A woman suffered a one in a million allergic reaction to a drug that left her “burning all over.”
Sarah Fakhri, 30, was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and life-threatening disease, and given only a 30% chance of survival.
SJS is a serious and potentially life-threatening skin condition that is associated with certain medications, including epilepsy medications, antibiotics and some painkillers.
This rare condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to a trigger such as a minor infection or medication, causing blistering and peeling on the skin and surfaces of the eyes, mouth and throat.
This condition, sometimes called toxic epidermal necrolysis, requires immediate hospital treatment.
After taking anti-seizure medication prescribed to treat her anxiety, Sarah developed red rashes and inflamed blisters all over her body.
She spent three months in hospital fighting for her life and temporarily lost her sight.
It’s been almost two years now and she is unable to shed tears as her tear ducts and glands have been destroyed.
Sarah, an area manager at Amazon, said: “After my horrific experience, I want others to be aware of the risks of this drug.”
“No one told me anything about possible side effects. If I had heard that, I would never have taken it.”
“It was the worst time of my life.”
In late 2021, Sarah, from Cairo, Egypt, was feeling a lot of stress at work.
She began experiencing anxiety attacks and palpitations, and soon found it difficult to get up in the morning.
She eventually saw a doctor, who, after running blood tests, found there was nothing physically wrong with her and determined that her symptoms were due to psychological issues.
Sarah explains: “I saw a therapist and he prescribed lamotrigine.
“It’s usually prescribed to people with epilepsy, but it’s also used as a mood stabilizer.”
But after three weeks of taking the medication, Sarah began to experience a runny nose and itchy eyes.
By this time it was fall 2022, and Sarah blamed her symptoms on the storm.
A few days later, she woke up with blurred vision.
She went to work as usual, but on her drive home she saw very little.
I felt like I was being burned alive. I fainted multiple times from the pain. It was so awful.
Sarah Fakhri
of Next She went to the emergency room that day, where a doctor suspected she was having an allergy, prescribed eye drops and sent her home.
Sarah said: “I woke up the next morning with a swollen lip and even worse eye.
“I went back to the doctor and he prescribed me some antibiotics.”
However, her older sister, who was a medical student at the time, saw her daughter’s swollen face and immediately took her to the Air Force General Hospital in Cairo.
So she was put on cortisol infusions, and her sister urged her to see an allergist.
Sarah said: “As soon as the specialist examined me he told me I had a deadly disease called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and I needed to go to intensive care straight away.
“I had no idea what it was, but I started to panic.”
Symptoms of fear
At this time, Sarah began to feel a tingling sensation in her body and developed a severe rash all over her body.
A few hours later, she was in a daze.
Sarah’s diagnosis was confirmed and she was given three doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) along with immunosuppressants and steroids.
Within two hours, burn blisters had spread all over her body, including her lips, hands, feet, eyes and even around her genitals.
She recalled: “I felt like I was being burned alive. The pain was so bad I fainted several times.”
Doctors warned her family that she had only a 30% chance of survival.
The pain was so bad I thought I was going to die.
Sarah Fakhri
Over the next month, her hair burned off and her fingernails and toenails fell off.
Her eye had a cracked cornea and she had to keep it closed to avoid injury.
She was unable to eat because of blisters on her tongue and was receiving nutrition through an IV.
Sarah also had to apply burn cream three to four times a day, which caused her pain.
Sarah says: “The pain was so bad I thought I was going to die.”
But Sarah fought bravely and even joked about her condition to get through it.
Know the signs
After three months in hospital, Sarah slowly began to improve and was finally released.
She returned home, cared for by her sister and mother, and underwent physical therapy to learn to walk again.
But Sarah was still blind and had to wear sunglasses to protect her eyes.
During her examination, the optometrist told her she had an ulcer in her eye and would need to keep it closed for another month.
Then she opened her eyes and could finally see.
Nearly two years later, her scars are fading, but her poor eyesight still prevents her from driving.
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but serious skin reaction that is usually caused by taking certain medications (such as anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory painkillers).
The disease is named after two physicians who described it in the early 20th century.
This can be life-threatening and requires immediate hospital treatment.
Symptoms usually begin with flu-like symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, cough and joint pain.
A rash then usually appears several days later and spreads from the upper body to the face, arms, legs, and genitals.
Blisters and sores may develop on the lips, inside the mouth, and eyes.
Treatment in hospital usually includes fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and bandages to moisturize the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort, and medicines to reduce inflammation and prevent infection.
It may take several weeks or months for you to fully recover.
sauce: National Health Service
Sarah can no longer shed tears because the reaction destroyed her tear ducts and glands.
She says: “My eyes don’t produce natural oils anymore, so I have to use eye drops constantly.”
Now she’s raising awareness to help others know the signs.
She added: “I want others to be aware of the symptoms and get treatment before it’s too late.”
“I am extremely grateful to specialist doctor Shaima Hani for her round-the-clock care. Without her I would not be here today.”
“She saved my life.”
SJS begins with flu-like symptoms followed by a rash that develops and spreads into blisters.
The disease is fatal in 10% of patients.
