I almost died after developing toxic shock syndrome … Here are the symptoms I have overlooked

Just 15, Shannon Turner suffered an almost decisive case of toxic shock syndrome, which was so serious that she received a chance of survival of 50 percent – all from using a tampon.

Now she has exclusively exposed the horrible test with the Daily Mail.

“It brought me into a coma and almost took my life – I hadn’t even had my period for a whole year,” explained Shannon, who was on a family vacation at the time.

Shannon revealed that she started to feel sick in the evening after landing, but she assumed it was just jet lag and tried to sleep it off.

But she woke up the next day with extreme symptoms, including: vomiting, diarrhea, fever and fatigue.

“I was brought to the doctor that afternoon, gave a chance for nausea and sent home,” she continued.

“I continued to deteriorate and later brought back to the doctor that same day.”

“My last memory collapses in the office and lies on the floor because it hurt too much to sit up,” she remembered.

‘My heartbeat was extremely high, my blood pressure was dangerously low and I was brought to the IC. I only woke up a few days later. ‘

Toxic Shock syndrome is a ‘rare complication of certain types of bacterial infections’, according to Mayoclinic. “It can be fatal.

“Risk factors for toxic shock syndrome include skin wounds, surgery and the use of tampons and other devices, such as menstrual cups and contraceptive pongs or apertures.”

While Shannon was unconscious, doctors worked furiously to diagnose her – initially incorrectly diagnosed with meningitis and almost performed an unnecessary spinal tap.

“Fortunately my mother told a family member that I was in my period – and then the Menstruation Toxic Shock Syndrome (MTSD) was presented,” she shared.

‘The doctors were informed and my treatment plan shifted. I was incredibly lucky that the doctor had studied toxic shock of infectious diseases during the call and knew exactly what to do, but because MTSS is progressing so quickly, I still had a 50/50 chance to survive. ‘

She explained that after the doctors saved her life, she was sent home with ‘small guidance’ about what to expect during recovery, or how long her symptoms would last – and the aftermath was brutal.

“My stay in the hospital was just a few days, but the recovery then lasted much longer,” said Shannon.

‘I have had to deal with memory loss, fear, attention problems and depression. My period also became extremely painful.

“From the age of 15 I was put on prescription pain killers to manage my menstrual pain.”

Her experience led her to start her non -profit, Protect her Inc.It is devoted to ‘revolutionary menstrual period for health information’.

“We believe that knowledge is power – and yet so many people with almost no cycles navigate,” she noticed.

‘I started to see why [there were no recourses]Because periods have been taboo for far too long. It is the same reason that I never spoke about my experience with MTSS, and that silence was incredibly insulating. ‘

Now, more than 15 years later, Shannon regularly shares tips About how you can prevent the life -threatening situation that takes place with other people – as well as the symptoms they ignored.

‘My message to everyone who uses Tampons is: use the lowest possible absorption tool. Your tampon must be saturated when you remove it – if your power is light, choose a lining instead, “she mentioned.

She also advises to use tampons at night and to notice whether you start to get sick, you do not notice the symptoms when you sleep.

“We must remain aware of what our body tells us – especially when there is a strange object in us,” she noticed.

Shannon added that it is important to find out more about the brands of sanitary products you use and to ensure that you are familiar with their ingredients and production standards.

‘Even more important, be tailored to your body. It always communicates with us when we take the time to listen, “she insisted.

Shannon also advises people to immediately take out a tampon when they start to feel sick – describe the symptoms as flu -like.

So [if you experience] Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever – remove the tampon, “she kept full. “If you feel worse, seek medical help.”

Shannon now hopes to inform young women through her non-profit, protects her Inc, which offers extensive menstrual education to adolescents from seven to 18 years, with ‘a focus on practical knowledge that promotes trust, health literacy and open dialogue’.

According to National Medicine Library, Studies have shown that the risk of MTSs was higher in young women who used tampons than in women who used menstrual paths.

They noted that everyone should be aware of the symptoms of MTSs, which are early flu -like symptoms near or during menstruation, including acute start of fever, vomiting and diarrhea and progressive dizziness when standing, and that people must immediately seek medical help if these symptoms are experienced.