Teenage girl, 16, left in a coma with 50/50 chance of survival after taking ‘Red Skull’ ecstasy pill at Glasgow concert
Shannon Henderson, 16, was told her vital organs were beginning to shut down and says it's only thanks to the quick-thinking of her friends and medics that she survived
A TEENAGE girl was left in a coma with a 50/50 chance of survival after she took a "Red Skull" ecstasy pill at a concert.
Shannon Henderson, 16, was told her vital organs were beginning to shut down and says it's only thanks to the quick-thinking of her friends and medics that she survived.
The schoolgirl, from Loanhead, Midlothian, has frankly spoken of her ordeal to make people aware of the dangers of taking drugs as the nation prepares for the festive party season.
Writing in a Facebook post, Shannon explained she was a "very lucky girl" and apologised to her family and friends for what she put them through.
The teenager had been at dance DJ Oliver Heldens' gig at Glasgow's SECC last Thursday when says she took half a "Red Skull" pill, which she claims she had tried before.
But she claims that after 15 minutes she felt something in her mouth and spat it out.
Believing it was half the pill she had consumed, she took the other half, but after 10 minutes she collapsed.
"I woke up in hospital not a clue why or how I was here... there were wires and tubes everywhere with drips, getting my blood taken, a tube down my throat, and I had oxygen tubes.
"I don't remember much as I had been put under a coma as I had 50/50 chance of surviving as my organs were shutting down.
"If I went home and slept I would no longer be here."
She thanked two girls that helped her out the crowd to her friends, who were able to give all her details to paramedics before she was taken to hospital.
Shannon says she was taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary but because it was full she ended up in intensive care at the Royal Alexandra Paisley and praised the staff for their care.
"I can't say thanks enough to them as they kept me alive," she continued.
"I was over heating so they had to put ice all over me to keep me cool, they also sent me for a brain scan to see if there was any damage to my brain but I was very lucky that there wasn't.
"I was being watched 24/7 making sure things where still working.
"I was constantly getting blood and ECG scans taken which was draining as I was having to wake up at 12am and 6am.
"On the Saturday morning the doctor told me my results; they weren't happy with the blood which based around my kidneys as they kept going up, it was sitting up at 1000 and should of been under 200.
"Something was also wrong with my muscles so I was having to see a cardiologist on the Sunday."
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Shannon remained in hospital for four days while medics ensured her brain, heart and kidneys hadn't been damaged.
She added: "They did say I was one lucky girl as there was slim chances of surviving on the Thursday night.
"I am very lucky not to be left with brain damage, liver damage, kidney damage and the list goes on.
"This has made me realise how dangerous drugs are.
"We all say 'aww it won't happen to me' - I was one of they people and look what happened.
"I have definitely learnt my lesson and will not be ever going near them again."
And Shannon finished her Facebook post by warning: "I hope you's take this and really think about doing drugs.
"I can't thank enough the amount of support I have been getting from my family and friends especially my mum and dad who have been driving through each day to keep me company and well.
"I am really really sorry to everyone for making them worry for my stupidity.
"I can't be sorry enough it was my own fault but I managed to pull through."
Her mum Edith Henderson told the that she isn't proud of Shannon for taking drugs but is happy she's trying to warn others off them.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “I am not in the least bit proud of what my daughter did but I’m thankful she is alive.
"One thing I am proud of is the courage my daughter had to write this. Love you Shannon Henderson.
“No one’s perfect. We all learn by our mistakes.”
Shannon's warning comes after a 19-year-old girl died after taking ecstasy at a sell-out rave in Manchester.
Lauren Atkinson's devastated dad paid tribute to her in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing: "As parents we were blessed to have a daughter who touched so many. And was loved by everyone. The world has lost one amazing girl.”
It comes a month after police warned over a poisonous wave of MDMA tablets following the death of a 19-year-old woman at Newcastle's Warehouse 34.
A recent report claimed that females are at greater risk from MDMA because of the hormones in their body.
The Global Drugs Survey said that the past three years have seen a four-fold increase in women seeking emergency care after taking ecstasy.
It also warned that today’s pills were stronger than ever.
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