First round medication coming, what else do I need?

[Darcy1996]

Hi all, hope all are well, coping and looking after yourselves.

I’m about to start my very first IVF round, and just had our prescription through for the EC drugs / injections. I’m so excited & so fearful in equal measure!

Have our nurse consult on Weds then likely start injections on Sunday/Monday. So my question is, what else do I need? What else have you experts found essential/helpful?

A sharps bin maybe, some alcohol wipes? Ice packs? Any good refrigerated bags if going out?

All the best

[PeppyMiller]

Hiya!

Exciting times ahead! So first of all - good luck 🤞🏼

They gave me a sharp bin for the needles so probably a good idea, but if you have to pay extra I would say just make sure the cap is on properly before binning them.

I did use sterile wipes to clean the area before each injection, the nurses said it wasn't necessary but the few times I didn't use them it stung a bit so I stuck with it.

I didn't use ice packs, as apprehensive as I was about the whole thing it didn't hurt that much, but if you think it might be something that will help you, go for it!

And about the refrigerated bags, check if your medication can be kept at room temperature at home, and do you know when you will be injecting? I only had to do it in the morning so I never had to take them anywhere with me.

[Darcy1996 in reply to PeppyMiller]

Thanks so much PeppyMiller - it feels like after years of reading & lurking I’m suddenly unprepared some how! We have our nurse consult next Weds to discuss the protocol - from the frantic googling of the prescribed injectables, I think they’ll be pm use which in a way is better as I’ll be home with the OH. I’ve told him I’m 90% sure they all settle better if there’s ice cream to hand after each jab…. 🤣

So far the detail from the company delivering the drugs says some need to be refrigerated f’sure, and depending on my instructions I’ve highlighted a fridge that nobody uses at work, to keep them away from unsupportive boss’ prying eyes if I’m out that night….and we have been storing up the hello fresh ice packs for months…if they only knew 🤣

[Football61]

Hi. Make sure you have enough syringes and needles. Definitely a sharps bin. I got caught out a few times when I went to pick up medication from Asda and then discovered that it needed to be kept refrigerated on the way home (and I was travelling by tube!). So definitely a good refrigerator bag and an ice block. I personally didn’t use alcohol wipes for my injections, but I did reward myself with a couple of cubes of dark chocolate and a swig of Pepsi Max after each injection! 🤣. Good luck x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Football61]

Thanks Football61 I’m stealing that necessary reward trick f’sure!! Maybe cheese for one drug, chocolate for another 🤣

So annoying re the Asda run, I bet you’ve never ran down tube corridors so quickly! Thankfully mine are being delivered but I’m already pondering on best way to hide them all & get them back home safe if they come to work. Might have to fake a lot of picnics 🙈🙈

[JoleneR]

I found plasters essential! Sometimes you might nick a small blood vessel when doing the injections (which isn't cause for concern) and you don't want to worry about blood on your clothes.

And a sharps bin - I put all my capped needles and glass bottles in there, and the Council collected them for free. 😊

[ecoexplorer]

Hello, I echoe what otehr posts have said. a sharps bin is essential, my other half did the injections but I Always threw them in that bin afterwards as a reward. Icecream is a mist if you want it, maybe not in the morning though lol, but do whatever gets you through. I have an app too which I could tick meds off every day and it counted down to egg collection. I found my skin too sencitive for ice. Alcohol wipes are useful, al meds say you need them, try to find the small ones though because you don't need a large area. Which meds are you taking? They give different reactions in everyone but I'm sure you will be a pro very soon. I have nust my 2nd round, never though 2 years ago that I'd be saying that. You are stronger than you ever knew you were. Good lukc, you got this!