Current location:opinions >>
Woman, 31, was left 'burning from the inside out' in 17
opinions14People have gathered around
IntroductionA woman has claimed she was placed in a 17-day coma after suffering a rare reaction to ibuprofen tha ...
A woman has claimed she was placed in a 17-day coma after suffering a rare reaction to ibuprofen that caused her to 'burn from the inside out'.
Jaqueline Gmack, from Papanduva in Brazil, took the over-the-counter tablets in 2011 to help relieve her period cramps. Within just 48 hours, the now 31-year-old suffered a mild itch in her eye and blood blisters in her mouth.
After rushing to hospital, her symptoms rapidly escalated and she developed blisters across her face which left her unable to see properly.
Medics revealed she was suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and placed her in an induced coma.
Jaqueline Gmack, from Papanduva in Brazil , took the over-the-counter tablets in 2011 to help relieve her period cramps. Within just 48 hours, the now 31-year-old suffered a mild itch in her eye and blood blisters in her mouth
After rushing to hospital, her symptoms rapidly escalated and she developed blisters across her face which left her unable to see properly. Medics revealed she was suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and placed her in an induced coma
The rare skin condition causes the immune system to overreact to a trigger, such as a drug, and attack healthy skin, mucous, the eyes and genitals. Even today, however, Ms Gmack's vision has only restored to around 40 per cent of what it was despite more than a dozen surgeries
WHAT IS STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME?
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.
It often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red-purple rash that spreads and blisters.
SJS is thought to affect up to six people per million in the US.
One 2017 study tracking cases between 1995 and 2013, suggested there were 5.76 cases of SJS per million people-years in the UK.
Other symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Unexplained widespread pain
- Blistering of the skin, mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
The top layer of skin then dies and sheds.
The cause of SJS is often unclear but may be as a side effect of medication or an infection, like pneumonia.
People are more at risk if they have a weakened immune system, or a personal or family history of the disorder.
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and dressings to moisturise the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort and medicines to control inflammation and prevent infection.
Source: Mayo Clinic, NHS England
AdvertisementThe rare skin condition causes the immune system to overreact to a trigger, such as a drug, and attack healthy skin, mucous, the eyes and genitals.
Even today, however, Ms Gmack's vision has only restored to around 40 per cent of what it was despite more than a dozen surgeries.
Further tests are still required to determine if the reaction has caused permanent damage.
Recalling her ordeal after she woke from the coma, Ms Gmack said: 'It was like I'd been burned from the inside out.
'I didn't know what had happened to me.
'I noticed my entire body was bandaged, my vision was completely blurred, and I had a tube down my throat, but I wasn't in any pain.
'Only then did the penny start to drop and I realised that I was very weak, and that something very serious had happened to me.'
Ms Gmack is not believed to have suffered a reaction from ibuprofen before or have any underlying health conditions.
SJS often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash on the skin that spreads and forms blisters.
It does the same to the mucous membrane, reproductive organs and eyeballs.
Mucous membranes are a soft, thin layers of tissue which line the digestive system, the inside of the mouth, nose and the genitals.
Without treatment, the condition can prove life-threatening with studies suggesting around one in 10 cases are fatal.
It is thought to affect up as few as one in a million people each year.
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and dressings to moisturise the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort and medicines to control inflammation and prevent infection.
Ms Gmack is not believed to have suffered a reaction from ibuprofen before or have any underlying health conditions. SJS often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash on the skin that spreads and forms blisters
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and dressings to moisturise the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort and medicines to control inflammation and prevent infection
Some patients are placed in induced comas to minimise damage.
Ms Gmack said: 'They [the doctors] told me it was a miracle I'd survived.
'My family didn't let me see myself in the mirror for a few days.
'When I did finally look in the mirror, I saw someone I didn't recognise.'
In a bid to save her vision, she began ophthalmologist treatment.
Ms Gmack has undergone 24 operations to help her vision including a cornea transplant, stem cell transplant and amniotic membrane transplant — where a sheet of amniotic membrane is secured over the surface of the eye to the eyelid
'He [the ophthalmologist] also said I needed to have surgery as quickly as possible otherwise I would lose the eye,' she added.
'I left the office crying.'
Since then, she has undergone 24 operations to help her vision including a cornea transplant, stem cell transplant and amniotic membrane transplant — where a sheet of amniotic membrane is secured over the surface of the eye to the eyelid.
When performed immediately after an ocular surface burn, research has suggested it reduces pain and accelerates healing.
In the decade since, Ms Gmack still undertakes fortnightly check-ups to monitor her eye health and claims she has around 40 per cent of her vision.
'The most difficult obstacle to overcome is knowing I can never have the vision that I once had,' she said.
'I wish I could find a cure to see again. But I feel like a warrior.'
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Worldly Wonders news portal”。http://belize.whetstonetavern.com/html-0f199807.html
Related articles
Ukraine says it foiled Russian plot to assassinate Zelenskyy
opinionsKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian counterintelligence investigators have foiled a Russian plot to assas ...
【opinions】
Read moreAustralia on track to eliminate cases of hepatitis C by 2030
opinionsAustralia remains on track to eliminate hepatitis C by the year 2030 according to Polaris Observato ...
【opinions】
Read moreNorthwest China's Xinjiang realizes $34.3 billion exports to five Central Asian countries in 2023
opinionsNorthwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region secured top spot in exports to the five Central A ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Penske suspends Cindric, 3 others ahead of the Indianapolis 500
- Yearender: Silicon Valley keeps trends as Artificial Intelligence goes mainstream in 2017
- China's space tracking ship Yuanwang
- New energy capacity to surpass coal in 2024
- Real Madrid clinch record
- China cuts 88 bln yuan in logistics costs in 2017
Latest articles
US repatriates 11 citizens from notorious camps for relatives of Islamic State militants in Syria
China's railway system sees 159% surge in pre
Hong Kong police hold open day for national security education, police force anniversary
China, Zambia to Boost Cooperation as Ties Elevated
Senators hire Travis Green as coach. Green leaves the Devils after serving in an interim role
China overtakes India to become the world's largest gold jewelry consumer in 2023
LINKS
- WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi calls out 'sensitive' Caitlin Clark fans after online backlash
- Chris Sale tosses 5 strong innings, Braves avoid sweep with 5
- Critics question if longtime Democratic congressman from Georgia is too old for reelection
- Tensions grips UCLA campus after police order protestors to disperse or face arrest
- Vegas retaliation on Stars forward Seguin costly as defending champion Knights now trail series
- Natalie Roser leaves modelling agency after joining adult website
- The Timberwolves' Mike Conley wins the NBA Teammate of the Year award for a 2nd time
- Arsenal, Man City both win to keep it tight at the top
- Imanaga stellar again, Cubs hang on to edge Mets 1
- Zhejiang crush Shanghai to reach CBA semis