Progesterone Shots - AM or PM

[dcu917]

Hi,

I just had my ER today and will need to start progestrone shots tomorrow. I am a little anxious about it since in the past two cycles I used suppositories. I had two early m/c's and therefore requested to be on the shots. I know there was a post on here a few months back, but I didn't find it. Please give me some tips on what you did to make it bearable.

Also, did you find it easier to take it in the morning before work or at night after work? We are very rushed in the morning (both last minute people), but we are so busy at night (bought new house) that it may be tough to get it in within the same hour every day.

Thanks,
Diane

[riogirl71]

We always do it between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. My DH puts the numbing cream on, we wait about 25 mins, while we wait I have the seringe tucked under my arm to warm it slightly, make usre your DH pulls the seringe back to make sure he didn't get blood (hit a blood vessel). After the shot, he rubs it in a little then I put a heating pad on medium and leave it for 15 mins. We are new homeowner's also and it gets nutty!

Good luck with everything!

[dcu917]

Thanks, riogirl. What size needle are you using? I didn't ask my nurse what to use...I have the 22 guage and the 25 guage...both 1-1/2" needles.

[riogirl71]

my husband preps the seringe with the 22 g then switches to the 25g, you definitely want the 25g!!!

[PK]

suggest you use the 22 gauge needle to withdraw the progresterone from the bottle, then change the needle to a 25 gauge needle which is thinner and more comfortable as a shot.

[Hoekey]

I too just don't have any time in the morning. Hubby gives me mine right before dinnner, so at least it is early enough to work it's way in and the muscle doesn't get too sore. Definitely draw with the 22 and give with the 25. I asked my nurse if it mattered whether morning or night (thought maybe I wasn't getting pregnant because I was doing it at night and not A.M. as they recommend) she laughed, time of day does not matter, what ever makes you comfortable. They recommend morning only because you will be using those glut muscles all day and have less chance to get sore that way. As opposed to giving them, then sleeping and the muscle doesn't work that medicine out and it gets hard, bumpy, & sore.

[dcu917]

Thanks everyone....supper time is going to work best for us, too...here goes nothing....very nervous of this little needle!

[tryw8]

My husband gives me my Progesterone IM injections between 530am and 6am. I am the one who gets the syringes ready to go. He doesn't trust himself to do that.

The hardest was when I was doing the Progesterone 2x/day. One in the morning and in the evening. Had to be home at a certain time.

I've tried the suppositories. Didn't like them. Had to try them. I was having an allergic reaction to the oil that the Progesterone sits in. Doesn't mean that I enjoy the IM injections either. I'm still not immune to them. You folks prep your syringe by drawing w/ a 22-gauge? I was giving an 18-gauge needle to draw. You should see the size of it!!! Then I follow with a 22-gauge/23.5-gauge needle to inject.

[TammyS]

I have the alarm on my phone set for 7:45 in the evening...so we have just enough time to get the meds ready and inject before the good 8 pm shows start...and before we get sleepy and doze off, too.

[dcu917]

Well, we just did it...not too bad at all...made me wonder if we did it right, ie, got it into the muscle...I do have a J-Lo butt! Butt anyway, it was also a chance for my DH to act like a 12 year old again busting me up the whole time! We drew with the 22 and shot with the 25 guage. We decided on this time for tonight and may back it out to 6-7 by shaving off a half hour each night. I like the idea of having some time to get it worked through my system before going to bed.

Thanks again everyone!

[pricecake]

Hi,
I didn't find the PIO shots that bad at all. I actually reached back and gave myself the shot in the butt every evening. I was so freaked out worrying about the shots from reading all the boards. I had some bruising, but not much. Hope this helps...
Hugs all around......

[waitingforMia]

My RE was specific about it being in the morning. I t does not hurt at all, ice and numbing cream might calm you, but it does not hurt. Most important is to make sure you do them in the ight spot. They are pretty high up; have the nurse dram you a spot.

I turn on the heating pad. Then I get the syringe ready. DOn't foget to pull back on the plunger before you switch needles. You don't want to waste the PIO that is in the needle. Once it is ready I put it is the heating pad for a minute or so and lay down and wait for dh. I find the best position is laying down with more pressure on the side that will not be shot, so not flat on my stomach. Afterwards dh massages it for 30 seconds then I put the heating pad for a couple of minutes, and voila no pain.

Good luck.

[itsgottawork]

It is funny, my RE was specific that I was to do them at night. My DH gave me my injections at 11:30 PM or so and then I'd go to bed.
I warmed up the progesterone bottle by keeping it under my arm or in my bra for 30 minutes. This really helped. A couple times I didn't do this and my DH said it was a lot harder to get out of the needle.
I would prep the needle and then prop myself over the couch with my butt in the air, leaning on the side that wasn't getting injected. I am sure it wasn't too pretty but it worked. I didn't mind those injections at all. I didn't really have any side effects, no lumps or soreness or anything like that. DH said he could sometimes see where he had given the previous one so he always tried to do it in a slightly different spot but I couldn't tell where he injected after the needle was out. I think it was worse for my husband than it was for me.

Good Luck!

[beachbaby]

Hi Diane, sorry no advice on the shots as never done them. But just wanted to wish you the very best of luck for your 2ww, let me know how it goes i'm routing for you.
Jayne

[dcu917]

Thank you very much everyone! I've done two now and it hasn't been bad at all. I iced the area for a few minutes first while DH was prepping the shot, then after the shot, my DH massaged the area for a little while and then I took my dog Daisy Mae out for a walk to work it in. I'm sure it will take less and less time. I was so worried by looking at the needle and reading posts online. I am pretty sure it is getting into my muscle because I get the dull ache after, but I thought there would be a little more pain going in.

Hi Jayne! Thanks for the good wishes! I will let you know...I'll probably have the ET on Thursday. How are you doing with your pregnancy?