Venting : First IVF : Too Many shots?

[Anonymous]

My Nurse told me I will be on shots for 10 - 14 days, some times 3 shots a day. I am worried about all the needles (and side effects!)

[Anonymous]

You get used to the needles (or at least I did). I found acupuncture helped me relax during the cycle.

[Anonymous]

I was worried too. Shots are not a big deal, you will be amazed how fast you'll get used to them. On a scale of 0 to 10 (10 being screaming with unbearable pain) mine were about 1. It's not pleasant, but it's just a prick of a super thin needle.

Side effects vary. You'd have a lot of bloating towards the end of stims. I did have mood swings which sucked. I also put on 5-6 pounds in the process most of which went to belly fat. I now look 4 months pregnant (cycle was in May) but sadly and very ironically I am not.

Oh and you may develop strong dislike of your clinic staff. I know i did

[Anonymous]

I heard so many dramatic things about the injections, but my reality was nothing like what I'd heard. They were really not a problem. I didn't have mood swings, no pain/itching/bruising, etc. I had major issues with the bcp (on/off for 5 months), so perhaps that's why the injections felt like a piece of cake Good luck, OP...you'll be ok!

[Anonymous]

DH did my shots, so lovingly and with such care that I almost didn't mind them. For me, some of the drugs burned more than the needle hurt. DH also took care of mixing and prepping. Regardless of who's administering the shots, I highly recommend taking the injection class before you start. Also, think about picking a time of day that conflicts the least with your schedule, because you're stuck with whatever time you pick.

[Anonymous]

The only shots that were an issue for me were PIO shots. But I think most protocols don't use these anymore?

[Anonymous]

I only had PIO shots for my FET, and they were nasty.After the fresh transfer I used progesterone inserts.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who recommended taking the injections class. It really helped me feel more comfortable with the injections. Honestly, the subcutaneous shots are not bad at all. I'm doing a FET now and really hate the IM shots...those are the worst.

[Anonymous]

You barely feel the belly shots. There was only one shot that I took that really burned. I've done the IM--POI and del-est twice for 10 weeks now (I'm almost done, Yay!). I found those to not be that bad either. Most felt like I prick my finger with a pin. Every once in awhile I got one that was a little painful.

Belly shots- 0-1 pain level
IM shots Mostly 1-2, rare 3 pain level

[Anonymous]

My issue with PIO was the ongoing irritation and bruising - more than the actual shot itself (which wasn't great).

And I only had PIO for fresh, suppositories for FET. Guess every shop is different.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to psych myself up for about 20 minutes each night for the shots. I'd also pour a glass of wine and have it waiting for me as my reward for getting through it! I had bruising, but I bruise easily. Yes, for IVF, sometimes 3 shots a night, there were a couple of nights where I had 5 (just the way the meds worked out - i.e. not using a whole vial one night, so using up the unfinished one first before starting a new one). Definitely had bloating, put on about 4 pounds. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance, but mentally the shots were tough on me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd have to psych myself up for about 20 minutes each night for the shots. I'd also pour a glass of wine and have it waiting for me as my reward for getting through it! I had bruising, but I bruise easily. Yes, for IVF, sometimes 3 shots a night, there were a couple of nights where I had 5 (just the way the meds worked out - i.e. not using a whole vial one night, so using up the unfinished one first before starting a new one). Definitely had bloating, put on about 4 pounds. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance, but mentally the shots were tough on me.

You had a glass of wine every day during the stims?

[Anonymous]

I was terrified of the needles - and it was not bad at all! For the first night I suggest icing the spot for about 15 min before hand (more for mental help than physical help), but after that you won't need to. You will get used to it very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd have to psych myself up for about 20 minutes each night for the shots. I'd also pour a glass of wine and have it waiting for me as my reward for getting through it! I had bruising, but I bruise easily. Yes, for IVF, sometimes 3 shots a night, there were a couple of nights where I had 5 (just the way the meds worked out - i.e. not using a whole vial one night, so using up the unfinished one first before starting a new one). Definitely had bloating, put on about 4 pounds. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance, but mentally the shots were tough on me.

You had a glass of wine every day during the stims?

Hasn't this process taught you to be non-judgmental?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd have to psych myself up for about 20 minutes each night for the shots. I'd also pour a glass of wine and have it waiting for me as my reward for getting through it! I had bruising, but I bruise easily. Yes, for IVF, sometimes 3 shots a night, there were a couple of nights where I had 5 (just the way the meds worked out - i.e. not using a whole vial one night, so using up the unfinished one first before starting a new one). Definitely had bloating, put on about 4 pounds. I feel like I have a high pain tolerance, but mentally the shots were tough on me.

You had a glass of wine every day during the stims?

Hasn't this process taught you to be non-judgmental?

God, no kidding. Some people exercised every day, ate like sh!t, and were successful. Others, kept it in low gear according to RE directions, ate like champs, had acupuncture and massage, and their cycles failed. Who knows why what works or doesn't work for any individual.