Can a so-called ‘harmless’ painkiller steal your eyesight? Jaqueline Gmack never thought taking Ibuprofen, a commonly used NSAID, for her menstrual cramps will leave her blind in the right eye.
A report published in The Sun, details Gmack’s account where she shares how the decision to pop a pill for pain relief eleven years back has left her to battle with irreversible consequences.
With limited vision in her left eye, and none in the right, Gmack is brave enough to find small joys through her remaining senses even as she struggles to deal with the potholes, obstacles, and other dangers on her way.
It so happened that Gmack took Ibuprofen to find relief from her menstrual cramps, however, she soon began experiencing adverse symptoms. The Sun report added how her skin blistered and she was rushed to hospital to be put in a 17-day induced coma, and was diagnosed with a rare condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
The incident happened in 2011, and during these 14 years, she underwent numerous surgeries to somehow save her eyesight. But unfortunately the doctors have confirmed that her vision loss in the right eye would be permanent in nature.
“Tears came, alongside anger and unanswered questions – why me? I got no answers. But little by little, I learned to listen to myself. I learned that seeing doesn’t depend solely on the eyes – that the heart also sees, and sometimes with more clarity. I began to value the sounds, the smells, the textures, the voices that guide me. I’ve rediscovered the world with other senses. I don’t recognise faces on the street, I can barely see who’s next to me,” she told NeedToKnow. Gmack says that she can’t walk alone now as she can’t see steps, holes, or obstacles.
Jaqueline, who hails from Papanduva, Brazil, didn’t immediately know what had happened to her when she woke up from the coma. She slowly realised how her life would not be the samevis
“It was like I’d been burned from the inside out. I didn’t know what had happened to me. I noticed my entire body was bandaged, my vision was completely blurred, and I had a tube down my throat, but I wasn’t in any pain.
Only then did the penny start to drop and I realised that I was very weak, and that something very serious had happened to me,” she told the outlet. Her doctors said her survival was nothing short of a “miracle”.
What is Ibuprofen-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS)?
While people may not think twice before trusting Ibuprofen for their aches and pain, in very rare cases, a serious side effect could trigger a fatal illness. While Gmack was saved by the doctors, it could be life-threatening for many.
“Ibuprofen-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a very rare but very serious side effect of ibuprofen use, which is a popular painkiller and anti-inflammatory medication. SJS is an extreme allergic reaction in which the immune system of the body overacts to the medication, attacking healthy skin and mucous membranes in error. While most individuals have no trouble with ibuprofen, in a very small minority of individuals it may initiate this potentially fatal illness,” says Dr Tushar Tayal, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
How the syndrome affects health
This reaction primarily impacts the skin, eyes, mouth, throat, and genitals, and in rare cases, internal organs as well.
“The ailment disintegrates the skin cells, causing burning rashes, blistering, and peeling of the skin, similar to a third-degree burn. Due to the extensive destruction of the protective skin barrier, patients are at a significant risk for infections, fluid loss, and other complications, necessitating hospitalization in an intensive care or burn unit,” says Dr Tayal.
How the symptoms progress
The symptoms often start with flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, red eyes, and aching body. These are soon followed by the development of a painful red or purplish rash that rapidly spreads throughout the body.
“Blisters soon erupt on the skin and mucous membranes, including the genitals, eyes, and mouth. As the illness advances, peeling of the skin begins, exposing raw areas of tissue. Patients usually have very severe pain while swallowing, urinating, or even opening their eyes. Eye infection is a frequent complication and may result in chronic complications, such as scarring and vision impairment,” adds the expert.
Ibuprofen-induced SJS is a life-threatening condition that can rapidly advance and is associated with a great risk of complications.
“Survivors can suffer from long-term consequences like skin hyperreactivity, scarring, or chronic lung and eye impairment, so the condition must be treated immediately and cautiously,” concludes the expert.
