New here and scared

[stacylas vegas]

Hello all. I am so glad I found this forum as I am in a tissy with all of this and reading other's thoughts and concerns is helping a good bit.
I am in my first round of IVF and presently on day six of my shots. I am vastly distressed with the needles and am scared beyond words. Further complicating this situation is that I am constantly busy and never have time to stop. This week alone I have worked sixty-five hours and the week is not over.
I have struggled with infertility for years, but have for many years merely ignored it and finished with my schooling. My doctor informed me I have to do it now or never and with everything, it is a one-shot deal.
I have had two blood tests and my levels are over 700 and they said I had 25 follicles at my first ultra sound. My doctor is thrilled, but I am filled with a pathological dread (I understand it is totally illogical) from the damn needles! I ice the injection sites down for thirty minutes before the shots and I still freak out.
I am looking forward to this whole thing being over, whatever the outcome - it is just feeling like it is killing me emotionally.
Normal?

[Samara1]

Hi Stacy,

I absolutely hated needles up to recently. Plus I would have to lie down at every blood test or else I would faint.

I started having acupuncture, I told the practioner that I was scared of needles so for the first appt they start out slowly.

Good news is, the acupuncture plus needles for IVF has really started to desensitize me. Although I would rather not have a needle I can actually sit in the chair when I have blood taken and not faint. And the IVF stims don't bother me any more.

It will get easier...I promise. I would definitly recommend acupuncture - studies have shown it assists with implantation plus it will help you to relax.

On the crazy work hours. I am similar and I have thought about taking time of work. I have some close friends that have quit work to do IVF. Personally, I am better at work even if it is busy. Sitting around doing nothing gives me too much time to think, especially in the 2ww.

Good luck...

[kholtan]

Welcome to the site!!! We are always happy to get newcomers that we can share this whole experience with. Good luck to you!!!

AS far as the needles, I'm not bad with them but I know people who said they just had to do teh whole mind over matter trick. Putting ice on 1/2 hour before surely takes up some time considering there are a lot of needles in you future. Maybe acupuncture or hypnotherapy could help you get over your fear? Good luck and I hope they are a simple and esasy task in your future!

[geckogirl]

Congrats on the number of follies you have! That should be encouraging for you! I too was afraid of the needles, but you just get used to them after a while. Try icing the injection site first. That may help. I really didn't have much pain with the needles at all - even the longer ones for the PIO after transfer (I was really dreading those). Just relax and know that you are doing well.

[boonie]

I was so scared of the needles that I had my hubby do all of my shots. Than I started doing them myself so it does get easier. All of the emotions are normal, hang in there. I can't say that gets any easier because it hasn't for me.

Best of luck!

[nobabiesyet]

oops, double post!

[nobabiesyet]

I totally understand the feeling of wanting it over - no matter what the outcome in some ways. I felt like that too. But, try and think of this as an interesting journey and the needles are just one tiny part of it. Good luck.