Woman, 31, burned from within in 17-day coma after taking ibuprofen for menstrual pain

A woman has claimed she was left in a coma for 17 days after suffering a rare reaction to ibuprofen that left her ‘burning from the inside’.

Jaqueline Gmack, from Papanduva, Brazil, took the over-the-counter tablets in 2011 to relieve her menstrual cramps.

Within just 48 hours, the now 31-year-old developed mild itching in her eye and blood blisters in her mouth.

After being rushed to hospital, her symptoms quickly escalated and she developed blisters on her face that left her unable to see properly.

Doctors revealed that she was suffering from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and placed her in an induced coma.

This rare skin condition causes the immune system to overreact to a trigger, such as a drug, and attack healthy skin, mucous membranes, eyes and genitals.

Even today, however, Ms. Gmack’s eyesight has only been restored to about 40 percent of what it was, despite more than a dozen operations.

Further tests are still needed to determine if the reaction caused permanent damage.

Recalling her ordeal after waking from the coma, Mrs Gmack said: ‘It was like I had been burned from the inside out.

‘I didn’t know what had happened to me.

‘I noticed my whole body was bandaged, my vision was completely blurred and there was a tube down my throat, but I had no pain.

‘It was only then that the penny started to drop and I realized that I was very weak and that something very serious had happened to me.’

It is believed Ms Gmack has not previously had a reaction to ibuprofen or has any underlying health conditions.

SJS often starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash on the skin that spreads and forms blisters.

It does the same to the mucous membrane, reproductive organs and eyeballs.

Mucous membranes are soft, thin layers of tissue that line the digestive system, the lining of the mouth, nose and genitals.

Without treatment, the condition can prove to be life-threatening. Research shows that approximately one in ten cases is fatal.

It is believed that only one in a million people are affected each year.

Hospital treatment usually includes fluids to prevent dehydration, creams and bandages to moisturize the skin, strong painkillers to relieve discomfort, and medications to control inflammation and prevent infections.

Some patients are placed in an induced coma to minimize damage.

Mrs Gmack said: ‘They (the doctors) told me it was a miracle that I had survived.

‘My family didn’t let me see myself in the mirror for a few days.

“When I finally looked in the mirror, I saw someone I didn’t recognize.”

In an attempt to save her eyesight, she began ophthalmologist treatment.

“He (the ophthalmologist) also said that I had to have the operation as soon as possible or else I would lose the eye,” she added.

“I left the office crying.”

Since then, she has had 24 operations to improve her vision, including a corneal transplant, stem cell transplant and amniotic membrane transplant – where a layer of amniotic fluid is attached over the surface of the eye up to the eyelid.

When performed immediately after a burn of the ocular surface, research has suggested that it reduces pain and speeds healing.

In the decade since, Ms Gmack still carries out fortnightly check-ups to monitor the health of her eyes and claims she has around 40 per cent of her vision.

“The hardest obstacle I have to overcome is knowing that I will never be able to have the vision I once had,” she said.

‘I wish I could find a cure to see again. But I feel like a warrior.’