Thanks Carrie and Liz!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Carrie, actually I think I might stay away from that over-the-counter thing you mentioned--I'm afraid I'll fall asleep in the worst of places (I'll be starting a new job soon, prolly)! But I'm really interested in the PIll http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Liz, does putting in a tampon really hurt?? I'm very afraid of that, that's why when I tried inserting one 2 years ago, I chickened out and gave up, LOL. Should I get the Super Absorbency, Light, etc.?? Thanks so much!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

First of all, I really hope no guy tries to stomach this thread. I feel bad for the man that makes the attempt!

Newbie, stay away from Super Absorbency. Start out with the super skinny ones. they're much easier to get in. And no, it should not hurt at all. Never go near the big huge ones unless you have to. Best chances for toxic shock are with those. I'd much rather change my tampon every 3 hours and wear a regular tampon than have one of those big huge ones in there. Plus, they are WAY harder to get in. And the few times I tried one, they were pretty uncomfortable.
You shouldn't feel it at all once it's in there http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif.

Honestly, I was scared of using them too for the longest time. Now I swear by them. I never go near pads anymore. Even for bed. You can wear a tampon for up to 8 hours. They're such a wonderful thing http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif.
Go for it Newbie. Just relax, cause being tense makes it harder. But you'll be fine.

Leslie

LOL Leslie, I edited my first post on this thread (adding a few astericks) so the guys have a few seconds to get out of this, LOL.

Thank you so much for your advice!! Do you have any fave brands, too? I think if I DO get the hang of tampons (hopefully!), I will still stick with pads, for sleeping (since lol, in the summer i sleep at least 10 hours).

Hopefully it won't hurt http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif. Also...my mother is sooo apprehensive about tampons that she won't let me wear them! So I guess I'll have to go buy them on my own without letting her know ?

Also, is there a possiblity of getting the TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome?) from tampons? Thanks!!

Does anyone use them, and if so, do you have any advice and any brands/kinds (i.e., O.B., Tampax, etc.) that you would recommend?

hey newbie,
i recommend playtex slimfits. they are super skinny and come with an applicator making it much easier to go in. also, a friend of mine used to put k-y jelly on the tips of her tampons to make them go in even easier!

feel better! meghan

p.s. just take a deep breath and relax when using a tampon, if your muscles are relaxed it will 100% easier and more comfy too...

Car-
the possibility of TSS is very rare and increases with absorbency. That's why you should always wear the lowest absorbency you can. I personally swear by Tampx Satin Glide regulars. VERY easy to use, hence the "satin" in the name. ha ha

Cramps. Midol makes a formula JUST for cramps--its box has the light green trim and I take double whatever the recommended dosage is.

Also, remember that the cramps can only last so long--like when they are realllly bad I focus on the thought that in an hour, no matter what, they'll be better.

don't take Advil...it makes the cramps worse

Thanks you guys!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

I feel a lot better now, but my stomach still feels very queasy. Anyway, can you believe it that i'm actually looking FORWARD to the dr.'s appt tomorrow??!! Maybe if the Dr. puts me on the Pill I will no longer have to deal with these cramps any longer!!!

Do any of you crave sweets, chocolates, etc. while you're ON your period? I know that most women crave sweets right before (PMS), but I am totally craving ice cream and chocolate right now, LOL. I told my Mom to go pick up some chocolate for me, LOL.

PhisigQT, thanks for the rec!!! Where can I find k-y jelly??? Also, is there a recommended time to when I should change it, if I use the thinnest ones out there?

Amy (or anybody else who can answer this), have you ever tried Playtex Slimfits? What is it like compared to the Tampax Satins? Which one do you think is better for a first-time user like me?

LeslieAGD, actually, I took Advil today and I felt a ton better! It didn't work for you?

Thanks again for all the advice, girls--I'm so glad we have this messageboard http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif!!

newbie--

Your doctor should allow you to go on the bill w/out being 18. From the time my period started, age 11, every doctor I talked to tried to push the pill on me.

If you decide to use the ky jelly, it's ususally by the condoms. Be prepared to answer A LOT of questions if your mom or dad run across it though. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/redface.gif

Definitely Playtex, just say no to cardboard applicators! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif I care about the environment too but this is where I draw the line! My roommate used to swear by OB with NO applicator and let's just say...even at this advanced stage in my life I can't fathom it.

Yeah, if you are going to try the KY thing, you might want to show it to your mom and say "hey mom, this is what I'm using it for..."

I bet my boyfriend is getting queasy right now, solely by virtue of this thread existing. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

LOL you guys.

I KNEW that k-y jelly sounded really familiar...lol.

Thanks SoCalGirl! I wonder if it's expensive to go on the pill? Oh well, I heard it has so many benefits--in addition to the cramps and the obvious, it's also great for our face, too, right (supposedly no more zits!! YAY!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif)?

33girl, so is Tampax cardboard?? And you use the Playtex Slimfits?

Thanks girls http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif! Hopefully the boys/men are smart enough to stay away from this thread http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif.

My boyfriend's usually great with this stuff, but only for a little--for example, he'll bring me chicken soup or chocolate or whatever...but he always goes, "Car--PLEASE SPARE ME THE DETAILS!!!!" Sometimes, unknowningly, I start to tell him what my female troubles are (I don't intend to, it just comes out!), and he get's really grossed out. He says, "Stop! You want chocolate, right? OK, I'll get you some!" LOL


[This message has been edited by newbie (edited June 21, 2001).]

33girl--- im totally w/ you on the plastic vs. cardboard thing. plastic is definately the way to go! it makes things run much smoother.
newbie-- once you get the hang of tampons it's no big deal, i dont even think twice about it anymore. it becomes very routine, and they are so much better than pads, ahhhh, those things make me crazy!
Liz

Hey Liz!!

Actually, pads are actually great (IMHO!). I always use the Ultra Thins from Always!! They are usually great--but of course they don't allow me to go swimming, lOL!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

So if I finally get the hang of tampons, then I can go swimming regardless, and won't have to answer any questions from my guy friends who I usually go swimming with regularly.

Awww, I wanna bond too! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Ok, I have really bad cramps too for the first day, to the point where I can't move either. So I've found my "miracle". I take 3 Aleve and they are gone w/in 10-15 min...sometimes sooner. Also, try laying in the fetus position. This can ease them a little bit. But I'm a (legal) druggie, so I just pop the Aleve! LOL
I also wear tampons and I use O.B w/ the applicator. I would prefer to buy/use the Tampax ALL COTTON ones though (they're supposedly safer cuz they don't have that stuff that causes TSS). However, I can't find them in a lot of the drugstores and when I do, they are pretty costly. So I usually end up w/ O.B. I love tampons. I was a cheerleader in H.S. so tampons were the ONLY way to go for me! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif Hope this helped...everyone gave some really good advice http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

midol has never worked for me, and neither has pamprin. So i just grin and bare it. well not really, it usually puts in a pretty bitchy mood.
Newbie--- i know what you mean. it hurts me too just to move, when i have bad cramps. maybe you should try everyone else's suggestions and check up on that pill??? Hope you feel better soon!!!