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Post by updowns on Jan 20, 2005 7:22:18 GMT -5
As you may have read, Sarah has started her periods. Well, we are now on Day 4 and it's not fun anymore  Sarah is coping quite well with changing the pads herself when prompted, so that isn't the problem. Ever since Monday she has been begging me to let her go swimming (she has swimming 3 times a week) and I have explained over and over and over again that she can't while she has her period and it is NOT going down well. Today is swimming club and from the time she came home yesterday to when she left for school this morning she has begged to go swimming. God Bless her determination and persistence - she woke at 7 and the bus collected her at 8 and for the entire hour (in between mouthfuls of breakfast) she persisted "Pleaaaaasssseee, please let me go swimming", "No it's finished" (period that is - and actually it has become quite heavy), "Mairin (her teacher) said we have swimming club today" and on and on and on and on and on.................. By the time she left for school I was ready to go back to bed - had my quota of stress for the day! Please tell me it gets better?  Any tips??? What about drink or drugs (for me that is!) ? One tired, stressed and actually premenstrual momma Stella |
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Post by Pat on Jan 20, 2005 9:40:21 GMT -5
Well, I started at the same age, so I learned about OB Tampons w/o the applicator. They now have it with the applicator but I still prefer w/o. They do not need to be changed as frequently as many of the others and they have different sizes.
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 20, 2005 11:05:03 GMT -5
Gosh,  I don't know what to say. I can't really imagine having to help her with tampons. I just don't know. Can you talk to your doc about possible other options? I know some talk about those Depo shots and stuff like that. I know nothing about it all with girls w/DS. Hugs to you! I agree, maybe a drink and a nap would help ya! LOL A. |
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Post by Cbean on Jan 20, 2005 12:50:37 GMT -5
I don't know anything about this so my suggestion might be dumb. Could you come up with something special that you could do alone with Sarah during these special times to compensate for her loss of pool time? Now on the way home from Emily's first ortho appointment, my nerves were shot and made husband stop at liquor store. LOL! My drink of choice that night: Malibu and Coke. Malibu is a coconut flavored rum and tastes great in icy cold Coca-Cola. Perhaps my second suggestion will be considered more than the first. LOL! Sending lots of sympathy and hugs to you girl! I hope the next twelve years go slowly! Great to be a girl! LOL!
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Post by updowns on Jan 20, 2005 14:23:22 GMT -5
Pat, thanks for the suggestion but I really don't think Sarah would cope with tampons and I certainly don't want to insert them for her! I know it would enable her to go swimming and I use them myself but just can't see it happening with Sarah. A will probably talk to Doc but don't think I'd want to use the pill or depo as she is just too young for that in my eyes. A and Christine - I agree - alcohol might be the best solution  Stella |
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Post by PaigesMom on Jan 20, 2005 17:31:59 GMT -5
Stella, I'm not sure if this will help much, but I know a mom who has a now 14 year old and she got her period at around the age of 12. The same thing happened. She loved to swim and she is also in special olympics. The mom taught her how to use tampons. She said it was not easy and took about 6 months - the first two just helping her and the rest, monitoring her, inserting and changing them. After that she was fine.
I dont envy you - I dread this and I cant imagine helping my daughter insert tampons, but I guess it's something I'd better try and prepare myself for sooner than later.
Good luck!!
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Post by Emilysmom on Jan 20, 2005 18:04:53 GMT -5
Stella~
First of all, I must say that I remember these same feelings SO well. I think I worried too much about how Emily would handle everything. She started 2 years ago....when she was just 11!!! Of all the things for her to be the FIRST in her class to do.....this was not what I had hoped it would be! However, like absolutely everything else that Emily has been faced with in her life, she has managed just fine.....it just took longer for her to get comfortable with it all.
So far, it sounds like Sarah is way ahead of the game! Emily wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with changing pads or even looking at them for months.
During that time, I checked into different options, and we even tried a low dosage of birth control pills (she took them every day for a month, rather than taking a week off), and that did NOT work!! We then talked to the doctor at the Ds clinic about Depo provera shots and he said there were too many possible negative side effects, and it was really not a good option for a child Emily's age. He suggested that we just help her in any way we could to get through it, and to let her experience this very normal part of life. And, so far......it is working out well. Does she like it?? LOL oh NO. But, after monthly (yes, reminders every single month) talks, she now realizes that there are simply some things she can't do for a few days each month. (Swimming is the only thing that she misses during those 3 days). I would not consider tampons for her at this age, due to the risks of her forgetting to remove one (toxic shock, etc), not to mention that I think she would HATE the feel of it at this point in her life.
Emily is pretty fortunate....she has only had cramps once, she doesn't get very bloated, so far no acne, and only has about 3 heavy days. However, she gets a BIG case of PMS. Sigh.
I'm not sure if this helps or not, but I remember wanting so much to find a way for Emily to ESCAPE the whole experience........and it's really not been that bad at all.
Susan
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Post by updowns on Jan 20, 2005 19:27:55 GMT -5
Thanks guys. Susan - that's it exactly - I want to take it all away Still don't want to try tampons, apart from the indignities I would also be concerned about toxic shock, especially as it is too easy to forget to take one out. Sigh..... guess it's all gonna take time seeing as I can't take it all away. I'm gonna dread this every month for a long time I feel. Thanks for listening to me guys, I was really stressed this morning (lol, like you didn't notice!). |
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Post by christie on Jan 20, 2005 19:51:07 GMT -5
Awwwww STELLA girl HUGS to you. I agree Tampons at this age Hmmmm NOPE I wouldn't do it not even for swimming lessons  SARAH will do fine I am sure in time, this is all soooo new for her. Only thing I can think of is what else does Sarah love to do??? Any chance she can do that on the days she can't swim?? BEST of Luck girl and not for nothing BUT this is one of those times I am glad Chris is a BOY ;D For now how about some Irish Coffee  LOLOL OMG do my eyes see this right, SUSAN aka Missing in Action YEA SUSAN sooooo glad to see you posting girl ;D ;D ;D CC ~ |
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 20, 2005 20:35:14 GMT -5
Also, keep in mind that Sarah won't always bleed HEAVY and every day heavy... so, maybe down the line, who knows, a year or what ever, she will have some "lighter" days, maybe towards the end of her period and she can go in the water. Because we usually DON"T bleed once we hit water! Our bodies usually will not bleed while swimming... but right now, since she is heavy and new to it, I'd say wait. But you never know about later on... she could do some swimming! **I just went to google to see if there were alternatives to tampons and well, they are all internal items so I didn't find a good option for you But what i did read from some "ask the doc" type of forum is that you DON"T stop bleeding while in the water. WHO KNEW! I stop and I have heard that others do too, so maybe we are all wrong? LOL (sorry for the TMI heehee) A. |
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Post by Emilysmom on Jan 20, 2005 21:07:32 GMT -5
That is definitely true A!!! And we have taken advantage of that many many times.
I just thought of this Stella......Emily received a little booklet at school that describes this whole process in very easy to understand terms. I could send it to you if you want. Em and I read it together, and she was actually very interested in it. At the end of the book, one portion of it suggested that girls do not need to talk to boys about this whole process. I asked Emily if she ever needs help with it at school, and she said no. I asked her IF she needed help, which teacher would she ask. The girl cracks me up.....she thought for like a second and then grins and says "MR David Fox"??????? (the vice principal). I think she quickly thought "hmmmmmm...who is the most INappropriate person I can say and mess with Mom's mind"???????
Trust me....it WILL get easier.
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Post by rickismom on Jan 22, 2005 13:22:20 GMT -5
Ricki hasn't been blessed yet with a period, but as a nurse I can say that hormones are certainlt NOT called for. And I think that ALL girls regret giving up swimming-- and not everyone uses tampons,either. I would certainly worry about toxic shock and infections.
I think that she just has to learn that this is part of growing up. And I think that it is DOUBLY important to emphasize the good-- that she is growing up, funcioning in a normal healthy way, etc, and be sure not to pass on any of our fears or aggrevation. For that reason alone, I would veto tampons. Let her become as independent as possible, and when she is managing pads happily and reliably, THEN (when she is independent AND OLDER), you can ask her if she wants help to learn to use tampons (if you are by then so inclined). (SHE may deside that do to the lack of privacy it isn't worth it.)
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Post by Alice on Jan 22, 2005 14:14:40 GMT -5
Stella,
I do not have a daughter and I do not have that experience to deal with "my" daughter periods' issue, but I have own experience as a woman.
I see that you are already given of lots of good suggestions, and I only want to put my 2 cents to what you have now.
I would explain to Sarah that ALL women have periods every month and they ALL gave up lots of things and sure swimming. She should know that she is not only one who needs to give up swimming while she is having her period.
Hope things will be much better for you and Sarah.
Hugs,
Alice
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Post by updowns on Jan 24, 2005 18:00:52 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. Well it has finally come to an end - 7 days!! Apart from the swimming argument Sarah actually coped very well and I am very proud of her. Unfortunately, swimming is in school time so I can't do something else with her at that time but in future I think we will do something special that week to make up for no swimming. I have of course emphasised the positive i.e. that she is growing up, just like mom - wow isn't that great! etc. etc. She did get fed up after a couple of days when the novelty wore off but hey, who doesnt??? I have explained that this happens every four weeks but don't know if she has grasped that - guess she'll soon find out!!!! All in all, considering I dreaded this moment for years I think we have come thru ok  Thanks again for all your advice. Stella |
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Post by christie on Jan 24, 2005 20:27:13 GMT -5
Awww STELLA girl Glad to hear SARAH did so well ;D It should get easier and easier each time Was just thinking girl, since the swimming is done during school, could they maybe on the days Sarah can't swim have her do a special kind of project or something?? Just a thought Maybe the four weeks time can be a good calendar project, you know X off the next time its due, so she will be prepared. Have to share with you Christopher's new thing these days. We mark his calendar that hangs in his room with the days that special things are happening and each day we cross off the day to see that the event is getting closer. Well Mr. IMPATIENT, LOLOL now goes to his room and just X's off ALL the days to the date of the event at once and says YEA lets go. ROFLMAO If only it could work that way CC ~ |
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Any tips??? What about drink or drugs (for me that is!)
I don't know what to say. I can't really imagine having to help her with tampons. I just don't know. Can you talk to your doc about possible other options? I know some talk about those Depo shots and stuff like that. I know nothing about it all with girls w/DS. 
&
Susan, Proud mom of Michael (32), Justin (25) Emily (22ds), and Jordan (20).
LOLOL
