A woman experienced an unimaginable ordeal when her skin began to detach after taking Ibuprofen, due to an extremely rare condition affecting one to ten people per million.
Aleshia Rogers, who works as a child and education technician, had been consistently taking the painkiller following her caesarean section in August 2020.
She reportedly used the medication twice daily as it alleviated her pain and swelling.
However, about three weeks after giving birth to her third child, Jax, at the age of 27, flu-like symptoms began to manifest, marking the start of a harrowing experience.
Soon after, Rogers experienced a high fever and a burning sensation when swallowing.
Her eyes also began to swell and experience a burning feeling.
Subsequently, a ‘small rash’ appeared on her chest, leading ER nurses to initially suspect scarlet fever.
However, when blisters emerged on her face just hours after her ER visit and her skin started to ‘peel off’, she returned to the hospital for further evaluation.
It was then that Rogers was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare condition with a mortality rate of five to ten percent.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, often triggered by a medication reaction.
Similar to Roger’s experience, it typically begins with flu-like symptoms, progressing to a painful, spreading rash that blisters.
The affected skin’s top layer then dies, sheds, and starts to heal over several days.
The Mayo Clinic also notes that individuals might experience painful urination, light sensitivity, and fatigue.
But there was another diagnosis for Rogers.
She was found to have developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS), the most severe form of SJS.
After being moved to the burns intensive care unit, Aleshia was placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks as her body battled sepsis and multi-organ failure.
She underwent a full-body skin excision and grafting due to ‘95 percent’ of her skin coming off.
Additionally, Rogers had an amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) on her eyes to help reduce inflammation and scarring.
The treatment for SJS generally involves eliminating the cause, wound care, and pain management to minimize complications as the skin regenerates.
Recovery can last from weeks to months, and for those with TEN, like Rogers, the recovery process is even more challenging.
Post-recovery life necessitates a cautious approach to medications.
If the condition was caused by a drug reaction, avoiding that drug and similar ones is crucial in the future.
For Rogers, it was a traumatic journey.
After spending a month in intensive care, she reflected on the toll the disease had taken on her.
“I had absolutely no idea what had happened to me. I forgot that I had given birth. I lost a lot of memories,” she expressed.
“My family told me it really was touch-and-go as to whether I’d make it through. I’ve been told so many times that I’m a miracle.
“It’s always a thought but I live my life like tomorrow isn’t promised and try not to live in fear.”
Rogers mentioned that doctors could not fully explain why she developed SJS, as she had been using Ibuprofen since she was 14.
However, she must now avoid it.
“There’s no prevention and once it starts, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. And there’s definitely a chance I can get it again at any time,” she stated.
Rogers continues to deal with SJS-related complications five years later and cautions others about the risks.
“I don’t want people to be afraid of medicines, but I want people to be aware and mindful of what can happen,” she advised.