[decolady]

I am 34 years old. I always have my period on the 28th (give or take a day). I had my cycle as usual in November, right on the 28th. It lasted about 3 days, like always. The only thing that was different was how painful my breasts were. I usually have some sort of soreness, but this time it was off the charts. My nipples were erect and hard 24-7, and they wouldn't go down, and my breasts felt so swollen it was like they weren't my own! I started on the 28th, and they were all better. THEN, on the 10 th of December, I noticed a discharge so dark brown that I thought something was seriously wrong with me. It was sticky and clotty as well. I had to wear a tampon because it was more than a pantyliner could handle. I could tell after a day that it was just very dark blood. I have never experienced this before, besides slight darkening at the end of a cycle, but everyone goes through that. The dark blood kept coming for 5 days. Then after that it turned bright red like a normal period. Well, it's now the 19th. I am still bleeding. I only use about 1-2 tampons in an entire day, but nevertheless. Why on earth would I have a normal period, on time, and then start bleeding again just 12 days later? I've never had a period, or whatever this is, start so dark brown. I've never seen this shade and it was quite alarming. I had/have no accompanying breast soreness, or even cramps for that matter. My emotions are all out of whack, however. I don't believe that I was/am pregnant, because I have not had intercourse since before the beginning of my period on the 28th. What the heck is wrong with me, and, should I see a doctor?:confused:

[tlrountree06]

Yes of course first using tamponds are out of the question, then if its too heavy for pads you know those undergarments that you get for older people get those that's what I use so I don't mess up my panties. For the pain I do the tub or hot water bottle .also drinking a lot of water because water will thin out the blood and if that doesn't work the doctor will sometimes put you on a birth control to regulate your period. This sometime can be serious don't over look this.

[decolady]

yes of course first using tamponds are out of the question

for the pain I do the tub or hot water bottle

Why are using "tamponds" out of the question?
And I'm unsure as to whether you understood my question. My question wasn't about the pain of my breasts, only to set up the beginning of the story.
I am an always regular cycled person that all of a sudden has two periods within one month, the second lasting for 10 days, and going. I wanted to know why. That is my question. And the day I use Depends Diapers for a period is the day I give up and roam free naked in the prairie.

[J_9]

Tampons are known to cause a potentially deadly disease called toxic shock syndrome. A 35 year old lady at my church just died of it 3 weeks ago.

Now, for your situation... You need to get to the doctor ASAP!! Bright red blood is ALWAYS a warning sign. However, I believe you said it was bright like a normal period.

I am wondering if you were experiencing a miscarriage, only a doctor will know for sure. But bleeding this long is not at all healthy and should be checked out by your physician.

[decolady]

Tampons are known to cause a potentially deadly disease called toxic shock syndrome. A 35 year old lady at my church just died of it 3 weeks ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
"In the 1970s and 1980s, a number of menstrually related toxic shock syndrome (TSS) deaths in the US and Britain caused panic among tampon users.

The US saw more than 800 cases and 38 deaths in 1980 alone. Studies showed that 71 per cent of the women had been using a brand of **highly absorbent tampons** that had recently come on to the market. The product was removed and the incidence of TSS in America fell to 470 in 1981, with 13 deaths. It has continued to fall steadily since."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
I'm sorry about your friend dying, but MILLIONS of women use tampons each year, and the death rate is so low you can barely count it. More people die from drunk driving, smoking, and unprotected sex.


Toxic shock syndrome is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, (as in staph infection). Researchers suspect that certain types of high-absorbency tampons provide a moist, warm home where the bacteria *could* thrive.

Although TSS usually occurs in menstruating women, it can affect anyone who has ANY type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a bone infection called osteomyelitis.

The bacteria that cause toxic shock syndrome can be carried on unwashed hands and prompt an infection anywhere on the body

It's important to choose tampons with the lowest absorbency that will handle your menstrual flow(I do) and to change the tampons frequently.

Between menstrual periods, it's a good idea to store tampons away from heat and moisture (where bacteria can grow) - for example, in a bedroom rather than in a bathroom closet.

Toxic shock syndrome from staphylococcus starts suddenly with vomiting, high fever (temperature at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit [38.8 degrees Celsius]), a rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting), watery diarrhea, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Within 24 hours, a sunburn-like rash appears. There also may be bloodshot eyes and an unusual redness under the eyelids or inside the mouth (and vagina in females). After that, broken blood vessels may appear on the skin. Other symptoms may include: confusion or other mental changes; decreased urination; fatigue and weakness; thirst; weak and rapid pulse; pale, cool, moist skin; and rapid breathing.

[J_9]

I only use about 1-2 tampons in an entire day

This is what you stated in your original post. That is why I posted about TSS. This is very dangerous practice. A tampon should be changed as often as a pad, or more often. The tampon was made for convenience purposes only.

Your most recent post was amazing, and I hope others can understand and learn from that. However, when I answered you I did not know that you understood that you should change your tampon more often than you do.

Yes, it was in the 70s and 80s, but the risk is still there, and by only changing 1 - 2 times per day you are running that risk.

[Allison from Kansas]

I'm just wondering if you ever figured out what was going on. I am experiencing very similar symptoms.

[samanthalee01]

I am also in the same boat
However my period has been going now for about 3 weeks and my last period went for 2 weeks
On my period before it started I had the depo vera shot
I have the same symptoms but I just want to know myb that has something to do with it