Forgot Tampon

[Chenile]

I have just discovered that I forgot to take out a tampon but have had my period this whole week so have been using a tampon on top of the old one. I had noticed a very bad odour and when I took the left one out its was horrific!! This morning I woke up feeling like im getting flu and im worried its TSS. If anyone has done something as silly as this before and has advice please let me know. Im reading all sorts of things about it being life-threatening etc. I would appreciate any advice.

[oceans3]

hi. i have done this before only not as long. i didnt have any odor or anything but the tampon was far in and the string was not visable so i forgot it was there. i had to reach far in. i called the phone # on the box/brochure of the tampons and asked someone about it cuz i was scared. if i remember correctly, they are nurses but you should DEFINITLY call and not let this go. or call your gynocologist so they can see you. will you post back and let us know??

[Chenile]

Thanks for your reply....and advice....

The thing is that I got my period on Saterday so between then and now ive left it in and it was lodged so far back because I was then using fresh tampons...(rather blonde)!!! The odour is from having my period and the tampon just collecting most of it.......sounds so awful.....ive just consulted the best doctor I know...my MUM and she seems to think it should be fine and has suggested some sort off anti bacterial wash pescribed to woman for Vaginal Infections..she is going to email me the name of it. Have you ever heard of anything like this? How long did you leave the tampon inside ? I don't understand how I forgot about it, its something you would think you would never forget about.....I will let you know the outcome....thank-you again.

[oceans3]

yes, i did the same thing..put a new tampon in w. the old one in there pushing it further in. you are not the only one to do this so stop calling yourself "blonde" ok?? it happens to the best of us. your mom is a dr? i still think you should call the 1-800 # on the box just for "ha ha's" and see what the reccommend. i do not know of the cream your mom was referring to. what type of dr. is she? also, i dont think you mentioned this..did you get the old one out? i just dont like how you said you have an odor and flu-like. that concerns me.

[IWantToBeAMom]

I think TSS is pretty seriousl business.  If you read the pamphlet that comes in the tampon box they are very emphatic about going to see a doctor if you develop symptoms.  



At the very least please call your doc's office and ask to speak with a nurse.  Ask the nurse what she recommends.  I personally think you should be examined, but maybe I'm overreacting.

[Christie2004]

TSS is very rare, remember that.  Most health care practitioners have never in their professional lives seen a case.

[waterskigirl]

My husband had a girlfriend in high school and her mother got TSS from an ectopic pregnancy that burst.  She almost died and is now in a wheel chair the rest of her life becuase of brain damage.  Go to a doctor immediately!

[oceans3]

tss is very rare and usually not fatal if recognized and treated. when it occurs can be dangerous. a tampon left in (usually the super absorbancy ones) can give off bacteria that produces toxins. normally, our body would just fight off the bacteria but if it doesnt react to fight off these toxins that can equal tss.  

tss symptoms usually show 2-3 days after an infection sets in. if the dr. suspects you have it, he/she may do a blood test and/or give antibiotics. again, tss is rare but ONLY because you have "flu-like" symptoms is why i would go in. did you call the dr. as of yet?

[Chenile]

No my mum is not a doctor but she has the best advice and she knows everything!!! What she said is logical its just I can't think back that far....the only reason I thought about having a 2nd tampon stuck inside me is because this morning I battled to get one in........so the same would have happened earlier this week surely, I just can't remember that far. I saw on another website a girl had left one in for about 5 days and said it had a horrific smell and the Dr replied saying that it was fine as long as she got it out....but you are right, when I get home I will contact the number on the box just to make sure...I unfortunately panic and work my self up so after reading that TSS starts like flu I think im mentally making myself worse.....hopefully its a concidence........The thing my mum is talking about is called a "Douce" something you squirt up there...used for infections there etc. I will let you know what the outcome it once I have phoned the helpline number. Im hoping all is okay. thanku again for your reply........im glad to hear im not the only one who has done this!!!

[oceans3]

oh no! please dont douche! i dont want to disagree w. mum cuz you know how mums know best but that can push any bacteria even further up causing more problems!!

listen, tss is rare but can happen. if you have a fever of 102 or higher, vommiting, diarreah (sp), dizziness/fainting or a sunburn-like rash are symptoms of tss. i understand the dr. can give something to take care of it if you do have it but its better to be safe than sorry. please call your dr. post back ok?

[Chenile]

You are being very helpful!!! okay, no douching then.....im trying to think as sensibly as possible and I reckon I could be over reacting because im not vomiting nor do I have a runny stomach.....my flu like symptoms are sinusie ones so maybe it is just flu after all..........I have just sent an email to the tampon manufacturers and have asked there advice....I will let you know what they reply back. Why I can't remember all the important details is a mystery to me...its funny how you can work yourself up in your mind and convince yourself of something thats not true....but im still not 100% convinced myself...when you say TSS is rare...do you mean it doesn't happen often?

[greenpixie]

I don't want to alarm you, but please call your Dr immediately!  I went to high school with a girl that developed TSS and it is not pretty.  It may be nothing, but please see a physician.  Don't feel bad that you left one in, it happens.  Just make sure that you are ok.  The tampon manufacturers cannot do that.

[Chenile]

Hi there. thank-you for your advice. I will have to arrange to see my doctor....its just such a hassle...but I guess health issues should never be a hassle...

Thanku again. Will let you know the outcome.

[ateague]

What I've read from online articles is this, douching does nothing to clean you out.  If fact, it can actually be harmful to your vagina.  Your vagina has an acidic ph to it to kill any harmful bacteria trying to invade.  Douches change this ph to alkaline which, in turn, could cause infections.  I never recommend douches unless, for some reason, your doc recommends it for you.  Good luck and I hope it turns out alright.

[JoAnnaRF]

Posts like these make me so paranoid about using tampons but they also make women more cautious. So please do not feel embarrassed. I have found myself wondering more times than I can count if I left one behind. Soemtimes I just can't for the life of me remember if I took the last one out or not. And I am one of those that doesn't JUST use tampons, I switch back and forth but also have problems with a reaction to pads. And tampons cause severe cramps for some reason, so anyways, the lapse in the on and off of using them leaves lots of room for doubt as to IF I took it out..

Why I am going on about his is beyound me. Just wanted to let you know that we are ALL forgetful.

And i also wanted to mention that they do not recommend leaving them in for more than 8 hours for all of the resons the ladies have already listed. And I am also assuming that you are in Europe by the usage of the word "mum" which is so indearing to me... I know that in the U.S. douching USED to be very popular. Those Summer's Eve commercials were on every five minutes telling women they had to douch to be clean and fresh.. Now I don't think I've seen a douche on the store shelves in years. The female body is a self cleaning oven..LOL

So keep an eye on your temp and please see a medical doctor. I'm sure your mum is very intelligent but even she would hate to see you get ill after taking her advice not to worry. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Keep us posted..

--JoAnna

[Chenile]

Thanks everyone for you help and advice!!!! I have not used the douche after reading all the negative's about it, I am however quite confident that I do NOT have TSS, I have not been to my doctor but thats because I am feeling so much better today, I have a cold only and its a sinusie cold so it can't be TSS. I think I thought the worst (as girls seem to always do..) and after a chat with my mum and much logical thinking im should be just fine!! However if anything does happen to prove me wrong I will be sure to let you know. I did get a response to my email from the tampon manufacturer who thought that the tampon was lost inside of me and she instructed me to see my doctor straight away.......well I got the tampon out and my body should be sorting the rest...I drunk over 2 litres of cranberry juice last night and about 8 glasses of green tea to cleanse my system!!!!! Thank-you all once again......... :-)

[oceans3]

thanks for posting back. im sure youre ok too but just keep an eye on yourself!

[luvinsean]

hi i went to the clinic last night to get checked out and i had a tampon stuck in me and i was having crazy periods and headaches feeling sick but no fevers or anything but i did get it out they gave me the gel anitbiotic and doxicycline and ive been takin it i was just wonderin will this mess up my chances to get pregnant? me and my husband have been tryin but havent had any luck but we also didnt know that was up there and i dont know how long its been because we had stop having sex for almost 2 months so now we wanna try again and im really excited but i worry due to what they had taken out is it safe? does it risk my chances?