Injections?

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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wannabeamum
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Injections?

Post by wannabeamum »

Im so scared of using the injections please help!!! How do i use um? Is it easier to let my partner do it? Does it hurt? Oooo the thought? HELP!!
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sable
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Re: Injections?

Post by sable »

wannabeamum wrote:Im so scared of using the injections please help!!! How do i use um? Is it easier to let my partner do it? Does it hurt? Oooo the thought? HELP!!
Hi,
I always have my partner inject them.The nurse told us to insert the needle in a quick motion instead of gradually.The part that did hurt for some medications was not the needle but when the medication went in,once the needle is in just slowly inject the medication.
Hope it helps! good luck
me:35 DH 36
TTC 4 years
Ectopic 2007
3 clomid cycles
3 femara cycles
1st IVF cancelled
2nd IVF cancelled
IUI..negative
FSH 19
Ectopic ,March 2011
angelaezra
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Re: Injections?

Post by angelaezra »

wannabeamum wrote:Im so scared of using the injections please help!!! How do i use um? Is it easier to let my partner do it? Does it hurt? Oooo the thought? HELP!!
I think the hardest thing is to inject yourself the first few times. I am a RN and I have injected hundreds of people but when it came to me, I wasn’t exactly volunteering. It might be better to have your partner do it the first few times especially if you need to inject an IM injection vs. a SQ. Also, using ice to numb the area really helps out a lot and you can barely feel the needle inserting.

If you injecting something like IM progesterone, then I would lie down so your muscles are relaxed (hurts less), ice it, then warm the medicine in the needle to room temperature, after injecting it use a warm wash cloth in rub in the medication in the area. If you are still sore the next day, which you will be, use a heating pad to help disperse more of the medication.

Good luck!

Angela
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1 miscarriage 2002 (nat)
1 ectopic pregnancy 2006 (nat)
1st IVF 10/08-BFP twins/misc-6 1/2 wks & stillbirth 21 wks
2nd FET 6/09-BFN
3rd IVF 2010-April-BFP - DD born 12/7/10

Lost Ashley Nicole Thomas at 21 weeks
summit
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Re: Injections?

Post by summit »

For me it was easier to do it myself. With work schedules and etc... I think that it was important for me to be able to do it on my own. Plus I didn't want to get upset with my husband if he hurt me. He was helpful in prepping and mixing menopur. The first one is the hardest, mostly because you have to build up the nerve to do it. However, once you do it it gets easier each time. Some of the medications do sting a bit, but the needles that you are using are so small and fine that they really do not hurt much. The fertility clinic that I am working with provides the below link on their website which provides training videos for giving yourself the injections. You can also find tons of videos on Youtube.
Good luck!

http://www.freedommedteach.com/player/Videos.aspx
Summit 34
DH 31

1st IVF May 2010 Negative
2nd IVF July 2010 Negative
3rd IVF January 2011 Negative
DJ-BJ
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Re: Injections?

Post by DJ-BJ »

subq injections are easier. the mes at night stings more than just the follistim. ive been bruised from those but i dont know what happens now with the projesterone injections. havent had an IM injection done by myself..but there is always the first time...good luk to both of us...
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Kamaile
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Re: Injections?

Post by Kamaile »

i did all my SQ injections myself. But all my IM meds I have my husband do it. I am having to take progesterone shots IM twice daily and it hurts a bit but im kinda getting used to it. I have been doing them for almost 12 weeks now...still i cant wait til im done with it lol..good luck to you
1st IVF 10/08-M/C at 10 wks
2nd IVF-ET 5/23/10
6/2 1st beta 223
6/4 2nd beta 426
6/14 3rd beta 11,328
My precious one will arrive via c-section 2-1-11
Its a BOY!

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sorcet
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Re: Injections?

Post by sorcet »

the worst part was working up the nerve to do it the first time myself. Im an RN also and after the first time it wasnt bad at all the needles u dont even feel and the meds burn for about a minute. As for the IM progesterone i did convince my husband to do that for me, but hes deathly afraid of needles and it eventually became easier for me to give those to myself as well in a mirror. You do what you need to itll be fine !
Wondercat
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Re: Injections?

Post by Wondercat »

You would be amazed at what you think you can't do that you can do! I can't lie, they can hurt - seems like you just hit it the wrong way sometimes. It's just weird giving yourself a shot at first. I used to have to really psych myself up for the subcutaneous ones, but it got easier and easier until I didn't even really think about it any more. It just becomes something that you have to do, and because you have to you can. I was pretty freaked out about the IM progesterone shots. The first one involved me practically hyperventilating bent over the bathroom sink with my pants down and my husband wielding the needle behind me. He was all joking around about the "nice view" then said, "After I give you this shot can I do you in the a**?" and quickly stuck the needle in while I was still going, "WHAT?!!?" :D Those got easier after I got permission to use a slightly smaller needle, as I was very small then. Giving myself the first IM shot was I think the worst. I had to position the needle in the bathroom mirror, then stare fixedly away so I didn't have to watch it going in. But I got pretty good at doing that, too, eventually. For me not being a nurse or anything it did help to have the nurse draw the areas where the IM shots should go in.
Me: 33
DH: 35 (CBAVD)

IVF #1 (1): BFN
FET #1 (2): BFN
IVF #2 (2): BFP!! DS born 10/24/09
FET #2 (2): BFN
FET #3 (2): 11/21/12 -- GO TEAM B!! :)

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MrsIVFinNYC
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Re: Injections?

Post by MrsIVFinNYC »

I only can talk about SQ since I haven't done any IM yet. You have nothing to worry about. I'm deathly afraid of needles and my first time I had to shoot myself it took over 15 minutes of me hysterically sobbing saying I can't do it...It was sad. I was a mess but once it was over I was so happy. I felt no pain whatsoever. The needles are so fine that I don't feel anything! After that first time it went very easily. Now, I'm not sure how the IM is going to go...I'm going to see if DH will do them for me!
7/19: Start 175 Follistim
7/22: 175 Follistim
1 vial of Menopur
1 Ganirelix
7/24: 2 Ovidrel
7/26: 18 eggs retrieved, 10 ICSI, 8 fertilized
7/31: ET; 2 lovely blasts
8/9: 1st Beta; 63.5
8/9: 2nd Beta; 200
8/20: 1st U/S
wannabeamum
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Re: Injections?

Post by wannabeamum »

Thank you all for your replies they did help but to be honest i just find myself feeling faint doing them? A baby means alot to me and i really have to pull myself together in order to achieve my goal to have my lil baby!!! Needles just aint my thing honestly i dont know whats wrong with me? See im new to this and this is my first ivf as i have been trying for a baby for 4 years....... I really need all the support i can get? I dont know what im up against or what the next step is as all my doctor says at the hospital is terms i just dont understand? Please guys i just need some guidence throughout my treatment? I mean whats is the next step? How long do i have to take these injections for? What happens after that? Im stressing and i know its the worst thing i can do? Sorry for moaning but please help me xxxx
Wondercat
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Re: Injections?

Post by Wondercat »

wannabeamum - I remember kinda fumbling along my 1st IVF too, it's very overwhelming and you can feel nervous about asking questions. It's great to get support here too, but the best thing is to make sure you have a clear understanding of what's going on from your doctor and nurses since every cycle is different. I mostly found it was best to talk to the nurses, actually. Don't let them alone until you are satisfied with the answers that you get. If it seems like too much information, bring a notepad and write things down. Never be afraid of "looking stupid" because you don't know something and letting that keep you from asking questions. It's your body, you have a right to know EXACTLY what is going on. Your nurse can probably help you jot down a timeline, I did that and then I printed out a calendar and wrote down all the shots and doses so I could physically cross them out as I took them. Good luck!
Me: 33
DH: 35 (CBAVD)

IVF #1 (1): BFN
FET #1 (2): BFN
IVF #2 (2): BFP!! DS born 10/24/09
FET #2 (2): BFN
FET #3 (2): 11/21/12 -- GO TEAM B!! :)

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wannabeamum
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Re: Injections?

Post by wannabeamum »

Thanks everyone and wondercat many thanks to you!!!
I will keep you all updated when i start my meds on dec 14th...
I wish all the best for everyone doing the same in dec cycle
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