Progesterone Shot Tips

[janeny312]

Tonight will be my third night of receiving the progesterone injection. These shots plus the HCG have already left me sore and bruised. Any suggestions to make these shots more comfortable? Thanks!

[foreverlove]

The nurse told me to ice the area for ten minutes first - it also helps to stretch the skin as far as you can before you do the shot - dont pinch the skin - when you put the shot in. I found the stretching of the skin did the best for me and I had to do the progesterone until I was 10 weeks. Also, if the area is sore or if you feel a hard bump massage the area and/or put a heating pad on it. This just means that the oil is sitting in a pocket and it needs to be distributed. The nurse said this is very common, it only happened to me the last two weeks I was doing the shots. Good Luck to you.

[floridagirl1]

Hi! Some tips I've learned, that seemed to help for sure.

I was told don't ice the spot...it tenses the muscle which you don't want. Apply a warm compress a couple of minutes before hand or just massage the area with your hand to loosen the muscle.

Warm the oil in your hand (in the actual shot) as long as you can, to thin it out. Esp if you are using like Prog in cotton seed oil or something similar. They do have a newer nicer one in Ethyl Oleate, which is thinner and so much nicer.

I haven't heard a difference with pinching or stretching the skin, so figure what works best for you, but most importantly to avoid the lump...inject the fluid as SLOWLY as you can...that helps to dispere the oil so it doesnt' lump up. you can massage the area right after to help disperse if it does lump a little. Also make sure whoever is giving you the shot, is asperating the needle before they actually start injecting to make sure there is no blood, b/c if they have hit a vein this will cause bruising and it will be sore. If they do see blood, just pull up on the needle a little and aspirate again until no blood.

Hope these tips help a little. Everyone has different experiences, but these have helped me tremendously! i have a nurse friend who is doing mine and she told me these tips would help and they have!

Good luck!

[lilmd]

I always use the emla cream. It is sort of a pain because you have to put siran wrap over it for 20 - 30 minutes but I very rarely feel any pain from the actual needle going in. I also ice the area while my husband prepares the needle... I know a bit overkill but I usually feel nothing at all. I will use a heating pad for about 15 minutes afterwards. I always take a deep breath in before he does the shot and blow the air out as he injects me... it is a good distraction (I do that with all my injections). I also put the bottle of progesterone in oil in warm/hot water for a few minutes to thin out the oil. Hope this helps.

[ivfbaby]

Ice it for at least 10 min. You can't avoid the bruising though. The shots are given in the same area and it's hard to avoid nerves and blood vessels.

[tburks]

I have been taking these injections for several weeks now and I learned one real important thing tonight. Use the 22 gauge needle!!! I used the 25 tonight and it hurt like

I have never had this shot hurt so bad! I don't ice, don't use warm compress or anything. The first couple made me really sore but then I guess my body got used to it. Also I make sure not to stand on the side where DH is giving the injection so that the muscle will be lose. I put all my weight on the opposite side and bend over the kitchen island. It seems to b working well so far.

Good Luck !! And remember the bigger needle hurts LESS!!!

[ctran]

I place an ice pack on the spot while DH prepares the shot. I also lay down on my stomach so the muscle is not tense. This is my 2nd day of progesterone. The shot does not hurt but it's a little sore after the 2nd day. Hope this helps. Good luck!