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Christopher WoollBritish man with Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by lamotrigine
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Biography of Christopher Wool
- The Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- The Journey to Recovery
- A Brave Journey
- A Life-Threatening Situation
- A Long Recovery
- A Grateful Survivor
- Expressing Gratitude
- A Call for Support
Biography of Christopher Wool
Christopher Wool is a 21-year-old British man who suffered from a massive allergic reaction, almost "burning alive," after taking the medication lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is a mood-stabilizing drug commonly used to treat bipolar disorders and epilepsy. Christopher had self-prescribed this medication, unaware of the potential side effects.
The Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Christopher was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a form of toxic epidermal necrolysis, which typically manifests suddenly due to medication or infection. As a result, his internal organs began to fail, and doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham faced a series of complications. At one point, Christopher even stopped breathing. Fortunately, the doctors were able to save his life, but he now faces a long road to recovery.
The Journey to Recovery
Initially, Christopher had no intention of seeking medical help, despite his parents, Andrew and Jasmine, being alarmed by their son's blister-covered face. However, after doctors warned them that Christopher might not survive, they insisted on seeking medical assistance. His father recalls, "We were devastated when the doctors took us aside and said that our son might not make it. It was simply horrific." They returned to Christopher's hospital room and pretended that everything was fine to avoid worsening his condition. Meanwhile, the blisters and burns spread all over his body, his eyes were swollen, and he was in constant pain. His father adds, "We had to bandage him and shave his hair. It was like a living nightmare."
A Brave Journey
Christopher, who had undergone training and worked as a chef in South Africa, returned to his homeland and found a job at a local restaurant. Things were going well until June 28, 2016, when Christopher started experiencing flu-like symptoms. He said, "At first, I wasn't worried at all, but the next day, my face and eyes started to swell." He continued, "When I got into the car to go home, I noticed bloody blisters in my mouth and on my lips. It was quite terrifying." It was then revealed that his symptoms were a severe allergic reaction to lamotrigine. The rash spread all over his body until Christopher began to lose his vision.
A Life-Threatening Situation
On July 2, 2016, Christopher was rushed to the intensive care unit by an ambulance. When he arrived in Birmingham, his body was 40% burned. His condition worsened, and soon there was no healthy skin left on his body. The doctors did everything they could, but the damage began to spread internally. Christopher was put into an induced coma and a tube was inserted into his throat. His father explains, "His skin was peeling off like it was being ripped off alive. I have never felt so bad, and I have never felt so helpless."
A Long Recovery
Christopher's entire body was covered in peeling skin. He suffered from multiple organ failure, severe corneal defects, two episodes of blood infections, low blood pressure, and lost a total of 25kg. However, the resilient British man managed to overcome all the challenges, as evidenced by his scars. Christopher continues to recover from the incident, but it will be a long journey to full recovery.
A Grateful Survivor
Currently, Christopher adheres to a strict treatment regimen, which includes ten different medications, combinations of creams, lotions, and tablets. He relies on eye drops and uses mouthwash several times a day. Christopher stated, "There isn't much good in the fact that my life currently depends on medication. On the other hand, it's not that tiring." He further explained, "When I was in the hospital, I was frequently given sedatives to dull the pain." He described the period when he started losing his vision as the most terrifying. However, his eye condition has improved significantly since then. The doctors are very pleased with his progress, which brings him joy.
Expressing Gratitude
Christopher considers himself extremely fortunate to have survived, as most people with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in similar circumstances do not. He was completely unaware of this syndrome until he ended up in the hospital. Christopher expressed his gratitude to the doctors, who he says were fantastic, and he would like to thank them all. His father also sees his son's survival as a miracle and expresses gratitude to everyone who helped save his son's life. He particularly acknowledges the charitable company 'Burnaid' for their significant support.
A Call for Support
The family of the survivor has launched a fundraising page to help cover Christopher's recovery expenses and raise awareness about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. The pharmaceutical company 'Accord,' responsible for manufacturing lamotrigine, expressed regret over the adverse reaction to their medication but emphasized that it is only available by prescription. They also advised patients to always read the information leaflet enclosed in the package and not take medications that were not prescribed to them or intended for someone else.
