Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 27: Fifty-four-year old school teacher Leena Anitha is today struggling for her life after falling prey to steroids and anti-asthmatic drugs because she made the mistake of resorting to self-medication. She has been suffering from asthma since her childhood.

Leena in her youth

Leena today

Leena first took treatment from a nearby health care center. At the age of 4, she fell victim to pneumonia. At the age of 18, she was prescribed steroids as an anti-asthmatic drug. Since then, she has been on steroids for asthmatic attacks. She consulted many physicians in India as well as abroad (Abu Dhabi) and got the same (steroidal therapy) in prescription for
asthma. She followed the instruction as suggested by the physicians and found that one of the medicines worked well for her.

Unaware of the side effects of the steroidal therapy, she began relying on the medication more and more, even without prescription. None of the doctors she consulted had warned her about the about adverse effects of long-term use of steroids. Due to long term consumption of steroids, she now suffers from various health issues like osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, allergy to dust, mites, pollen, certain aromas, cold, bananas, grapes, and pomegranates.

“It is the duty of medical professionals to tell the patient about the disease and prescribed drugs. The prescriber should outline the side effect of the drug as well as limitations in its usage especially to the younger generation. Those who want to build up their bodies need to be careful about such medications,” said Ravindranath Shanbag, president, Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi.

Leena is completely bedridden since four and a half years. The side-effects became visible when she was around 40 years of age. Nearly 40 to 62 percent of bones and muscles have been factured. No one can stand to touch her body except her husband Petrik. In 2009, she was in coma for two weeks.

Now, it stands as a big challenge to the scientific world and the patient has crossed the parameter of disease. Medical reports declare that the patient has a known case of steroid dependent asthma and has developed Cushing’s Syndrome with its complications. Long-term steroid therapy leads to the weakening of joints leading to softening of skull and CSF flow.

Her husband Petrik says awareness must be created about this among youth and children by their parents. He tried his best to rescue his wife, but her illness is now beyond control. He stressed that one should not take any medicine without a doctor’s prescription.

Ravindranth stressed the need to create awareness among the public about the side effects of self-medication. He added that his foundation plans to approach schools and colleges and organize awareness programmes in this regard.