Lessons I Learned While Warded in the Hospitals! Part 2 Medications

Based on the “data” obtained from the scans and blood tests, it was clear that my problems arose due to high glucose and low sodium in my blood. My blood pressure was also high. In addition, I had a big swelling in my head due to the fall. Unfortunately there don’t seem to be any “magic” pills for these problems.

I was admitted into Hospital C to closely monitor my blood parameters at the same time take medications in the hope of restoring these deficiencies.

Let us examine the drugs that I was prescribed by the doctors.

1. Omeprazole. This is to treat heartburn, gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). etc.

The most common omeprazole side effect is headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Taking omeprazole at high dosages, or for longer than a year, raises the risk of more serious side effects. These can include bone breaks and pneumonia (a lung infection). 

The main question I have is, why do I have to take omeprazole (3 capsules per day) when I have  never suffered any gastric problems in my life?

• Metformin is for type-2 diabetes. I took 1 tablet, once a day, @ 8-9 pm. It is important to note that metformin does not cure diabetes. It only helps lower the blood sugar levels to a safe range.

Metformin can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unfortunately for me I had no diarrhea but I did not move my bowels for about 2 weeks while on the drugs.

Other known side effects of metformin: heartburn, stomach pain, bloating, gas, constipation, weight loss, headache, metallic taste in the mouth.

Metformin can cause Lactic Acidiosis – a rare but serious problem that must be treated immediately.

Metformin carries FDA black box warning. A boxed warning is the most severe warning the FDA issues.

Symptoms of Lactic Acidiosis can include:

• extreme tiredness,
• weakness,
• decreased appetite,
• trouble breathing,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• a fast or slow heart rate,
• a cold feeling,
• muscle pain,
• flushing or sudden reddening and warmth in your skin
• stomach pain combined with any of these other symptoms.

• Celebrex. This drug is usedto treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain.

Celebrex is the drug that triggered the most serious warning alarm in me. I was asked to take 1 capsule, twice a day.

Many years ago, celebrex was a common pail killer that was dished out to most cancer patients! Then it just “disappeared” from the scene. Celebrex was found to increase risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients. Now, the drug has reappeared!

The questions I asked myself: Why do I need a pain killer drug that can cause heart attacks and strokes? I just had a mild stroke! Is that not enough?

 Another point is, I don’t have any serious pain to justify me taking such a dangerous drug. I can use my Pain Herbal Tea to solve this problem easily. Why do I need celebrex?

• Paracetamol. I took this painkiller 4 times a day, each time 2 tablets. Paracetamol is used to treat headaches, migraine, toothaches, sore throats, period (menstrual) pains, arthritis, muscle aches, and the common cold.

I don’t have any severe pain. Mind bogging – take it whatever for? What is more, taking 8 tablets per day!

Taking 1 or 2 tablets of paracetamol each day is unlikely to harm. But taking more than 8 tablets in 24 hours is not advisable and can be dangerous. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.

The most common side effects of paracetamol: drowsiness and tiredness. rashes and itching.

•  Metoclopramide (maxalon) Or domperidone (motilium) isfor nausea, vomiting, heartburn. One capsule is taken 3 times a day.

Again, I would like to ask. Why do I ever need this medication? Do I really need to take 3 times a day when I don’t have problems with nausea or vomiting? Or do I have to take it for “prevention”? I have never taken these drugs before!

Let us look at some the side effects of Maxalon:

Maxalon has a boxed warning. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. 

• Taking Maxalon may lead to muscle problems called tardive dyskinesia, resulting in unusual face muscle movement. You will not be able to control or stop these movements.
• Other side effects may include involuntary limb movements, facial grimacing, torticollis, oculogyric crisis, rhythmic protrusion of the tongue, bulbar type of speech, trismus, opisthotonus (tetanus-like reactions), and, rarely, stridor and dyspnea, which possibly result from laryngospasm.
• Maxalon can make you feel sleepy and lack of energy, low mood, feeling dizzy or faint (low blood pressure), diarrhoea.
• In rare cases, Maxalon may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen, breathing becomes very fast or you are struggling to breathe (become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air), the throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow, your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale. Suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy

• Nervous system disorder warning: Maxalon may cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS is a rare nervous system disorder that may be fatal. Symptoms include a high body temperature, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal pulse or blood pressure, fast heart rate, and sweating.
• Uncontrolled spasms warning: This drug may cause muscle spasms in your face, neck, body, arms, and legs. These spasms can cause irregular movements and body positions. These are more likely to happen during the first 2 days of treatment.
• Depression warning: This drug may cause depression. This can occur even if you don’t have a history of depression. The symptoms may be mild to severe and may include thoughts of suicide.

What is the maximum days for taking Maxalon? The maximum recommended treatment duration is 5 days. The recommended dose is repeated up to 3 times daily by oral route.

What is the “danger” for Motilium?

Motilium may be associated with an increased risk of heart rhythm disorder and cardiac arrest. This risk may be more likely occur in those over 60 years old or taking higher doses. The risk also increases when Motilium is given together with some other drugs.

The side-effects of Morilium are:

• Headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness, depression, dizziness, tiredness or irritability
• Sleepiness or drowsiness, fits or seizures, agitation
• Dry mouth or thirst
• Regurgitation, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, changes in appetite or heartburn
• Rash or itchy skin.

Is it OK to take Motilium everyday?

• It is recommended for short-term use only. It is associated with an increased risk of heart rhythm disorder, particularly in older people. If you faint or feel that your heart is beating quickly, you must speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Can you stay on Motilium long term?

• You’ll usually take Motilium for up to 1 week. This is because it can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) if you take it for longer or at a high dose.
• Motilium should start to work in about 30 to 60 minutes. It works best if taken before meals. The most common side effect of Motilium is a dry mouth, but this is usually mild and goes away by itself.

Why is Motilium banned in US?

• Motilium has been banned in the United States for years because of fatal cardiac arrhythmias among cancer patients who had been prescribed the drug to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Besides the above drugs, I also took 1 tablet every day of the following:

• Sodium chloride – common salt. Sodium also plays a part in nerve impulses and muscle contractions. Salt is also used to treat or prevent sodium loss caused by dehydration or excessive sweating.
• Potassium. Potassium helps cells, kidneys, heart, muscles, and nerves work properly. Potassium levels can be low due to a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting. Potassium chloride is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia)
• Neurobion to treat and prevent symptoms of vitamin B deficiency and strengthen the nervous system.

I agreed to take these drugs …

While in Hospital C, I took the above medications. I have decided to comply FULLY with what I was told to do. If you don’t try you don’t know! If you don’t trust others how can others help you?

Unfortunately, I did not stay on these drugs for long.

• I stopped taking metformin after 4 days due to vomiting.
• 2 days later, I was off paracetamol.
• 1 day later, I was off celebrex and neurobion.
• I was only on sodium and sodium tablets.