Started Menopur on Monday for first round of IVF. I didn't expect it to burn so bad. I feel like a wimp as it doesn't last long but I really struggled to do the second dose yesterday because I was expecting the burn this time. I've had to try and overcome a needle phobia to get this far and I'm already dreading having to do the third dose this evening.
Does anyone have any tips? I've been icing the area for a few minutes as the nurse recommended. Does it actually help or make it worse?
Hey lovely,
I took Menopur on my last cycle and didn’t get a burning sensation, I didn’t ice the area either though so I would definitely recommend trying it without!
I know the needles are scary but I promise it doesn’t hurt xx
Thanks, I think I'll try without icing tonight and see if that helps. The nurse told me to do a couple of practice goes with an empty syringe to try and get used to the needle so I don't feel too bad with that considering I was too scared to pick one up a few weeks ago. The Menopur just really burns going in.
Hopefully the no ice should work then! Good luck, you’ve got this 😘
Are you able to get your partner to do the injections for you? I also really struggle with doing injections on myself, especially after a few days, my brain just says nope! I can't specifically remember, but I had 1 injection that burned more than all of the others, I guess it's just variable. Best of luck with your cycle hun xx
I wanted to do them myself but I think I might have to get him to try because the thought of how much it burns is really putting me off. I start Fyremadel on Friday so I'm just hoping that doesn't burn as much. Thank you x
Hi rainbow. Oh dear, the dreaded needle phobia. You could try melting an ice cube on the area beforehand, or if you really can't handle it. speak to your pharmacy/GP and get some anaesthetic gel to numb the area. You need to put a big blob on and cover it with a clear plastic dressing. Wipe off after 20-30 minutes then inject. Perhaps your partner could do them for you?? Good luck! Diane
I've actually got some numbing cream ready for the cannula when it's time for egg collection so I could try that while I still have time to order more. Thank you.
Go for it! Good luck! Diane
Hi lovely, I also had a massive needle phobia and actually went for hypnotherapy before hand which did help. But as you’ve already started just try to remember that it’s only temporary. Mine stung a bit too but I got my husband to do them which helped. I iced the site for about 15 seconds as much longer and it can make it tougher to get the needle in as the skin contracts. Also try pinching yourself on the leg when it goes in to distract yourself... I found raking a deep breath and letting it out really slowly made me feel calmer. Hope this helps xxx
I've been doing graded exposure therapy in the run up which has definitely helped. I wouldn't have got this far without it. I'm going to try without icing tonight, hopefully that'll help. My hubby has suggested he do them for me, he seems a bit too eager. I've been trying to meditate beforehand so I'm as calm as possible but I'm still finding it very difficult. Hopefully it'll get easier. Thank you for the advice.
Hey. It does burn out of all the injections i took menopur hurt the most. I found injecting in my thigh was better have u tried that?
I've been told I need to do them in my tummy so I don't think thigh is an option. I'm really hoping that the others aren't as bad. Took me about an hour to pluck up the courage last night. I injected the Menopur much slower and that really helped with the burning so hopefully it'll be easier tonight.
Oh really i was doing 3 injections a night so was rotating them round my tummy and thighs. How strange we all get told so many different things dont we. As if this minefield wasnt difficult enough.
It is strange, I think a lot of it seems to be clinic preference. Three a night! I'm finding the one challenging. I'll be doing two a night from Friday onwards. I've been told to do them both on the same side and switch sides each night so one side gets a day off. I feel like I'm going to run out of space very quickly.
Hi Rainbow,
I am fine with needles (thanks to my dad's threatening "coaching" to be strong when I was little ) and I still struggled with these shots. So you are doing amazing in overcoming your phobia! I have arachnophobia, and if someone told me I had to hold a spider everyday to have a child, I would absolutely fail. So bravo!!
Even though I could have given them to myself, I let my husband handle it and was an incredible relief. Not only did I not have to look at myself being injected, which was lovely, but I also was able to focus on being still and getting through the few painful ones. IVF is hard enough, taking off the pressure of managing the shots was great! I was worried at first as my husband can be a bit controlling when something is in his domain--but he was honestly better at it then I would have been. It also helped him to understand the entire process--what I was taking, why, when, how painful it could be, why I was feeling so bad, etc.
If you keep injecting yourself, you are a strong woman!
Like I mentioned above, only one Menopur and one Gonal-F really hurt...still don't know why. Most were only mildly uncomfortable or I barely noticed. But I did end up standing for all my Gonal-F ones and sitting for all my Menopur ones. That seemed to keep the pain minimal, but maybe thats just happenstance.
Good luck and you rock!
xo Elise Mac
Hello, I did Menopur this past cycle for the first time and it did not burn at all. No icing, no prep, just a sterilizing wipe beforehand, and pressing down with a sterile wipe/pad after for a few moments. By the end of the treatment cycle I barely noticed the needle at all. The injections were mostly just to the side of my navel, alternating each day.
Thank you so much. Last night's was much more tolerable when I eventually did it. I think trying to inject it far slower helped. I tried to let my hubby do it but I couldn't give up the control. I think it'd be nice for him to feel like he's doing more but he's really supportive.
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