Mum who nearly died after falling sick in Spain issues warning after anti-sickness pills left her ‘acting possessed'
A MUM is urging Brits to be careful buying medicine on holiday - after she nearly died when an over-the-counter anti-sickness tablet left her acting "possessed".
Keira Morrison had been unwell during her family holiday to Salou, Spain, and had been throwing up around 10 times a day.
Advertisement
4
Keira had been feeling unwell on her family holiday, throwing up around 10 times a day
Credit: Kennedy News
4
Her partner Liam went to a nearby pharmacy to get her some anti-sickness tablets, but she suffered an adverse reaction
Credit: Kennedy News
When Dioralyte didn't improve the 29-year-old's symptoms, her partner Liam Bridgeman, 33, went to a nearby pharmacy and bought her some anti-sickness tablets for 1.90 euro.
Metoclopramide is an anti-sickness medication that is only available on prescription in the UK, however it's available over the counter in Spain.
After two days of taking the tablets, the former hairdresser's jaw suddenly "locked" as they sat in their hotel room - and she soon lost control of her body.
A panicked Keira and Liam went to their hotel manager for help and once they showed him the tablets he offered to drive the couple to a nearby medical centre.
Advertisement
Read more on side effects
Here the mum-of-two deteriorated quickly and began to act "possessed" - losing control of her arms and legs and her eyes rolling back in her head.
She admits it was so bad she "thought it was the end".
Staff put her on an IV drip while they ordered an ambulance to take her to hospital in Tarragona, where doctors manged to ease her symptoms with an injection.
It has since emerged that the recommended dosage is one 10mg tablet three times a day - but Keira claims the pharmacist had told her to take two of the tablets at once.
Advertisement
Most read in Health
Tested
This meant she was taking twice the recommended dosage on each occasion.
She is now raising awareness about the terrifying experience online and about the potential risks of adverse reactions to
Beware 3 of the most dangerous medicines in the world - including one found in almost EVERY home
Keira, from Liverpool, Merseyside, said: "Liam said it was like I was possessed.
"I thought it was the end, I did. It was not a
nice
experience at all.
Advertisement
"It was like I wasn't in my body, it was like someone had control over my body. That's how I felt and I did feel like I was going to die.
"There were leaflets on the wall and when I was looking at the words, I couldn't see the words. They were going blurry.
"I was pleading with them [the doctors] like, 'please help me.'
"At the point before I had the injection my head was banging off the bed, my eyes were going to the back of my head and flickering. My legs and arms were flying everywhere.
Advertisement
It felt like I was having a seizure. I just wanted the feeling to stop
Keira Morrison
"It felt like I was having a seizure. I just wanted the feeling to stop, I've never experienced a feeling like that in my life. I was screaming, 'please help me, please help me!'
"If I didn't go to hospital when I did I probably would have thrown myself off the balcony because I wanted the feeling to stop that much. I was crying, screaming."
Keira said one of the doctors in the hospital explained that she had a reaction to the tablets.
After spending a night in hospital Keira left the following day because she was due to fly home and she said she thinks she experienced a side effect called tardive dyskinesia.
Advertisement
According to Mind, this is a condition where your face, body or both make sudden, irregular and uncontrollable movements.
This is a known potential side effect of the medication and a 2014 report by the European Medicines Agency's Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use and recommended restricting the dose to "help minimise the risk of potentially serious neurological adverse effects".
4
Keira with partner Liam
Credit: Kennedy News
4
Keira says if she ever goes away again she'll make sure she's got her own anti-sickness medication from the UK
Credit: Kennedy News
Advertisement
Since returning to the UK, she has been to her doctor to have an allergy test and to have her heart checked as she had been experiencing palpitations.
Keira said: "My doctor did say in the UK you've got to have a prescription to get that medication.
"You can't get that over the counter here. You shouldn't be selling that over the counter.
"It has scared us. We have another holiday booked and we are in talks of cancelling. We're in shock and we can't believe it happened.
Advertisement
"I'll never ever buy anything over the counter again.
"If I ever do go away now I'll make sure I've got my own anti-sickness medication from the UK and it was something I'd had before.
"I can't describe the feeling, it was horrendous. I wouldn't wish it on my own enemy."
Accord, the manufacturer of the tablets, have been contacted for comment.
Advertisement
Safety measures when buying medicines abroad
IF medication needs to be acquired abroad, it's recommended to purchase from licensed pharmacies in large cities and to verify that the medication contains the same active ingredient as the one typically taken.
Also:
Whenever possible, obtain all required medications before travelling, as this avoids the risk of purchasing falsified medicines.
Do not purchase medicines from street markets or unregulated online sources, as these are high-risk areas for counterfeit products.
Discuss the need for medications abroad with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide guidance on obtaining them safely and legally.
Be cautious of misspellings or incorrect packaging, as these can be indicators of falsified medications.
Some embassies can provide lists of reliable pharmacies in the country you are visiting.
Be cautious when buying medicines online, as there is a high risk of purchasing counterfeit products.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm a vet, here's the surprising hidden cause of fur shedding – and how to tackle it
HAVING a dog can be the best thing in the world. They are brilliant companions, get us out and about on walks and generally make a house a home. Advertisement 3 Tackling dog hair can be a nightmare 3 Cat the Vet reveals reason behind shedding But they can also make a big mess - especially if they are a hairy breed. Now a vet has revealed the surprising reason behind why mutts can turn into moulting monsters - and it's nothing to do with the weather. Vileda, the experts behind the Pet Pro cleaning range, has teamed up with pet specialist and influencer Cat The Vet to shed some light on the hairy issue. Cat revealed the main trigger isn't what you expect. Advertisement READ MORE IN FABULOUS She says: "Did you know that light, not temperature is actually the major trigger for shedding? "The changing amount of daylight leads to hormonal changes that impact on the growth cycle of hairs, causing them to either thicken up, or gradually fall out". So, as the days get longer or shorter, your pet's body clock tells them it's time for a new 'do'. Our cosy homes can confuse things even more. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Breaking Live Blog Cat says: "Ambient temperatures do have an impact which is why some dogs shed far more in the winter because the shorter days are causing their fur to grow but our heated houses are encouraging it to shed." But despite their hairiness, new research from Vileda shows a whopping 64 per cent of women are more excited to see their pet than their partner after a long day at work . INCREDIBLE moment hero vet staff save dog from choking on favourite toy Meanwhile, 70 per cent of pets have their own dedicated spot on the sofa. With our furry overlords so firmly in charge, keeping on top of the fluff is a national obsession. In fact, Brits spend an average of FOUR HOURS a week, or 208 hours a year, on pet-related housework. Advertisement But there are ways to cut down on the creature clean-up. Clare Bolland from Vileda says: "We created the Vileda Pet Pro range to make tackling the inevitable household havoc easier.' When it comes to tackling the sofa and soft furnishings, Clare said: "We know that cuddles on the sofa with our pet can cause havoc when it comes to cleaning fabric couches, which can often cling on to fine strands of fur causing them to look tatty and unclean. "Having the Vileda Pet Pro Electostatic Brush on hand means a quick brush down of the sofa before bedtime will help you keep on top of this task in a matter of minutes – its clever rubber bristles attract and collect pet hair using electrostatic action – and after using it, you can simply rinse it under the tap and use it again and again.' Advertisement Clare also recommends that when mess occurs, it's best to deal with it as quickly as possible: "It's always quicker to clean up a mess while it's fresh rather than letting it sit." 3 Try out the Vileda Pet Pro Electostatic Brush
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Over half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month… but are ashamed to admit it, study shows
OVER half of Brits feel lonely at least once a month – but are ashamed to admit it. A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 56 per cent would rarely or never consider talking to someone else about how isolated they felt. Advertisement 2 The research was commissioned by audio brand, Pure Credit: SWNS Reasons for this included not wanting to burden others (37 per cent), not believing anyone else will understand (21 per cent), and not wanting to appear vulnerable (21 per cent). This may be a reflection on the strength of their support networks, as a quarter (24 per cent) described theirs as lacking – and a further 13 per cent didn't have one at all. Instead, those who feel lonely are likely to distract themselves through entertainment, such as watching TV (47 per cent), going on social media (22 per cent), or listening to the radio (19 per cent). The research was commissioned by audio brand, Advertisement Read more on Motors As part of this partnership and in support of Loneliness Awareness Week, Pure will be donating 150 radios to individuals across the UK who are looking for support through a period of loneliness. Dr Lalitaa [COR], behaviouralist psychologist and expert in emotional wellbeing, commented: 'Loneliness remains a taboo subject, often shrouded in shame and stigma. 'But human connection is a basic psychological need – one that's increasingly difficult to fulfil in today's fast-paced, digital world. 'It's encouraging to see initiatives like this that provide simple, tangible comfort and help people feel part of something again.' Advertisement Most read in Motors Tara Fisher, COO from Marmalade Trust added: "Loneliness is a natural human emotion that we are all likely to experience in our lifetime. 'But there is still a stigma around loneliness, which means a significant portion of the population are reluctant to speak about these feelings to others – either because they don't feel they have anyone to talk to or are worried about doing so.' Despite these feelings of shame around loneliness, nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) acknowledged it as a common phenomenon among the general population. Women were also found to feel lonelier than men – with only 16 per cent of women saying they never feel lonely, compared to 26 per cent of men. Advertisement But perceptions about the generations most affected were not entirely accurate – with 19 per cent of all respondents believing the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) is impacted the most by loneliness. However, Gen Zs (born 1996-2011) specifically reported feeling lonelier than any other age group, with one third feeling this way a few times a week and 11 per cent even experiencing this every single day. This compares to 19 per cent of the whole population dealing with this a few times a week and only six per cent every day. Worries about being judged (25 per cent) and dismissed (21 per cent) were also higher among Gen Zs – as were desires to socialise more (53 per cent) and make more friends (42 per cent). Advertisement This compares to the 'famously lonely' Silent Generation – four in 10 of whom reported usually only going an hour maximum without speaking to someone else. A fifth of all those asked agreed on one day as the limit for not speaking to another person before feeling lonely – yet 23 per cent go this long, or longer, without talking to anyone regularly. Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling lonely – with 33 per cent of those living in the capital saying they feel lonely at least a few times a week. Nearly four in 10 (39 per cent) of all respondents also claimed to feel lonelier now than they did five years ago, primarily because it's now harder to meet people. Advertisement Other reasons included changes in personal relationships (23 per cent), financial stress (22 per cent), and lower self-esteem (20 per cent). The top locations people reported feeling lonely were also established as at home alone (59 per cent), in a crowd (27 per cent), and when having a meal by themselves (26 per cent). Perhaps to stave off this lonely feeling, over half (52 per cent) are more likely to listen to the radio when at home alone, according to data. Other than listening to the news and their favourite music, 38 per cent utilise their broadcast boxes for background noise (38 per cent), company (20 per cent), and making the house feel less quiet (19 per cent). Advertisement A further 16 per cent specified listening to the radio helps them to feel less lonely, with 15 per cent liking to hear the sound of other people's voices, and 13 per cent enjoying being part of the conversation. Stations providing the best company were also identified as pop music (30 per cent), oldies music (24 per cent), and talk radio stations (21 per cent). Hubert Eiter, spokesperson for Pure, which is donating £5 for every Pure radio sold between June 9 – July 9, 2025 in support of Marmalade Trust, said: 'Pure has been active in supporting loneliness charities over many years and we are proud to partner with the Marmalade Trust this year. 'It's great to see that everyday listening can bring a lot of comfort to people, as it has the power to immediately make a room feel livelier and less quiet – we love the fact that radio is able to provide some company for those who feel lonely from time to time.' Advertisement 2 Regionally, Londoners were most likely to report feeling Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum who nearly died after falling sick in Spain issues warning after anti-sickness pills left her ‘acting possessed'
A MUM is urging Brits to be careful buying medicine on holiday - after she nearly died when an over-the-counter anti-sickness tablet left her acting "possessed". Keira Morrison had been unwell during her family holiday to Salou, Spain, and had been throwing up around 10 times a day. Advertisement 4 Keira had been feeling unwell on her family holiday, throwing up around 10 times a day Credit: Kennedy News 4 Her partner Liam went to a nearby pharmacy to get her some anti-sickness tablets, but she suffered an adverse reaction Credit: Kennedy News When Dioralyte didn't improve the 29-year-old's symptoms, her partner Liam Bridgeman, 33, went to a nearby pharmacy and bought her some anti-sickness tablets for 1.90 euro. Metoclopramide is an anti-sickness medication that is only available on prescription in the UK, however it's available over the counter in Spain. After two days of taking the tablets, the former hairdresser's jaw suddenly "locked" as they sat in their hotel room - and she soon lost control of her body. A panicked Keira and Liam went to their hotel manager for help and once they showed him the tablets he offered to drive the couple to a nearby medical centre. Advertisement Read more on side effects Here the mum-of-two deteriorated quickly and began to act "possessed" - losing control of her arms and legs and her eyes rolling back in her head. She admits it was so bad she "thought it was the end". Staff put her on an IV drip while they ordered an ambulance to take her to hospital in Tarragona, where doctors manged to ease her symptoms with an injection. It has since emerged that the recommended dosage is one 10mg tablet three times a day - but Keira claims the pharmacist had told her to take two of the tablets at once. Advertisement Most read in Health Tested This meant she was taking twice the recommended dosage on each occasion. She is now raising awareness about the terrifying experience online and about the potential risks of adverse reactions to Beware 3 of the most dangerous medicines in the world - including one found in almost EVERY home Keira, from Liverpool, Merseyside, said: "Liam said it was like I was possessed. "I thought it was the end, I did. It was not a nice experience at all. Advertisement "It was like I wasn't in my body, it was like someone had control over my body. That's how I felt and I did feel like I was going to die. "There were leaflets on the wall and when I was looking at the words, I couldn't see the words. They were going blurry. "I was pleading with them [the doctors] like, 'please help me.' "At the point before I had the injection my head was banging off the bed, my eyes were going to the back of my head and flickering. My legs and arms were flying everywhere. Advertisement It felt like I was having a seizure. I just wanted the feeling to stop Keira Morrison "It felt like I was having a seizure. I just wanted the feeling to stop, I've never experienced a feeling like that in my life. I was screaming, 'please help me, please help me!' "If I didn't go to hospital when I did I probably would have thrown myself off the balcony because I wanted the feeling to stop that much. I was crying, screaming." Keira said one of the doctors in the hospital explained that she had a reaction to the tablets. After spending a night in hospital Keira left the following day because she was due to fly home and she said she thinks she experienced a side effect called tardive dyskinesia. Advertisement According to Mind, this is a condition where your face, body or both make sudden, irregular and uncontrollable movements. This is a known potential side effect of the medication and a 2014 report by the European Medicines Agency's Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use and recommended restricting the dose to "help minimise the risk of potentially serious neurological adverse effects". 4 Keira with partner Liam Credit: Kennedy News 4 Keira says if she ever goes away again she'll make sure she's got her own anti-sickness medication from the UK Credit: Kennedy News Advertisement Since returning to the UK, she has been to her doctor to have an allergy test and to have her heart checked as she had been experiencing palpitations. Keira said: "My doctor did say in the UK you've got to have a prescription to get that medication. "You can't get that over the counter here. You shouldn't be selling that over the counter. "It has scared us. We have another holiday booked and we are in talks of cancelling. We're in shock and we can't believe it happened. Advertisement "I'll never ever buy anything over the counter again. "If I ever do go away now I'll make sure I've got my own anti-sickness medication from the UK and it was something I'd had before. "I can't describe the feeling, it was horrendous. I wouldn't wish it on my own enemy." Accord, the manufacturer of the tablets, have been contacted for comment. Advertisement Safety measures when buying medicines abroad IF medication needs to be acquired abroad, it's recommended to purchase from licensed pharmacies in large cities and to verify that the medication contains the same active ingredient as the one typically taken. Also: Whenever possible, obtain all required medications before travelling, as this avoids the risk of purchasing falsified medicines. Do not purchase medicines from street markets or unregulated online sources, as these are high-risk areas for counterfeit products. Discuss the need for medications abroad with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide guidance on obtaining them safely and legally. Be cautious of misspellings or incorrect packaging, as these can be indicators of falsified medications. Some embassies can provide lists of reliable pharmacies in the country you are visiting. Be cautious when buying medicines online, as there is a high risk of purchasing counterfeit products.
