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Young Woman Rendered Immobile

Young Woman Rendered ImmobileAntigua St John's - Shenika Williams, a 25-year-old mother of four, is baffled as to what might have gone wrong over the Whit Weekend at the Mount St. John’s Medical Center (MSJMC) to have caused her to lose the function of both legs.

Williams, who had gone to the hospital with mild leg and neck pains on Saturday May 26, said she had initially been placed on a regimen of Voltaren tablets. She was advised by medical officers that nothing was wrong with her legs. She then went home.



When the pain returned with intensified force on Sunday, she returned to MSJMC. This time, she was injected with the drug (Voltaren) rather than given tablets.

Williams said she was knocked out by the drug and when she awoke there was a noticeable “numbness” in her legs.

“They said everything was okay and sent me home. When I got home I could not breathe properly, that is why I came back the same Sunday (May 27). That is when then they put me on the oxygen machine and give me the injection. That put me to sleep for a while and when I woke up that's when I noticed the numbness in my legs,” Williams said.

As of Tuesday evening May 29 that numbness was still there, and she was only able to move the upper half of her body.

Ms. Williams has been in the hospital since Sunday May 27, and doctors have been unable to offer a satisfactory diagnosis for her situation.

Early on the morning of Tuesday May 29 the single mother was required to spend some EC$1700 for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan at the Belmont Clinic.

However, although she had received the results of that MSJMC-ordered examination immediately upon completion, up to that evening hospital doctors had not informed her of the interpretation of those results.

 “I went to do an MRI at Belmont (Clinic),” Williams said on Tuesday evening. “I got the results since after 5pm today but I don't see no doctor telling me anything as yet.”

MSJMC doctors said the MRI results, which were read on Wednesday May 30, showed that the young woman had a nerve ailment in the legs that caused the numbness she reported on Saturday.

She is convinced that she was given the wrong medication, which caused the almost complete collapse of her legs. Initially, she said nurses told her that nothing was wrong with her before dosing her with the Voltaren tablets.

The single mother was intent on leaving the hospital on Wednesday May 30 to attend to her children, who range between 11 years of age and 6 months old. Although at the time she did not see herself having the strength to leave the hospital the next day, Williams was hoping for a miracle of some kind and counting on the fact that she could “pull” her upper body around.

Last Thursday May 31 a new regimen had begun with medication specific to her diagnosed nerve condition, and it was expected that noticeable results would be realized soon. Williams remains a patient of the MSJMC.

She said she has not been given a wheelchair or any mobile aid to move around the medical facility, and has as a result been laid up in bed for over a week. As a result of this, she said, she has developed a burning sensation throughout her body that has gone ignored by physicians. Also of grave concern to her is a swollen stomach.

Caribarena has obtained a copy of the MRI Report, and according to a noted medical physician nothing in the MRI report explains Williams’ symptoms. The doctor questioned whether a Lumbar Puncture was performed as, in his opinion, this would not only explain the symptoms but might also be a very useful test to rule out viral or bacterial involvement in the case, especially since Williams had also complained of a stiff neck.

“There is a host of conditions that could cause her complaints … a proper neurological, vascular , and  physical exam will be very useful. Voltaren, however, will not cause or relieve those neurological symptoms,” the doctor said

The medical practitioner questioned whether Williams had a “Lumbar Puncture” performed, and wondered again if she was recently pregnant. Questions of this order, he said, if asked from the outset, might have led the MSJMC physicians to a more accurate diagnosis.



Public Relations Officer of the MSJMC Selma Crump said she was unfamiliar with the case and even if she had any information on the matter of how the situation is being handled, she would not be at liberty to discuss such since it would mean a breach of confidentiality rules for the patient.

"I have not been given authorization to discuss this matter at all. I am not familiar with this case or the patient. It is not something that I could talk about at this point," Crump said.

She has assured however that she would make efforts to secure whatever information she could on the matter and release whatever is authorized.


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17 Comments In This Article   

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RE: Young Woman Rendered Immobile

#17 dave » 2012-08-15 05:39

whats the update caribarena on this young lady.very sad
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dave

RE: Young Woman Rendered Immobile

#16 Yikes!!! » 2012-06-12 13:22

25 years old with 4 children? I can only imagine how helpless this young lady must feel. Keep your head up dear. I pray that things turn around soon so that you can take care of your children.
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Yikes!!!

RE: Young Woman Rendered Immobile

#15 Today is Monday » 2012-06-11 16:21

Ms. Crump you are not expected to divulge specifics since that info is indeed confidential. But how is it that the public knew about this case before you. Even if you are honestly not aware of the case, please do NOT say this to the press. Imagine someone from the outside telling me what going on in my own house.
Perhaps you are not to blame. Maybe you are understaffed and make up an entire department by yourself. But please try and do better next time. Just last week I heard someone saying how people are scared to go to MSJMC. It is YOUR job to assist in developing a good image of the hospital. When I hear the things you say, it makes me squirm and I am not a "professional" like you. :-?
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Today is Monday

RE: Young Woman Rendered Immobile

#14 Necessary » 2012-06-11 15:50

Quote:
Public Relations Officer of the MSJMC Selma Crump said she was unfamiliar with the case and even if she had any information on the matter of how the situation is being handled, she would not be at liberty to discuss such since it would mean a breach of confidentiality rules for the patient.
Salma is NEVER familiar with anything that goes on at MSJMC. How she got that job is beyond me, but moreso, how she still holds the position is mind-buggling.
"PROs are involved in promoting and maintaining good relations between an organization and its publics." Are you doing this for MSJMC and the Antiguan public?
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Necessary

re: slythatguy

#13 fnpsr » 2012-06-10 22:10

Slythatguy, I made no assumptions in this matter. The independent practitioner indicated, and I quote for your benefit again, ““There is a host of conditions that could cause her complaints … a proper neurological, vascular , and physical exam will be very useful. Voltaren, however, will not cause or relieve those neurological symptoms.” There is nothing in the article that suggested that any of those were done. I don’t know about you, but I would not want a doctor to medicate me without knowing what is wrong with me.

I could envision a situation where one falls and badly sprains one ankle and a doctor prescribes aspirin or Tylenol or something to relieve pain prior to casting or surgery. This would be very obvious to everyone. But to medicate a patient, as here, without knowing what is wrong with he patient is bothersome to me.

In my view, the incompetence is twofold; (1) the failure to perform a “proper neurological, vascular and physical exam” and (2) prescribing medication without a proper diagnosis.

“Let’s fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things.”
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fnpsr

@ fnprs

#12 SlyThatGuy » 2012-06-10 14:59

fnprs,you statement is based on your assumption and interpretation of the situation,it's neither based on facts nor statement made by the independent. you clearly said,"...I am wondering how the doctors at MSJMC could have prescribed medication without doing a full neurological examination to determine the cause of the numbness in her leg." Well,I am telling you that there have been instances where doctors administered aspirin (medication,isn 't it?)to a patient even before attempting to examine him or her.If you don't know the reason the woman was given the medication by the doctors,then you shouldn't have suggested "incompetence"o n their part.
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SlyThatGuy

re: slythatguy - part 3 & final

#11 fnpsr » 2012-06-10 11:52

My comment, if you read it again, you will see is based on the statement by the independent doctor. Nowhere in the article, did I read that a full work- up, to include, but not limited to blood work, XRAY, MRI or the like was done when the patient initially sought treatment. However, the article indicated that the patient sought an MRI on her own.

I am not saying that the independent doctor is correct, but I think it is incompetence to prescribe medication to a patient without having some clue as to what is wrong with the patient.

Finally, I entreat you to carefully read the post by blogger Vance Joseph and others.

“Let’s fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things.”
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fnpsr

re: slythatguy - part 2

#10 fnpsr » 2012-06-10 11:50

The patient secured a MRI on her own on 5/29, which , according to the article, MSJMC doctors indicated that it showed a “nerve ailment in the legs, which caused the numbness, which was originally reported.

On 5/31, the patient was given a new regiment of drugs relative to her diagnosed condition. Please note the two-day delay.

According to the article, an independent doctor reviewed the MRI report and indicated that nothing in the MRI report explains the symptoms. “The doctor questioned whether a Lumbar Puncture was performed,” as, in his opinion, “this would not only explain the symptoms but might also be a very useful test to rule out viral or bacterial involvement in the case, especially since Williams had also complained of a stiff neck.”

According to the article, The independent doctor went on to say that ,“There is a host of conditions that could cause her complaints … a proper neurological, vascular , and physical exam will be very useful. Voltaren, however, will not cause or relieve those neurological symptoms.”
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fnpsr

re: slythat guy - part 1

#9 fnpsr » 2012-06-10 11:45

SlyThatGuy, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. However, I cannot understand you claim that I do not know the facts. You can’t be serious! It would seem to me that based on your post that it is you who are devoid of the facts. I would never pretend to know more than a specialist in his field, but when it comes healthcare, even the untrained knows that before you treat a patient you have to know what is wrong with the patient. I am sure you would not want a doctor to cut you open just because he believes something is wrong with you.

According to the article, the patient went to the hospital on 5/26, complaining of leg and neck pain. She was placed on a regiment of pills and sent home . According to the patient, she was told that “nothing was wrong with her”.

The patient returned the next day with more pain and was given the same drug in the form of an IV, which knocked her out, and when she awoke there was noticeable numbness in her feet. According to the article she was told that “nothing was wrong with her” and sent home.
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fnpsr

not to speculate but to educate ...

#8 F.Y.I. » 2012-06-10 07:03

Typical allergic reactions are seen occasionally and easily recognized and corrected. How ever Voltaren is a widely used and relatively safe drug ( not that any drug is really 100% safe and side effect free.neither is food.
Always tell your Physician/healt hcare provider if you suspect you might be allergic to certain medications. You can be tested to see if you are allergic to certain substances. Like the no so uncommon allergies to some antibiotics ,foods and environmentals.
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F.Y.I.

not to speculate but to educate

#7 F.Y.I. » 2012-06-10 07:02

arthritis.emedtv.com/voltaren/voltaren-side-effects.html.
Bornfocused take a read and show me where sodium diclofenac ( voltaren)
conclusively causes paralysis as described by this patient? as A common side effect??? Keep in mind the initial complained of this patient back and neck pain.
I had to search long and wide to find 1 case reported where voltaren might be a possible cause an elderly male (60+) who had been taking the drug for a prolonged period. link below will show you the report( not study) www.ehealthme.com/ds/voltaren/spinal+cord+paralysis
1 patient in how many millions that use this drug? statistically a non starter.
Prolonged use may and I stress may lead to a stroke ( causing temporary or permanent paralysis or even MI and all type of complications like gastric bleeds.
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F.Y.I.

Stop leaving patients in the dark

#6 Bornfocused » 2012-06-09 16:24

Both symptoms are actually quite common with this medication. The shortness of breath indicates that she is allergic to this medication and extreme weakness which manifests as temporary paralysis is a common side effect. She will regain her strength but time table is uncertain i've read that it can sometimes take months. All this should have been explained before giving her and an alternative medication to treat her mild leg and neck pains given.
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Bornfocused

@ fnpsr

#5 SlyThatGuy » 2012-06-09 14:35

You should know the facts before jumping to conclusion,fnps r.Stop behaving as if you know more than the medical examiners. Has it ever crossed your mind that the doctor might have prescribed and administered the drug to relieve the patient's pain and discomfort rather than to treat the cause itself? It's not unusual for a physician(upon examination of a patient complaining of pain and finding nothing wrong) to discharge the patient and still prescribe pain killers.That's why Mrs. Williams maintains she was knock out by the drug.
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SlyThatGuy

transverse myelitis Pt 3

#4 Vance Joseph » 2012-06-09 13:08

It comes on you like a thief in the night, you are good today, usually feeling a tingling and heaviness in the legs, and within hours you are paralysed. There are those who have to use feeding and breathing tubes, infants, toddlers, elderly, healthy fit people are all potential victims, Inflammation being for now the primary cause of the scarring, and we know that any trauma may cause inflammation outside of the auto immune illnesses like osteoporosis and rheumatism- Epidureals have been known to bring on the symptoms, however that causeway, usually is reversed after a week or so.
here are some usefull links for those who may be concerned with her diagnosis and care:

http://transversemyelitis.ning.com
http://www.christopherreeve.org/atf/cf/%7B173bca02-3665-49ab-9378-be009c58a5d3%7D/TRANSVERSE%20MYELITIS%2012-11%20JPW.PDF

I may be reached at 789-2495 for more information on this illness, its onset, care and personal outlook on dealing with this illness.
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Vance Joseph

transverse myelitis Pt 2

#3 Vance Joseph » 2012-06-09 13:03

She should have the thoracic section of her spine scanned with a specific focus on the condition of the myelin encasing the spinal cord itself.
Voltaren cannot cure it, fix it, after the fact. It is a life changing illness, as it stops you from doing everything on your own and become dependent on others for the simplest tasks.
If there is no movement within the first 30 days, it is almost certain that there will be no movement after that. Even if there is movement, it is a crap shoot as to how much one will progress. I have been more fortunate than most of the individuals whom i have researched who has been afflicted with this illness. It has only affected the movement in my legs, though this round seems to be more sever than any of the others. lasting longer and with more disability. Like H.I.V it has no genres.
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Vance Joseph

transverse myelitis Pt 1

#2 Vance Joseph » 2012-06-09 12:51

I would advise the doctors at mount st john's medical to investigate the existence of a very rare illness called Transverse Myelitis. It is an infection of the myelin in the spinal column. This is usually caused by inflammation in the the myelin which scars the tissue. Depending on where the scaring originates, will determine the level of paralysis, whether she loses bowel action or urinary tract function.
How do i know this. My name is Vance Joseph and i have suffered from transverse myelitis since age 14. and have had 3 recurrences since then, am now in the middle of one of these relapses and have been dependent on a wheelchair since october 10 2010, after walking to my bed on my own, and could not get out 3 hours later.

It is very rare and most doctors are not able to tell what it is. They confuse it for lupos, or polio like symptoms. She should not be scanned in the lumbar section of the spine. the good doctor at msjmc when i went in october requested a scan of my lumbar area, only to be told by a neurosurgeon that i had the wrong portion of my back scanned as the lumbar area of the spine does not primarily cause that type of symptom as I had. Contd'
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Vance Joseph

RE: Young Woman Rendered Immobile

#1 fnpsr » 2012-06-09 10:04

First of all, my heart goes out to the young mother. While the medication may not have caused her temporary paralysis in her lower body, I am wondering how the doctors at MSJMC could have prescribed medication without doing a full neurological examination to determine the cause of the numbness in her legs. This seems to me to be incompetence. In order to treat the patient effectively, you have to know what is wrong with the patient.

“Let’s fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things.”
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fnpsr

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