“5 months ago, this was me in the ICU because of a Tampon. I almost lost my life. It brings me to tears looking at this picture but I’m writing this to help people understand the risks of Tampons. If you are a guy reading this, please continue because you may have a sister or daughter that could use some guidance.
When I was younger, I would read the back of the tampon box about risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome and thought. I’m invincible that would never happen to me. Well I was terribly wrong.
At 32 years young I almost died. There is not enough awareness about the risks of wearing a tampon. No, I never left it in more than 6-8 hours. Super absorbency Tampons put you at a higher risk. What happens is the fibers start to develop bacteria then turns into a staph infection and the infection travels to your blood and then to your organs and that’s when your body starts shutting down. (I went septic).
After my last period I started feeling under the weather. I just didn’t feel well. I could tell my body was trying to fight something. Then I developed a swollen lymph node on my left groin. (I thought it was a pulled groin). I felt I was getting a cold and everyday got worse and worse. This went on for 2 weeks.
I woke up and it all hit me. Flu like symptoms. Fever, chills, vomiting and a rash developed on my Left inner thigh. I had just moved back home to my parents a week prior and If it wasn’t for my mom, I would not be here writing this post. The doctors told me if I didn’t come when I did, I either would have lost limbs or worse… died.
I had surgery on my inner thigh where the infection localized. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks being pumped 24/7 with 2 kinds of antibiotics. I was pumped with bags and bags of fluid to raise my blood pressure that I had gained 30 pounds of fluid. After a week of being bedridden I finally looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself.
When I was finally sent home, the fight wasn’t over. I had an IV attached to my arm 24/7 pumping me with antibiotics along with a wound vac attached to my inner thigh 24/7. It took 3 months to physically get back to my normal life. Mentally I’m still struggling with the trauma. I
I’m not super vocal when it comes to the mental part, but I really just want women to understand that this all happened from a TAMPON. And if I could save someone from having to go through what I went through I will vocalize any time for anyone who wants to hear.
PLEASE TAG your friends, daughters, nieces anyone who could use some awareness on this. Much love and thank you for reading. Please share this post and raise awareness.”
This story was written by Kristina Makris. You can follow her journey on Facebook. Read more stories about warning signs to look out for here:
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