Eva’s ordeal began in September 2005, when she took acetaminophen to lower a fever. Instead of making her feel better, the medicine made her even sicker. SJS and TEN causes painful blisters on the skin. Blisters can also form on the eyes, and in the mouth and internal organs exposing the body to life-threatening infections.

For Eva, the blisters on her face and body began to burn, scab and then fall off. Her face was so badly affected that her lips grew together. “I couldn’t believe what was happening. I had taken (acetaminophen) many times before,” she said.
“It was terrifying because at the time they didn’t know what was wrong with me or what would happen to me, When I looked in the mirror … I didn’t recognize myself.”

More than 2,000 over-the-counter and prescription medications have been linked to SJS and TEN. While SJS and TEN are rare reactions to medication – affecting only one in a million people – there is no way of knowing who will experience the reaction or when it may occur. The condition has a 40 percent fatality rate.

Luckily, Eva survived, and four years later she is happy to report that her skin has almost returned to normal. “With this condition you have to just let it run its course because there is no way to stop it,” said Folke Sjoeberg, of Eva’s doctors. “I’m very glad Eva has done so well after all that happened.”

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Reaction to acetaminophen caused girl’s face to ‘fall off’

SJS has been associated with more than 2,000 medications, most commonly antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral medications. Those who suffer from SJS develop a rash on the skin that blisters over, causing the top layer of skin to peel away. Because of the sensitive nature of his condition, Bol may be transferred to a burn unit for treatment.

According to Sudan Sunrise, Bol was “so determined to help with the election in Sudan, he postponed needed medical care.” Tom Prichard, who worked with Bol in Sudan, told The Washington Post that Bol’s health had gone downhill while in Sudan. He had flown to Dulles and was expecting to catch a flight the next morning to Kansas to be with family when he was admitted to the hospital.

Bol sacrificed much to return to Sudan and influence positive chance. While he was gone, his wife had a baby, whom he has yet to meet. According to reports, Bol is slowly recovering. He is on morphine and in pain but he is proud of what he was able to accomplish in Sudan. ”He was fighting with every bit of his strength to try to keep southern Sudan on course toward a referendum in January of next year,” Prichard said. “It put him right on the edge of survival, and he made it.”

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Retired NBA player Manute Bol suffering serious medication reaction

Joe, a diabetic, was given the antibiotic Vancomycin to treat a foot infection. But the antibiotic made him sicker than the initial infection. A rash developed over Joe’s body and his skin began to blister over and peel away. The blisters formed inside his throat, causing excruciating pain and making drinking difficult. He was at risk for dehydration. Joe was hospitalized for eight days. His blood pressure dropped and his blood sugar sky rocketed. His wife was desperate to find something Joe could keep down to help speed his recovery, and that is when she went to Razzleberry’s.

Kaczocha told the Knoxville News Sentinel, “I asked, ‘Where’s your husband?’ And she told me what happened. I said, ‘Why don’t you take him a little Lemon Ice to comfort him?’ I thought it might be soothing to his throat.” The Lemon Ice worked like charm. Joe was soon able to expand to other flavors. After eight days, he was able to leave the hospital.

More than 200 drugs have been linked to SJS, most commonly antibiotics, ibuprofen and anti-seizure medication. While some medications list the warnings in fine print on their labels, people who have suffered from the condition argue that they were never fully warned of the potential dangers. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with SJS, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › SJS victim says ice cream led him to a speedy recovery