ONE WOMAN suffered a one in a million allergic reaction to medication which left her “burning from the inside out”.
Sara Fakhry, 30, was given just a 30% chance of survival after developing a rare and potentially fatal disease, Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS).
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SJS is a serious and potentially fatal skin condition associated with certain medications, including epilepsy medications, antibiotics, and some pain relievers.
The rare condition is caused by the immune system overreacting to a trigger, such as a mild infection or medication, causing blistering and peeling of the skin and surface of the eyes, mouth and throat.
Sometimes called toxic epidermal necrolysis, it needs to be treated immediately in the hospital.
A red rash and angry blisters formed all over Sara’s body after taking an anti-epileptic medication she was prescribed to treat her anxiety,
She spent three months in hospital fighting for her life and was temporarily blinded.
Now, almost two years later, she is unable to cry due to the destruction of her ducts and glands.
Sara, an area manager at Amazon, says: “After my terrible experience, I want other people to know the risks of the medicine.
“I was never told about the possible side effects. If I had, I would never have accepted it.
“It was the worst moment of my life.”
At the end of 2021, Sara from Cairo, Egypt, was under a lot of stress at work.
She began having anxiety attacks and palpitations and soon found it difficult to get up in the morning.
Finally, she visited her doctor, who, after carrying out blood tests, confirmed that there was nothing physically wrong with her and attributed her symptoms to a mental health problem.
Sara explains: “I went to a therapist who prescribed me lamotrigine.
“Typically given to those suffering from epilepsy, but is also used as a mood stabilizer.”
However, after three weeks of taking the medication, Sara developed a runny nose and itchy eyes.
By this time, it was fall 2022 and Sara attributed her symptoms to the stormy weather.
A few days later, she woke up with blurred vision.
She went to work as usual, but on the way home she could barely see.
I felt like I was being burned alive. I kept passing out from the pain, it was so bad
Sara Fakhry
O next One day she went to the emergency room, where a doctor suspected she had allergies – he gave her eye drops and sent her home.
Sara says: “The next morning I woke up with swollen lips and my eyes were worse.
“I went back to the doctor, who prescribed me antibiotics.”
But when her sister, then a medical student, saw her swollen face, she immediately took her to the Air Force General Hospital in Cairo.
There she received an intravenous dose of cortisol and her sister insisted she be seen by an allergy specialist.
Sara says: “The minute the specialist saw me, she told me I had Stevens Johnson syndrome, a deadly disease, and that I needed to go to the ICU immediately.
“I had no idea what it was, but I started to panic.”
HORROR SYMPTOMS
At this point, Sara felt a tingling sensation all over her body and began to develop a rash all over.
Hours later she was unconscious and unconscious.
Sara’s diagnosis was confirmed and she received three doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), along with immunosuppressants and steroids.
Within two hours, burn blisters spread all over his body, including his lips, hands, feet, eyes and even his genital area.
She recalls: “I felt like I was being burned alive. I was fainting from the pain, it was really bad.”
Doctors warned her family that she only had a 30% chance of survival.
The pain was so strong that I felt ready to die
Sara Fakhry
The following month, her hair burned and her fingernails and toenails fell out.
Her eyes developed corneal fractures, so she had to keep them closed to avoid damaging them.
She was unable to eat due to the blisters on her tongue, so she was fed through an IV drip.
Sara also endured the application of sunburn cream three to four times a day, which left her in agony.
Sara says: “The pain was so strong that I felt ready to die.”
Even so, Sara fought bravely and even joked about her condition to survive.
KNOW THE SIGNS
After three months in the hospital, Sara slowly began to improve and was finally released.
Back home, she was looked after by her sister and mother and underwent physiotherapy to walk again.
But Sara still couldn’t see and was forced to wear sunglasses to protect her eyes.
An optometrist informed her during an exam that she had ulcers in her eyes and needed to keep them closed for another month.
After that time, she opened them and could finally see.
Almost two years later, her scars are fading, but she is still unable to drive due to her impaired vision.
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but serious skin reaction often caused by the use of certain medications—usually epilepsy medications, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
It is named after the two doctors who described it in the early 20th century.
It can be fatal, so it requires immediate hospital treatment.
Symptoms often begin with flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, sore throat, cough, and joint pain.
A rash usually appears a few days later – spreading from the upper body to the face, arms, legs, and genitals.
You may also get blisters and sores on your lips, inside your mouth, and in your eyes.
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and bandages to moisturize the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort, and medications to control inflammation and prevent infection.
Full recovery may take several weeks or months.
Source: National Health Service
Sara is also unable to cry, after the reaction destroyed her tear ducts and glands.
She says: “My eyes no longer produce natural oils. So I have to use eye drops constantly.”
Now she’s raising awareness so others know the signs.
She adds: “I want other people to know the symptoms so they can get treatment before it’s too late.
“I will be forever grateful to the specialist, Shaimaa Hani, who provided 24-hour care. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today.
“She saved my life.”
SJS begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash that blisters and spreads.
The condition is fatal in 10% of patients.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
