The Mosgiel resident developed Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal insufficiency due to over-prescription of one drug, and terminated two pregnancies after discovering the lingering side effect of another drug was severe foetal malformation.
Her doctor, who was given interim name suppression, would be found guilty of professional misconduct, a medical disciplinary tribunal said.
The tribunal in Dunedin issued indications of liability and sentencing on Thursday after a four-day hearing.
A penalty hearing and consideration of an application for permanent name suppression would take place next year.
"Know what the side effects are because unfortunately, I learned the hard way," Ms Cockburn said.
People should question their doctors, and ask if there were any alerts on their file, a possibility she believed many people were unaware of.
"There’s no point in me going through the hell that I’ve gone through for nothing."
The doctor was accused of professional misconduct and it was alleged he departed from accepted standards of care while treating Ms Cockburn for a severe skin condition between 2013 and 2018.
The doctor prescribed steroid ointment Dermol for Ms Cockburn’s persistent psoriasis, "often at frequent intervals and in large amounts", prosecuting counsel Lisa Preston said during the hearing.
"He did so despite a written warning from another practitioner in August 2012 that care should be taken when scripting Dermol and, in early 2014, two written advices he received from a dermatologist, including that Ms Cockburn should never use Dermol again."
On October 9, 2013, the doctor prescribed acitretin, known by its brand Neotigason, but did not first ensure Ms Cockburn was not pregnant, nor provide full information about risks for women of child-bearing age.
Severe foetal malformation could occur during acitretin use and the guidance at the time was for patients to continue with contraception for two years after ending use of the drug.
Ms Cockburn had just become pregnant and she felt compelled to terminate the pregnancy, as well as a subsequent pregnancy, the second occurring despite emergency contraception.
The hearing was an emotional experience, and many tears had been shed, she said.
"Everything I’ve been through has been validated, especially the babies."
The doctor was likely to be censured and fined $3000, as well as procedural costs, estimated to be about $75,000.
No supervision requirements were indicated, as the doctor was not considered to pose an ongoing risk to the public.
Recovery was ongoing and she had four surgeries scheduled for next year, she said.
Ms Cockburn had learned to appreciate the small things.
"Being sick was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but it was also the best thing, because my whole perspective of life has changed."
