Injecting progesterone with huge need... - Fertility Network UK

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Injecting progesterone with huge needles - help?!

Scarlett13 profile image
43 Replies

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Hi! I'm on round 2 of ivf, and from egg collection day for 18 days my boyfriend needs to inject me with progesterone just above the bum - with these huge needles! They need to go into my muscle rather than fat like the tummy ones I'm doing myself.

Last time I used vaginal pessaries but my period started just 9 days after embryo transfer so advised to try the oil based injections this time. We are both nervous and scared! Any one done these and got any advice?!

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Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13
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43 Replies
DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi Scarlett13. That's right i'm, afraid. If you're really scared, ask your GP to write you up for some lignocaine gel to put on the spot before injecting. You put in on in a big blob, don't rub it in, and cover it with a see through dressing from your GP too. Leave for half an hour, wipe it off and you won't feel a thing. "Magic cream". Good luck. Diane

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to DianeArnold

Oooh thanks Diane, that's a great tip! I was thinking of using an ice pack but I bet this is better!

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to DianeArnold

The gp surgery said I can get this over the counter, even better!

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK in reply to Scarlett13

There you go. Don’t forget to cover the blob or leave it uncovered for half an hour. Good luck! An ice cube left melt can help too. Diane

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to DianeArnold

Thanks Diane x

TTCs profile image
TTCs

Ouch these look painful! Diane seems to have given u brill advice. One plus if they are going in ur butt - u wont have to see them. Im sure u will handle it lovely. The hurdles we overcome to have a baby are never-ending! Good luck 😘

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to TTCs

Thank you so much x

Missmmc profile image
Missmmc

I had to do those injections. I did them myself and didn’t use any cream etc just cleaned the area before injecting just above bum using a mirror so I could see what I was doing. I promise you it really doesn’t hurt. At first you will feel a scratch as you pierce the skin but nothing as the needle goes in. They really aren’t that bad at all I found injecting clexane into my stomach more painful and that’s a much smaller needle. So don’t worry and good luck

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Missmmc

Oh wow you're amazing doing them yourself! Most people seem to think they really hurt so I'm glad to hear that you found them ok and I hope I'm the same as you! X

Aleelilook profile image
Aleelilook

I’m not going to lie to you these ones bloody hurt! Sorry! But my clinic gave me some smaller needles which helped massively, oh and that cream that Diane suggested sounds amazing, I will definitely get some for when I start injecting in my bum on Saturday! The things we do! Good luck lovely xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Aleelilook

Oh no you've done them before and need to do them again 😢who does them for you? I will ask for smaller needles! Are you injecting oil based progesterone? X

Aleelilook profile image
Aleelilook in reply to Scarlett13

Yep sadly I’m on round 5, but this is our first round with donor eggs. I don’t absorb progesterone particularly well so I do the suppositories and injections, oil based sadly! My husband does them in my bum as there is no way I can do them, but I have to say perversely I just think if it helps it’s good! Xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Aleelilook

Good luck with your 5th round and donor eggs. Xxx hope your husband finds the injections ok to do with experience?!

Aleelilook profile image
Aleelilook in reply to Scarlett13

Oh yes he’s a bit of a pro!! Thank you lovely xx

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK in reply to Scarlett13

So sorry but the injection should be intra muscular, hence the right size needle for the job. If the drug ends up in the fatty part, it often reacts and is very sore, plus it doesn’t fully absorb if not given at the right depth. Sorry to be miserable, but just be brave - you will manage I’m sure. Diane xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to DianeArnold

I've heard there are thinner ones - same length but thinner - but I'm guessing to deliver oil that this thickness is probably needed! X

Crazymrsrees79 profile image
Crazymrsrees79

From a girl who works in a pharmacy the cream your looking for is called emla. Ask behind a pharmacy counter cause it’s not normally out on a shelf to pickup yourself. It is only a 5g tube but you can get a few if needs be. I’ve used it before (for tattoos 😂) and left it on for an hour (only because it was a large area) covered it with cling film. Good luck x

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Crazymrsrees79

Thank you! That's what I got today 👍

Crazymrsrees79 profile image
Crazymrsrees79 in reply to Scarlett13

Ahhh good, your a very brave girl for doing those injections. Don’t think I could do them 😳😳 x

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Crazymrsrees79

I've used it for ratio removal!

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Scarlett13

Tattoo I meant

Squeak2 profile image
Squeak2

Oh good luck with this round!! I have a review appt on weds to see if I can have another go 🤞 Hope they let me! Let us know how things are going 💕 xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Squeak2

Hi squeak- thank you!!! Why might they not let you? X

Squeak2 profile image
Squeak2 in reply to Scarlett13

Was hoping to have another cycle with nhs but only allowed one due to now being over 40. Even though from being referred I had to wait for 3years... so going with private and need to decide on a clinic! How’s things going? xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Squeak2

Oh how frustrating!!!!!!! Good luck going private and finding a clinic. This is my second and last NHS funded round. Had second scan today, steady growth, egg collection hopefully Monday x

Squeak2 profile image
Squeak2 in reply to Scarlett13

Thanks lovely, good luck to you too xx

Poppy16 profile image
Poppy16

All the very best with the injections. You are really brave. Wishing you all the best with this round and every success.xo

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Poppy16

Thanks so much x

Tara2016 profile image
Tara2016

Hi Scarlett aww bless you I had to do these. I also used emla numbing cream and left it on for about half an hour. I then used a soft ice pack to numb it even more before adminstration. My husband did it and they aren't pleasant but it's more the fear that gets you than the actual pain. A good bit of advice is to warm the liquid in your bra beforehand, trust me I forgot to do this on one of them and it stung like crazy. I luckily only had 6 to do over 20 days. Best of luck xxx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Tara2016

Good tip, boobie power it shall be! Hope your husband did a good confident job with them! 18 days in a row for me eeeek xxx

welshone83 profile image
welshone83

Hi Scarlett... these are the mixing needles I used for merional whilst stimming

Not ones I injected with. Having said that I was injecting into tummy. Make sure you have the right ones Hun xx

270287 profile image
270287 in reply to welshone83

Yes these were also my mixing needles, I was also on merional x

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to 270287

Sadly I have this size for mixing but these are the correct size for the inter muscular bum injections - help! X

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply to welshone83

We’ve used these to mix too then swapped for the smaller brown tipped ones to actually inject xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Tugsgirl

Yes I've swapped to the smaller for the tummy injections but sadly these are the correct ones for muscular injections - can't believe I have to endure these, really am dreading it - makes the tummy ones not scary anymore! X

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply to Scarlett13

😕😥😦 Good luck Scarlett xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Tugsgirl

Thanks tugsgirl, if I can do this I can do anything?! Xxx

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply to Scarlett13

💪🏻💪🏻 xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to welshone83

Yes I have these for mixing my tummy injections but they are the actual needles for the bum injections as they have to penetrate muscle rather than fat - very scary! I thought the tummy ones were bad enough but now they seem like a walk in the park! Xx

Louhanlon profile image
Louhanlon

I have found using my ice pack soothes the area . Helps with the pain I have found just a suggestion xxx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Louhanlon

Thank you - I think I might try gel and ice pack?! Do you do these huge needles too? X

Louhanlon profile image
Louhanlon in reply to Scarlett13

Yes I do xx

Scarlett13 profile image
Scarlett13 in reply to Louhanlon

Oh bless you, feel for you, but glad to hear they are doable! X

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