Progesterone in oil tips?

[mulligan]

Hi!

I start my progesterone in oil shots tomorrow and I am VERY nervous! Does anyone have any tips for me or my DH?

Thanks!

[klor]

Hi mulligan - the anxiety about the needle is much worse than the actual pain of the needle. Once you get past the first one or two, it gets much easier. My nurse told me to use one needle to fill the syringe and then use a fresh new needle to administer the shot. The sharp needle goes in much easier and aparantly, the needle dulls a bit when you are filling the syringe.

My DH usually tells me a joke and then surprises me with the shot I find that much easier!! They also told my DH to hold the needle like a dart and give the shot in one quick motion.

I did IVF last year, which ended in a little baby girl. I had to continue the shots for 12 weeks after my BFP. However, knowing that I was pregnant made taking the shots a lot easier.

Best of luck to you!!!

I am trying IVF again this year and I have my PG test scheduled for 6/25 so I am on the shots right now.

[mulligan]

Klor- thank you so much for your tips! I especially like the idea of switching needles after the syringe is full. I'll ask my nurse about that! I was dreading the injections in my tummy and they didn't end up being so bad, so hopefully these won't be either!

Good luck to you- I'm very glad to hear that your 1st ivf was a success!

M

[2ndtimer]

I got a prescription for EMLA cream, which is a topical anesthetic that is sometime used for pediatric IV sticks & cancer patients. I knew about because I'm a nurse.
For me, the PIO shots were really starting to hurt and I would get really nervous before hand, that's why I asked for the EMLA. The way I used it was to select a dime sized spot on my outer hip, clean it & circle in pen. Then I'd dap a thin layer of EMLA & cover it with a plastic baggy(in the hospital we would use plastic dressings with patients) After 45 min to an hour I tell my husband it's time. Draw up the shot, change needles, & let the whole syringe warm up for about a minute in my hands or under my arm. When my husband would give me the shot, most times I could not even tell he was doing it.
I know it sounds like a lot of trouble, but the routine gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing that the shot would not hurt at all. Let's face it, if men were faced with daily IM shots they would probably be on a morphine drip to handle it.
If you don't try the EMLA, the next best thing is to use a heating pad on low after the shot or take a nice hot shower.
Hope that helps,

[2ndtimer]

I forgot to say that in the time I'm waiting for EMLA to work(45min-60) I'm just going about my business. I just secure the plastic sandwich baggy with the waist line of my pants.

[Tajma]

I have been doing shots 2 times per day and they are not that bad. Tell you husband to go in fast because it hurst less and than to inject medicine. It really is not bad. After shot get a moist warm towel from microwave and massage the site with it for about 5 min. So this way the thick oil dissolves.

Good Luck!

[Malinka]

Thanks god for EMLA cream, the best thing ever, defenitelly should ask your doctor for a prescription

[heather0701]

I do PIO shots twice a day and they really are not too bad. I hold a piece of ice in the spot that I want injected for about 5 minutes then let my husband give me the shot. Then I will rub it in for a few minutes and walk around to keep it from settling in one place. I was using a 25 gauge needle but they were not big enough to get the oil in fast enough and it would leave big bruises. Now I use 23 gauge and do not have any bruises at all! Good luck to you all!

[wannababynow]

I've been on progesterone for about a week and a half now. They aren't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. Have your husband smack the area he is going to administer the injection in. It rushes the blood away from the area and you can't feel it at all. I also tried icing before and it made my injections more painful. I do however like the microwaved washcloth to massage the area.

Hope this helps.

Jessica

[stressball]

hi,
what i do is put the medicine filled injection in zip log and soak it in the hot water for 2-3 mins, then after the injection gets warm i change the needle, get the shot and then apply warm pad. it was easy...

sanya