Author:
 Stacy
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Date Posted: 23:56:25 07/17/05 Sun
Hello everyone. I woke up Saturday morning, July 2nd, with a 101.3 fever and mouth pain. I had been having problems with my mouth since I started the steroid back in June. But since I was now developing a fever, I called my radiation doctor. He told me to go to the ER since my fever was already up that high at 9:30 in the morning. Steroids usually can mask a true fever, it could actually be higher. He turned the case over to Dr. Hahn, my chemo doctor, and sent me to the hospital.
It seems as though I was in the hospital for 14 days being treated for the syndrome called TEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME. It is from a reaction to the anti-seizure drug the doctor put me on back on June 5th when I had the seizure. Evidently it can take a little while to rear it's ugly little head to show you that you're allergic to it.
Anyway, I found out this can be a fatal syndrome and I'm once again very blessed to be here to tell you about it. I'm not sure how bad my doctor is considering my case on that meter but I still feel very blessed to be here. My intentions of kicking this thing's butt and riding in 4-wheel drive through the pot-holes in streets are still in full gear!!
I am still on a LOT of medications and will be for some time. I am on Morphine (pain killer), Benadryl (allergy), and Ambien (to sleep)to name a few. These drugs here are the ones that keep me pretty loopy now. Hopefully everything is making sense, if not, I'm gonna blame it on the drugs, LOL!!
This is what I could come up with from the internet about my condition:
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe disorder of mucous membranes. It can have signs and symptoms similar to a skin condition that causes blistering and erosion of the skin and mucous membranes, especially in the mouth. Doctors believe this disorder is an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction. Signs and symptoms often appear suddenly. These include pain in the affected mucous membranes even before erosions develop.
In some cases, the cause can't be identified. Known causes include:
·certain medications, including sulfonamide antibiotics, penicillins, phenytoin (Dilantin) and valdecoxib (Bextra)
·Viral and bacterial infection, such as the herpes simplex virus and mycoplasma
·Radiation therapy
A doctor may diagnose this condition based on:
·Medical history
·Signs and symptoms
·Physical examination
·In some cases, removal of a small piece of affected tissue (biopsy) for examination under a microscope
Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
·Fever.
·A general feeling of illness (malaise).
·Headache.
·Runny nose (rhinitis).
·Cough.
·Sore throat.
·Vomiting.
·Diarrhea.
·Skin rash, which may develop on any part of the body but often begins on the face, neck, chin, and trunk.
·Mucous membrane sores that may weep a thick gray-yellow fluid.
·Mouth sores make it difficult to eat or drink.
·Sores on the inside of the eyelids may weep a thick fluid that causes a crust on the eyelids.
Treatment for Stevens-Johnson syndrome begins by determining the cause of the condition. If a medication is the cause, it is stopped. Treatment includes a soft diet, oral and IV fluids to prevent dehydration. Frequent mouth washing and eye care are needed. Recovery may be slow, taking up to 6 weeks.
Treatment is directed at:
ØRemoving the underlying cause or illness, such as discontinuing medication, if this is the suspected cause
ØControlling signs and symptoms with pain relievers or topical anesthetics when needed
ØPreventing secondary infection
ØFluid and nutritional supplementation when needed
Treatment may require hospitalization, if involvement of the mouth is severe enough to prevent eating or drinking. When the condition is diagnosed within 24 to 48 hours of onset, treatment may include high doses of corticosteroids or other immune system modulating medications. These drugs can shorten the duration of the condition. Full recovery may take up to several weeks.
Dilantin (Generic Name: Phenytoin) is an antiepileptic drug prescribed to manage temporal lobe seizures and grand mal seizures. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (erythema multiforme major) is a rare but serious condition that causes boil-like sores on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, genitals, and eyelids. A widespread skin rash of irregularly shaped, flat, purplish red spots, also develops. This rash may be painful.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is usually caused by a reaction to a medication, but it may also result from an infection, a vaccination, or graft-versus-host disease. Medications that can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:
Phenytoin, such as Dilantin Infatabs, Dilantin Kapseals, or Dilantin-125.
Side effects of Dilantin may include: severe skin reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (bleeding, crusting, dark spots), confusion, constipation, discolored urine (pink, red, or brown), fatigue, slurred speech, Agitation, anemia, bone marrow depression, chest discomfort, difficulty learning (children), dizziness, fever and chills, frequent bone fractures or breaks, headache, joint pain, light gray stools, low thyroid function, malformed bones, numbness or tingling in extremities (long-term use), restlessness, severe stomach pain, severe skin reaction, shallow or troubled breathing, uncontrolled jerking of limbs, uncontrolled facial movements, unusual bleeding or bruising, weight loss, yellow eyes or skin.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a threatening skin disease that causes rashes, skin peeling, and sores on the mucous membranes. In Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a person has blistering of mucous membranes, typically in the mouth, eyes, and vagina, and patchy areas of rash. Nearly all cases are caused by a reaction to a drug, most often sulfa antibiotics; barbiturates; anticonvulsants, such as Dilantin (Generic Name: Phenytoin). The disorder occurs in all age groups but is more common in older people, probably because older people tend to use more drugs.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome generally starts with fever, headache, cough, and body aches, which may last from 1 to 14 days. Then a flat red rash breaks out on the face and trunk, often spreading later to the rest of the body in an irregular pattern. The areas of rash enlarge and spread, often forming blisters in their center. The skin of the blisters is very loose and easy to rub off.
In addition, Stevens Johnson Syndrome causes blisters to break out on the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat, anus, genitals, and eyes. The damage to the lining of the mouth makes eating difficult, and closing the mouth may be painful, so the person may drool. The eyes may become very painful, swell, and become so filled with pus that they seal shut. The corneas can become scarred. The opening through which urine passes (urethra) may also be affected, making urination difficult and painful. Sometimes the mucous membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts are involved, resulting in diarrhea and difficulty breathing.
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AND IT'S ON
There you are
GREAT FOR YOU!!
Saving money on shampoo
CRABS.at Bills..Moms Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!
THURSDAY
Good luck!
THANK YOU SO MUCH
PICTURES
STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME
BELIEVE IT OR NOT....
BUMMER
BIRTHDAY
