Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Sorry, don't know ANYTHING about this. I did google it and it seems very concerning and extremely rare. According to what I read it seems like there is some kind of biopsy that can be performed and I wonder if she has had that.

It is scary to try and do your own research and to figure out how to look at the information objectively and I'm sure you are doing the best that you can. A Dr.'s job is to give their best theory, based on preliminary results. It is their job to work backwards, then and try to prove or disprove their theory with additional testing and come up with a proper diagnosis. With that said, I have had doctor's theories disproved on several occasions - a couple being serious concerns. I am healthy and your body does flukie things from time to time. I really hope this is the case for your sister. I hope she keeps her head about her.

It's good she has such a caring sister.

Hi Kasey! I do know someone - my husband. He needed a regular dose of antibiotics for a diverticulitis flare-up and after 2 days on them, developed blisters in an area they are not supposed to be :) I told him to stop the medicine immediately; he called the urgent care clinic that prescribed them and they told him it was probably something else and to continue taking them, because his condition could already be life-threatening. He went back to the urgent care and they tested him for a number of things - all which turned out negative, of course. then he took my advice and called our doc, who got him in the next day and diagnosed him with Stevens Johnsons. He was told it could have been a lot worse, but once the meds were stopped and because they were done so very shortly after the symptoms started, he would be alright. He will though, for the rest of his life, be allergic to chemically-based sulfa products. He doesn't have any problems with items that contain natural sulfa - shellfish, strawberries, etc - so as long as we keep reminding ourselves (and the docs!) that he's been diagnosed with it, he'll be alright :) And because it is so rare and can be fatal, he will now have to carry a notice with his medical card about it, just in case something happens and someone who knows about it isn't with him.
If your sister stopped them right away, I'm sure she'll be fine :) But for her safety, have her keep a note of it with her at all times

I don't know anyone who has had Stevens-Johnson, but as a pharmacy school student, I'm familiar with the condition. It is very serious. I'm surprised that the doctor was unsure about whether your sister has it or not because it's pretty distinctive. The best thing to do is discontinue the drug. If he wasn't sure, that must means he's considering that it was some other kind of allergic or dermatologic reaction. I hope your sister is feeling better (maybe she already is by now).

i too was given a sulfa based antibiotic not knowing i was allergic and woke up with an odd rash that got worse and worse, The rash combined with an allover horrible feeling did turn out to be steven-johnson's. the medication was stopped and i was given a shot, and was watched very carefully by my doctor for 72 hours..but in the end i was fine - now i just make sure to tell every doctor and pharamacy my allergy to to sulfa based meds!!!!!!!!
It is NOT a "wait and see" ailment so make sure your sis is getting good care from her doctor!