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Should I Worry About Toxic Shock Syndrome When My Sunburns Have Gotten Worse?

Posted on Mon, 20 Dec 2021

Question: Hi! I've been on birth contol since beginning of Jan. I have had a lot of problems trying to find the right one since then. I stopped bleeding for three days now but I have it in my head that since I wore a tampon for almost six weeks continuously, I convinced myself I have Toxic Shock Syndrome. On top of it, I sat outside Saturday and just a half hour on Sunday. Saturday I put sunscreen on, but Sunday I didn't and noticed myself getting a little pink so I went inside. I didn't really feel burnt until tonight. And I'm noticeably more pink then before and it feels like burning externally. Like a sunburn. It's also warm to the touch. Weird thing is I haven't sat outside for 48 hours. How could my sunburn be worse now? Should I worry about Toxic Shock? Or something else? I don't have a fever, if my thermometer is correct. Help. I'm scared and I think I'm going a little crazy over everything I've been through with my body since Jsn

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Toxic shock syndrome with tampons

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You should understand each word correctly under Toxic shock syndrome. It is life threatening as toxic. Shock is with fever, rapid pulse and falling blood pressures and cannot get out of bed, leave going out of house with sunscreen, Syndrome means it is has multiple other reasons to occur just not tampons.
So you would realize that you do not have temperature or falling BP, raising pulse and able to walk. So not every body who uses tampons for six weeks have toxic syndrome. If you have any of the above please rush to ER.
Birthcontrol pill has a lot of changes and mood rushes. They have heavy mood changes along with menstrual irregularities and skin blushes vs paling. These is because of fluctuating hormone levels. Just get them addressed by reaching out to a specialist Gynecologist or an Endocrinologist. That answers your questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (18 hours later)

I'm also afraid that my hymoglobian is low. I'm anemic the way it is. My hymo is 9 last time I checked in Feb. With all of this spotting, while it hasn't been a lot of blood, it's still continuous. I'm scared they're going to tell me I need a blood transfusion. Is that just a high fear right now because I have been worrying so much about dying or being hospitalized?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Blood loss anemia highly likely

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

There is a high chance that your hemoglobin drops and you would have blood loss anemia as well.
It is good to check for hemoglobin and if less than 7gm/dl they may recommend a transfusion.
If it is between 7-9 and no sx they may go for Iron infusions.
If you take proper timely care you should not worry about death or hospitalization.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (39 hours later)

Hi!! I just got my blood checked and I am at an 8.3. My nurse practitioner put me on a regiment of iron pills. 2x a day at 325 mgs. I'm no longer bleeding every day so my blood should go up a little on its own too right? I will take my iron pills, it's just that other nurses have questioned the amount of iron. 2x a day seems like a lot. I'm worried about my stomach because I get bad stomach pains from one, even when I eat with it. What do you think?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Iron deficiency and Blood loss

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

My suspicion was right. It was right to prescribe pills and they cause gastritis. This is the big reason for someone to stop taking the pills.
I suggest to have it with food. Though the absorption of iron from the pill is hampered at least it would not cause the stomach pain. Hence you need two pills a day. The ferrous content of each pill would not be more than 35 to 50mg or maximum 100mg.
There are alternatives now for the pills in the form of iron infusions. IV Iron Dextran can be tried once every 6 months. It gives the necessary dose of iron.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (3 hours later)

I took only one iron pill yesterday at 1pm. A little discomfort in stomach for a bit but all was good. Last night I woke up with chest pain and burning. My left arm hurt a little but I've had that happen with panick attacks I used to have. My jaw also hurt. I should note my head, and ears, and sinuses feel pressure as well. But I'm nervous that my anemia is causing damage to my heart and that I'm suffering from a heart attack. I'm also worried that my blood will drop lower even though I've stopped bleeding. Am I having like a slow heart attack. Also, my throat burns and I keep burping. I feel miserable. I want to at least take another pill because I want to get my hymoglobian better but if this is the cause of it I can't live with the symptoms right now. Do you think I'm worrying too much or does this sound like a slow heart attack? Is it possible to suffer a heart attack from the blood not getting enough oxygen to the heart because my blood is at a 8.3?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (44 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Anemia and heart attack

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Theoretically anemia can precipitate attack. But you are worrying too much.
Just get a plain EKG done and that would reveal better things. Seeing is believing if it helps you stop worrying and start thinking smart.
You can start with one pill and gradually increase. iron is better absorbed with vitamin C, you can try taking with lemon or orange juices, if helps you feel better

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (3 days later)

So my hymoglobian was at an 8.3 but when I ended up in the ER do to a panic attack my hymoglobian had dropped to 8.1. It was in a different town so my nurse practitioner said its due to difference in labs. It's been a week. I know have my period or am bleeding from the birth control again. She wants me to finish the pack at least and then we're going to talk about just ending them. I'm scared I'm gonna end up bleeding too much and my blood dropping more. I see a hymotologist in two weeks so we will know more about where this is coming from since my iron levels are on the lower side but still in the range. Am I going to be okay until then?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Anemia, Birthcontrol and irregular periods

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Hemoglobin, whether it is 8.3 or 8.1 does not matter greatly in terms of treatment. Your RNP was right that it could be lab observational bias.

I have seen thousands of women doing well from here though the HB drops below 8 and menstruating. The irregular periods can be attributed to anemia. It is a compensation to low iron that body does not bleed much.
Please see the hematologist quickly and let me know what further testing was done.
I can help you further

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (17 hours later)

My nurse practitioner said I'm not an emergency case, but I'm worried this is taking too long when dealing with blood loss. She gave me pills to stop bleeding and I see the hymotogist in a week and two days. Is that too long to wait? Am I worrying too much? I'm scared to go to the hymotologist because I'm scared they will find Cancer or something equally horrible. My nurse practitioner thinks everything is just out of wack because of the excessive bleeding and birth control. What do you think?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I concur with your RNP

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have the same opinion as your RNP.
You should not worry or think of serious issues for your symptoms. Yes you are scared than expected.
Please meet the Hematologist during the next available appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 days later)

So I have been taking a pill to stop the menstration. It finally is working. It's been months since I've had a "period" free day. My boyfriend and I took advantage of this and ended up having a little mishap. I stopped taking my birth control 8 days ago. Is there anyway I could be pregnant from this so soon?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (38 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Less likely

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

There are chances to get pregnant but less likely. It is very difficult to say in your situation as you have not resumed your normal uterine endometrium fully.
We ask the woman to wait till she gets the natural bleed after stopping the pill. You can time the cycles well and plan the pregnancy.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana