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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
My brain FLIPPED in my skull as my head smashed against the road when a drunk driver ploughed into me then ran off
ICU doctors told James' family that he was the "most unwell patient on the whole ward" - but he now refers to the brutal smash as "one of the best things that has ever happened to me" HORROR SMASH My brain FLIPPED in my skull as my head smashed against the road when a drunk driver ploughed into me then ran off Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAMES Bradley was waiting for a bus when a car ploughed into him with such force that his brain flipped inside his skull. What was just a moment in the drunk-driver's life became a three-year battle to save James' through 10 gruelling surgeries. 9 James Bradley was in a coma for three weeks and had to have half his skull removed Credit: James Bradley 9 James is now writing a book to inspire others who suffer life-altering accidents Credit: James Bradley 9 He was struck down in a brutal hit-and-run in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in front of friends Credit: James Bradley James, who was visiting from Dubai at the time of the brutal hit-and-run on Bushey High Street, Hertfordshire, on Boxing Day 2021, had to completely relearn how to read, write, speak and walk in the wake of his ordeal. The high-flying project manager, now 37, tells Sun Health: 'I was just crossing the road and the guy hit me out of nowhere. I was knocked completely unconscious. 'He slung me from the right-hand side. I smacked my arm against the windscreen and smashed my head against the floor. 'I landed right in the middle of the road, and the bus nearly ran me over as well.' After stopping down the road just moments after hitting James, then 34, the driver fled the scene - leaving his innocent victim helpless on the tarmac. He says: 'My friends saw me in the middle of the road, then noticed the driver stop and get out of the car. 'He started swearing because he'd seen me on the ground. 'I believe he wiped down the steering wheel, then took his possessions and just ran off. 'There was a pub next door and he ran through the garden and jumped over the fence.' James says there were drugs and alcohol in the vehicle, and the car didn't even belong to him. I almost died after freak surgery accident AND bus crash, now I've won £65k in lottery win As James' panic-stricken pals waited for an ambulance to arrive, two heroic nurses, who were held up in the police cordon, rushed over to help. He says: 'Jodie Bannister and Mary Walsh saw me lying in the road and raced over. 'Jodie got her coat and wrapped me in it.' On the way to St. Mary's Hospital in London, James' heart stopped. Thankfully, medics were able to stabilise him in time to deliver him to intensive care. He adds: 'I went straight in to have a CT scan and then immediately into surgery. 'They had to cut open my skull to relieve the pressure on my brain. 'They said my brain flipped from one side to the other. The pressure on my brain had moved the actual brain itself.' 9 His family had to call the ICU ward via Zoom as there were coronavirus restrictions in place Credit: James Bradley 9 James and his brother Paul on holiday together before the incident Credit: James Bradley 9 James' elbow also shattered into 50 pieces Credit: James Bradley James' elbow was also shattered into 50 pieces, and he had to have sections of his leg and hip removed to help rebuild the joint. After his life-saving surgery, he was placed into a medical coma - one that doctors were unsure if he would ever wake up from. James' brother, Paul, says the family would video call the ward every day in the desperate hope for positive change. Paul, 40, says: 'Back then, we were still dealing with the ramifications of Covid, so we had to do a lot of Zoom calls. 'Every day he was in a coma, we phoned as a family and would say, 'Any change?' and they would say, 'No'. 'We did this for weeks, but it felt like months.' Miraculously, James defied the doctors' fears, and he woke up after three and a half weeks - but he's still got a long way to go. It's one of the best things that's happened to me because now I've learned the true aspect of life James Bradley James says: 'I'm still not fully there yet. 'I've only just finalised my rehabilitation three years after the accident because the injury was on the left side of my brain, which impacts your speech and language. 'I've had four surgeries on my brain and another four on my elbow. 'I still have one functional arm and two more surgeries to go, so I'm still not finished. 'I'll probably never be finished, but I'll always look to move forward.' James has also developed epilepsy and has suffered six severe seizures, one of which resulted in his head being re-stitched. His memory has also been heavily affected. Epilepsy after a brain injury EPILEPSY happens when the normal electrical activity in your brain changes. It's thought to be related to genes you inherit from your parents, or to changes in your genes, but it can be caused by brain damage. This includes a head injury, stroke or an infection. The Epilepsy Foundation says: "When there is a traumatic blow to the head, or a jarring or shaking of the brain, the impact of the brain against the rough edges on the inside of the skull can cause tearing of the coverings of the brain, tissues, and blood vessels that may cause bleeding. "The impact can also cause bruising (contusion) and swelling (edema) of the brain. "Since the brain is covered by the skull, there is only a small amount of room for it to swell. "This causes pressure inside the skull to increase, which can lead to additional widespread brain injury." Epilepsy cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it, including medication and surgery. Source: NHS, Epilepsy Foundation After a procedure to add new plates under his scalp to replace the missing half of his skull, he developed an infection. James says: 'Because I had my head open, I essentially didn't have a skull, just skin covering my brain. 'On the day that the tissue around my metal skull got infected, they had to cut muscle out of my face, just above my temple, to get into the actual infection part of my skull. 'When they do these head surgeries, you have to have half your skull taken out, and you lie in bed with the worst headaches for weeks. 'Then you come out again and have to rebuild. It was demoralising.' I was at the bottom of the barrel and felt I had nothing left in my life to live for anymore. I was completely broken. James Despite saving his life, the countless operations and the visible damage to James' face and head left him suicidal. He says: 'I was at the bottom of the barrel and felt I had nothing left in my life to live for anymore. I was completely broken. 'I didn't want to go outside. I didn't want people to see me. 'I hated the way I looked, so I didn't really want to go to the gym, but I eventually plucked up the courage to go back. 'Because I've been in hospital for so long, I've lost all my muscle. 'I've been trying to rebuild the muscle and get my life back.' 9 'I was at the bottom of the barrel, I was completely broken,' James says Credit: James Bradley 9 He had to re-learn how to walk, talk, read and write after he woke from his coma Credit: James Bradley 9 The high-flying project manager, now 37, says he 'feels sorry' for the drink-driver Credit: James Bradley Because the years after his accident were a blur of hospital visits, surgeries and rehabilitation, the severity of James' injuries didn't fully register until he returned to St Mary's Hospital for a check-up in 2022. After chatting about his time in the ICU, a doctor suggested he visit the ward where he spent weeks in a coma. When James walked through the doors and laid eyes on his personal nurse, Rebecca, she struggled to hold back tears. Paul, a personal trainer, says: 'These nurses have to be 'on it', and all they are dealing with is negativity and drama - bad, bad people who are close to death. 'Rebecca came out, almost crying, and told James, 'We never get to see the success stories, we never find out what happens when people leave here'. 'She turned around to James and told him how pleased she was to see him because he was the sickest person on the ward. 'I think that was the moment when it really hit home for James. 'I think until then, the penny hadn't dropped. In that moment, he realised he'd had a second lease of life.' 'Life is so precious' James, who once worked for Exxon Mobil, one of the biggest oil and gas companies in the world, is now writing a book. He hopes The Will To Survive will inspire others who have experienced life-changing injuries. But writing has come with its challenges. James says he often gets tired after looking at a screen for prolonged periods and sometimes the words don't flow as easily. 'I want to be able to help other people who have had similar experiences to me,' he adds. 'It will be autobiographical, but will be filled with things I've learned in my recovery.' As the car didn't belong to the person driving at the time of the incident, police were never able to charge him. For some, the injustice would be almost too much to bear. But James, who is now waiting to have more surgery on his arm and face, takes a vastly different approach and says the crash was one of the 'best things' to have happened to him. 'I feel sorry for him, really,' he says. 'I'm not saying that anyone should have to nearly die to feel this way, but honestly, it's one of the best things that's happened to me because now I've learned the true aspect of life. 'Life is so precious and it's completely opened my eyes - especially to how we should treat one another. 'I'm not angry towards him anymore, it's just one of those things you have to get over. 'He was obviously going through a time where he felt it was OK to leave me. I've not got hatred for the guy.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Does the Pill harm fertility and do spicy foods actually induce labour? Expert busts 13 myths you probably believe
MOST of us know not to believe everything we read on the internet. But somehow, many old wives' tales manage to stick. 6 6 This is especially true when it comes to fertility and pregnancy. It's naturally an exciting but worrying time, and parents -to-be are often desperate to do everything 'right'. But should you really eat a spicy curry to induce labour? And will sleeping on your back while pregnant actually harm your baby? Here, Katherine Walker, service development manager and practitioner at the National Childbirth Trust, separates fact from fiction. 1. The pill harms your fertility - FALSE NO matter which one you use or how long you've been taking it, contraceptive pills do not harm fertility. It can take several months for your periods to return to normal, but there is no long-term impact. In fact, research by Wolkite University found 83 per cent of women get pregnant within 12 months of coming off the pill. Katherine tells Sun Health: 'The pill is an effective contraceptive if used correctly. It does not cause infertility.' 2. Pregnant women should avoid all fish - FALSE BRIE, salami, pâté and certain mushrooms - the list of foods to avoid while pregnant can seem endless. But there are still plenty of options, including fish. Dancing on Ice star shocked as she discovers bizarre reason for her 'unexplained infertility' Many women assume they need to cut all seafood from their diet once they realise they're expecting, however that's not true. 'It is actually recommended that pregnant women eat two portions of fish a week, including oily fish such as salmon, sardines or mackerel,' Katherine says. Cooked shellfish, such as mussels, lobster, crab, prawns, scallops and clams are also fine. However, certain fish should be avoided. 'This includes shark, swordfish and marlin due to concentrations of mercury,' Katherine says. 'Cold-smoked or cured fish such as smoked salmon or gravlax, including sushi, should also be avoided unless it has been cooked until steaming hot because of the risk of bacteria or parasites.' 3. Sleeping on your back can harm your baby - TRUE WE all have our preferred sleeping positions. But where possible, mums-to-be should avoid sleeping on their backs. Katherine says: 'From 28 weeks onwards, the safer position to go to sleep in is on your side. 'Sleeping on your back after this time slightly elevates the chance of a stillbirth.' Scientists at Auckland University found the weight of the uterus when back-sleeping could restrict blood flow to the baby and 'add extra stress'. While unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant if you have sex during your period Katherine WalkerNational Childbirth Trust Separate research by the University of Huddersfield estimated that going to sleep lying on your back from 28 weeks increased the risk of stillbirth by 2.6 times. And a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology warned expectant mums who lie on their back rather than their side during their third trimester were three times more likely to have a baby with a low birth weight. 'Pillows can help support you to get comfortable side sleeping,' Katherine says. 'If you have a night waking and find yourself on your back, just return to a side-lying position.' 6 4. Stress causes infertility - FALSE 'STRESS causes an increase in hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which may in turn affect the hormones related to fertility,' Katherine says. 'However, plenty of people still become pregnant during stressful times, and it is unlikely to be stress alone causing fertility problems.' Feeling stressed can also impact your sex drive, perhaps reducing your chances of conception. But again, stress isn't directly impacting your physiology - rather your behaviour. 5. You can't dye your hair during pregnancy - FALSE DESPITE most research showing it is safe to do so, content regularly appears online warning women not to dye their hair during pregnancy. 'Although the chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes may cause harm, this is only in very high doses,' the NHS says. 'When you use hair dye, you are only exposed to very low amounts.' Katherine adds: 'It is possible that these could be absorbed via the skin on your hands or head, or breathed in, but this would be at a very low level. 'Risks can be minimised by using gloves or only having highlights as these don't touch the scalp, as well as being in a well-ventilated room.' 6 6. You can get pregnant on your period - TRUE MOST women have periods around every 28 days. 'The most fertile time of the menstrual cycle is during ovulation, which usually occurs around 14 days after the start of the last period,' Katherine says. This is when an egg is released from the ovaries. And it can be fertilised when it meets a man's sperm. Theoretically, there is only a short window when you can fall pregnant, and it's around this time. However, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this happens, and it varies between people. Fertility facts you probably didn't know Around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving About 30 per cent of fertility problems are due to a man, 30 per cent due to a woman, and 30 to 40 per cent to both or unknown causes More than eight out of 10 couples, where the woman is under 40, will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex (every two or three days) For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than three years without success, the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally within the next year is one in four, or less A woman's caffeine intake can impact how long it takes to get pregnant A man's weight can affect a couple's ability to have a baby A 30-year-old woman with a normal reproductive system has about a 20 per cent chance of conceiving in any given month. This drops to five per cent over the age of 40 A woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have Freezing eggs before the age of 30 will probably provide the highest number of healthy eggs Around 52,500 patients had IVF and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment at licensed centres in the UK in 2022 The average age of first-time IVF patients is just over 35 One cycle of IVF can take three to six weeks Between 1991 and 2021, there were more than 390,000 births as a result of fertility treatment More than 70,000 donor-conceived children were born between 1991 and 2020 Source: NHS, British Fertility Society, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Sperm can also survive in the fallopian tubes for up to seven days after sex. 'Menstrual cycles vary in length, so some people ovulate earlier in their cycle, and some women experience a period which lasts for several days,' Katherine says. 'Sperm can live in the woman or birthing person's body after ejaculation for several days after sex, so conception is possible over a window of around a week and doesn't necessarily happen on the day of sex but can happen a few days later. 'While unlikely, it is possible to become pregnant if you have sex during your period.' 7. Pregnant women should always eat for two people - FALSE YOU often hear expectant mums talking about 'eating for two'. While the body is working hard and many women will feel hungrier than normal, you don't need to double all your portions or force yourself to eat. 'Pregnant women do not need to eat for two people, but having a healthy, balanced diet with a wide variety of food is important,' Katherine says. 'Those in early pregnancy should also consider taking a vitamin D and folic acid supplement to help reduce the risk of the baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. 'To support the baby's growth during the final three months of pregnancy, most people may need an extra 200 calories a day.' 6 8. Eating spicy foods induces labour - FALSE JENNIFER Aniston tries it while playing a significantly overdue Rachel Green in Friends. 'But no, spicy food does not induce labour,' Katherine says. 'It used to be a bit of an urban myth that perhaps this would stimulate the cervix, but there is no evidence that this is the case. 'It can also cause diarrhoea which irritates the intestines.' 9. You can't have sex for a long time after you give birth - FALSE DESPITE popular belief, there is no required waiting period before you can have sex after childbirth. However, waiting until after your six-week postnatal checkup - and when you feel physically and emotionally ready - is a good starting point. 'It is up to the people involved when to have sex again after birth,' Katherine says. 'Most women will feel sore and need time to recover from the birth, however, there are other ways to remain intimate during this time. 'You can become pregnant again just three weeks after giving birth, so people might want to consider which contraception to use.' 10. Pregnancy will make you gain weight - TRUE IT is normal and expected to gain weight during pregnancy. 'Everyone is different, but most people will gain 22 to 28lbs (10 to 12.5kg) over the course of the pregnancy – mainly from 20 weeks onwards,' Katherine says. 'As well as the baby, this is extra fat to help breastmilk production, a larger uterus, the placenta, and the increased blood volume needed to keep everything healthy.' Putting on too much or too little weight can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby. If you're concerned about your weight or any other aspect of your health while pregnant, ask your midwife or GP for advice. 11. You will have pregnancy complications if you have a baby over 35 - FALSE ALTHOUGH no longer officially used by the NHS, many people still refer to any pregnancy over the age of 35 as 'geriatric'. It is therefore easy to assume that fertility falls off a cliff past this point, and if you do fall pregnant, you're likely to experience complications. But that's not necessarily true, Katherine says. While they can produce sperm throughout their lives, once men are 40 or older, the quantity and quality of sperm tends to decrease Katherine WalkerNational Childbirth Trust 'Some complications may be more likely over the age of 35 but this doesn't mean they will definitely occur,' she adds. Conditions associated with a higher maternal age include chronic hypertension (high blood pressure that exists within the first 20 weeks), gestational diabetes (high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy) and placenta praevia (where the placenta blocks the cervix). But these are not a given. 'Every pregnancy is unique, and your midwife or healthcare provider will be able to talk to you about your circumstances,' Katherine says. 12. Age only affects women's fertility - FALSE WOMEN often talk about their 'female biological clock' - the decline in fertility as they age. And it's true that women have a finite number of eggs which slowly diminishes over time. But getting older also affects men's fertility. 'While they can produce sperm throughout their lives, once men are 40 or older, the quantity and quality of sperm tends to decrease,' Katherine says. A study by the University of Bristol found that conception is 30 per cent less likely for men older than 40 than it is for men under 30. Scientists blame declining testosterone levels, decreased blood supply to the pelvic area, shrinking or softening testicles, enlarged prostates and narrowing of the tubes that move sperm from inside the testicles. 13. If you have a miscarriage you will struggle to get pregnant again - FALSE ONE in eight known pregnancies will end in miscarriage (loss during the first 23 weeks), NHS figures show. This can have a profound emotional impact on you, your partner, and your friends and family. It's natural to want to know why a miscarriage happened, but many are thought to be one-off problems with the development of the foetus. And it's reassuring to know that most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have successful pregnancies. Katherine says: 'For most people this is a one-off event, and they will go on to have a healthy pregnancy if they decide to try again.' Losing three or more pregnancies in a row (recurrent miscarriages) is uncommon and only affects around one in 100 women. 'Anyone who has experienced three or more miscarriages should be offered tests to try to find out why this has happened,' Katherine adds.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning over fatal lung disease spread through contaminated water in taps, showers, hosepipes and hot tubs
The infection spreads when people breathe in tiny droplets of contaminated water WATER THREAT Urgent warning over fatal lung disease spread through contaminated water in taps, showers, hosepipes and hot tubs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITS are being urged to take precautions against a potentially deadly lung infection that spreads more during the summer months. Legionnaires' disease is caused by bacteria found in water supplies that haven't been used much, such as taps, showers, hosepipes, and hot tubs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Legionella bacteria can lurk in stagnant water in hosepipes Credit: Getty 4 Taps that haven't been used in a while can harbour the bacteria Credit: Getty 4 The bug attacks the lungs, causing inflammation and severe pneumonia Credit: Getty 'This is because warm, stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for Legionella bacteria,' Professor Franklin Joseph, a consultant physician, told Sun Health. 'And unfortunately, that's exactly what happens in summer," he added. He said: 'Air conditioning units, garden hoses, sprinkler systems, and even hotel showers that haven't been used for a while can all pose a risk when temperatures rise.' In the UK, there are around 300 to 500 reported cases each year, with about half linked to travel abroad, according to uRisk Safety Services, a water testing company. Last month, Donna Jobling, 57, was left in a coma, fighting for her life after catching the bug while on an all-inclusive holiday in Greece. The infection spreads when people breathe in tiny droplets of contaminated water. 'That could be from a misting fan, a spa pool, or an air-con system that hasn't been cleaned properly," Dr Frank, who is also head of Dr Frank's Clinic, said. It's often linked to hotels, gyms and even office buildings,' he added. You can't catch Legionnaires' disease by drinking infected water or from another person. Once the bacteria is inhaled, it can take up to 10 days for symptoms to appear, and they often resemble a bad case of flu at first. Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, 'caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel' After a couple of days, these symptoms progress to pneumonia, a dangerous lung infection. "The bacteria inflame the lungs, making it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen into the body," Dr Frank explained. "In vulnerable people. like the elderly, smokers or those with weak immune systems, it can trigger respiratory failure, sepsis and even death if not caught in time," he added. "Even healthy people can become dangerously ill if treatment is delayed.' In the US — which collects extensive data on Legionnaires' disease — over 95 per cent of diagnosed cases in 2014 and 2015 resulted in hospitalisation, according to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC). And while the disease is treatable with antibiotics, about one in eight died from their infection, the health body said. The best way to prevent illness this summer is to keep water systems clean with regular flushing, especially after they've been unused for a while. "If you've been away, run taps and showers for a few minutes before using them," Dr Frank said. "Clean out air-con filters and garden hoses, and avoid using misting fans or hot tubs in places that look poorly maintained. "If something smells musty or 'off', trust your instincts and steer clear. "Prevention is always better than cure with Legionnaires." 4 Hot tubs are a common source of Legionnaires' disease if not properly cleaned and maintained Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The exact number of daily steps to slash your risk of dying young by almost 50% – and it's loads less than you think
Find out what happened to Sun Health's Alice Fuller when she challenged herself to walk 10,000 each day for an entire year STEP UP The exact number of daily steps to slash your risk of dying young by almost 50% – and it's loads less than you think Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOR decades, 10,000 steps a day has been drilled into us as the ultimate daily goal to keep fit and healthy. But new research shows you could move far less and still boost your health, slash the risk of disease, and even live longer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A brisk daily walk of 7,000 steps may protect your brain and heart Credit: Getty A study led by scientists from the University of Sydney in Australia found that walking just 7,000 steps each day can reduce your risk of dementia, heart disease and dying early. Even modest step counts of 4,000 steps a day can reap benefits over very low levels of activity, experts found. But they added that "10,000 steps per day will still be better than 7,000 steps" - with the higher step count leading to more health benefits. This isn't the first study to suggest you don't need to hit 10,000 steps a day to claim the rewards. Read more on living longer LIVE LONG & PROSPER Nine daily tasks to help you live longer & they take a few minutes Separate research, published by London scientists last year, found that walking just 5,000 steps three days a week can increase life expectancy by three years. Meanwhile, a Polish study from 2023 found getting your step count up to 2,337 each day was enough to slash your risk of heart disease. The new study, published in The Lancet Public Health, saw researchers examine data from dozens of studies from around the world, including in the UK, on tens of thousands of adults. They found that walking just 7,000 steps a day was linked to a 25 per cent lower risk of heart disease. It was also associated with a 14 per cent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, a 38 per cent lower risk of dementia, and a 22 per cent reduced risk of depression. The researchers also found that when people walked 7,000 daily steps, compared to walking 2,000 steps, they were 47 per cent less likely to die during the follow-up periods of the studies analysed. Get fit at 50: Workouts for beginners and those short on time And while the number of steps walked did not sway whether or not a person got cancer, people who walked more steps were 37 per cent less likely to die from cancer. "Although 10,000 steps per day can still be a viable target for those who are more active, 7,000 steps per day is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in health outcomes and might be a more realistic and achievable target for some," the authors wrote in the study. "Even modest daily step counts were associated with health benefits," they added. "7,000 steps per day was associated with sizeable risk reductions across most outcomes, compared with the reference of 2,000 steps per day." 'More is always better' Commenting on the study, Dr Daniel Bailey, Reader - Sedentary Behaviour and Health, Brunel University of London, said: "The finding that doing 5000-7000 steps per day is an important addition to the literature which helps to debunk the myth that 10,000 steps per day should be the target for optimal health. "This study suggested that 5,000-7,000 steps per day can significantly reduce the risk of many health outcomes, but that does not mean you cannot get benefits if you don't meet this target. "The study also found that health risks were reduced with each 1000 extra steps per day, up to a maximum of 12,000 steps per day. So just adding more steps from your starting point can have important benefits for health." Dr Andrew Scott, senior Lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Portsmouth, added: "In most cases the 10,000 steps per day will still be better than 7,000 steps, just by decreasing margins of health benefit return. "More important than the exact number of steps, it demonstrates that overall, more is always better and people should not focus too much on the numbers, particularly on days where activity is limited. "The steps per day is useful when people's exercise is weight-bearing, however, cycling, swimming and rowing are not well-represented by the steps per day model."
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Nicky became an alcoholic after her husband fell ill & died… now a little-known 75p pill has stopped her craving a drink
GRIEVING mum and businesswoman Nicky Wake, 54, would start the day with a bottle of wine until she was told about a daily pill which could help her kick her deadly habit. MIRACLE CURE Nicky became an alcoholic after her husband fell ill & died… now a little-known 75p pill has stopped her craving a drink Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN her husband tragically died, Nicky Wake spiralled into a deep depression leaning on alcohol to make it through the day. To the outside world she appeared like any other grieving wife, but behind closed doors the 54-year-old from Manchester was hiding a dark secret. 7 Nicky Wake's drinking spiralled when her husband died Credit: Christian Gould Blossom Agency 7 Her husband Andy had a sudden heart attack in 2017, aged 54, which led to a brain injury Credit: supplied 7 Nicky, 54, reveals she drank daily to cope with the shock and was a functioning alcoholic Credit: supplied While Andy was cared for in a nursing home, Nicky was a functioning alcoholic, taking the couple's son to school, running her businesses - never missing a meeting. But even suffering a seizure wasn't enough to stop her boozing, and after doctors in A&E told her she needed to stop drinking, Nicky bought wine on her way home. Now, years after saying goodbye to Andy, Nicky tells Sun Health how her darkest days are behind her, thanks to a 'miracle' pill prescribed on the NHS. 'Grief drove me to drink' I walked past the nurses into intensive care, clutching my Diet Coke bottle. I was visiting my seriously ill husband in hospital, and as I reached his bed, where he lay unresponsive in a coma, I opened the lid of my drink and took a sip. But it wasn't Diet Coke after all. It was a vodka mixer - my crutch, after I learned Andy would never be the same again. From there, my drinking spiralled - but I wasn't always like this. I was a high-flying, successful businesswoman, an events planner and a designer of dating apps. Life was good; I married Andy in 2004, two years after we met, and we had our son, Finn, in 2007. I started drinking young, as many women did in the 'ladette' culture of the late 80s and 90s. But alcohol was never a problem for me; it was just fun. Are you a grey zone drinker? 6 questions determine if you have a problem with alcohol & what to do before it gets worse When Andy had a sudden heart attack in 2017, aged 54, it changed everything. It was so sudden, and he was my soulmate. The heart attack led to a brain injury, and he was kept alive in ICU, but there was really nothing anyone could do. The consultant took me aside and said gently, 'This will not have a happy ending', and it was then that my drinking increased. I was drinking daily to cope with the shock and grief. I had always been a heavy drinker up to this point, but never dependent. For three years, Andy was cared for in a nursing home, as he needed specialist care. Meanwhile, I was a functioning alcoholic. It meant I was still able to do everything expected of me, while on the bottle. I ploughed on, juggling running my businesses, getting my son to and from school and visiting Andy - always grabbing a bottle on the way home. I'd fly business class and drink, go to meetings and drink. It was acceptable. But I never ever missed a meeting or got my son to school late. No one knew. 7 Andy was cared for in a nursing home for three years Credit: supplied How does acamprosate work? ACAMPROSATE (brand name Campral) is used to help prevent a relapse in people who have successfully achieved abstinence from alcohol, the NHS states. It's usually used in combination with counselling to reduce alcohol craving. Acamprosate works by affecting levels of a chemical in the brain called gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). GABA is thought to be partly responsible for inducing a craving for alcohol. If you're prescribed acamprosate, the course usually starts as soon as you begin withdrawal from alcohol and can last for up to six months. 'Bad binge' Then, in 2020, after a three-year slow decline, Andy passed away at the age of 57. I had pre-grieved for three years as he slowly died, but losing him was still devastating, and I turned to the bottle even more. After getting my son to school, I'd start the day with a bottle of wine at breakfast, drink another bottle throughout the day, then a third bottle in the evening. By 2021, I noticed I could barely walk the length of my street without feeling unwell. But I ignored it. Then in 2023, after a particularly bad binge, I woke in immense pain and felt so, so unwell. I knew I had to stop drinking, but I couldn't get through the day without alcohol. I was already taking mirtazapine for depression, so I took two instead of one. Something happened - I thought I may have had a seizure - and I called a friend who took me to A&E. I was drinking daily to cope with the shock and grief - I had only been a heavy drinker up until this point At the hospital, doctors confirmed I'd had a seizure and blamed the mix of alcohol in my system and the double dose of a strong antidepressant. I was kept in for three days and told I needed to stop drinking. I agreed, but bought wine on the way home. Incredibly, during this time, I had a good relationship with my son. 7 Nicky checked herself into rehab where she did a 28-day detox, and was recommended acamprosate by a doctor to help her recovery Credit: Christian Gould Blossom Agency 7 She says as soon as she took the miracle pill, she didn't drink for weeks as it cut her cravings Credit: supplied But in November 2024, a day before my son's 17th birthday, something in me changed. There was no lightbulb moment or rock bottom. I just felt generally dreadful and thought if I picked up one more glass of booze, I'd be dead. I told my son I was checking myself into rehab. He hugged me and said, 'That would be the best birthday present ever'. Luckily, I had private healthcare, which covered my admission to The Priory, where I did a 28-day detox. It included yoga, meditation, and hours of counselling. It was hard. But I felt cared for and looked after. It was there that a doctor recommended acamprosate to help my recovery. Acamprosate is a medication for people with alcohol dependence that works by stabilising the brain chemistry, helping reduce cravings and maintain abstinence. A doctor recommended acamprosate to help my recovery. Acamprosate is a medication for people with alcohol dependence that works by stabilising the brain chemistry, helping reduce cravings and maintain abstinence I had no idea if it would work for me, but I decided to try, thinking I'd probably swing by a wine shop as I left The Priory. But I didn't. I went straight home. I didn't drink the next day or the next. Soon, weeks had passed. It was a miracle. People on weight loss jabs talk about losing this 'food noise' once they start the medication, the relief that they are no longer constantly thinking about their next bite to eat. And it was the same for me, only with alcohol. I started with four doses a day, tapering to two, and then coming off at eight months - and I'm still sober. The pills were prescribed in the Priory and by my GP once I left. It is recommended by NICE, the NHS drug regulator, but only prescribed after a person is successfully withdrawn from alcohol and on a programme. Sobriety meant that I was able to focus on the development and launch of an app called to help sober people date. So many dates are about drinking, it's hard to find a sober match. And amazingly, when I celebrated my 54th birthday recently, there was no wine, no champagne and no beer. I left the party sober and joyful. Acamprosate saved my life. Now, I plan to stay sober in Andy's honour and for our son. 7 Nicky credits acamprosate for saving her life and reveals she aims to stay sober in Andy's honour Credit: supplied
