News for 2009

Family who lost daughter to SJS releases songs for charity

The family of a 19-year-old girl who died last March from complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome () is releasing recordings of songs she performed to help raise money for the critical care unit at Nottingham City Hospital in England, according to This is Derbyshire.

Amy Lightfoot, was diagnosed with in January and spent several weeks in the critical are unit at Nottingham City Hospital until her death last March. is a rare but life-threatening condition in which a rash forms on top layer of skin, blisters over and peels away. Blisters can also form on the eyes, throat, mouth and internal organs. is a severe adverse reaction to medication, such as ibuprofen, and anti-seizure medication.

The recordings will be sold along with a CD by the band No Eyed Deer, of which Amy and her boyfriend Lee Brown were members. Amy’s parents say selling the music to raise money for the hospital is a perfect way to give back to the hospital that cared for her.

“The staff who treated Amy at the hospital were just fantastic, but being there for so long makes you realize the cost of the equipment they are using – a ventilator alone costs about 30,000 pounds,” Amy’s mother Carol said.

Carol said she was previously unaware of her daughter’s recordings, which are titled Satellite and Waiting. “They were done while she was studying at the Joseph Wright Centre and we thought releasing them would be a nice way of remembering Amy, while raising money at the same time,” she said.

SJS victim’s sight restored after 46 years

chart eye exam 150x150The year was 1963. Jenny O’Connell, then 11, was roused out of bed for her sister’s birthday and realized she couldn’t see. She was suffering from a severe adverse reaction to medication known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or . The condition blistered her skin and eyes, causing blindness. At best, she was only vaguely aware when doctors shined a light in her eyes. But the vision impairment didn’t keep her from living. She married and had a son and daughter – three people she had never had the opportunity to see.

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New SJS warnings added to cancer treatment drug

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in partnership with OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Genentech have issued a warning letter to healthcare professionals informing them of new safety information added to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section of the cancer treatment drug Tarceva.

The new information, gathered from a clinical study and postmarketing reports, revealed sometimes fatal incidences of gastrointestinal perforation, bullous, blistering and exfoliative skin conditions including cases suggestive of Stevens Johnson Syndrome () and/or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and ocular disorders including corneal perforation or ulceration.

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Beasley Allen attorney warns public of serious adverse drug reactions

Consumers are urged to take a close look at the labels of both over-the-counter and prescription medications and be aware of the potential side effects, according to Frank Woodson, shareholder with Beasley Allen Law Firm. Woodson was quoted in a recent issue of Lawsuit.com, warning consumers about Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or , a rare but life-threatening reaction to many frequently used medications.

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Canadian woman with SJS goes home from hospital

Good news for Canadian resident Lisa, the little sister of Dundas Star News managing editor Mark Cripps. The woman was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome () two-plus weeks ago after taking that had been prescribed to her following minor surgery. She suffered a rare but life-threatening severe adverse reaction to the , , which resulted in rashes all over her body that blistered over and caused her skin to peel off in sheets. After a two-week stay in the hospital, where she was treated as if she had suffered serious burns, the woman was able to go home.

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Cancer drug’s prescribing information to include warning of SJS

A cancer treatment drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma just last year has been linked to a serious adverse reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or , when used in conjunction with another medication.

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Pharmacists warn against use of anti-virals amid swine flu scare

flu vaccinations and antiviral medication 100x100Researchers are reportedly saying that antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza could help curb the intensity and effects of the swine flu for those who appear to becoming ill, however some doctors are warning that the antiviral drugs should only be taken if prescribed by a physician otherwise other serious conditions may arrise, according to The Standard.

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Update on newspaper editor’s sister with SJS

Here’s an update to a story we brought you Monday about the sister of a newspaper managing editor who was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (). Mark Cripps says in an update column in Ancaster News that his sister Lisa is gradually recovering.

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Newspaper managing editor calls sister with SJS a hero

Mark Cripps’ sister Lisa has fought for much in her life. She is now in for what may be the fight of her life.

As a young child, Lisa contracted pneumonia and spent a month in the hospital. She grew up with an abusive stepmother and struggled through a difficult marriage. Despite the obstacles, she managed to raise two children and find a career in real estate. But last week, the young woman with an infectious personality, hit another road block. She was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (), an adverse reaction to prescribed to her following minor surgery.

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SpunkyRachel discusses physical, emotional healing from SJS

It’s good to hear SpunkyRachel’s voice again. She is the woman we first met last December, who put video testimonials on YouTube about her experience with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or . In the early videos, her hair is missing and white patches cloud her dark skin. She had just been released from the hospital, where she stayed for several weeks, much of that time in a drug-induced coma where she clung on to life.

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