“Uric acid stones were formed when there is too much acid in the urine. Some types of stones including uric acid stones can be dissolved using medication.”The urologist gave him some medicine and one of it was Zyloric which contents drug, namely Allopurinol. Allopurinol is used to lower uric acid levels in the body but it is one of the drugs commonly known to cause SJS. It is curious when the doctor didn’t say much about this medicine. He should at least tell us about this medicine and their possible side effects.
After about two weeks, we knew that something was wrong. I noticed small blister on my husband’s face as well as red spots forming at various places including his private part. He was also running a high fever. We went to SKMC again and the doctor asked us to go to University Malaya Medical Centre (“UMMC”). She diagnosed him as having something called SJS. We had no idea, I don’t know anybody who’s had it, and had never heard of it before. I rang my sister in law who is psychiatrist there to accompany me. We went to the emergency room. A short while later, doctor came and asked me what was wrong with my husband. I told him that the doctor at SKMC thought my husband had SJS. He got shocked…
The next day, the red spots on his body had grown to the size of quarters. His eyes were swollen. His lip was darker and his mouth was full of sores. His case was then referred to a dermatologist, Dr Loh. She explained that SJS is an extreme allergic reaction to chemicals. In this case, the Allopurinol seems to have been the culprit. It could be also a painkillers or antibiotics. The use of allopurional should be discontinued at first sign of a rash. She further explained that an emergency medical condition, SJS requires hospitalization. Treatment focuses on eliminating the underlying cause, if possible controlling symptoms and minimizing complications. Recovery after SJS can take several weeks to several months, depending on our body. Urrrggghhh that long??? She warned us be sure to avoid that medication and all others related to it that may cause a similar reaction because recurrences of SJS can be FATAL. Oh my God…
My husband two years ago.
My husband got steadily worse. His skin and mouth continued to blister and ulcerate. Since he was unable to eat or drink due to the mouth blisters, he was placed on an Intravenous therapy or IV therapy to prevent dehydration. His lips were so swollen and they were peeling from the blisters, and he looked like he had been burned around his mouth. His lips were cracked and bleeding and then when the bloods dried it turned black. He was in pain from the blisters and very miserable. His face was unrecognizable. He can’t sit probably or even walk. I did all I could for him, feeding him with soft foods and liquids, I cleaned his mouth and teeth with cotton bud. I still remember when I have to put some gel into his mouth to help numb out some of his pain and then try to sip water through a straw but it couldn’t help. His eyes would cake shut with discharge and I would have to clean them with a warm washcloth to get them opened. He had to have eye drops and eye ointment in his eyes five times a day, he had to rinse out his mouth with two different mouth solutions four times a day and had an ointment put on his lesions on his body. I have never seen anyone go through as much as he did and I hope that I don’t have to. He was isolated and only few visitors are allowed in one time.
He has had to go to the eye doctor and dentist several times for treatment as well as to watch the effects of SJS on his eyes and mouth. As far as we know, his internal organs were not affected. Only the usual problems such as light sensitivity, dry eyes, fatigue syndrome and other things associated with SJS.
Then finally the day came and the doctor told us that he could go home. Then I thought the disaster was over but few days after his nails and hair fell out. Somehow, he survived. It was a miracle, I thank God that he is still with us. Even, he does not look the same, but he will always in my heart. He still has noticeable scars on over his body.
What we have gone through is really a nightmare. I was on unpaid leave for almost two weeks to take care of him 24 hours. My first daughter, Aisyah was crying when she visited us, may be she missed us a lot or may be she was scared of her father. But honestly through this all, we have become closer and I know that he has become stronger.
There is no way to know if we will get SJS. And no test can be done to find out what medicine that we might react to. That’s why we should be judicious about taking any medicine. If you have to, watch for the warning signs such as rash and fever.
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