Vacation Tips for Women! :)

[my3princes]

Don't forget to stick a swim chamois in your bag. No need for a towel if you get wet on a ride, splash in the sprinkler or find yourself in a rain storm

http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3385065&kwCatId=&kw=chamios&origkw=chamios&sr=1

We've done this for years with the kids and it takes up so little space

 

[torsie24]

Don't forget to stick a swim chamois in your bag. No need for a towel if you get wet on a ride, splash in the sprinkler or find yourself in a rain storm

We've done this for years with the kids and it takes up so little space

Great idea!!

 

[ckdsnynt]

What a GREAT idea!!!! I always get depressed when I see myself in pictures. I still think I'm a 115 lbs 20 year old, & pictures remind me that I am SO not 20! (And definitely not 115 lbs!!!!) I always cringe when it's time for pics. I will certainly remember this tip in August & I'll conduct my own little "photo shoot."

Amen! I just got my pics back and this really cute blouse that I love made me look 6 months pregnant because it came down too long, was wrinkled and was just too big on me! No wondwer it was so comfortable! Someone in my family should have told me how bad it looked BEFORE I had my pictures made in it! The picture idea is wonderful and I will use this in the future.

 

[RMulieri]

Wow I just read 27 pages!! Some great tips here. For MAKEUP- I found that I use a sunscreen and BE or Make up forever Hi def (depends on the time of year).Lip gloss,blush and mascara.TANNING- I don't tan and slather in sunscreen ( comes with being an oncology nurse and personally having skin cancer 2x) I use the Jergens moisturizer with the tanner in it.As for HAIR-I have been rocking a cute pixie for a few years now.I just air dry, tousle in some wax or clay, spray and out the door I go.It never gets yucky or looks bad.I never bring or use a blowdryer.CLOTHES/ACCESSORIES-The only MUST for me is I bring lots of earrings since that is how I accessorize.Skorts or capris for me, multiple bras( big sisters).I generally wear tevas on my feet. I really want to try the DIVA cup, but I am nervous.I tend to be real heavy( so much so that large tampons don't stay in place long..tmi sorry)

 

[torsie24]

Don't be nervous for the cup, being heavy shouldn't affect it, you just might have to empty it more often.

Try it round the house the first couple of times until you get comfortable with it.

I also love it becuase it's all I have to take on vacation with me incase of an emergency! Without it id have to have a whole bag of products!

 

[RMulieri]

Don't be nervous for the cup, being heavy shouldn't affect it, you just might have to empty it more often.

Try it round the house the first couple of times until you get comfortable with it.

I also love it becuase it's all I have to take on vacation with me incase of an emergency! Without it id have to have a whole bag of products!

I ordered one today...I am so hoping that it works. I go thru a TON of tampons and pads.

 

[Maybelle]

I ordered one today...I am so hoping that it works. I go thru a TON of tampons and pads.

I used the "keeper" which is similar to the Diva cup for a while...I loved it, especially for swimming. I would definately recommend that you bring liners with you though, in case you do have a small leak. And.. yes they can fill and leak, if you tend to be heavy.

I had to stop using my keeper, because I got a UTI and a bladder/kidney infection from it. Something about the way it sat against my urethra and compacts it. I haven't used it sincce except for swimming, when I only have it on for a little while.

I wish I could still use it regularly...it was so convienient!

 

[Manda]

I really want to try the DIVA cup, but I am nervous.I tend to be real heavy( so much so that large tampons don't stay in place long..tmi sorry)

I started using the DivaCup out of desperation because I was so heavy that no pad or tampon was enough. It's an absolute lifesaver for those of us with heavy periods. Really. It was life-changing for me. I couldn't go an hour with a regular product, but I could go 2 to 4 hours at my heaviest time with the DivaCup. I could use it overnight (which was amazing for me), but I had to sorta stand up and go straight to the bathroom when I woke, LOL.

On that note though - ask your doctor about uterine ablation (if you're done having kids). I had it done last summer and it's amazing. I wasn't one of the lucky ones that stops completely, but mine are very, very light now. Barely more than spotting. It was totally worth it.

 

[HarleyMom]

Hello Ladies! I'm Bethany, and I've learned SO much from you all! I'm already hooked on Vera Bradley, Baggallini, Overland Donner, and Crocs from the DIS, but yesterday I found myself driving 30 minutes to the nearest Macy's just because they have a LUSH section there! I ended up buying a Seanik shampoo bar and some Big Calm shower jelly! Can't wait to try them this morning!

I'm also going to be buying the Diva cup 'cause it will save me money! Aunt Flo visits me for 3 out of every 4 weeks, so you can imagine the supplies I go through!

 

[HarleyMom]

On that note though - ask your doctor about uterine ablation (if you're done having kids). I had it done last summer and it's amazing. I wasn't one of the lucky ones that stops completely, but mine are very, very light now. Barely more than spotting. It was totally worth it.

Oh, Manda - you are SO lucky! I had the ablation a little over a year ago, too, and at first, it was great. But now I am back to bleeding at least 3 weeks a month again! Next step for me is hysterectomy, I think! But can't afford it this year so I'll be ordering the Diva!

 

[meanmom121]

I don't want to hear that the ablation stopped working. i had mine a year ago and no period since.

 

[torsie24]

Hi Ladies,

My mum was looking over my shoulder at this thread and saw some of you have had ablation.

She's having it done in a couple of weeks and is understandibly a bit nervous! Any information you guys can share about your experience would really help if you don't mind.

 

[meanmom121]

I was easy breezy - I had ablationand tubes tied and went home before my hour of recovery was even up. I was back at work in 3 day. I was uncomfortable but nothing the pain meds couldn't handle. This was the first surgery I've ever had and I was 46 at the time and it was not a bad experience at all. I wish her well but I think she'll be fine.

 

[Manda]

Hi Ladies,

My mum was looking over my shoulder at this thread and saw some of you have had ablation.

She's having it done in a couple of weeks and is understandibly a bit nervous! Any information you guys can share about your experience would really help if you don't mind.

It was absolutely no big deal. When I woke up in recovery, I had what felt like moderately bad cramps... spiking up to what I would compare with those very early contractions when it hurts, but you're not sure if they are the "real thing", LOL. I was flat on my back and wanted to roll over and curl up a bit. My friend had told me to take any pain meds they offered even if I didn't think I needed it, so I accepted a shot of stadol even though it didn't really feel like it hurt bad enough to need anything like that at that point.

Went home feeling just fine, only tired. Slept for a while. I had period-like bleeding for maybe 24 hours. I thought I was pretty much pain-free and over the whole thing and then way over did it on day 2 and had some cramping (but really - totally my fault). It's easy to forget it's really surgery when there are no visible signs, KWIM? But, really, I was never in any real pain and it was very quick and easy. I'll admit that I'm generally pretty pain tolerant though.

I had two annoying issues out of it. The first is on-going discharge. Most everyone has a very watery discharge for a few days afterwards as the uterus heals. This lasted for over 8 weeks with me. It was very, very annoying. My abdomen was also very bloated for weeks. It looked like I was about 12 weeks pregnant. Also very annoying. I haven't heard of anyone else having that problem though. But I looked like I was pregnant in all my summer pics last year (including my Disney trip family pics ).

My first period after surgery was lighter, but still heavier than I would have liked (I was hoping to be one of the 60% that has complete cessation of bleeding). Over the next several cycles, it lightened each time - and now I basically just have barely more than spotting. Those first weeks were tough when I was annoyed with the side effects and not seeing instant results... but it was totally worth it.

 

[HarleyMom]

It was very easy for me, too. I was put under for anesthesia, and was actually back in my car headed home w/in 45 minutes of waking up. Had some cramping afterwards, but nothing that a couple of ibuprofen couldn't handle. I was very tired for the next couple of days, though, which is probably from the anesthesia.

I had the "hydrothermal" ablation (hot water) and a friend of mine had the Novasure (metal cage). Her results are much better than mine. She just spots for a few days every month. I'm not surprised that my period is back, though, but still not as bad as before. I am bleeding for about 3 weeks a month, but it's nowhere near as heavy (I used to have to change pads/tampons every 30-45 minutes). Now, it's probably about what "normal" is for everyone else, just longer.

But tell your mom not to worry too much! The surgery is a breeze!

 

[Candy30]

What is the Diva Cup? Is it by prescription? Can you buy it at a drug store? This is the first time I have ever heard of this.

"It was life-changing for me. I couldn't go an hour with a regular product, but I could go 2 to 4 hours at my heaviest time with the DivaCup."

I am heavy one too, so I am interested in this.

 

[irky416]

To anyone considering the Diva Cup, just be aware there is a huge learning curve to it. It took me about 6 months to totally get the hang of it, but now I love it! Don't be frustrated if it still isn't working perfectly after your first cycle.

 

[torsie24]

Candy-

http://www.divacup.com/

You justbuy one at your local drug store.

I love love love mine and it only took me a day or two to get the hang of it.

I did have to cut the whole stem off though and round the bit that was left off, as I found that annoying and uncomfortable.

 

[reservations4five]

It was very easy for me, too. I was put coming under anesthesia, and was actually back in my car headed home w/in 45 minutes of waking up. Had some cramping afterwards, but nothing that a couple of ibuprofen couldn't handle. I was very tired for the next couple of days, though, which is probably from the anesthesia.

I had the "hydrothermal" ablation (hot water) and a friend of mine had the Novasure (metal cage). Her results are much better than mine. She just spots for a few days every month. I'm not surprised that my period is back, though, but still not as bad as before. I am bleeding for about 3 weeks a month, but it's nowhere near as heavy (I used to have to change pads/tampons every 30-45 minutes). Now, it's probably about what "normal" is for everyone else, just longer.

But tell your mom not to worry too much! The surgery is a breeze!

I could have written this post. I had the ablation done, in 2003, mine failed. Had a D and C in 2004 and by 2006 I was back to heavy periods and bleeding for 3 weeks at a time. My periods were so bad that I would have to miss work because I would "flood" through everything, wearing super tampons and pads both within a matter of 20 mins. Sorry for the TMI.I was so miserable.

I had my hysterectomy last year and I feel better than I have in years. Honestly I forgot what it was like to have energy and not to have pain from endometriosis. I wish I had skipped the ablation and went for the hysterectomy first, but I had to mourn the loss of my uterus.

I am on HRT low dose.

 

[WillowBelle]

To anyone considering the Diva Cup, just be aware there is a huge learning curve to it. It took me about 6 months to totally get the hang of it, but now I love it! Don't be frustrated if it still isn't working perfectly after your first cycle.

I've been following this thread for a few weeks now. I was able to stop by my local Whole Foods grocery today and pick one up. I hate to hear that it took so many cycles to get the hang of this. I have just one more cycle before we pull out of town. I think this is the first time in my life that I can't wait for my period to start . I am a heavy bleeder and really hoping this cup will make my trip so much more enjoyable. Thanks for the tip!!!