Bemfola leak - 2nd injection??

[LMT86]

On my third day of Bemfola injections but the pen just leaked out of the cap whilst injecting. It clicked in to place as instructed, haven’t had this issue previously but I think v little if any actually went in. Should I do a second injection or just carry on? Can’t get any clinic support as it’s Sunday 😔

[ttcsolomummytobe]

Hi, just wanted to reply, I know it's many hours later so hope you got support. You can search the forum for similar posts as yours. These may be helpful for future when it's a time sensitive response you need. When I view your post I can scroll down and it shows "related posts".

As it's so early in your cycle mention it at your next scan, they may change the dosage if needed.

[LMT86 in reply to ttcsolomummytobe]

Thanks, I had searched the threads first but couldn’t find any reference to whether to inject again. Nurse today suggested I should’ve done but also gave me an emergency contact number in case it happens again. Thanks for replying!

[jinis]

Heya - sorry you had to experience this. I know from my experience how stressful it can be 😔 Hope you're ok.

I had the exact same issue with Bemfola pens when I did embryo batch freezing in 2021. I had pens leaking towards the end of 2nd and during the first half of the 3rd cycles. Droplets leaked from where the needle head is attached to the rest of the pen.

I raised it with nurses (and I have to say I had to be insistent that I'm doing things right) & they eventually gave me needles from a different batch, and it started working again - no leakage.

So I would call up your clinic first thing and ask for needles from a different batch.

Rest assured this didn’t affect the outcomes of my cycles - the 3rd one turned out to be the best in terms of number of embryos frozen. They can always up your dosage or the length of stimulation if needed.

Here's a link to a thread of another person who had the same issue - there I talk more about batch numbers & click or twist business... healthunlocked.com/fertilit...

Let me know how it goes xx

[LMT86 in reply to jinis]

Thanks for replying to me! Sounds like leakage is a common problem. The nurse did say “you know you need to take the cap off to inject, right?”…honestly! She couldn’t get her head round me explaining that the plastic around the needle leaked.

Really appreciate you getting back to me. Glad you had successful collections x

[JoleneR]

Hi, sorry to hear this happened to you, too. This happened to me in one of my cycles last year and caused a huge amount of stress, but ended up ok. But it was very upsetting and inconvenient at the time. Fortunately the clinic agreed it was an issue with the pens and gave me a free replacement. I think I did a second injection for one of the leaks because I thought almost none got in, but another time just a few drops leaked so I didn't.

I ended up discovering what the issue was: there is a plastic collar at the base of the needle that spins, and some of them weren't turned around to tighten them correctly and close the seal. This resulted in a leak near the base of the needle, regardless of the needle head being clicked into the pen correctly and tightly. The issue was how the needle head was assembled (though for the cost, you would expect they would be manufactured correctly!)

Knowing that, I started checking my pens before injection and had to tighten a few of the collars, but I didn't have any more leaks.

Try not to panic and I hope the rest of your cycle goes smoothly.

[LMT86 in reply to JoleneR]

Thanks so much for replying to me! Will double check the head tonight, it seemed to be leaking from the rim near to the needle so I don’t know if it was just a cracked one or what you’re suggesting. Definitely worth knowing though, thanks!