Injections getting harder.

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

So, when I did my first cycle last year, I naively thought injecting myself would get easier, not harder. I've never had a problem with needles, but I found it harder every day of the ivf cycle.

Just started my second cycle, and hoped I would be ok with injecting before the side effects kicked in, but no, I found it even harder than before. I think it's partly because I know I'm pumping myself full of drugs that turned me into a tired grouchy cow last time. But also I don't have very good injection technique!

I've booked injection refresher training for Tuesday so should be able to ask the nurse for help with my technique!

BUT I wanted to know if I'm the only one who thinks it gets harder rather than easier? I'm on long protocol and I will be on three injections a day by the end as they're giving me menopur and gonal-f this time. I'm not sure how I'll make myself do it!

Tell me I'm not the only one?!

[WeeMrsH]

I know where you're coming from. The injections aren't getting harder for me, it's more that because I know what's in store- like you said I too was a grumpy tired cow last 2 times! Awful migraines, sweats, couldn't sleep. So I worked myself up so much last week at the thought of this! xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to WeeMrsH]

Not sleeping due to night sweats was my worst symptom last time. Both my hubbie and I are horrible when tired and ivf is hard enough on you both anyway!

My acupuncturist reckons that she can support me with the symptoms this time round... I didn't do acupuncture last time, this time I've had it once a week for the past four weeks and plan to continue weekly throughout the process... I hope it helps!

[Hidden]

I found it easier at the beginning too I started in my tummy but it got too painful in the end as I ran out of baby needles and they gave me bigger ones and they hurt, it used to take me ages I changed to my thigh towards end as my tummy was covered in dots. I'm not looking forward to it again. I was supposed to start this week but my scan revealed cysts so I'm delayed . When you were injecting twice did you use same needle for both drugs. I changed my needle each time and I'm wondering if that's why I ran out x

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hidden]

Each of my drugs has its own needle, they're different styles for each drug.

I only had to do two drugs last time, the menopur had a syringe which I had to attach a really big needle to, to mix the solution then swap for a thin one for injecting. The buserelin was done in a straightforward 5ml syringe with needle already attached.

For all my drugs I've been given plenty of needles... I had loads left over last time so I think they must have just dispensed you the wrong amount!

[pana82]

I was the same! First injection was absolutely fine then gradually I started to dread every single one. I found the menopur really burned sometimes and that didn't help either. Once I reached the halfway mark, I started doing a mental countdown to the end to make myself feel better and I'd remind myself how many I'd done to date and congratulate myself on how brave I'd been to get so far!! 😂

Good luck, you'll finish stimming in no time! Xxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to pana82]

It's all about the congratulations! And for me, having a sherbet lemon to suck whilst it stings!!

[Hollibob]

I can sympathise...

Going back to our very first round...i did the one with the nurse, the first 3 days and the next night I just couldn't do it. I sat there for what felt like forever telling myself all sorts of things to encourage me to do it, but I just couldn't and called my husband.

We've had 3 fresh and 1 frozen cycle in total at the moment and my husband 'happily' assists with doing them. It helps him to be involved in the process and to be honest whereas as I was angry and upset that I couldn't do it, he said to me it's not worth getting stressed over..he's there to help.

Will your hubby be able to help?

X

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hollibob]

My hubby was on 'mixing drugs duty' last time once I got on to the stims, and he did say he felt more involved once this was the case. But I'm not sure the thought of him injecting me is any better... possibly worse, but we will see how I feel in a week or two about that!

Our injection training didn't include any actual injecting last time... they just had some fake pad things which was nothing like actually doing it to yourself. I'm going to ask if they will actually give me one so I can see how it should feel, but I think they'll say no due to the timing (they like us to take them in the evening).

On the positive side, my husband is much more aware now of my need for praise... hopefully he'll be better this time at telling me I'm doing well... last time he was as grumpy as me!

[Hollibob in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

They just got me and my husband to inject an empty syringe into my stomach..not the full procedure, but I think it's that mental hurdle.

Maybe give your hubby an opportunity to see how he gets on and how you feel?

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hollibob]

Yes I might... I'll see how I feel. He might have to do it if I keep on feeling worse each time, but he's not always here so I have to be able to face it myself too!

I'm glad to hear it's not just me who thinks it gets worse not better!

[Hollibob in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

I know...I got my acupuncturist to do the ones when hubby wasn't around

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hollibob]

Tonight not as bad as last night, though was in a dimly lit restaurant toilet and managed to scratch my knuckle with the needle first!

I'm so glad I'm not diabetic... I really feel for people who have to inject insulin every day of their lives.

[Hollibob in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Oh no!

The places we have to do these things...should keep a diary to look back on and laugh at one day!!

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hollibob]

A male friend who went through IUI in India, once got to a clinic to,ahem, produce his sample, only to find the little room was locked, so they just told him to use the consultant's office... which had loads of photos of babies all over the wall!!! Whenever I have a low, I think about that story and remind myself you have to laugh (so you don't cry)!

[Hidden]

Aw I feel for you and hopefully the refresher will help. Try looking on you tube there's loads of vids that might just help xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks button, I did this last time and that's how I realised I could use my stomach (nurse at my clinic was insistent thigh was better but I just kept bruising)... later I asked the consultant and she said it made no difference so I don't know why the nurse was so insistent about thigh!

[Hidden in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

I always did mine in my tummy sat down, pinch a good inch and go for it xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hidden]

Last night I thought of that phrase 'a good inch' and it helped! I got a good handful and I think it went in better. Still had a lump for over two hours though.

[Pookymama]

Aw hun, I'm sorry you're having a tough time with it, it's never nice is it.

At the beginning of this round I felt more nervous dreading yet another round of needles but when it's come to it I've approached it in more matter of factly and tried to bring some humour in which has helped me cope better.

Having said that, I went to the theatre with some friends the other night and the show went on longer than I thought so I had to reveal to my male friend that I'm going through ivf and ask if I could inject in his car. My hands were shaking and I had trouble sucking the drug into the needle, then a had a few tears afterwards.

I'm definitely happier doing the shots at home and having my dh help.

The only other time I've had to do a shot while out was on our last cycle. It was Valentine's Day and we'd gone out for a meal which we'd booked early in order to try and get home by shot time.

Turns out we had to pull into a carpark on route home and do it. I was so nervous seeing people walk by, my dh gave the shot and I had a big black bruise afterwards which has only recently gone away.

In terms of technique, last cycle was much more painful that this one so far. We've noticed that the needle has a point on one end and try to put that end in first which seems to reduce the pain.

Good luck with it lovely. Hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Pookymama]

I've been wondering about needle point- on my list to ask about on Tuesday!!

[Pookymama in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

That's just what we've noticed about the burserlin needles but others may be different. Definitely worth an ask

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Pookymama]

Had some good tips from the nurse today. I've been going in at a 45 degree angle but she told me to go straight in, I guess that way the point will always go in first! Also to let go of my pinch once the needle was in, which I had not been doing. It still hurt tonight but I think I'm getting back in to the swing of it, and accepting it's never gonna be easy!