Lamictal User Nearly Loses Sight to Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Ganner’s nightmare began shortly after her Lamictal dose was increased. She would subsequently be diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare but life-threatening allergic reaction that has affected other Lamictal users.

Boulder Doctors Misdiagnosed Her Initially

Upon developing skin rash spots and difficulty breathing, Ganner went to an urgent care clinic in Boulder, Colorado. Ganner was initially misdiagnosed. First the doctors told her that she had allergies and then she was diagnosed with herpes and given pamphlets before being discharged.

At home, later on, Ganner’s skin spots started developing into blisters. Not satisfied with the diagnoses she received at the urgent care center, she took a cab to a local hospital and saw an infectious disease doctor. Here she was diagnosed correctly with Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Victim Spent 17 Days in a Coma

Ganner was then transferred to the University of Colorado Hospital and treated in the burn ward, as most Stevens Johnson Syndrome patients are. The blisters were affecting her both internally and externally and she was treated with heavy-duty medication for her pain and then put into a drug-induced coma where she remained for 17 days.

Her sight was put at risk due to the blisters that occurred in the membranes of her eyes. As a result, Ganner had surgery on her eyes using an amniotic film that was taken from a placenta. The reason for this drastic action is that when blisters from SJS develop on the skin, they typically heal without much scarring. On the eyes, however, it turns into scar tissue which can vastly affect the person’s sight.

Lamictal SJS can be Fatal

Without a doubt, some patients who develop SJS tend to suffer fatal injuries. It is a serious yet sometimes fatal allergic reaction.

Ganner developed Lamictal SJS shortly after increasing her dosage and it has made her leery of taking other medications. While rare, there are about 300 people in the United States who are diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome annually.

Immediate diagnosis and care is essential to prevent SJS from becoming fatal, although sometimes, even with the best care, it is not enough. Ganner, who had visited Boulder to document her brother’s mental illness has instead focused on her story and bringing awareness of SJS to the general public.

Legal Help for Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome

If you have taken Lamictal and subsequently developed SJS, you might be eligible to take legal action. Visit our Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page for more information on the various symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and also for information on how to submit your personal information to drug injury attorneys. Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering, missed time from work and medical expenses.