Anyone petite experience tremendous pain with progesterone?

[pattieh]

I'm 5'0" and weigh 114 lbs. We did IVF last year and when it got to taking the progesterone shots, they were so painful, I couldn't walk, couldn't sleep from the pain and eventually had to switch to the inserts. Anyone petite out there manage ok with these shots?

We're on our second IVF now and I'm just dreading when the time comes. I already requested the inserts but they keep pushing for the progesterone shots.

I tried ice, heatpad before but it didn't work. Still too much pain.

[AmandaM]

pattieh

I am also short, a little heavier than you when I got pregant, and a lot heavier now due to the twins

I didn't take the shorts. Instead I took the suppositories. Maybe you can take those instead of the shots. That doesnt hurt a all.

[Wondercat]

I'm a few inches taller but about the same weight... And yes, I am sore as heck, though not so bad I can't sleep. My husband gives me the shots, and he was actually complaining the other night that he thinks I'm thinner than I was last time around and there's "not enough to hold onto" back there! I have noticed though that some times he gets a certain angle or something that makes the shot hurt a lot worse than the other ones. Are you getting a lot of bruising, or is it just a general pain all over the area? And he has definitely gotten a lot better at doing it; the last time around hurt much worse than this time. So I don't know if some of it could be technique??

As to the inserts, I did those the first time. It's hard for me to say if the shots are better; neither of my first two tries worked (fingers crossed for this time, I'm in the middle of the 2ww!) My doctor also pushed for the shots as being more reliable, but clearly the inserts have worked for other people. I guess I get through it just thinking that it's not for long and the possible reward is so very great.

[pattieh]

I got some bruising but it was general pain in the whole area, like my hip joint too. I couldn't walk either - I had to drag my right leg as I walked and people at work began to ask questions. It was horrible.

Anyway, I did a retrieval yesterday and asked about the progesterone. They said that the shots would start prior to transfer and a good number of weeks past that. They suggested I use a one-inch needle (can't remember what I used before) and said that since their progesterone is in sesame oil (vs. some other oil) that it would be less painful. Still, I hesitate.

It could be technique - my husband was applying the injection like a dart, I think.

I'd read mixed reviews on the inserts. Some say that they're just as good and yet doctors still push for the shots.

[FaithHopeLove]

Hi there!
I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! I am about the same size as you just a few inches taller. The progesterone shots I took during our first IVF were just horrible!!! It was the worst part of it all and I could get out of a chair or anything! I told my RE this and he switched me to a 1 inch long needle instead of a 1 1/2 inch. He said for my size the one inch is just fine. And let me tell you that 1/2" less was amazing!! Everything still got to where it needed to go, and it was SO much more comfortable. 100 percent difference. Suggest it! Good luck!

[Wondercat]

My doctor never said anything about a shorter needle! That would probably help a lot. I will definitely be giving my office a call.

Though as I said, this time around I have only had one shot that really hurt badly as soon as he stuck it in. Not sure if my husband uses the "dart" method - to be honest I could handle giving myself all the other subcutaneous shots, but I am a complete wimp about that "big" 1.5 inch needle. I don't look. We alternate sides every night, which at least spreads out the pain. I have a lot of food allergies especially to peanuts, so I get my progesterone in an oleate base instead of a sesame or peanut oil. I'm not sure what kind of difference the type of oil makes other than the allergy thing.

I know what you mean with the pain, my hips and lower back are not in a happy place. So far I'm still walking OK, but I definitely get a strained look after I have to sit up for a while, like at my computer at work or in the car. It's almost impossible to sleep on my side, which is how I usually fall asleep.

Hopefully the shorter needle works out well for you (and me, if my dr approves!) Good luck!

[beachbaby]

Hi pattie, so sorry you had so much pain, i am in the UK and my clinic only use the inserts, as theyare just as effective and without the pain. seems to be very common in the US to use the shots more though, i don't know why. especially as with a fresh cycle progesterone is only given as a precaution as it is present in the corpus luteim? sp!, it is necessary in a medicated FET. On my FET i used 2 inserts per night for 14 weeks until the placenta took over, and i was pregnant with twins i had no problems at all.
If i were you i would push for the painless option, your money your choice.

[pattieh]

Update on this post. This time around I am using the prometrium inserts. They are AWESOME and are working just fine. No pain, just a tad messy but all you need is a mini pad or two. Still beats the pain of those shots.

[mlorfei]

Hello anyone,

I'm at the end stage of my second round of IVF and I'm currently taking the progesterone inserts. The first time around, my side effects included bloating, breast tenderness and cramps. This time around I hardly have any symptons at all. I have a bit of bloating but I think that is also a result of the treatment. I'm not sure if I should be happy or concerned that I'm not having any side effects. Anyhoo, I'm just wondering if others have had the same experience with the progesterone.

[ladybug09]

Hey ladies,
Im a mess right now. I have my ER this Sat and my trigger shot is an IM in my bum. Im terrified of that and the PIO. My dr said he wants me on the shots. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I hate needles. I hope I dont jump when getting it. I just cant imagine the long needle going in my bottom everyday for almost 12 wks. Thats torture. I pray I can get through this. Any tips to ease the pain when I start please let me know. Just thinking about it makes me scared. HELLLLPPP Oh yeah did I mention Im 4'11 and Im 120 pounds, im small and pray the needle wont hit my bone.

[dogzrule]

ladybug - I also am very tiny (5'2'' and 111 lbs). I know it seems like that PIO needle will hit bone, but that is impossible. I'm not going to lie, it is going to hurt, sometimes more than others. The best advice I can give is to ice the area for about 5 minutes prior (this doesn't always help, but it never hurts!), to make sure the side that is getting injected has no weight on it at all if standing or nothing pressing against it if lying down. Take a deep breath right before DH inserts the needle, then breathe out very slowly as the needle goes in. Keep breathing deeply throughout and grip a pillow REALLY HARD. It will be over quickly, I promise, and you will be okay.

Btw, when my doctor looked at my hips Monday (and this was after 26 injections, 13 on each side), she said "For as tiny as you are, it looks great back here!"

[Hopeful in SD]

I am also petite, 5'2" and 105 lbs, and I suggest 2 things to help the shots be as painless as possible. First, insist on the 1 inch needle. The pharmacy didn't want to give them to me and I made them call my nurse who said yes, 1 inch.

Second, put the vial of progesterone in a warm bowl of water for 1-2 minutes. PIO is very thick and this allows it to be injected easier for less pain and disperse. We didn't know this 2nd trick for my first 3 cycles and it makes a big difference. Just make sure the water only goes up about 3/4 of the vial and doesn't hit the metal part. I heat the water in the microwave for 30 seconds. My hips are a lot less sore this cycle.

Good luck!

[statsgoddess]

They make a numbing cream you can put on before the shot, which seemed to help for me. You can get a prescription from your clinic. We just put it on ten minutes before the shot. I still had the soreness later, but at least at the time it wasn't so bad.

[ladybug09]

Thx ladies for the tips,

Dogz I will have a pillow on hand. Its so funny alot of us are so tiny. Thats great I hope my hips look good too lol. I asked for the 1 inch needle and they said thats fine but they have to order them for me. I hope it comes in time. That half inch will make a big difference. Pray for me, I will let you know how my trigger shot goes tonight

Statsgoddess: I will look for that numbing cream, anything to make it easier and less painful.

Hopeful in SD: Thx for those helpful tips. I will make sure I warm up the vial before hand.

[statsgoddess]

ladybug09 - it's a prescription cream. your clinic should know the name of it - if not, let me know and i'll look to see exactly what it is called so you know what to ask for. they say it helps for some people - i couldn't imagine doing the shots without it. i asked why they don't just prescribe it automatically, but they said some people do fine without it and spreading the skin is enough. not for me, though!