My brother, 57, has suffered from aura migraines regularly since he had his first Covid vaccine, which leaves him blind in both eyes for 20 minutes at a time. However, no one has ever officially recorded their symptoms as a side effect of the vaccine. Do you think it’s possible that there are many more people who have suffered side effects from the vaccine that we don’t know about because their symptoms weren’t recorded?
Dr. Ellie Cannon responds: Any medication, from chemotherapy to antidepressants, can cause side effects. For a few unlucky people, this could be catastrophic.
Earlier this month, I wrote that, despite safety concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine, I believe the vaccine has been a success in helping us emerge from the pandemic.
However, I am aware that a very small – but not insignificant – number of people have suffered debilitating side effects after taking it.
I don’t think there’s anything particularly dangerous about this vaccine – every medicine has risks, says DR ELLIE CANNON
I know people personally and professionally who have had side effects from Covid vaccines.
But I don’t think there’s anything particularly dangerous about this vaccine – every drug has risks.
Medicines are only considered safe for mass use if the number of people experiencing side effects is small enough to be outweighed by the benefits for all.
Every month I deal with people who suffer from the side effects of medications that have saved other people’s lives.
For this reason, it is important that any symptoms appearing after taking a medication are reported to health authorities.
If sufficiently serious side effects are linked to a drug, an investigation could be launched and the drug could be withdrawn from the market.
In the UK this is usually done through the Yellow Card system, an online system for patients and doctors to report side effects of medicines. The program is managed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. However, I recognize that we probably underestimate the side effects of vaccines and other medications because many people – and clinicians – do not record their symptoms through the system.
To ensure patient safety, it is essential that we report all drug side effects in a timely manner.
Since having my gallbladder removed a few years ago, I find that when I want to pee, I also need to poop. In general, I am in good health and I am 77 years old. Is this a normal consequence or should I seek advice?
Dr. Ellie responds: Removal of the gallbladder can cause intestinal problems.
It is estimated that almost a fifth of people who have had their gallbladder removed subsequently develop diarrhea.
In most cases this is just a temporary symptom, but for some it can become a long-term problem.
The gallbladder is a sac that carries bile, a substance that breaks down fats in food. Without a gallbladder, bile is released directly into the intestine. The bile can then act as a laxative, softening the stool.
For people with persistent diarrhea after gallbladder surgery, there are medications called cholestyramine that remove bile acids and ease symptoms.
Even if symptoms are mild, it may be worth making an appointment with your GP, as a change in bowel habits can sometimes be a sign of bowel cancer. This is unlikely if the change occurred at the time of an operation or has been present for many years. But it may be worth asking a GP for stool tests to check for bowel cancer.
I regularly wake up with severe leg pain that lasts for several hours. This pain is still below my knees. I walk at least 10,000 steps a day and the only medication I take is Viagra. What could be the cause of my pain?
Dr. Ellie responds: Muscle pain is a relatively common side effect of Viagra, an erectile dysfunction pill.
This side effect – also called myalgia – could be the cause of your suffering because your lower legs have large muscles.
However, other possible causes include circulation problems. Veins and arteries work less well with age and due to health problems like smoking. Leg pain due to circulation problems usually occurs at night, but can also occur while walking. Leg pain can be a sign of spinal problems, especially spinal stenosis. This can cause irritation or crushing of the nerves that run down the legs, causing pain, tingling, and heaviness. However, the situation is usually worse when walking and standing, rather than lying down.
Ultimately, the only way to know if a medication is causing a symptom is to stop taking it. You can do this as a trial to see if things improve. If you need to switch, an alternative to Viagra is Levitra, which does not have myalgia as a listed side effect.
ADHD is not just for young people
Diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have exploded over the past decade, with a sevenfold increase in drug prescriptions.
While this is partly due to greater awareness of the condition, it means that we GPs are seeing an influx of young adults looking for help. However, I was interested to hear the story last week of a colleague who discovered she had ADHD in her late 60s, and that treatment was a revelation.
Although there is a lot of talk about young people suffering from this disease, it made me wonder about older people and how they are affected by it.
Have you suffered from ADHD symptoms, such as poor concentration, impulsivity, restlessness, and feeling distracted while driving a car?
After hearing a lot about this condition, do you think you have it or were you diagnosed later in life? I would like to hear from you, so write to me at the address on this page.
Do you have a question for Dr. Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
Dr. Cannon cannot engage in personal correspondence and his responses should be considered in a general context.
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