Udupi: Self-medication and the quantity of steroids in the contents in the medicine intake took away Leena Anitha Patrick’s happy life.
Speaking to the media persons, Patrick the victim’s husband said that Leena is now completely bedridden.
The 54-year-old teacher had an asthmatic problem since childhood. At the age of 18, she was prescribed with steroids as anti-asthmatic drug.
She consulted many physicians in India as well as in abroad (Abu Dhabi) and got same (steroidal therapy) in prescription for asthama and followed instructions as suggested by the physician.
She was not aware about the side effects of the steroidal therapy. None of the prescribers or medical professionals, she visited, told her about the adverse effects of the steroids. Lack of awareness about the adverse effects of steroid therapy, promoted her to use steroid as general medication for her Asthma.
Due to long term steroid intake, she is now victim of many adverse effects of steroids like Osteoporosis, Diabetes.
It is duty of medical professional to tell the patient about the disease and prescribed drug. Prescriber should tell the side effect of drug as well as limitations for the use of prescribed drugs, her husband added.
From the year 1996, she started weight gain as steroid lead to excessive food intake leading to weight gain. Steroid also causes weakness to the bones. Nearly 40 to 60 percent of her bones are fractured now.
He added in 2007, she was not able to walk due to weak bone, joints and muscles. In 2009 long term steroid therapy leaded her to softening of skull. Leena was in coma for about 2 weeks and from 2010 her body was complete motionless, though she manages to speak.
The Human Rights Foundation, Udupi district president Ravindranath Shanbhag said that the victim wants her experience of life to be told to the public, as she wants to create awareness among public over adverse effects of self-medication and steroids.
He warned ‘the youth for using steroid directly or steroid mixed food at gym for six packs. Let them know the consequence of steroid intake.
He added that “to create awareness among the public and children every school and college must organize awareness programmes by playing the video of the case”.
