Giving yourself injections?

[wantarugrat]

Hi Ladies. I am set for an donor egg transfer next Mon/Tues. and will have to inject myself with progesterone on occasion (when DH is unable to). As the injection site is on the buttocks and the skin must be pulled taught while injecting, I was wondering if any of you have had to self-inject and what tips/advice you could offer. Also, is the progesterone painful? I was told it was more so than the Lupron (which has been a breeze - also administered by DH). I picked up some Emla cream to numb the area 30 minutes prior to receiving Progesterone injections- has this helped anyone?

Thanks for your wise words of wisdom!

Me: 41 (old eggs)
DH: 41 (no problems)
4 IUI's - no go
1st IVF next week

[Claire]

Hi there,

I didn't find the injections too bad when I did my fresh cycle. I used buserelin for the down-regging stage which had to be injected into the thigh. Those needles were quite small and thin and I honestly didn't find it bad. The actual injection part didn't hurt but the liquid did sting a little when it was going in.
For the ovary stimmulation part I used Merinol and the needle for that was certainly larger and it had to be given in the stomach. I was concerned about doing those but again I honestly didn't find it a problem.
Okay it stings a bit but you just seem to find the strength to get on with it. I didn't use anything to numb the area and I don't think it would warrant it. But if you do have something - then it certainly won't do any harm.
Good luck, I'm sure you'll find it ok.

claire x

[Leanne]

Hi x
How's it going???

I was scared stiff of injections - when the nurse showed me the injections I burst out crying!!!!

The first cycle DH did all of them and I couldn't even look to start with , by the end i helped do the prep then watched.
Last fresh cycle I did I had to do all the jabs myslef ( except the last 1) I was lucky that I could do mine in my tummy - think bum might be awkward more than anything else.

Anyway, just wanted you to know, that it was totally fine, didn't hurt and I even had to do 1 in a busy, smelly airport toilet - i thought if I can do it there I can do it anywhere!!!

The last jab is different, different needle etc ( that is why DH did that, still not that brave) and I agree that the jab doesn't hurt but the liquid does sting a bit. I don't think numbing the area would stop that, but it really isn't a problem. I kept telling myself it was all worth it and how painful would labour be if i'm lucky??? It is worth every sting to be in with a chance x

All the best x

[princess]

I used ice to numb my butt because the needles for the pogestrone are huge !!
It eases the pinch of the needle. The liquid does hurt a bit but it's not that bad. Make sure you rub the spot after so you don't get knots. the pogestrone is thick and it doesn't absorb well you can even put a heating pad on it so that the progestrone doesn't knot. You don't want that cause you will bruise and be very sore. I know from experience.
Joy

[hlloyd]

Our clinics don't use injectible progesterone, but I have heard that if you take it out of the fridge for about half an hour prior to injecting it will be less painful. Something to do with the oil being more liquid at room temperature.

Good luck, I hope all goes well with the inections and the FET.

Cheers
Heather

[Sand]

Hi Wantarugrat - Welcome !

I was just going to say exactly what Heather has told you ! I haven't injected Progesterone either, but have heard the same advice.

Good luck with your ET next week. Make sure you take it easy for a while afterwards, but when you can let us know how you went on. If you want your name adding to the Aug test thread list, make sure you post your test date !

Sandra x

[WJAwad]

Hello! Though I have not had any personal experience with injecting Progestrone, I have been reading any book I can get my hands on regarding IVF. One book recommends the following for Progestrone in Oil:

Prior to preping the syringe, warm the vial slightly to the help the medicine be injected. The author recommends warming by placining it in your bra or under your arm for ~ 10 - 15 mins while numbing the area in which you will be performing the injection. The author also recommends lying on a heating pad for 10-15 mins after the injection to help faciliate the absorption of the progestrone into the muscle.

Good Luck! I am both so anxious and scared to start my cylce of shots - which were delayed by a month.