Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Breakthrough NHS treatment transforms the life of Sanah Shaikh, who has Sickle Cell condition: 'I feel like I've wings'

Sanah, who is of Indian heritage, is one of the first patients in the UK to receive a new drug called Crizanlizumab, which has reduced the frequency of her pain.

Breakthrough NHS treatment transforms the life of Sanah Shaikh, who has Sickle Cell condition: 'I feel like I've wings'

For a woman from Manchester, her Sickle Cell condition was so painful that she once thought it might end her life, but a new revolutionary NHS treatment gave her a new hope and she now feels "as if she has wings".

Sanah Shaikh is one of the first patients in the UK to receive a new drug called Crizanlizumab, which will be available to around 5,000 people with Sickle Cell over the next three years.


The 33-year-old Sanah from Old Trafford, who receives the treatment at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said how periods of pain caused by the Sickle Cell condition, called a 'crisis', had left her in despair before the new medication started.

Sanah Saikh Sanah Saikh got 'wings' after the breakthrough treatment. (Image: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust)

“When I have a crisis, it feels as if my body is on fire - I’ve had a crisis in my head, back, arms and legs - it’s truly debilitating," Sanah, who is a freelancer in marketing and communications, said.

“Other times it feels as though someone’s got a hammer and is hammering it into you – they’re smashing it into your body. Or it feels as though bricks are being thrown onto you. It’s pulsating and at times it feels as though you’d rather it all ended because you can’t endure the pain," she added.

Such a crisis often requires a hospital admission so that patients can be given morphine to control the pain along with other treatment to prevent potentially fatal organ failure.

“Once I heard about Crizanlizumab being approved for NHS use, I spoke to my haematology consultant and requested to be included in the first round of potential patients taking it at Manchester Royal Infirmary. I would do anything to increase my chances of being cured or improving my health and illness," Sanah said.

“I was fortunate enough to be suitable for the drug. Since starting the treatment, I feel a lot safer and braver. I don't feel as fearful about having a hospital admission if I push myself a little more, whether that be with work, or working out.

Sanah Shaikh with Dr Joseph Sharif, Haematology Consultant and Lead for Sickle Cell at MRI, and Grace Akpakpan, Specialist Haemoglobinopathy Nurse Counsellor. Sanah Shaikh (C) with Dr Joseph Sharif, haematology consultant and Lead for Sickle Cell at MRI (left), and Grace Akpakpan, specialist haemoglobinopathy nurse counsellor. (Image: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust)

“The fact that I've not been admitted into hospital during 2022 and have managed my crises at home is proof that my illness is better managed with Crizanlizumab. As a by-product it has given me much more confidence -- I feel like I've been given a set of wings.”

Dr Joseph Sharif, haematology consultant and Lead for Sickle Cell at Manchester Royal Infirmary said, “I am very pleased that we are able to offer this treatment to our patients with sickle cell at Manchester Royal Infirmary, and the feedback from patients so far, including Sanah, has been very positive.”

“Crizanlizumab has been shown to reduce the frequency of acute sickle pain crisis. Sickle pain crises can be severe and unpredictable and often result in hospital admission and patients can become very unwell.

“Many of the patients currently receiving this treatment in the North West currently live in the Manchester area, but as the Haemoglobinopathy coordinating centre for the region, we want to ensure all patients across our catchment area have equal access to this treatment.”

Sanah is now hoping to use her experience to raise awareness of the impact which Sickle Cell can have on people and how they can get help.

Towards this goal, she has recorded a special Q&A session -- a couple of hospital team members -- Dr Sharif and Grace Akpakpan, a specialist haemoglobinopathy nurse counsellor, were on hand to give her some encouragement.

The videos have been published on the website of Manchester University Hospital NHS Trust, which runs Manchester Royal Infirmary, and will be shared further on social media.

Sanah is also planning to speak about her experiences at national Sickle Cell conferences.

Dispelling 'Black or Afro-Caribbean' myth about Sickle Cell

Sanah, a woman of Indian heritage, believes that she can help dispel a widespread myth about Sickle Cell -- that it only affects people from Black or Afro-Caribbean backgrounds.

Although most Sickle Cell patients in England are from Black or Afro-Caribbean background, a smaller proportion are from other backgrounds, including Asian.

“This is a really common misconception, but Sickle Cell can affect anyone, whether you are Greek, Italian, Arab or Asian like I am," Sanah said.

“I hope I can raise the awareness of this by telling my story. I would like to make sure people like me know they can seek help if they think they have Sickle Cell. I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence.”

Patients with Sickle Cell are often predicted to have a shorter life expectancy and are at a greater risk of stroke and other significant organ complications.

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less