Gonal F Pen needle is stuck - aaaargh!

[Football61]

I have a really embarrassing problem.

I started my first stims phase last night, and used the Gonal F pen for the second time tonight. But the needle won’t come off for love nor money! The white cap won’t ‘click’, or unscrew the needle (I’ve also used a cap from another needle in the pack - but same problem).

I’ve been sitting here for 1.5 hours trying to get it off. I spoke to the emergency nurse at my clinic, and she advised me to use pliers - but I’m afraid I’ll break the pen and spill the solution. She said this is the first time she’s heard of this happening (cringe) 🙈

Very grateful for any tips! Is my only solution to run to a pharmacy or my clinic tomorrow morning to see if they can yank the bugger off?!

Thanks x

[MayTheForth]

I thought I’d done the same thing and it ended up that I was just turning it the wrong way 😂 felt like such a numpty. Give that a go! Either way, I hope you’ve been able to sort it.

[Football61 in reply to MayTheForth]

Thanks so much. A very lovely pharmacist managed to unscrew it for me this morning - phew! 🫣

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Football. So pleased your sorted. Good luck with the cycle. Diane

[Football61 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks so much, Diane - I really appreciate it. I’ve got my second scan tomorrow. My antral follicle count was 8 when I had my fertility MOT in March, but it was 13 when I had my baseline scan a couple of days ago. Which I was delighted about, but the consultant said it looked like only 6 would reach the required size. Brought me back down to earth a bit, but I guess I just need to keep everything crossed x

[Kmcdon]

I'm just seeing this just now. I really hope you managed to get it sorted. I find all the injections and different ways of doing them very stressful so I feel your pain! Xx

[Football61 in reply to Kmcdon]

Thanks so much. I think you need a Chemistry PhD to do the Meriofert injection - it’s crazily complicated!! Thankfully managed to get the needle off the Gonal pen without having to resort to pliers (so embarrassing)…

[Kmcdon in reply to Football61]

Glad you got it sorted ☺️ I've got to do a prostrap injection next week and even though I've done it before I'm so nervous!!! Xx

[Football61]

Goodness, I’ve not heard of that one before. When I started the injections, I would stand with the needle in my hand for about 10 mins, psyching myself up. But now I just jab it straight in - which I’m taking as progress!! Best of luck for next week ❤️❤️