Clexane Injections are so painful!

[SJYoung]

I had my FET on Monday and have had to do clexane injections in the evenings. I am finding these injections are so painful compared the stims for EC. I'm dreading having to take them for a long period of time 🙈

Is anyone having clexane too? And any tips with what I could be doing wrong? X

[Kari55]

I had wiped the small drop that comes out after pulling out the lid and were inserting the needle slowly, then slowly injecting and slowly pulling it out. It worked for me. Good luck x

[SJYoung in reply to Kari55]

Might have to give that a try x

[CC2018 in reply to Kari55]

This ♡ I had to take them for a few months then I got told I could come off them. I found if I pinched my belly hard enough it distracted from the pain.

[SJYoung in reply to CC2018]

I tried this last night and was alot better, I tried ice but found I bruised even more x

[CC2018 in reply to SJYoung]

Glad it helped and as above- always wipe the small dribble off the end before you insert as I found this made it sting more. I was very bruised across my tummy and found the places that bruised less were my sides where i' m not as flabby

[CatDV]

Hey!

I numb the area that I am going to inject with some ice before and after the injection

I barely feel it

[SJYoung in reply to CatDV]

I've tried ice but didn't make too much difference, might try for longer x

[Tugsgirl]

I’ve done clexane for three transfers now. I start them again on Monday. They hurt. They bruise. I haven’t found a way of them not hurting even though I use ice. It’s numb for a bit but then after a few minutes it starts hurting. Other than trying ice I’m not sure what else to try xx

[SJYoung in reply to Tugsgirl]

I've got one bruise so far 😭 good luck for Monday 😘 x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi SJYoung. The other ladies have explained the importance of slowly inserting needle, injecting slowly and pulling needle out slowly. If leaving a cube of ice doesn’t work, then you could try some lignocaine gel. You put a blob on the spot, cover with some cling film or clear dressing (don’t rub it in). Leave for 20 minutes, then wipe off and inject, the way I described. You may be able to buy the gel from pharmacist, or else your GP will write you up for some. Good luck! Diane

[SJYoung in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane

[LHow81]

I took clexane for almost a year. I found using ice before, also pressing firmly on the injection site afterwards for like a minute. Try not to wipe or rub the area at all. I had some shocking bruises and it was very painful but these things did help me. Xx

[Wishingfortheday in reply to LHow81]

I second this method - I press my flat palm on the area immediately after withdrawing the needle, try to press firmly but keep your hand still for at least a minute afterwards. Although I do sometimes get the stinging pain it is not nearly as bad xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Tips I was given for my fragmin (very similar) from the ladies on here were to use cold packs (the bump ones you get for children) before and after, and to be sure not to rub. It did help but they are stingy and it’s not that much fun. Sympathy x

[Hidden]

I used to find it very painful and stressful. I changed to injecting at the top of thighs, a cm or so below my groin crease. It really helped and sometimes would be completely pain free.

[SJYoung in reply to Hidden]

I never thought of changing the area. Defiantly will give that a try x

[Kelz84]

Hi all I’ve taken clexane for many years on and off due to having clotting blood. I inject mine on the top of my thighs. I pinch the area needed, the needle has a slanted edge. When placing the needle in make sure the slanted edge is facing you and inject just below the skin and not into the muscle. You almost inject it diagonal. You will find you have no pain and the smallest bruise. Hope this helps. Xx

[AnnieAnnie]

I agree with what has been said about doing the injections slowly. I wait before pulling the needle out at the end to make sure none of the clexane leaks out and it also helps with the sting. I've found that some areas of my skin are just harder to penetrate with the needle compared to others. So I look for an area the needles slides into easy. If the skin is tougher in an area, I won't force it and I look for another area xx

[Jonesjp]

Hi hunny I had clexane after I had my hips replaced and I bloody hated it, I’ve even got a couple of scars on my tummy from the needles as you seem to get a random blunt one every so often. I also don’t like the centrorelix we have to inject in the morning so I have started using Emla cream (numbing cream) with the plaster over it for a few hours and then I don’t feel it, it’s far less stressful 😀 x x

[Esme78]

Hi there - I am on Clexane too - until 12th week (next week) so not long to go. Yes, I do find them very uncomfortable - IVF meds were so much easier! I shake off the little drop that is there when you open the injection and that seems to make a difference. I dislike injecting into my tummy also and have quite a few bruises. Keep going!

[Suzannah1985]

I hear you!! I am on inhixa at the moment and that stings too, my clinic also doubled my dose after my last round ended in miscarriage. unfortunately I already had a months supply of the old dose, so now I have 2 weeks of two injections of it every morning.

I can only second what the other ladies have said and I also find a few curse words help 😝

Good luck xx

[Music1]

Hi I can totally relate. I've been on them for 4 weeks now prior to starting ivf and now through the 2ww. I have found a cream called 'EMLA CREAM' which I now couldn't do without. You do need to leave it on for an hour + for it to work though which can be a nuisance. It's around £4.50 a small tube of 5mg so you have to eeekk it out like nothing else. Sounds stupid but I draw a small half centimeter target on my side where I would put the injection. Put the cream over that area, don't rub in, leave it resting on top. Then cover with cling film and med tape or use the patches that come with some packs. Cut them in half to last longer.

I still have a needle phobia, but before I discovered this I would burst into tears at the prospect of an injection. This has given me the confidence to do my own on days when my other half isn't around. You still get a bit of the 'after sting' but you don't feel it quite so much. Another option is AMETOP cream. This one works in 30-40mins. Please leave on full time or you will feel it. Both really numb the area. Wish I'd known about these earlier as I had 2 weeks of injections with nothing which caused real anxiety every morning when I woke and they really hurt and sting like a b**ch. Get the cream asap it's so worth it. Best wishes x