Udupi: Indiscriminate consumption of steroid for asthma endangers woman's life


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.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Stephen Claude, Mangalore/Dubai

    Wed, Dec 03 2014

    It's sad but I have scene in my own eyes. Leena is struggling for her life and she is a lovely person. Helpfull , kind and very polite. What has happened with her is really a sad and I don't understand why GOD did this to her. About Patrick no word to express. Sacrificed a lot and taking care of Leena like a baby.I never scene husband like Patrick. In this case I must say GOD gave her an angel to take care of her. GOD may bless them and one day he will do the miracle. My prayers always be with them. Let us all pray that GOD may return their happiness through miracles and give them a chance to live normal life.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • prakash, mangalore

    Sun, Nov 30 2014

    Two things i learn from this real life example, 1) do not self medicate next is the exemplary patience Mr. Petrik has. Hope both of them get the required strength to cope up in this difficult times.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Sat, Nov 29 2014

    Now, due to the advent of 'organ specialists', the very important family GP is literally missing!!
    The present docs with a big string of degrees are mostly experts in their own fields, and in their busy schedule to earn more and more, they do not even bother to ask what other medications the patient may be taking, so in case of a drug reaction, he will be asked to run from pillar to post, do investigations, and shell out more money!!

    So many newer drugs likes 'statins' have become money spinners from the manufacturers to the prescribers and they are being prescribed over the board, I doubt any person above the age of 50 has escaped this dangerous drug because they may not be knowing the serious side effects they produce, also a drug named Plavix along with aspirin has very serious side effects the same safe blood thinning effect can be achieved by chewing a few pods of raw garlic early morning!!

    Whoever said that patients should continue taking these dangerous reductionist chemicals should take it for 3-5 days and stop!! Go to any specialist for acidity, he is sure to put you on Omeprazole or one of its other siblings, this is an addictive drug because the body tends to revolt and produces more and more acid so in later stages even multiple tabs do not work, then what? Go to any psychiatrist, he will coolly prescribe a benzodiazepine, they were very much in vogue when Valium was marketed with great fanfare and a panacea for anxiety and panic attacks today so many hapless patients have become life time addicts to these drugs!!
    Many of the routine problems are actually caused by nutritional deficiencies, mostly micronutrients, which can cause a whole host of problems, which doc will actually peep into that issue? It is said majority of the people today are highly deficient in Vit D, a hormone cum wonder vitamin which has a role to play in all bodily functions or they go haywire!! Word 'cholesterol' induces fear in laymen, does anyone know about its critical role?

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Francis (Joe) Martis, Barkur/USA

    Sat, Nov 29 2014

    Let us not make a mockery out of this article. I Know Patrick for over 30 years, whatever you say good things about Patrick will always fall short, he is a living example of devotion, love, sacrifice & courage. Lena, I knew her when she arrived in UAE, though I came to know of her health issues much later. She became a victim of Steroids and doctors medicines who may not have warned her of the consequence. Not all doctors are specialists on her case. The medicines prescribed by the Doctors resulted in adverse affect in may ways. Does it matter to name the medicine now, may be yes, may be no. Let us not discuss here, imagine the sufferings she goes thru every day of her life! They need financial support too. Miracles do happen, why not she recover, she needs your prayers, May Lord Bless her!

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr L D'Souza, Shivabagh Rd, Mlore

    Sat, Nov 29 2014

    This article serves as an anecdote to never ever self medicate. Kindly consult your doctor in all cases. Nobody goes into Cushings syndrome unless she popped steroids like candy. It is gross negligence on her part that she converted her asthma which might have required occasional steroids to steroid dependent asthma. Doctors will not talk about the adverse effects of steroids if it is being prescibed for a short period, for eg : 5 day course, because it has almost none. However if he puts you on a long course, there is no doubt that every doctor would inform you, as the detrimental effects are not only to his patients health but also to his reputation.
    I repeat what i said earlier and that is:
    Kindly do not self medicate. Always complete the course of medicines that your doctor gives you(take a 5 day course of tablets for 5 days and not for 3 days once u feel better, this is what is causing so much bacterial resistance out there)

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    when one sees the Lady in which Situation she is hardly to think about it and feel very sad.and how her husband bears it everyday to see her condition and helplessnss to improve her health is to be much admired.
    In india I have noticed that one can buy medicines with a priscription of some years old and will be given back to Patient.Without priscription also you can buy medicines.With such method I had a experience in my Family and sadly with a sad end.My brother was buying tablets for sleep.He was saying as a stock to Keep.But later I came to know he was taking instead of one more together since he was taking this tablet a day Long,he could not sleep with one,increased the dosage.later he had other tablets to take was addictive.No one knew about it.SO I Appeal to all or pharmacists please dont give tablets on old priscriptions and only on new and make sure he does not take overdosage.Here we have a priscription Duration of only two weeks and again on only check up(mostly)By this Lady doctors carelessness while giving this cortisone and without proper guideness .Patient can not be blamed.I pray for her health and may God give her strenth to bear it.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh, Mumbai

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Question here is not of self-medication but our wrong belief developed in allopathy drugs and approaching doctors every now & then, which though initially give faster reliefs from pain but on longer terms detrimental and leave their side effects. Nature gave us body which can sustain and/or counter any disease provided one should have patience, allow our inbuilt immunity to develop, right exercise or daily walk, fresh air & pure plain water and simple digest able food. It will be better if one not use freeze water or refrigated food items or packed & processed foods come with preservatives, AC or even FAN. Leena as one observe by her parents not allowed to develop her inbuilt immunity or change of surrounding atmosphere of fresh air at the age of 4 hence symptoms remains and whenever re-occured they took help of steroids, ofcourse with prescription sometime, what else allopathy Doctors will prescribe. It is but obvious if symptom remains one & same, patient may start to take self medication, instead visiting ten times doctors who prescribe one & same therapy. So nothing wrong in self-medication but wrong lies somewhere in medication itself & peoples rushing to Doctors and not believing in nature. Slums children are more fit then rich peoples because they can not afford to go every now & then to Doctors...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • J Dal, BVR

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    I should salute MR Patrick for his sacrifices... the care he take about his wife.. in this earth very very very rarely could do so much for his wife..by looking at the future most of the husband would have left her at her maternal home go to gulf for a job helping their on daily bread... divorced.. married to other woman.. But patrick has sacrificed everything for his wife. he is alway cheerful, always gentle never grumbles has great concern towards his wife.. May god bless you patrick..

    DisAgree Agree [48] Reply Report Abuse

  • Khaleel, Ullal Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    So, sad to read her story of suffering.Now days steroid is using by bodybuilders for gain some extra muscles easily but it is very dangerous. This news is a lesson for those who consuming steroids.Today we can find lot of weight gaining supplement in market if you Test these products in lab u will find how much steroid content it had.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Disha Rita, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Oh My god, How cute she was, and How horrible now she is due to illness,,,,, must pay credit to her husband for taking care of her day and night.... Please let us Pray for her.

    DisAgree Agree [57] Reply Report Abuse

  • I Kullu, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Since suitable long time cure of asthma is not known to me I believe in balanced food intake and avoid polluted environment.

    In case of casual or rare attack am dependent on inhaler and another tab TEDRAL-SA which I never use regularly since last 39 years.

    Asthma patient live desperate life, a general awareness is must for excess use of drug and practice alternate method to avoid frequent asthma attack.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dony, Katapady

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Very very sorry to know that Leena is bed ridden. see the effect of steroids! Everyone including the doctors want a speedy recovery. I will pray for you. May the Good Lord will give you strength to bear this suffering.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anand, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Most of Drs.in Mangalore prescribe Steroids without warning patients about the side effects. Even for common cold, few Drs. prescribe steroids.

    DisAgree Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Excessive use of any drug, especially the steroid drugs will be life crippling in course of time. Avoid the drug use as much as possible.

    So, sad to read her story of suffering.

    The well known guitar player who has visited over 200 countries of the world to tell about how his life was spared by the love of JESUS, Benney Prasad of Bangalore used steroids for a very long time for his asthmatic problem and almost killed him. The pharmaceutical companies produce highly dangerous chemicals and the vast majority of the doctors are in a rush to prescribe them.

    Had I blindly started to swallow a dangerous drug the doctor tried very hard to prescribe, I might have been in eternity years back. He got mad at me and I told him " doctor, you are not my GOD, I don't want your help anymore"
    Went to two other specialists and they said, don't take any medication for a year. After one year, there was no need of taking any medication.

    Over medication of antibiotics in the U.S. is almost 50%, likewise billions of dollars worth of unnecessary medications are being prescribed by the doctors who are the active players of the $ 3 trillion medical industry of the U.S., which is 18% of the GDP of the nation.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr S Kamath, Mumbai

    Thu, Nov 27 2014

    Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)is the best mode of treatment for Asthma .Long acting beta stimulants if are coupled with ICS and avoidance of allergans like dust can give total relief in Branchial asthma .Unfortunately quack Doctors are unaware of these and hence patients suffer.Ask questions to your Doctor on ICS

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vantage Point, mangalore

    Thu, Nov 27 2014

    Better avoid steroids or any other drug...Feel sorry for this ladys condition...Hope Allah ease the pain of this lady...
    It is also warning bell for the physician while prescribing hazardous drug for temporary relief of ailment or for the people who goes for self medication without consulting....Avoid drugs as much as possible only in unavoidable case you should use it....Go for natural treatment if there is available alternative if your condition is not so worrying....
    Dont go for steroids to build muscle in jawani ki josh....You will end up in obese...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Thu, Nov 27 2014

    With many patients & workload doctors don't have much time in examining & prescribing medicines, let alone warn about overdose or side effects of self medication.
    Many people once get prescriptions & later buy them over the counter instead of consulting their doctors, causing irreparable damage to their system.
    Any food or chemicals either natural or inorganic cause the body to react to remove the toxins. Once the kidneys & liver get damaged by overuse of these will shut down permanently causing untimely death.
    People residing in Gulf nations take medicines to save time & money . Recently one woman lost the battle at young age due to allergic reaction to the tablets she took to alleviate her symptoms.
    Prevention is Better than Popping pills. Good diet, exercise & good habits can prevent many diseases & cure them as well.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Thu, Nov 27 2014

    I understand the lady has reached a stage from where she can't be cured. I can imagine the agony she bears, the troubles her family faces. You will be in my prayers for strength to bear your pain.

    The article provides ample warnings but did not mention name of the drug she used, probably you had to abide by certain restrictions. Could have been helpful though.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [68] Reply Report Abuse

  • Koti, Kundapura

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Lydia Bai, here the article is about, which used the drug without prescription, what sense it makes which drug. What you mean.

    Take common medicine with your expertise for max 3 days if not cured go to a doctor and not a compounder.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Fri, Nov 28 2014

    Koti,

    Are you assuming that I asked for the name to make use of it ? Huh !

    If you think so, what did this article or the warnings gain ?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Francis (Joe) Martis, Barkur/USA

    Sat, Nov 29 2014

    Hi Koti, Lydia,

    In my opinion, it does make sense if the name of Steroid is mentioned. Lydia is a smart lady. Everyone with desire to get cured, listen to doctors advise and take a chance. Some doctors are not even qualified to treat such health issues, they should not take such cases, but recommend to specialists. She became a victim wrong medicines. Hope this will open your eyes.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Udupi: Indiscriminate consumption of steroid for asthma endangers woman's life



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.