Nigerian actress Ufoma McDermott has shared her personal struggle with kidney disease, which resulted from years of unknowingly misusing painkillers.
In an emotional interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the Nollywood star opened up about her 12-year battle with kidney disease, urging others to prioritize their health.
She shared how her brother’s late-stage kidney diagnosis, which led to dialysis complications, contrasted with her own earlier diagnosis, allowing her to manage the condition with medication for over a decade.
Reflecting on the effects of drug abuse on her family, McDermott revealed that her brother’s advanced kidney disease was a consequence of similar painkiller misuse. She recalled, “When my brother passed away, I went to my cardiologist in fear, wondering if this was genetic. We later discovered it was due to drug abuse.”
McDermott explained that her long history with migraines, headaches, and eye pain led her to take strong painkillers to alleviate the discomfort, often avoiding using glasses to prevent looking “geeky.” She even carried painkillers with her to share with others.
She clarified that her kidney issues were not genetic but the result of years of painkiller overuse.
“The doctor told me that while my brother and I shared similar behaviors, it didn’t mean the disease was hereditary,” she said, noting that her high blood pressure diagnosis at the age of 26 came as a surprise, as she wasn’t aware of its significance at the time.
Open link to see the full interview below:
