A grandmother claims her symptoms were “dismissed” as anxiety by her GP – but now her “life is in ruins” as she’s left using a wheelchair, has slurred speech and is even unable to smile.
Petra Walker-Barrera, from Stone, says her life has been changed forever as a result of medication intended only for short-term periods being prescribed to her for eight years. Three of those came after health regulators warned GPs against the prolonged use of the anti-sickness drug.
The 68-year-old was given metoclopramide after struggling with nausea as a result of ulcerative colitis, with GPs continuing to issue the medication despite NHS advice that it is taken for a five-day course, unless in exceptional circumstances. Five different doctors re-issued her medication 30 times in total.
Despite returning to her GP surgery numerous times to report the onset of symptoms – including problems with her eyes and vision, inability to control her jaw and weakness in her feet and legs – Petra was allowed to remain on metoclopramide, with her concerns being dismissed as anxiety.
READ: Battered wife Lauren: ‘I’ll never be the same woman again, I’ve been destroyed’ Her attacker was spared jail after head-butting her in her home
READ: I grew up poor in Bentilee and can spot a gold-digger now I’m worth £1.5bn Businessman John Caudwell’s humble beginnings growing up in Stoke-on-Trent has stood him in good stead
Now, following more than eight years of metoclopramide use, she lives with movement disorders tardive dystonia and dyskinesia, and is confined to a wheelchair. She was even left fighting for life after her difficulty in eating and swallowing led to her choking on her food, causing pneumonia and sepsis.
Muscle weakness in her face means she cannot smile, her speech is slurred, and her attempts to walk have resulted in numerous falls, which have seen her lose several teeth – factors Petra believes have robbed her of her identity. “Despite warnings about the long-term use of metoclopramide, I was kept on it for years,” says Petra, who now lives Stone having moved away from the area where her GP surgery was.
“I went to see the GP so many times but was dismissed as having anxiety. Because of this, my life is in ruins. People need to know what metoclopramide can do. Having spoken to patients across the country in person and on social media, I have heard it is still being prescribed long-term. It is too easy to access repeat prescriptions, and the necessary checks by GPs are not being made, but they really need to be.
“We cannot allow what has happened to me happen to even one other person – it is ruining lives.” Having been given metoclopramide initially to help with the nausea she experienced from colitis, Petra took the medication irregularly until late 2016.
While her medication was stopped at one point in 2014 – at a time when her only symptoms were eye problems – a GP later reinstated it. It was not until 2019, following the deterioration of her condition over the subsequent years, that the link between her long-term medication use and worsening symptoms was recognised by experts at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen’s Square, in London.
“I had been going back to the GP so many times, but all of my symptoms were treated in isolation,” said Petra. “I was never given the time to cover everything in one appointment, and they obviously didn’t look at my medical records.
“There was one appointment where I went with my daughter, and the GP told her it was all in my head. After my diagnosis, she has struggled badly with the guilt of not believing my symptoms were as bad as they were, because of what she had been told by the GP.
“The team at Queen’s Square were absolutely amazing, and when they told me I was so angry and so upset that this had happened. Even after the warning had been given against repeat prescriptions, I was still given metoclopramide. I just don’t know how it could have happened, how could they have done this?”
While Petra has been fitted with a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device, which has improved some of her symptoms, and she is soon to have surgery on her feet to help her chances of walking, she says the impact to her identity has been particularly difficult. “I have always taken pride in my appearance, all through my career I’ve had roles where I have had to be really well-presented – but that has been taken away from me,” says Petra, who began her working life in the Royal Navy and went on to work on cruise ships and ferries.
“I am in a wheelchair so even if I put nice clothes on, no-one will really see. I can’t wear pretty shoes because of my feet. I can’t even put make up on because of my hands – I genuinely feel like I’ve lost my identity. I have dyed my hair bright red because at least I can feel in control of that.
“This has been the most awful ordeal, it has been devastating for me and my family. If one good thing can come out of this, it would be to warn other people about metoclopramide. If only I knew back in 2013 what I know now.”
Petra has been supported in taking action against the five GPs who prescribed her with metoclopramide by law firm Slater and Gordon, with clinical negligence specialist Kelly Lloyd Davies leading her claim. “Like most patients, Petra put her trust in medical professionals and believed their advice and reassurances,” said Kelly.
“This has, very sadly, resulted in her being left with conditions which restrict almost every aspect of her life. Truly, this has been devastating. This case raises serious questions around the process of issuing repeat prescriptions, and ensuring patient welfare is not put at risk through failing to properly listen to their concerns and carrying out appropriate and timely reviews of their medication.
“This has failed badly in Petra’s case. We very much echo her message of asking questions of medical professionals if something doesn’t feel right, and would urge people to seek appropriate support if they feel they have experienced sub-standard medical care.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
