Nollywood actress Ufoma McDermott recently shared her experience with kidney disease, which she attributed to long-term painkiller misuse. During an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, McDermott opened up about her 12-year journey managing the condition and urged the public to prioritize their health.
She explained that her kidney issues resulted from extended use of pain medication. “I really hope people realize how crucial it is to take care of their health,” she said. “My brother was diagnosed late, at stage 4, and immediately needed dialysis, facing complications along the way. I was diagnosed earlier, so I’ve been on medication for nearly 12 years now. When my brother was diagnosed, I immediately sought out my cardiologist. Our family was worried—could this be genetic? We investigated and found the link to painkiller misuse.”
McDermott went on to recount her struggles with frequent migraines and headaches growing up. “I had constant migraines, headaches, and eye strain but avoided wearing glasses because I thought they looked geeky. So, I relied on strong painkillers, not just regular ones, to relieve the pain.”