Hi guys,
Please give me some hope. My husband and I attended the class giving instructions on injections this week. We had hoped to start the process soon. I am now terrified of the needles. What is it like giving yourself these injections? Do they hurt? Does the progesterone hurt more than the others? Will I ever get used to them? My nerves are bad. I just don't see how I'll get through it.
Concerned about the injections
Hi Quiana,
I like you am also a worrier. I have just completed my first IVF cycle and am on my 2ww. I was terrified when I got my box of medicine in the mail with all the injections and even more so after my class. But I have to say that the worrying and anticiation leading up to the injections were much worse than the actual shots. It really was no big deal. The ones in my leg (Lupron and follistim) I could hardly feel when I was giving myself them and with the projesterone I feel a little prick when the needle goes in and it hurts somewhat but not anything as much as I anticipated it would. I am sure you surprise yourself and will be able to do it with no problem. If I could do it so can you.
Good luck and take care,
Nance
I like you am also a worrier. I have just completed my first IVF cycle and am on my 2ww. I was terrified when I got my box of medicine in the mail with all the injections and even more so after my class. But I have to say that the worrying and anticiation leading up to the injections were much worse than the actual shots. It really was no big deal. The ones in my leg (Lupron and follistim) I could hardly feel when I was giving myself them and with the projesterone I feel a little prick when the needle goes in and it hurts somewhat but not anything as much as I anticipated it would. I am sure you surprise yourself and will be able to do it with no problem. If I could do it so can you.
Good luck and take care,
Nance
Me: 35
TTC: 2 yrs
1 Failed IUI - 7/06
1st IVF/ICSI - Oct 2006 - BFP!!!!!
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;10722;41/st/20070619/n/Lily/k/1702/age.png[/img]
TTC: 2 yrs
1 Failed IUI - 7/06
1st IVF/ICSI - Oct 2006 - BFP!!!!!
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;10722;41/st/20070619/n/Lily/k/1702/age.png[/img]
I feel so much better now. I am sure it is all mental. I keep trying to think of the purpose to keep myself focused. I will be starting my cycle in the next couple of days. I hope, I too will also say that it wasn't that bad. I feel so bad that you are on your second cycle. I don't wish this process on anyone once never mind twice. Good Luck.
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txpacotaco
- Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:55 am
- Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Nothing to it
Hi,
I felt more anxiety about the shots - especially the intramuscular ones - than any other aspect of IVF. We just had a positive beta test and we've been doing the progesterone shots for a little over two weeks, now.
The subcutaneous shots were a breeze. There were times when I couldn't feel them at all, and times when I felt a very, very slight pin-prick, but nothing disturbing.
For the other shots, here's what we do and it is totally painless (plus, I don't have any of the lumps they warn you about). I use an ice pack on the area of my fanny I'm going to get the shot in for 5 to 10 minutes before my husband does the injection. By the time I get the shot I am completely numb. My husband does the injection and then applies some direct (though not heavy) pressure to the area. When I go to bed I use a heating pad to help ensure all of the oil gets dispersed into the muscle. The bonus is that the heating pad is really nice as I fall asleep
Don't worry - I was truly afraid we were going to have to go to a clinic to get the shots every day (or that I simply would not be able to face them), but I'm not afraid of them at all, now.
Take care -
Rachel
I felt more anxiety about the shots - especially the intramuscular ones - than any other aspect of IVF. We just had a positive beta test and we've been doing the progesterone shots for a little over two weeks, now.
The subcutaneous shots were a breeze. There were times when I couldn't feel them at all, and times when I felt a very, very slight pin-prick, but nothing disturbing.
For the other shots, here's what we do and it is totally painless (plus, I don't have any of the lumps they warn you about). I use an ice pack on the area of my fanny I'm going to get the shot in for 5 to 10 minutes before my husband does the injection. By the time I get the shot I am completely numb. My husband does the injection and then applies some direct (though not heavy) pressure to the area. When I go to bed I use a heating pad to help ensure all of the oil gets dispersed into the muscle. The bonus is that the heating pad is really nice as I fall asleep
Don't worry - I was truly afraid we were going to have to go to a clinic to get the shots every day (or that I simply would not be able to face them), but I'm not afraid of them at all, now.
Take care -
Rachel
Me: 40 - Asherman's, Polyps; DH: 42 Varicocele
1st IVF: BFP - lost @ 8 weeks
1st IVF: BFP - lost @ 8 weeks
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txpacotaco
- Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:55 am
- Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Nothing to it
Hi,
I felt more anxiety about the shots - especially the intramuscular ones - than any other aspect of IVF. We just had a positive beta test and we've been doing the progesterone shots for a little over two weeks, now.
The subcutaneous shots were a breeze. There were times when I couldn't feel them at all, and times when I felt a very, very slight pin-prick, but nothing disturbing.
For the other shots, here's what we do and it is totally painless (plus, I don't have any of the lumps they warn you about). I use an ice pack on the area of my fanny I'm going to get the shot in for 5 to 10 minutes before my husband does the injection. By the time I get the shot I am completely numb. My husband does the injection and then applies some direct (though not heavy) pressure to the area. When I go to bed I use a heating pad to help ensure all of the oil gets dispersed into the muscle. The bonus is that the heating pad is really nice as I fall asleep
Don't worry - I was truly afraid we were going to have to go to a clinic to get the shots every day (or that I simply would not be able to face them), but I'm not afraid of them at all, now.
Take care -
Rachel
I felt more anxiety about the shots - especially the intramuscular ones - than any other aspect of IVF. We just had a positive beta test and we've been doing the progesterone shots for a little over two weeks, now.
The subcutaneous shots were a breeze. There were times when I couldn't feel them at all, and times when I felt a very, very slight pin-prick, but nothing disturbing.
For the other shots, here's what we do and it is totally painless (plus, I don't have any of the lumps they warn you about). I use an ice pack on the area of my fanny I'm going to get the shot in for 5 to 10 minutes before my husband does the injection. By the time I get the shot I am completely numb. My husband does the injection and then applies some direct (though not heavy) pressure to the area. When I go to bed I use a heating pad to help ensure all of the oil gets dispersed into the muscle. The bonus is that the heating pad is really nice as I fall asleep
Don't worry - I was truly afraid we were going to have to go to a clinic to get the shots every day (or that I simply would not be able to face them), but I'm not afraid of them at all, now.
Take care -
Rachel
Me: 40 - Asherman's, Polyps; DH: 42 Varicocele
1st IVF: BFP - lost @ 8 weeks
1st IVF: BFP - lost @ 8 weeks
I agree with Rachel!
I started my menopur and Bravelle sh ts on Oct 3rd. It was really scary as I had to do this myself on my tummy. My husband is really scared of needles and I knew he will have to face that when I get my PIO shots. It would have been a great practice for him b4 PIO. But I didn't want him to stab me on my tummy 
. So I did all the 10 stimulations meds myself . And Iam a person who used to scream like anything even for drawing blood! It was not painful at all - may be a lil pricky feel when the med goes inside and you kinda get used to it. Then the next step was the HCG - Novarelle shot- a single shot on your butt with a huge needle. definitely looked scary. And this was my hubby's first chance for the pay back LOL... You know.. he was so careful and supportive and honestly.. I didn't even feel the pricky pain that I felt for Stimulations shots!!Funny part was , i started screaming even before the needle went in and kept on screaming even after it came out. Truth was that I didn't know that it was all done.. So my point is that its not what it appears to be!!Same was the case with PIO. Even the nurse had exaggerated the pain that would cause. Maybe its good in a way 'coz we will have certain expectations about the pain and when its not even close, we will feel much better 
I did the same things as Rachel except for the ice pack . I use heat pad before the shots , as my nurse told that , it would help dissipate the oil faster. But from these message boards what I learned is each person has different comfort level. You can try both and figure out which helps you better. I would say the massage after the shot would help a lot. My hubby massage the area for like 15 min straight after the shot. Otherwise your butt might get sore and bruised. So far I have taken only 5 PIO. My Doc told that I will have continue for 10 weeks if I get preggy and ironcally I can't wait to get all those shots coz its all for the new life Iam waiting for. Its totally worth it . GOOD LUCK!
. So I did all the 10 stimulations meds myself . And Iam a person who used to scream like anything even for drawing blood! It was not painful at all - may be a lil pricky feel when the med goes inside and you kinda get used to it. Then the next step was the HCG - Novarelle shot- a single shot on your butt with a huge needle. definitely looked scary. And this was my hubby's first chance for the pay back LOL... You know.. he was so careful and supportive and honestly.. I didn't even feel the pricky pain that I felt for Stimulations shots!!Funny part was , i started screaming even before the needle went in and kept on screaming even after it came out. Truth was that I didn't know that it was all done.. So my point is that its not what it appears to be!!Same was the case with PIO. Even the nurse had exaggerated the pain that would cause. Maybe its good in a way 'coz we will have certain expectations about the pain and when its not even close, we will feel much better I did the same things as Rachel except for the ice pack . I use heat pad before the shots , as my nurse told that , it would help dissipate the oil faster. But from these message boards what I learned is each person has different comfort level. You can try both and figure out which helps you better. I would say the massage after the shot would help a lot. My hubby massage the area for like 15 min straight after the shot. Otherwise your butt might get sore and bruised. So far I have taken only 5 PIO. My Doc told that I will have continue for 10 weeks if I get preggy and ironcally I can't wait to get all those shots coz its all for the new life Iam waiting for. Its totally worth it . GOOD LUCK!One more Tip
Oh Quaina
One thing I do for the PIO shot to relax:
I will be in a standing position for the shots.( alternate the sides everyday). Say you are taking the shot on the right butt, put all your weight on the left leg , so that the right leg will be relaxed(basically you hubby won't see any HAIL DAMAGE if you have any ) .
Also, something that make me distracted from the situations is to make some noises. Because Iam a known screamer , I start b4 the needle goes in . For some odd reason screaming helps me a lot. you can try it. You can stop if its annoying right?
I also take my PIO shots in the mornings as the timing is convinient. We have guests all the time at our place and we enjoying having them. But none of hem know what we are going throught and we don't want anybody to know . So it is very incconvinient to get the shot at the consistent timings if I chose evenings. So I think for people who party a lot , mornings would be great!
Hope these tips helps
Bubble
One thing I do for the PIO shot to relax:
I will be in a standing position for the shots.( alternate the sides everyday). Say you are taking the shot on the right butt, put all your weight on the left leg , so that the right leg will be relaxed(basically you hubby won't see any HAIL DAMAGE if you have any ) .
Also, something that make me distracted from the situations is to make some noises. Because Iam a known screamer , I start b4 the needle goes in . For some odd reason screaming helps me a lot. you can try it. You can stop if its annoying right?
I also take my PIO shots in the mornings as the timing is convinient. We have guests all the time at our place and we enjoying having them. But none of hem know what we are going throught and we don't want anybody to know . So it is very incconvinient to get the shot at the consistent timings if I chose evenings. So I think for people who party a lot , mornings would be great!
Hope these tips helps
Bubble