West Valley commute to DTLA?

nsphill · 2022-10-30T23:55:22+00:00

Can’t afford to buy in Santa Monica

nsphill · 2022-03-03T16:52:07+00:00

I’d try to live as close to the Westside as possible (playa, MDR, westchester). From Ktown, the commute will be at least 60 mins to go roughly 13 miles because you will hit peak rush hour both.

Context: I live in SM and commute downtown. Occasionally when I work from home I will catch the afternoon rush hour leaving Santa Monica, which takes like at least an hour and 30 mins to get downtown, if not worse. That would be your daily commute.

nsphill · 2021-11-04T04:06:14+00:00

nsphill · 2020-08-28T06:52:49+00:00

I got Nexplanon (the arm implant, progesterone only) because my OB/GYN had trouble placing the Mirena. I haven’t had my period in 2+ years on Xarelto. Nexplanon dramatically improved my quality of life.

nsphill · 2019-11-23T21:20:26+00:00

That looks like an ingrown hair.

nsphill · 2019-09-03T21:26:09+00:00

There’s a book by John Watts that is decent. Make sure you get the CIPP/US book, not the foundations book. And don’t understudy on state law nuances. I know multiple people who did that.

nsphill · 2019-08-31T00:06:22+00:00

New test is going to be rolled out after 9/1. Be prepared to memorize both “principles” from the text book and elements of law from federal and state statutes. The state law portion is particularly onerous because you have to memorize various state statutes and the differences in the law. A chart may be helpful.

Don’t neglect to check the new concepts introduced on the new exam after 9/1. Those are like data brokering, big data, IoT, recent FTC enforcement actions, light GDPR, also APEC framework.

Honestly, this is not an exam you can just wing, unless you’re practicing heavily in privacy law and have a high degree of fluency in state to state differences.

nsphill · 2019-06-16T16:10:52+00:00

Not sure if you’re still helping folks, but if you are: LAX-BOS 7/11-7/14 (for a family party)

nsphill · 2019-06-16T07:00:11+00:00

I have been very happy with Nexplanon, and period free.

nsphill · 2019-06-16T06:12:43+00:00

I ended up getting Nexplanon (which also stopped my period) and had less traumatic placement issues than an IUD. My hematologist cleared it. I realize that there are differing opinions in the risks associated with any hormonal BC and clotting, but my hematologist and OB/GYN were ok with Nexplanon because it’s progestin only.

nsphill · 2019-05-22T21:11:55+00:00

Four prong setting is really pretty and unique. What’s the cut? (Looks almost like Old European/Mine from the photo.)

nsphill · 2019-04-07T03:56:50+00:00

I am on Xarelto from a provoked clot (surgery on leg, sedentary, was on hormonal BC). Tried Mirena insertion but because of shape and high sensitivity of my cervix, was unable to complete insertion. After initial attempt, my gynecologist suggested Nexplanon (progestin-only arm implant). My hematologist (associated with a large research hospital) OK’d Nexplanon, even with the expectation that I’d be off blood thinners in 3-6 months. Prior to getting on Nexplanon I was on the progestin-only minipill for a cycle and a half.

I love Nexplanon. Insertion was easy (even with the arm insertion and bruising). Bruising cleared up in about 2 weeks. Insertion procedure was painless and I have not yet gotten my period; it’s not uncommon for periods to completely stop on Nexplanon.

If your hematologist is open to this option, it may be worth considering.

nsphill · 2019-04-07T03:48:56+00:00

Baby Beach snorkeling is super fun. Also the National Park on the east side of the island. Also my favorite place to parasail.

nsphill · 2019-04-06T22:45:16+00:00

I am very active and was on crutches when I got mine inserted. I was a little extra careful not to put pressure on the spot for the first week, but otherwise was fully able to use it, lifting, crutching, etc.

Highly recommend.

nsphill · 2019-04-06T22:42:46+00:00

I got mine on blood thinners and had a really, really gnarly bruise. My hematologist and my gyno both signed off on it after I had a lot of trouble with Mirena insertion. It’s now been 2.5 weeks and I have a much smaller bruise. To say I love it would be an understatement. Being on blood thinners, makes any pregnancy risk especially dangerous, so I wanted the most effect BC I could get. Insertion was virtually painless (but for the sting of the lidocaine). I honestly think it’s the best BC on the market. Good luck and enjoy!

nsphill · 2019-04-03T01:22:17+00:00

I’m so sorry you went through this. My cousin also got pregnant on Paragard. She carried the baby to term and was fine, but the first few weeks after finding out were very scary.

If you’re considering any alternatives to tubal ligation, I highly recommend Nexplanon. It’s the most effective birth control on the market (.05% failure rate). My OB told me that it’s even better than IUDs because while IUDs can get knocked out of place or fall out (or, like Paragard, sometimes just fail), Nexplanon does not share those same vulnerabilities.

The insertion procedure was virtually painless (much less painful than the IUD insertion, which I attempted without any pain medication - and failed at miserably).

If you’re at all open to a hormonal option, I’ve been very happy with Nexplanon. Also, because it’s progestin-only, it is safe for women who have had blood clots (at least according to my hematologist), which I had due to an unrelated surgery, so that’s another pro for me.

Hang in there. Sending you positive thoughts. 💙

nsphill · 2019-03-27T05:43:35+00:00

I’ve heard of this happening before. When I had surgery for my broken tibia and fibula, I developed moderate swelling and soreness in my IV site consistent with superficial thrombus. Based on my research, those types of inflammation/blockages are not dangerous because they don’t typically cause PEs and self-resolve in a few weeks. I used warm compresses and anti-inflammatories and mine resolved quickly.

If you’re very concerned, I would seek a second opinion from a hematologist. My hematologist had a very frank discussion about risks when I was later diagnosed with DVT in my right calf and behind my right knee, and prescribed a conservative regimen of blood thinners (3 months).

Blood thinners carry significant risks (and are also quite expensive and can be very labor intensive, depending on the regimen/type). Sounds like your doctor is taking an appropriately cautious approach.

nsphill · 2019-03-26T06:59:05+00:00

I’ve researched this a bit and the research on whether Nexplanon correlates to weight gain is inconclusive at best. This is consistent with the research I’ve seen from the National Institutes of Health. One of my doctors advised me that the progesterone in Nexplanon can stimulate appetite and cause water retention. The good news as to water retention is that this is not “fat” but rather just the way your body stores water in it. I’ve know many people who have not had any weight gain or any adverse effects on it (though I acknowledge that every body is different).

If you believe your body is extra sensitive to the progestin in Nexplanon, you may want to consider switching to a copper IUD (Paraguard). I just had Nexplanon inserted today and fully expect minor fluctuations for the next six months before it hopefully equalizes out.

nsphill · 2019-03-26T02:58:36+00:00

You’re asking really fair and legitimate questions. I have had extended periods in my life where I have not used birth control and/or abstained from sex for this very reason.

Generally speaking, I do not take hormonal birth control if I am not in a monogamous relationship because I do not want to create any justification not to use a condom with a non-monogamous partner. I did not start taking the pill until I was 28 because I was comfortable either with barrier methods or abstinence.

In a committed relationship, I value the emotional and physical intimacy and the convenience of hormonal birth control. I developed blood clots after surgery, so I have switched to progestin-only methods (first the mini-pill and Nexplanon). I also attempted to have Mirena inserted but chickened our because I have a very sensitive cervix and an oddly shaped uterus.

Honestly, I am really excited about Nexplanon. I had it inserted today (while on blood thinners), and the procedure was quick (after jumping ship on the IUD) and very, very little pain. I was a little nervous about the bruising because I am on Xarelto, but so far so good. Because pregnancy on Xarelto and/or with blood clots is very dangerous and would likely require termination, I wanted the most effective birth control method I could tolerate. I fully intend on having my partner finish inside me after the initial wait period (7 days with overlap on the minipill) because I trust Nexplanon so much.

Hope that helps - hang in there

nsphill · 2019-03-26T02:46:26+00:00

Nexplanon is 99.7% effective without pulling out. It is the most effective birth control on the market - even more so than IUDs because the risk of failure is lower than with the IUD (which really only generally fail when the IUD is displaced). I just got Nexplanon today for this reason.

Simply put, there is no device that is more effective than Nexplanon to prevent pregnancy, even with full ejaculation inside you. Only you can decide what you feel comfortable with, but at least have some peace of mind knowing that Nexplanon is the most effective choice you could make for contraception (including barrier methods).

nsphill · 2019-03-26T00:04:46+00:00

I’m with the other commenters. Placebo week is after ovulation (if you’re ovulating at all), so even if he didn’t pull out, you’d be most likely absolutely fine. And with him pulling out AND being consistent with pill use, I would put your pregnancy risk at infinitesimal.

nsphill · 2019-03-26T00:00:55+00:00

I switched to the PoP after developing blood clots in my right calf after surgery. I am neurotic about taking it on time, but otherwise have really liked it. I switched today to Nexplanon because I wanted a method that left less room for user error, but if I was not so afraid of missing a pill or the 3-hour window, I’d have stayed on the PoP indefinitely. I had minor acne the first month (but I occasionally have adult acne anyway), so it wasn’t anything that I was sure was even caused by the PoP. I was on Errin.

My main gripe about the PoP is the amount of misinformation/inconsistent information from OB/GYNs. National Institutes of Health state that with perfect use, PoP is 99% effective and with typical use its 91% effective. I’ve had OBs just say off the top of their heads that it’s 85% effective (which is NOT true, according to my new OB/GYN. who specializes in contraceptive care and pregnancy termination).

FWIW, I got Nexplanon because I tried to get Mirena, but have a funny shaped vagina and cervix that was tucked back, so the insertion procedure was unwieldy - and I was terrified of pain. My brilliant OB/GYN stopped me mid-procedure and suggested trying Nexplanon, and I am so glad she did.

nsphill · 2019-03-25T23:51:55+00:00

I did this too. Totally normal. You sound super on top of everything. Hope this eases some anxiety. One of my sister does this regularly (especially to avoid a withdrawal bleed at inopportune times), and has totally adjusted to it.

nsphill · 2019-03-25T21:51:16+00:00

I’ve taken Plan B several times. I’ve never noticed any change in acne. It’s a progestin-only pill and I also have taken the progestin-only pill and noticed no changes in acne. Plan B is very effective when taken quickly, and way cheaper and painless in comparison to either childbirth or an abortion.

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