toxic shock syndrom(syndrome). please help.

[itsjescafagola]

i started my period february 27th 2008. ever since, ive been using tampons. i leave them in anytime from 8 hours to 11 hours 99% of the time. do you think I have toxic shock syndrom (syndrome)?

[PerimenoWorried]

What would make you think that you have toxic shock syndrome? :)

Symptoms of TSS include:

high fever, accompanied by low blood pressure, general feeling of illness/severe flu symptoms, confusion, which can rapidly progress to stupor, coma, and multi-organ failure. The characteristic rash, often seen early in the course of illness, resembles a sunburn, and can involve any region of the body, including the lips, mouth, eyes, palms and soles. In patients who survive the initial onslaught of the infection, the rash desquamates, or peels off, after 10–14 days.

There's been a relationship between certain brands and types of tampons and length of time left in the vagina as bacteria accumulates and enters the body becoming "toxic".  Most of those brands (polyester as opposed to cotton) have been removed from manufacture now.

However, as a safe practise, it is best to use a lower absorbency tampon and change it more frequently.  Eight hours may be reaching the upper limits of time.  Eleven may be pushing it a lot further.  

Why not aim for a lower absorbancy tampon and change it more frequently to be on the safe side.  TTS is rare but, it can occur especially, in "forgotten tampons" (those who forget that they've inserted one and have left it over 24 hours or more.  However, it has occured during shorter intervals as well so, the rule of thumb is lower absorbency and more frequent changes.  

Hope this helps.  

[PerimenoWorried]

By the way, if you do have the symptoms above (for TTS), please go and seek medical advice as soon as possible.  I'm sure that is NOT the case with you but, mentioned it because some people don't like or want to be in a doctor's office or ER and will put off being looked at. :)

[aliceeee]

today i was inserting a tampon when all of a sudden i went really dissy and i thought i was going to faint, do i have tss? my eyes went blury and i could her a ringing, what was it?

[PerimenoWorried]

I highly doubt that you do but, I really think that you seem to be quite worried about it.  

I would suggest that you make an appointment with your doctor and talk this over.  Of course, the real solution to your worries right now would be to stop using tampons altogether until you have spoken to your doc and he/she can put your mind at ease.  Pads are just as reasonable a way. :

[PerimenoWorried]

Sorry Aliceee, I should have said that the feeling faint while putting in a tampon is not a sign of tts in and of itself.  What was running through my mind and didn't come out properly in my response was that if you get the feeling of fainting (which is what you have described), there are likely other reasons for it OTHER THAN, TTS. :)  If you get the feeling of faintness often, THAT should be discussed with your doc.  

I should have previewed/re-read my response before posting it as I recognize now that it made no real sense in that context.  (I'm at work, sneezing, coughing and changing screens while posting.  I really should be home in bed with a warm blanket LOL!)