When to Switch Doctors
Somewhere between ages 18 and 21 most patients will need to start going to a medical practice
for adults. Often, pediatric doctors are unable to see patients older than a certain age because
of an office or hospital policy.
The best time to start seeing an adult hematologist is before you get too old to see the pediatric doctor.
This way, if you have questions or if something doesn't feel quite right, there is time to return to the pediatric hematologist and discuss the transition more.
What to Expect From Your New Hematologist
Adult hematologists expect their patients to know more about sickle cell disease than
you're
probably used to. Obviously they won't require you to know the medical information, but they will assume
that you have practical knowledge about living with sickle cell disease.
For instance, your adult hematologist will expect you to:
- know what to do when you're running a temperature
- know what medications to try for mild and moderate pain at home
- know how to stay well hydrated
- know when to go to the office, a sickle cell treatment center, or the ER
