Vikki Owens’ Story

Brad’s Health Crisis Journey

In October of 2007, Brad, my then 20-year-old son who was attending a local college developed a cold with symptoms that lingered for a month. He tried to treat his runny, stuffy nose, coughing, and fever with OTC and some homeopathic remedies. By mid-October, symptoms disappeared, but neck lymph nodes were noticeably swollen. However, he was feeling slightly better and returned to classes.

By mid-November, he still wasn’t feeling 100%, and I accompanied him to an urgent care center because my primary care physician was not accepting new patients until the new year. The urgent care clinic tested him for Mono and Strep; both tests were negative. The doctor did not understand why his lymph nodes were still swollen. He prescribed Amox TR-K CLV 875-125 MG TASAN, even though he could not determine a bacterial infection.

Within an hour of taking the antibiotic for the first time, Brad said he felt, “Weird.”  By the 13th day, hives covered most of his upper body. (Brad had taken Amoxicillin liquid as a child without incident for typical childhood illness.)

Returning to the physician, Brad was prescribed Methylprednisolone 4 MG Pack and Levaquin 750MG. He took the Methylprednisolone which helped clear the hives, but he was afraid to take another antibiotic and did not want to swallow more pills.

Within days after the hives receded, other symptoms developed:

• Lymph nodes became larger on the sides of the neck, and others appeared on the back of neck, underarms, and groin.
• Generalized aching in his muscles and joints, joint swelling and stiffness occurred.
• Low-grade fevers with alternating chills became consistent.
• Unable to function.
• Itchy, red rash appeared just under the skin that would come and go on various body parts (Vasculitis inflammation was ruled out).
• Loss of appetite, weight loss from 150 to 126 Nov-Jan.

In January 2008, I accompanied him to my primary care doctor who ordered a battery of blood work, which determined his white count was high and the doctor suspected he might have lupus or some other immune system condition.

Brad was also referred to an ENT, who prescribed a CT neck soft tissue scan, which showed the lymph nodes were about 3cm and that we should become more concerned if the lymph nodes enlarged to 5cm.
Further, he was referred to a Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist who ordered an echo cardiogram, which did not show anything to warrant concern. Another battery of blood work including blood cultures still did not help make a definitive diagnosis. However, the doctor stated that Brad had a Lupus anticoagulant that may cause blood clotting and he wanted to repeat some blood work after a couple of months to see if the same results appeared.

Moreover, the doctor recommended he take aspirin to prevent blood clots, but Brad was highly allergic to aspirin or anything containing aspirin. Due to his experience with medication, he was leery of taking more medicine and did not want to take blood thinning medication. By this time, I began thinking his symptoms worsened upon taking the prescribed medication and that the medication must have been the culprit because that was the only thing newly introduced but the doctor did not appear to value my opinion. Continuing the pressure for Brad to take more drugs, the medication the doctor wanted him to take was Heparin. In 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of Heparin after finding that contaminants in the drug caused severe injury and death in a number of patients (NOLO, 2008).

By April 2008, his doctor recommended he see a Hematologist, but Brad needed a break from blood work. Between April and May, another “attack” occurred that made him unable to function for 23 days. After waiting two months for an appointment and then on the day not being able to find the doctor’s office (I think this was a sign from the universe not to go through with the appointment), I decided to take another route.

To watch my son suffer for so long and try to rely on conventional medicine to help him was very frustrating. So I took control and consulted with my natural health advisors and searched for pharmaceutical reports online to find possible alternative solutions and information to help us understand what happened.

My informed layperson’s diagnosis based on personal research: Brad suffered a severe allergic reaction to Amox TR-K CLV 875-125 MG TASAN, which according to an online report I found: 1% of those who take it are affected and their condition is described as drug-induced lupus. Based on recommendations from certified herbalists a regimen involving a combination of homeopathic and herbal supplements, and an anti-inflammatory diet slowly helped restore vitality.

About his health crisis, Brad states: “It is a shame that the medical industry with all its modernity and technical splendor was unable to assess properly or treat my illness. My faith and acceptance of the medical system this country has adopted are severely reduced. If it were not for my mother’s research and handling of the situation I may not have recovered to the extent of which I have.”
Today, Brad is healthy and preparing to become a police officer.

The moral of this story is to question thoroughly everything a healthcare provider recommends. If as a patient you are unable to investigate medication or care given; hopefully, you have pre-designated a loved one or friend to be your healthcare advocate. Research all medications for independent and credible reports about potentially life-threatening side effects. Above all, trust your instincts. Sure, there are many times healthcare providers administer the level of care we need, and we are thankful they exist. However, when lightly warned about a medication that, “…may harm only 1%” of those who take it, remember…you could be part of that 1%.

Vikki Owens