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I don't trust everything I read on that website. But as far as toxic shock and tampon allergy, sometimes the symptoms are similar.
I've had a couple of allergic reactions to tampons. The first was to Tampax when I was 13. I got a high fever, fainting, red rash all over like a sunburn and confusion. I thought it was toxic shock but my mom wouldn't take me to the hospital because she said it would spoil the vacation, so I slept a couple of days (in the closet of the condo we were staying at, because I was cold and light hurt my eyes) and it went away.
The second time, I tried Playtex because that was all we sold where I worked, and I needed one right then. I got a red, sunburn-like rash and was very dizzy. I'm not sure if I had a fever. I removed the tampon and started to feel better a couple of hours later. The rash lasted a couple of days.
For years, Kotex was the only brand I could. Two years ago they changed something in it and I can't use them anymore. They cause really intense itching. That's better than my allergic reactions to other tampons but still not something I could tolerate.
I switched to a menstrual cup. It's so much cleaner, less expensive over time (a $30 cup lasts several years at least), nothing to throw away, and since the cup I use is silicone, I'm unlikely to develop an allergy to it.
I trust most everything on that website, as I've done research beyond it that confirms most of what it says. Dr. Mercola was a conventional doctor who got tired of not being able to help his patients with conventional means so he turned to natural/preventative medicine. He has changed his stance on some things over the years, but I think that just goes to show that he's flexible enough to keep up with current research rather than sticking to the status quo.
Quote:
But as far as toxic shock and tampon allergy, sometimes the symptoms are similar.
I've had a couple of allergic reactions to tampons. The first was to Tampax when I was 13. I got a high fever, fainting, red rash all over like a sunburn and confusion. I thought it was toxic shock but my mom wouldn't take me to the hospital because she said it would spoil the vacation, so I slept a couple of days (in the closet of the condo we were staying at, because I was cold and light hurt my eyes) and it went away.
The second time, I tried Playtex because that was all we sold where I worked, and I needed one right then. I got a red, sunburn-like rash and was very dizzy. I'm not sure if I had a fever. I removed the tampon and started to feel better a couple of hours later. The rash lasted a couple of days.
For years, Kotex was the only brand I could. Two years ago they changed something in it and I can't use them anymore. They cause really intense itching. That's better than my allergic reactions to other tampons but still not something I could tolerate.
I switched to a menstrual cup. It's so much cleaner, less expensive over time (a $30 cup lasts several years at least), nothing to throw away, and since the cup I use is silicone, I'm unlikely to develop an allergy to it.
I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, and I'm glad you found an alternative that works for you. The "Diva" type cups weren't available back when I was menstruating, or they were and I didn't know about them. I'm just glad I don't need tampons now. Since many of my cancerous problems are "down under", I do wonder if my many years of using conventional tampons and pads had something to do with it. I'm not going to blame them for my problems, but I won't discount that they have had something to do with them.
I trust most everything on that website, as I've done research beyond it that confirms most of what it says. Dr. Mercola was a conventional doctor who got tired of not being able to help his patients with conventional means so he turned to natural/preventative medicine. He has changed his stance on some things over the years, but I think that just goes to show that he's flexible enough to keep up with current research rather than sticking to the status quo.
I'm sorry you had to go through all of that, and I'm glad you found an alternative that works for you. The "Diva" type cups weren't available back when I was menstruating, or they were and I didn't know about them. I'm just glad I don't need tampons now. Since many of my cancerous problems are "down under", I do wonder if my many years of using conventional tampons and pads had something to do with it. I'm not going to blame them for my problems, but I won't discount that they have had something to do with them.
I had endometrial hyperplasia, but it was most likely caused by obesity throwing my hormones out of whack, and not by my many years of tampon use.
I've been trying to get my daughter to switch to a cup but she's intimidated by it.
I don't trust everything I read on that website. But as far as toxic shock and tampon allergy, sometimes the symptoms are similar.
I've had a couple of allergic reactions to tampons. The first was to Tampax when I was 13. I got a high fever, fainting, red rash all over like a sunburn and confusion. I thought it was toxic shock but my mom wouldn't take me to the hospital because she said it would spoil the vacation, so I slept a couple of days (in the closet of the condo we were staying at, because I was cold and light hurt my eyes) and it went away.
The second time, I tried Playtex because that was all we sold where I worked, and I needed one right then. I got a red, sunburn-like rash and was very dizzy. I'm not sure if I had a fever. I removed the tampon and started to feel better a couple of hours later. The rash lasted a couple of days.
For years, Kotex was the only brand I could. Two years ago they changed something in it and I can't use them anymore. They cause really intense itching. That's better than my allergic reactions to other tampons but still not something I could tolerate.
I switched to a menstrual cup. It's so much cleaner, less expensive over time (a $30 cup lasts several years at least), nothing to throw away, and since the cup I use is silicone, I'm unlikely to develop an allergy to it.
I agree with your assessment. Your experiences sound like allergic reaction and not toxic shock. Lots of people are allergic to things that don't bother others. I'm allergic to the fibers in Kleenex which is unfortunate since I'm also allergic to things that make my nose run. You were smart to find a product that works for you.
And I agree about Mercola's website. Very little (to no) credibility.
Nothing should be trusted from the Mercola web site.
Mercola is an entrepreneur first and foremost.....his website is nonsense
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Originally Posted by UNC4Me
And I agree about Mercola's website. Very little (to no) credibility.
ROFLMAO. Dr. Mercola was a conventional doctor for a very long time--as in, just as qualified as any other MD. He moved to natural and preventative medicine because his patients weren't healthy with conventional care. ALL of his articles have scientific references to back up his statements.
This isn't a thread about Mercola. It's a thread about toxic shock syndrome. How about we stay on topic, eh?
This isn't a thread about Mercola. It's a thread about toxic shock syndrome. How about we stay on topic, eh?
Given that the initial post pointed folks to his website it seems his opinions and veracity on the subject are indeed on topic. I would suggest anyone concerned about toxic shock read more than one viewpoint along with scientific publications on the subject.
Nothing should be trusted from the Mercola web site.
Mercola is an entrepreneur first and foremost.....his website is nonsense
I Trust more in Mercola's world than I would ever on the constant blasted TV pharma drug ads!!!!
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