A MAN leaves the medical profession scratching their heads after a mysterious reaction to a commonly prescribed drug changed his skin color from white – to dark gray.
Tyler Monk, 34, was prescribed an antidepressant last year after consulting a doctor for his mental health.
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Tyler was given fluoxetine, a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is often prescribed to treat depression.
He started taking the drug in May 2021, but within a week, Tyler’s wife, Emily, 28, noticed his skin color was changing.
Tyler, a field pest control inspector, stopped taking the medication after just a few weeks because it wasn’t helping his mental health — but his skin continued to darken.
First, his ears began to change color before quickly spreading to his neck and face — before affecting his arms and hands.
Tyler also had other symptoms such as extremely red, irritated eyes and his skin is now very sensitive to the sun and it feels like he has been burned.
He admits he was “in denial” at first, but after speaking to two of his co-workers, Tyler accepted that he was actually going gray.
Tyler has visited several specialists near the couple’s home in Kinder, Louisiana since the discoloration, but they are all stunned.
Doctors have ruled out serious illnesses, poisonings and autoimmune disorders, but they still can’t tell the monks what’s causing the problems.
Tyler’s dermatologist has now referred him for an appointment with a team of eight skin specialists, which is an exciting breakthrough in a seemingly unsolvable case.
Prior to his visit to the specialists, Tyler will receive a CAT scan of his abdomen and new rounds of blood work.
He said: “At first they thought it was photosensitivity, so I react to light, but I covered it up and I’m still getting darker.
“I’m not getting an answer from the specialists, so we decided to post on TikTok. We figured it wouldn’t hurt to share online, so let’s see if anyone else has experienced this or maybe has some answers for us.
“It was mostly supportive! People have joked a lot. But we joke a lot, so we just laugh with them!”
Tyler and Emily have two children they wish to keep anonymous, whom stay-at-home mom Emily takes to school.
She described doing their best to educate their daughters without frightening or worrying about their beloved father.
Emily said, “For me and the kids, all we’re worried about is his health.
“We don’t mind the color change as long as he’s healthy and okay with it. We support whatever he does about it.
Emily initially posted about Tyler on the social media app TikTok to raise awareness about this drug and warn others of the importance of knowing the side effects of what you are taking.
She has used her TikTok to talk to people around the world who have suggestions about what it could be and where to get help.
So far, the couple has spent about $500 on Tyler’s medical care.
They now face a potentially high hospital bill because they don’t have insurance or know how many tests it will take to determine what’s going on.
Emily has run a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising money to cover medical, travel and other expenses while prioritizing returning Tyler to his old self.
You can donate here.
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