigue is not a flaw.
It’s not an excuse.
It’s a symptom. And honoring it is a form of self-preservation. This understanding is vital for sickle cell awareness and effective SCD fatigue management.