Another question about the pill
#184656 - 06/08/05 10:43 AM
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It is supposed to help with painful menstral cramps but I am in A LOT of pain right now. 
Does anyone know how many periods it takes to start lessening the cramps? Soon I hope!
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When I was on the patch (ortho evra), it didn't do a darn thing for my cramps... in fact, I think it made them worse.  I switched to the pill (ortho cyclen) and my cramps are almost nonexistent (and were from the 1st cycle), but my PMS is absolutely HORRIBLE, with bloating and nausea like crazy. I think I'd rather have the cramps! Can't win! LOL
Sorry, I know that wasn't at all helpful!
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Hi Tina,
I found that it actually helped more when I first went onto the pill, and then wore off over time. 
Also, I found that Alesse wasn't as good as the other bcp I was on for helping with cramps. 
Try taking some tylenol AS SOON as you feel that some cramps might be coming on, I found this really helps keeps the cramps away.
Orgasms help too, hee hee. 
Sorry I couldn't be more help!!
**hugs**
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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who will bump up a question about his girlfriend menstrual cramps.
What an angel!! 
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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it lessened cramps for me.. but it took about 3 months I think before it made a noticeable difference.
how long have you been on?
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I think for me it took about 3 months for it to get into my system and then I started noticing a difference.
Eeek....hope you feel better soon!! Use a heating pad, drink some tea and watch reruns of Sex and the City or Buffy the Vampire Slayer!! Hee hee....that's what I do!!
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Ok, I hope it happens next cycle or the one after that. I have loaded up on Advil so I'm ok now. I wish I could be curled up in bed though.
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Only a little over a month so not very long.
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Steph, that's true. Since it's low-dose maybe it's just not as strong as some of the other types. Hmmm...
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I KNOW! Tommy's an awesome guy. 
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Thanks Casey. What that tells me is that different types affect people differently. I am able to tolerate the one I'm on (Alesse) so I don't think I want to try another type. I will wait it out and see if it lessens the pain with time.
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.. and didn't notice any change in my cramps. By the 3rd one, I just gave up and learned that I need to deal with them.
I'm currently on my 4th one because the 3rd one was too expensive when I changed insurances. Will be interesting to see if this new one helps at all.
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- Jennifer
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I took ortho tricylin. I got bigger boobs (gained a few pounds overall) and yes, it took care of my cramps, and it was cool to know the exact day and time I'd get my period. But it was regular dose, not low dose. Been off them for two years almost. I miss the boobs. And so does my husband. 
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I know how you feel. Sometimes advil is the only thing that gets me through the day at that time of the month. Feel better soon!! *HUGS*
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I never found that any of the pills I tried lessened my cramps (I've been on 3 different brands) but have found that taking packs back-to-back helps tremendously because then you don't get a period as often. Maybe that's something you could try if your pain is really bad?
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I used to have terrible pain - but when I went on the pill the pain seemed to subside quite abit.
But then I discovered I have IBS so some of the pain was associated with that. I think you will definitely see a difference. I would talk to your physican and confirm that your issue will be taken care of with the prescription/brand of pill she chooses for you.
PS _ If the pain is completely overwhelming you could have endometreosis (Major spelling issues there) - not to scare you but it may be something you want to check. My sister found out she had endo when she found the pill did NOTHING to lessen cramps. Just a little thought for you!
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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Ugh, menstral cramps are so icky. I hate them!
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Hi Kelly,
I did take my first pack back to back so I didn't get my period for May. It was AWESOME!
Is it safe to take them back to back to not get a period? Maybe I'll ask my doctor. Thanks.
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Lana Marie,
Yes I ahve wondered about endo. My cramps are super bad and have been since I got it. I don't know much about it but maybe I should ask. Is there a test to see if you have it?
Thanks.
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Really? Your boobs got bigger? What a funny side effect! I definitely wouldn't want bigger ones so I hope that doesn't happen to me. 
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Wow, really. So they don't help everyone with cramps then. Hmmmmm.
Thanks and good luck with the 4th try!
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Have you considered something like Depo? I adored it (am now on Implanon instead as I was on Depo for more than 5 years). No periods at all! Absolutely fantastic.
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Yes, but I resonded terribly to every other type of b.c. except for this one so I would most likely not do well with the shot.
I would LOVE no periods!!!!! 
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My sister was told about her endo my her family doctor. I have no idea how they found out or what was involved. But I would call your doctor and inquire as to what needs to take place for you to find out about it.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not endo - my poor sis has been in incredibe pain due to endo! I can't imagine!!!
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Lana_Marie
Proud Mommy to Bentley Taylor
Born May 12, 2004 9lbs, 3oz
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I don't think it happens to everyone, and probably less likely on a low dose. At the time, I didn't mind. Although I do have minor stretch marks, and they weren't even that big!! I was a almost full C, now I'm B.
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It might be worth asking your doc about it anyway. It's a stick they insert under the skin in your arm...it's progesterone only (like Depo) which is why I have it, but it's a lower dose...and it lasts for 3 years. I've had a bit of boob tenderness and some hormonal IBS while my body adjusted to the new dosage and that's it.
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Oh thanks Linz. Yes, that does sound good. I hate having to remember to take the pill. I'll look into it for sure.
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Yes me too. I doesn't seem "right".
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Oh god, I hope I don't have it then.
Poor her!
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Wow, go figure, huh?
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Yes, it's the BEST.
~nelly~
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Oh, I bet!!! 
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Hey Tina,
I've been told by numerous docs (ob-gyns and regular GPs) that it is safe to take it back-to-back, although they differ on how long is ok. I've been told everything from 4 months to a year.
I know it seems strange to not get a period, but it seems to be a fairly commonplace thing now, it's a very common treatment for endometriosis, and a lot of women do it just for conveinance.
That being said, I don't think there have been any long-term studies on the effects of continually skipping your period...that does worry me sometimes. But, I can't stand the pain once a month and it's supposed to keep the endometriosis at bay, so the benefits outweight the risks for me
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When I started the pill over 8 years ago, the only side effects I had were that I lost 5 pounds the first two months and by the fourth month I had gotten a lot larger set of breasts (from a C all the way up to a F/G). Not exactly the results I wanted but at least it took care of my cramping. Now the pill doesn't do anything for the cramps with my IBS, but at least my doctor lets me take the pill packs back to back for two months and then I have a period. Course I am hoping to switch to take the pill packs for 4 months straight and then the period, but we have to get the insurance company to agree. Who knows how long that will take, my last request took about 5 months to work through the system.
Michelle
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When I asked about whether or not it was safe to piggyback birth control packets, this is what the doc told me...
He said that it IS safe to skip your period, but that you have to have at least 4 periods a year because otherwise you become a high risk for osteoperosis (sp??).. I had no idea it had ANYTHING to do with that, but that's what he said.
When I was piggybacking in the UK, it was really nice to only get a period every 2 months (that's how I did it), BUT my period cramps were way worse.. it's like they built up!
I'd be careful on Alesse because since it is low dose, sometimes your body just decides it's period time anyway. I remember I tried to piggyback Alesse once years ago because I didn't want to have my period which I was camping so I was only going to take one extra week (my doc then told me I couldn't take 2 whole packs in a row) to delay it for that week. Rather than not getting a period, I just got a light period for the week I took the extra pills AND for the following week.. it sucked.
If you do it with Alesse, I'd be extra extra sure to take it at the exact same time every day.
Cheers!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Ditto Vicam
#185155 - 06/09/05 11:12 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I haven't had a period since Aug 99. I'm 34 now, and since then my debilitating endo has dissappeared as a result. I'd never go back to having periods. I can't even remember what it was like to bleed every month. Ugh. Some people say it's comforting to get your period. I look at them like they're from MARS. Comforting?? Are we talking about the same thing??
Anyway, it's a personal choice if you decide you want to bleed every month. Just get all the info up front and make an informed decision!
~nelly~
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Lol, yeah, I actually switched pills at one point that month my boobs got even bigger. Like, overnight, I swear. My bras didn't fit! Went away by the second month though. I asked my husband "Tim, are you seeing this?" and he was like "Aww, yeah!"
Oh well, I'm happy with my size now. I guess I could wear the tube tobs and such everyone wants to fit in but I'd NEVER wear them without a bra! I'm paranoid about being bouncy or having THO!
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Wow Nelly, you've gone that long without having a period? Do you have any problems with it? I can't find a doctor willing to tell me it's ok to go longer than a year, even though I'd love to never have one again! Some docs have even told me it's bad to go that long because if you accidentally get pregnant you won't know as soon as you would otherwise, and then you'll pump the fetus full of BC hormones
Do you not find you get any breakthrough bleeding at all? I find after about 6 months my body starts fighting with me and trying to have a period, and that's when I give up and take a break from the pill.
Glad to hear it's working for you
Kelly
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Wow, thanks for all that info Steph.
I won't bother trying to skip a period. I skipped last month's and this one had definitely been HORRENDOUS! I left work at noon yesterday and slept from 4pm - 8:45. Then I went back to be at 9:30 and slept until 7am this morning.
B.c. pills are a bit of a pain in the butt, aren't they?
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Thanks Kelly! I will bring all this up with my doc but I ahve a feeling that missing my period alst month is what made this month's cramps horrendous. No thanks.
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Nelly
#185349 - 06/10/05 06:22 AM
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Wow, no period for several years! And your doc says it's ok.
So you have endo, how was it dosgnosed, Nelly?
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Tina
#185352 - 06/10/05 06:27 AM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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I haven't had a period for years either....I HATE periods. And I get way fewer migraines than I used to before going on Depo (the migraines is why I needed a progesterone only bc in the first place).
Going back to having periods when we decide to start a family is going to be SOOOOO annoying! I love being like this.
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Re: Ditto Vicam
#185356 - 06/10/05 06:34 AM
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melitami
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1213
Loc: Ewing, NJ, USA (IBS-D, Vegetarian)
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I've been on depo for a year and a half, and I've only had 1 period in that time, and that was because I got my shot later in the two week window you have to get it. I get my shot in the beginning of the two weeks I can get it, and I don't get my period at all. I've had no problems other than that!
Granted I know when January roles around, they're going to want to take me off the depo because of long term use health risks....but honestly being on depo has helped so much in getting me IBS stable not to mention I'm not incapacitated at least one day a month now!
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Wow, it must rule to NOT have periods! And yes, it will be ahrd for you to get them again.
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Thanks for sharing. I know not having a period would make me more stable IBS-wise too!
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Quote:
I will bring all this up with my doc but I ahve a feeling that missing my period alst month is what made this month's cramps horrendous. No thanks.
I used to have my period every 9 weeks because of the cramps, but have recently stopped as I suspect it is the cause of some recent weight gain. But while I was doing it, I noticed my cramps were double the amount of pain. However, I figured having double the pain once every 9 weeks was well worth it! I missed less work that way, too..
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- Jennifer
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I have endometriosis. My doc has had me taking my pill continuously for the last 2 years. My last period was in February of 2003. This helps me TREMENDOUSLY because I no longer get cramps, but some day I will have to let myself get my period (if I ever want kids - i will have to go off the pill). I fear what my period will be like then. My doc tells me not to worry, but of course I still do....
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>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<
Michelle
IBS-A, pain predominant
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So I might be right to believe that my extreme cramps could be from missing a period. Thanks. LOVE your new pic!
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Wow, there are a lot of you that take the pill continuously.
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Re: Ditto Vicam
#185449 - 06/10/05 10:27 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I'm on the depo shot every three months, and as long as I don't miss a shot, I don't get any breakthrough bleeding. I take an EPT test every time I get a shot (and I'm not interested in having children), and there have been no pregnancies.
In fact the only thing is a little weight gain which I LOVE since I've been off the chart underweight my whole life!
I too can't take estrogen (migraines, bleeding every day of the month, severe cramping). So estrogen-based pills, etc. don't help me one bit with the endo, ovarian and uterine cysts, etc., unf. But I love depo dearly!! I actually waited years for depo to be approved in this country so I could take it. So glad it's worked for me when everything else has failed!!!!!!
~nelly~
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Endo diagnosis
#185457 - 06/10/05 10:44 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I didn't get my period until I was 14, and it was excrutiatingly painful. I was bedridden for a week each time, and I had ripping pains which feel like 1000 fishhooks in my uterus, with strings pulling DOWN. I was diagnosed with endo when I had an ovarian cyst burst (the first time I was 14, the second time when I was 16). The pain was unbelievable, and I was screaming on the hospital floor holding my left side for hours in my hospital room. They gave me ONE ADVIL for the pain. Yeah, don't get me started.
They saw on my sonograms that I had cysts on both overies and detected tissue forming around my uterine wall on the wrong side. I could have had surgery to explore and scrape it off, but my mother put her foot down and we collectively refused to have me cut open.
So they started treating me with bc pills. We quickley grew tired of American doctors (they're only good for research, I say). As there were only 14 different kinds of bc pills approved of in the US and I took all the orthos, plus the minipill, we turned our attention overseas to France where my family is, and there are over 100 bc pills on the market. Some were better then others, but after a month or 2, the symptoms would come back: bleeding every day of the month, migraines spliting my skull and making me want to claw my eyes out, and cramping. Plus every gut pain made my IBS-D worse (tho I didn't know what IBS was at the time).
So flash forward to when I'm 22. I start on the depo, first for a year, then with a break, then for another year, and I realize my quality of life is so much better while I'm "on the shot." At age 28, I decide I'm going to go for it and do it full time, and voila! Here I am today! No endo, no headaches, no pms, and no blood.
I'm under several doctors' supervision (GI, Gyn, GP), and I get bone density tests and take calcium supplements (which I love because they constipate me!). I get my calcuim, magnesium and iron levels checked and do bloodwork, urinilasis and liver and renal function tests every 6 months. Normal, touch wood.
I can't think of my life with my period and associated problems now!!! I'd have to give up a lot to go back to bleeding every month, and I am so not interested!
~nelly~
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To MCV
#185461 - 06/10/05 10:50 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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I'm in the same boat and have skipped my periods since Aug 99. I'm under a doc's supervision, and my bones are fine so it can be done. The only side effect (not even a bad one for me!!! ) is I've gained enough weight to put me at a bmi of 19.
Enjoy the period free life! I know I do!
~nelly~
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Nelly
#185467 - 06/10/05 10:57 AM
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MCV
Reged: 01/04/05
Posts: 740
Loc: Manchester, NH
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I LOVE not having a period! I wish all women could do this! I've spoken with my doc at length and I am comfortable with taking the pill continuously now. The only thing that worries me is how my body is going to react when I DO get my period someday - but that day is far off, so I'm not TOO worried! Thanks for your input. Glad to know there are others out there going through the same types of issues....
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>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<
Michelle
IBS-A, pain predominant
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Re: Nelly
#185472 - 06/10/05 11:01 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Ditto to you! I'm so glad we can talk to each other about this stuff. It helps knowing somebody who's going through the same thing I am! {{{{HUGS!!}}}
~nelly~
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Thanks for the thorough explanation nelly.
I have had ovarian cysts, but none that have ruptured. Actually, that's not true. One of my ultra sounds showed that one has ruptured the night before or something.
Question - do you want kids?
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Re: Endo diagnosis
#185484 - 06/10/05 11:24 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Nope, don't want kids. I don't see that life for myself. I'm very much against (in my case) spreading all the genetic difficulties that plague both sides of my family and culminate in me. I'm very pro-family and pro-choice, and I'm active in my brother's kid's life. Kids in general are great, as long as they're not mine. But I don't even get maternal around my dog.
~nelly~
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- Jennifer
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Hey, I definitely DON'T want kids either! I also adore my brothers kids~!
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Re: Endo diagnosis
#185492 - 06/10/05 11:41 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Aren't OTHER people's kids great??
~nelly~
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Oh ya, as long as my time with them is limited... he he
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Re: Endo diagnosis
#185495 - 06/10/05 11:46 AM
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Nelly
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
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Heh heh. Me too. When I get the urge to throw them out the window, I know I've stayed too long!!
~nelly~
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ha ha YES! I have them both come up for a weekend in the summer. I've only done it twice now. Both times by Sunday am, I was so exhausted that my parents have called and asked if they should come pick them up. They live an hour and a half away. Both times I said "YES PLEASE!"
Not sure if they'll come this summer though? They used to love swimming in my apt. pool which I don't have anymore. But they're both super adorable and I love them to death!
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