Pad and tampon

Does anyone else use a tampon and pad at the same time? On heavy days I have to if I don't want to continuously buy new underwear. My friends think this is crazy, but the first two days or so, I have to change the OB Ultra tampon every hour. Often I can't get away every hour, so I use the pad as a safety guard.
I'm 32 and have always had a super heavy period (all women in my family do), so I never thought anything about it... Until my friends acted like I was dying! Anyway, I'm curious if others have to do this....