HORRIFYING photos show how ibuprofen nearly killed a mom who had a horrifying reaction that made her skin fall off and left her in a coma.
Aleshia Rogers was taking ibuprofen twice a day after giving birth to her third child Jaxon in August 2020 via c-section.
Aleshia Rogers, 27, was left fighting for her life after having a severe reaction to ibuprofen[/caption]
She said that 90% of her skin fell off and that she was left fighting for her life[/caption]
She initially got flu-like symptoms before she was put into a medically induced coma[/caption]
However, three weeks after her delivery, the 27-year-old began developing flu-like symptoms including a high fever, swollen face, and rash on her chest.
Despite visiting a hospital twice for medical advice, Aleshia was told she had pink eye or scarlet fever and told to continue taking ibuprofen to ease her pain and reduce the swelling.
Shocking photos show how hours later, Aleshia’s face was engulfed in widespread painful blisters and peeling skin, leaving the mom unrecognizable to loved ones.
She dashed back to the emergency room and was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and serious disorder that causes the immune system to spread inflammation in response to a medication.
Aleshia, an education technician, was transferred to a burns intensive care unit where she was placed into a medically-induced coma while fighting sepsis and multi-organ failure.
During this time, Aleshia’s heartbroken family were told she had a five to 10 per cent survival rate – as 95 percent of the skin “fell off” her body.
Against the odds, Aleshia woke from her coma three weeks later and was told she’d likely suffered a rare and life-threatening reaction to ibuprofen.
Five years on, Aleshia is still recovering from long-term complications associated with SJS but is determined to raise awareness of this life-altering disorder.
Aleshia, who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, said, “We believe it was all triggered by taking ibuprofen. I took it twice a day for the c-section recovery pain then continued taking it to ease my pain and swelling [when I developed flu-like symptoms].
“Ibuprofen was my go-to med. I’d basically taken it my whole life since I was 14 to help with period pains.
“They don’t know why I had this reaction to it. Doctors don’t really have an explanation for it.
“They just said my body decided it didn’t like it one day. It’s very upsetting and confusing.
“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.”
Rogers learned that she had a condition that interacted poorly with the drug[/caption]
The young mom experienced sepsis after her skin started dying[/caption]
She was left fighting for her life during the health battle[/caption]
HORROR SYMPTOMS
Three weeks after giving birth, Aleshia started to develop flu-like symptoms, including a high fever and a burning sensation when she swallowed.
Aleshia said, “Then my eyes started swelling. They were bloodshot and burning, and I got a small rash on my chest so I went to the ER, and they told me I had pink eye and sent me home.
“The next day, my whole face was swollen, and both eyes were swollen shut. I went back to the ER, and they told me I had scarlet fever and to go home.”
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare but serious skin reaction, usually caused by taking certain medicines – often epilepsy drugs, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory painkillers.
It is named after the two doctors who described it in the early 20th century.
It can be life-threatening so requires immediate hospital treatment.
Symptoms usually start with flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, sore throat, cough and joint pain.
A rash usually then appears a few days later – spreading from the upper body to the face, arms, legs and genitals.
You can also get blisters and sores on your lips, inside your mouth and on your eyes.
Hospital treatment usually involves fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and dressings to moisturise the skin, strong painkillers to ease discomfort and medicines to control inflammation and prevent infection.
It can take several weeks or months to fully recover.
Source: NHS
But hours later, Aleshia’s symptoms had progressed rapidly as blisters covered her face, eyes, and chest.
The mom returned to the ER where she was diagnosed with SJS and later Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis – a severe form of SJS – that was likely triggered by taking ibuprofen.
Aleshia said, “The doctors said the skin had died and detached. They called it sloughing. It fell off in sheets.
“The doctors said 90 to 95 per cent of the skin came off my body.
“Since your skin is your biggest organ, this caused me to get sepsis and multi-organ failure.”
Rogers was initially told to keep taking ibuprofen as treatment[/caption]
The mom recovered, but said she still is experiencing symptoms[/caption]
MIRACLE SURVIVAL
As Aleshia developed sepsis and multi-organ failure, she was placed in a coma for three weeks and underwent a full-body skin excision and grafting as well as an amniotic membrane transplant on her eyes.
Despite a five to 10 percent survival rate, Aleshia was discharged after a month in the hospital but still faces a number of SJS-related complications.
Aleshia said, “I had absolutely no idea what had happened to me. I forgot that I had given birth. I lost a lot of memories.
“My family told me it really was touch or 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.
“I don’t want people to be afraid of medicines, but I want people to be aware and mindful of what can happen.”
Her skin was left black and dead[/caption]
Rogers had to get grafting done to heal[/caption]
