Nurse for doing IVF injections?

[Anonymous]

OP here! Thank you all! The meds package came yesterday and it's overwhelming all the stuff that was in it.

We have hands, I am just afraid to use them and also afraid we will not use them correctly. I cannot do any self inflicted pain and I don't trust DH to do it since he is not what you would call very detail oriented (he is willing to help, but I am not comfortable with that).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you all! The meds package came yesterday and it's overwhelming all the stuff that was in it.

We have hands, I am just afraid to use them and also afraid we will not use them correctly. I cannot do any self inflicted pain and I don't trust DH to do it since he is not what you would call very detail oriented (he is willing to help, but I am not comfortable with that).

Why don't you mix the medications (the detail oriented part) and have him give the shot - the easy part?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you all! The meds package came yesterday and it's overwhelming all the stuff that was in it.

We have hands, I am just afraid to use them and also afraid we will not use them correctly. I cannot do any self inflicted pain and I don't trust DH to do it since he is not what you would call very detail oriented (he is willing to help, but I am not comfortable with that).

Freedom pharmacy has lots of videos and information about medications. If you have any doubts about mixing/dosage call your nurse to confirm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are injection services available (ask your clinic for references), but I agree with the other PPs that the subcutaneous shots are really no big deal, and I was pretty needle-phobic when I started dealing with IVF. The needles really don't hurt, and of the three medications I was on (Menopur, Ganirelix, and Gonal F), only the Menopur stung just a tiny bit, and you can decrease that burn by icing the injection site first and injecting slowly. It will be a huge hassle and extra expense to have a nurse showing up once or twice a day every day for 10-14 days to do these injections for you. The only one that I would have considered that for was the HCG trigger that is IM, and that would be more out of fear of hitting a nerve than anything else.

As a person with an actual needle phobia, I highly doubt that you were phobic at all by the clinical guidelines. I also highly doubt that OP and her DH are either. If the issue is just disliking needles, IVF should acclimate you pretty well to them, meaning they will get easier every day.

I'm sorry if I offended you by my choice of words there. Yes, I understand that some people are clinically "needle phobic", and no, I'm not one of them, but I have always been anxious with regards to needles for bloodwork and immunizations. You're right, the repeated bloodwork and injections from 2 years' worth of infertility diagnosis and treatments have made it that easier. I wasn't trying to make light of anyone's true phobias, I promise. You can have a fear of something without it being a true phobia by "clinical guidelines". Guess I wasn't choosing my words wisely this morning.

OP, yes, it can be VERY overwhelming to see the contents of that box for the first time. My husband and I went through injections class twice - once when I started IUIs two years ago, and once again just before beginning IVF. I felt more in control doing the injections myself, rather than having my husband do them (I'll take whatever control I can get in this process...nearly all of it is completely out of my hands). But I was so afraid that I would mess something up, whether it was with the needles, or mixing the medications, or any other number of things my mind could conjure up. The first two nights, I asked my husband to watch and verify everything I did, just to make sure. After that, it was easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Freedom pharmacy has lots of videos and information about medications. If you have any doubts about mixing/dosage call your nurse to confirm.

Good advice. I watched the videos while I did my injections at first. By the end I was wondering why I didn't go to nursing school. I especially liked holding the needle up and flicking it for air bubbles.

[Anonymous]

OP, maybe the nurses in your doctors office can do the first few shots with you, and even show your husband.

I agree w/ the others - they aren't as bad as they seem. I was QUITE afraid, and even more apprehensive about my husband doing it.

But by the time we were in our third cycle we were pros and the shots were really no big deal. It also becomes some weird rite of passage or badge of honor or something.

At least try to give yourself a chance to do it, and your husband also. I found the nurses extremely supportive. They also drew targets on me a couple of times because I was worried about hurting myself by doing it in the wrong spot or something.

By the end I could jab anything I needed in, without hardly even looking or flinching, and my husband was pretty skilled also.

You can do it. Really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Freedom pharmacy has lots of videos and information about medications. If you have any doubts about mixing/dosage call your nurse to confirm.

Good advice. I watched the videos while I did my injections at first. By the end I was wondering why I didn't go to nursing school. I especially liked holding the needle up and flicking it for air bubbles.

It's watching their videos that scared the bejeezus out of me. OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are injection services available (ask your clinic for references), but I agree with the other PPs that the subcutaneous shots are really no big deal, and I was pretty needle-phobic when I started dealing with IVF. The needles really don't hurt, and of the three medications I was on (Menopur, Ganirelix, and Gonal F), only the Menopur stung just a tiny bit, and you can decrease that burn by icing the injection site first and injecting slowly. It will be a huge hassle and extra expense to have a nurse showing up once or twice a day every day for 10-14 days to do these injections for you. The only one that I would have considered that for was the HCG trigger that is IM, and that would be more out of fear of hitting a nerve than anything else.

As a person with an actual needle phobia, I highly doubt that you were phobic at all by the clinical guidelines. I also highly doubt that OP and her DH are either. If the issue is just disliking needles, IVF should acclimate you pretty well to them, meaning they will get easier every day.

I'm sorry if I offended you by my choice of words there. Yes, I understand that some people are clinically "needle phobic", and no, I'm not one of them, but I have always been anxious with regards to needles for bloodwork and immunizations. You're right, the repeated bloodwork and injections from 2 years' worth of infertility diagnosis and treatments have made it that easier. I wasn't trying to make light of anyone's true phobias, I promise. You can have a fear of something without it being a true phobia by "clinical guidelines". Guess I wasn't choosing my words wisely this morning.

OP, yes, it can be VERY overwhelming to see the contents of that box for the first time. My husband and I went through injections class twice - once when I started IUIs two years ago, and once again just before beginning IVF. I felt more in control doing the injections myself, rather than having my husband do them (I'll take whatever control I can get in this process...nearly all of it is completely out of my hands). But I was so afraid that I would mess something up, whether it was with the needles, or mixing the medications, or any other number of things my mind could conjure up. The first two nights, I asked my husband to watch and verify everything I did, just to make sure. After that, it was easy.

PP here. Ha, you didn't "offend me" with your choice of words. I just try to point it out whenever possible, even somewhat obnoxiously (sorry about that), because nurses and doctors hear that so many patients have a "needle phobia" that they make light of people who have a clinical phobia. It actually creates a lot of real medical issues for people with the phobia that causes them to have blood pressure issues - too many people "crying wolf" or "crying phobia." My main point was that if OP doesn't really have a phobia, getting over this shouldn't be that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Freedom pharmacy has lots of videos and information about medications. If you have any doubts about mixing/dosage call your nurse to confirm.

Good advice. I watched the videos while I did my injections at first. By the end I was wondering why I didn't go to nursing school. I especially liked holding the needle up and flicking it for air bubbles.

It's watching their videos that scared the bejeezus out of me. OP.

I think the videos are helpful. first time round they make you feel nervous about it; getting it right and all. I agree with 12:49 .. mix yourself, so you control that. then hand the needle over to DH. All he has to do is stick and plunge. Mine, who was very nervous about using the needle and scared about hurting me, managed just fine. he really can't mess up. although i will say that some spots hurt a bit more than others when he didn't get it exactly right. when he travelled, had to do it myself, which kind of sucked, but manageable. there are services that will do it, your clinic probably has recommendations, but it is really expensive (i thought about it when husband was travelling but the cost quickly disabused me of that idea. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, do NOT use Columbia Fertility staff! Most of them are not even really nurses!

[Anonymous]

For the IM shots, my friend found the videos made by people who are transgender were the best. They have to do shots for the rest of their lives, so they are really good at them LOL

OP--I know it is scary. Just take it one step at a time. Re-read the directions. Then lay out all your equipment and meds. Then draw up the meds (I would check them off my list as I did it). Then wipe skin with alcohol and wait to dry. Clear the air bubble. Then hand to DH and point to a target(can skip this step if you are doing it yourself). Then take long, slow breaths (dont hold your breath), then stick the needle in.

Seriously, it's like a finger pin prick (but there are less nerve ending on your belly and upper buttocks). If you can handle the monitoring blood draw or pricking your finger when sewing, you can handle this.

[Anonymous]

Subcutaneous daily shots are seriously no bigger deal than crossing the street. It may look intimidating if you have never done it, but it's not anything to stress about. Plus, I think it will be very expensive and stressful to have someone come in every day for two weeks. I would suggest that you try and see if it's as bad as you thought. Chances are, it would not be.

I did have someone give me my IM trigger shot and that I don't regret. My IVF nurse recommended someone.

[Anonymous]

OP, please just try to take it step-by-step. As previously suggested, perhaps an injection class and a few visits from a nurse will set you on your way. I'm currently going through the frozen transfer protocol (so, IM injections every day, sometimes two in one day) and I'm pretty terrified of needles. I'm not going to lie, I HATE the injections and for me, they do hurt, but I'm just gritting my teeth and keeping my fingers crossed. I feel so anxious every time I'm getting ready to do it. Whatever works out best for you, good luck with your cycle!

[Anonymous]

I do all my own shots. Do not want anyone else doing them for me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do all my own shots. Do not want anyone else doing them for me!

Very idiotic response. Obviously you have nothing to contribute to this thread, but yay for you!