Exercise caution when taking 'rheumatism medications' to treat bone and joint pain.

A patient was admitted to the hospital with rigidity, generalized convulsions, and respiratory failure, suspected to be due to poisoning from arthritis medication.

Image of the medicine bottle the patient used - Photo: Provided by the patient's family.

A few days ago, the emergency department of my hospital received an 80-year-old male patient with shortness of breath and cyanosis. Upon admission, the patient was found to be stiff and experiencing continuous generalized convulsions. These convulsions prevented him from breathing, leading to severe respiratory failure.

The family said the patient had been complaining of joint pain lately, so they bought a well-known rheumatism medicine and he had been taking it continuously for several months.

For the past two days, the child has experienced muscle stiffness followed by convulsions. The episodes gradually worsened until they reached their peak, with generalized muscle rigidity and difficulty breathing, prompting immediate transport to the hospital.

A quick examination revealed the patient was cyanotic, unable to breathe, but still conscious and responsive. Generalized rigidity was present, with a rigid, wood-like abdomen that would trigger convulsions upon touch. When not convulsing, the patient could hear and respond well. The mouth could open normally.

Therefore, it is unlikely to be a seizure or a tetanus-induced convulsion.

After administering a sedative and muscle relaxant, along with oxygen, the patient's breathing improved. Blood samples were taken for testing, and a CT scan of the brain was performed. All results were normal.

Therefore, it is likely that this patient's continuous seizures are caused by poisoning from some substance. The culprit could be the type of rheumatism medication the patient is taking.

Based on the above analysis, we diagnosed the patient with suspected strychnine poisoning. Treatment involved sedatives and muscle relaxants combined with intravenous fluids and improving the patient's general health.

After one day, the seizures gradually subsided and stopped, muscle tone returned to normal, the patient's abdomen became soft, and palpation was comfortable.

By the second day, the patient's muscle stiffness had completely disappeared, but they still complained of joint pain...

After discharging the patient, the doctor instructed them to take their medication at the correct dosage and to avoid taking any unregulated or unverified medications.

Returning to herbal remedies, I find that contrary to the belief that they are harmless, taking herbal remedies available on the market can actually pose one of two risks:

1. The biggest risk is the mixing of pain-relieving medications, with the most dangerous being the mixing of corticosteroids (dexa, prednisolone...).

This type of medication is soothing and provides quick pain relief. However, after a while, it can lead to swelling, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and most frighteningly, drug dependence and adrenal insufficiency. The pain returns as soon as the medication is stopped.

2. The second, less common risk is strychnine poisoning. Strychnine is a folk medicine containing strychnine. In very low doses, it can increase muscle tone and improve mobility in the elderly.

Some rheumatism remedies contain a small amount of processed Strychnos nux-vomica. However, if not properly prepared, it can easily lead to overdose, muscle spasms, and then generalized convulsions. Alternatively, people may mistakenly believe that herbal remedies are harmless and self-medicate by increasing the dosage, causing poisoning.

Therefore, regardless of the type of medication, patients need to take it according to the prescribed dosage, and family members must ensure their parents take the medication exactly as directed by the doctor.

Dr. Quan The Dan, the author of this article, has worked in treatment and teaching at several medical facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. He is currently working at a hospital in Thanh Hoa province.

QUAN THE DAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/than-trong-khi-uong-cac-thuoc-phong-te-thap-tri-dau-xuong-khop-20251212112118108.htm