A TEEN claims that she almost died from alcohol poisoning after falling asleep drunken and forgetting to change her diaper.
Ellie Makin claimed she had toxic shock syndrome but was quickly dismissed by doctors when she sought help at a hospital.
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The 18 year-old claimed she was sent home by doctors who told her that she had been diagnosed with cancer. “freshers flu”.
After a night out, she had left her tampon in the bathroom overnight. It had been there for twelve hours.
The student felt flu-like symptoms, nausea, and dizziness. It was clear that she had toxic shock syndrome.
She was unable to speak and fell to the ground.
Ellie stated that she was discharged three hours after her doctors examined her. “dismissed”She was concerned about toxic shock.
She believes her symptoms are due to viral infection.
However, she became worse the next day and Tameside General Hospital doctors confirmed that she had toxic shock syndrome. They kept her there for five days.
The climate science student now urges other teens to “trust their gut”When they feel dismissed, get another opinion.
Ellie, a Droylsden resident, Greater Manchester said that she had experienced flu-like symptoms after going out a lot.
“My apple watch revealed that my heart rate was 120 while I lay down. It’s normally 55. This was very concerning. It also made me dizzy and sick.
“I had drunkenly fallen asleep with my tampon in. I left it in for twelve hours. So, I Googled my symptoms and found that it was toxic shock.
“I told mum, and she called welfare. They arrived at my door.” They took me to the hospital after I fainted when I answered the door.
“I went to the doctor for bloodwork. They told me that my white blood count was high, but they couldn’t pinpoint the source of the infection so they discharged me.
“I knew it wasn’t viral infection because it made me dizzy and I felt faint. I also told the doctors about the tampon and they didn’t do anything.
“I feel like I was dismissed – they should’ve run the tests and not just put it down to freshers flu.”
‘PUSH for HELP’
Toxic shock syndrome is a rare, but potentially fatal, condition that results from bacteria entering the body and releasing harmful chemicals.
If not treated promptly, the condition can quickly deteriorate and cause organ failure or death.
Tampon users are advised to change their tampons prior to going to bed, and as soon as they awake.
The teenager now claims she has long-term side effects that are not well known, such as rapid hair loss and skin peeling on her hands, feet, and face.
Ellie worries that these effects could last as long as six months. Ellie joined online support groups made up of people who have recovered from toxic shock syndrome.
She stated that there was a possibility that it might have been toxic shock. Durham Hospital should have done more tests, particularly considering that she had left the tampon in for so long.
“They said it’s a fatal disease and you’re lucky to have caught it now. It was scary and made me feel annoyed about how Durham Hospital treated me.”
She vows to be more careful when using tampons after her horrific experience and urges others to do so.
What are the signs and symptoms of TSS?
- High fever: 39C (102F) or higher
- Flu-like symptoms can include headaches, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and muscle ache.
- Feeling and/or being sick
- Diarrhoea
- A widespread, sunburn-like rash
- You will see redness in your whites, lips, and tongue.
- Dizziness, fainting and/or dizziness
- Difficulty in breathing
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said that there are instances when patients develop additional symptoms after being discharged from the hospital’s emergency department team. This would support specific diagnoses.
“When new symptoms arise or if existing symptoms persist, we encourage patients to return the hospital for further examination.
“We’re sorry Ellie is unhappy with the care she received and would welcome an opportunity to discuss this and her overall experience with her, if she would find this helpful.”
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