1 in 3 Million.

            I beat the odds, one in three million. Not one in a million but 1 in 3 million. Normally attaining something this rare is accompanied by strong feelings of luckiness, triumph and/or jubilation. I beat the odds, I recently won the least sought after lottery in medical history.   

            Last week I had a nasty little sinus infection that my doc remedied with antibiotics. This treatment served as the purchase of a winning lotto ticket. One in three million people who take the antibiotic, Septra will develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome. At first listen Stevens Johnson syndrome sounds like a term used to identify those who speak about their genitalia in the third person.  Unfortunately for me this is not the case.

            Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an allergic reaction identified by large blistered regions of dying skin.  In this condition the first layer of skin is determined to separate from subsequent layers of skin. It effects areas around mucous membranes more so than others. My ears, lips, vag, and anus we most blistered. 90 % of my body was covered in blisters within 24 hours of finishing the Septra prescription.  I not only won the 1in 3 million lotto ticket but I also won the consolation prize; a blood born yeast infection. The Septra antibiotic destroyed all the good bacteria in my system that eats excess yeast. Vaginal, anal and oral yeast infections were the result of aggressive yeast colonization of my body. I was enveloped head to toes, inside out with itch.  I now know what it feels like to need to itch my liver, colon and birth canal.  Blisters inside my urethra lead to a nasty urinary tract infection. Blisters on my lips popped, leaving my lips effectively skinned. Blisters inside my anus accompany the five days worth of backed up poo crated by the massive influx of medications to fight the SJS.

            Now instead of a sinus infection I am the proud new owner of hundreds of thousands of blisters, three yeast infections, an ancient bowel movement, urinary tract infection, skinless lips, and blistered ears, vag and anus. My IV medications include fluids, steroids, Benedryl, Dilauded, Pepcid and a new antibiotic for my UTI. My topical medications include Lidocaine mouth rinse, Lidocaine vag/anus ointment, vitamin A&D cream to protect my lack of lips and prednisone (steroid) eye drops.  My oral medications include more Dilauded and milk of magnesia.

            I am the not so proud winner of the most horrible lottery in medicine. 1 in 3 million would agree.