"New" Progesterone Injections

[lisa10]

Anyone use this "new" progesterone injection. It is in 'ethyl oleate' not oil. My nurse says it is night and day to the progesterone in oil, but is still a IM injection. I haven't had to do any IM injections thus far and was very glad about that. However for my FET, that's the route they are taking. I have had a large, hard bump on my behind for 8 years from a IM injection and am not looking real forward to having at least 30 of them. I gave myslef all my other injections, but this one is going to be all the DH's job!!

Anyone have any advice for these IM injections? Has anyone tried this new kind? Is it better? I'm a little scared this time around!!

[shelbyrn0214]

Hey Lisa! That's all I used for my first fresh cycle so I don't have anything to compare it to. It's thick and mine always burns a little, but it's nothing intolerable. It did very well in keeping my Progesterone levels up. I'll be using it again during this cycle and during the first trimester of this pregnancy (fingers crossed!) in place of the suppositories. GL!

[dogzrule]

I too was on it, and most days it didn't hurt much if at all, but there were some days where I was like OMG that HURT like a sucker!!! I also have nothing to compare it to because I've only had one cycle, hence only one experience. I did, however, develop a VERY rare allergic reaction (severe respiratory distress) about 3 weeks after starting the injections. They took me off immediately and changed me over to Endometrin, and I was fine immediately after being taken off. My reaction was so rare the doctors were stunned, but hey, it has to happen to someone, eh?

[pinky1]

hey lisa10
do not take me wrong,not to scare you at all but i personally after 6 shots of that, was unable to walk or move. they switched me immediatley to endometrin.so far it has been almost a week and i am slowly recovering. still not sure,why that happened to me.there is nothing visible but only one little lump.you can read my post in general discussion under progesterone in oil shot nightmare..
hope veerything works out GREAT for you and i wish you best of luck.all i can say,please give the shot very very very slow and deep...
pinky1

[kristyb]

I've used both. The Oil is definitely a lot thicker and hurts a little probably because it takes a little longer to inject since it's thick. The Oleate uses a little smaller needle and goes in a little easier, thus less pain. It was recommended to me to ice a little first, inject, then rub the spot for a few seconds to help ease the pain then put a heating pad on in it for about 10-15mins. DH had to do them for me too and it was his little guilty pleasure I think when I was hormonal he could give me back a dose of it. Either way, also told to me was once you put the needle in, draw back a bit to make sure there is not blood to make sure you didn't knick a vein. If you do, just remove and stick again. I never had this issue but I did have a few good bruises going.

Good luck!!

[lisa10]

Thank you all. I appreciate the advice and will follow it. I don't know why I am so nervous about this one. I gave myself over 50 shots last cycle, but this one makes me nervous. I think because I have heard painful stories on here. Maybe it's cause DH has to do them. I like having control.

Dogz...I remember reading about your reaction on the July/Aug. board. I'm glad you were OK. That had to be really scary.

[dtao]

The "new" progesterone in ethyl oleate is what I was given as well. And as kristyb said, it is thinner than the other oils (I've also used the one in sesame oil), so the needle I use is the 25g one instead of the 22g. I actually didn't really feel a difference between the two, because I used the 25g on the sesame oil too, just took longer to push it all in.

lisa, I do all my own injections. I do not like giving up control either, and unlike some ladies, it is much easier for me when I can see what is going on than when I don't. The first IM shot I took (HcG) my DH pinched for me and I put the needle in. Then after that I realized I don't even need to pinch so I just started doing them by myself. It's not so bad. I rub the syringe with meds in my palms for a while to warm it up, then put in in real slow. Takes about 20 sec to get all of it injected. And then I rub really hard.

But no matter what there is a lump there the next day. How big or small the lump is pretty arbitrary. I think I have a lump from weeks ago still lingering. I'm assuming these are bruises in the muscle are that too deep to see? I don't know. But rubbing does help, I think.

I use the suppositories too. My doctor wants me on both.