Starting injections tonight!

[Claryfri]

I posted few days ago about no bleed on norethisterone, of course, after not even 12 hours after I posted I bled! Classic me! I am a very anxious person and I always look at the worst case scenario (but it is something I am actively working on to improve).

I am starting GonalF tonight and then ganirelix (? I think that's how it's called). I feel ok because I am on annual leave for most of the days I am taking the injections, so at least I do not have the anxiety of being in work and coming home in a rush. I am scared and excited at the same time, I remain positive, but I am also aware this is a tough journey, so send all of you a big hug! Anything I need to be prepared for/know before doing the shots? I am a bit of a drama queen and I have super low pain threshold, but I'll take a big breath and have a treat afterwards

[neonpg]

Hi Claryfri, I'm so glad you had your bleed and you're able to start as planned. And don't worry you're not alone with fearing the worst, just check out all my old posts on here 😅

Honestly you'll see a lot of different tips out there about icing the area and wotnot, but in my opinion one of the best things you can do to minimise the pain is to not hesitate. Take a deep breath, stick the needle in, administer, s then withdraw the needle just as quickly. If you do it slowly there's more time to overthink and actually prolong any discomfort. And I can assure you that most injections (particularly gonal F) do not hurt as the needle is teeny. You might experience a little more discomfort with the ganirelix but for any that sting I just apply some pressure to my abdomen and gently rub around the injection site. You got this!

[Claryfri in reply to neonpg]

JUST DID IT! Or better. My partner did it for me lol. I was shaking like a leaf (still am) and I am very dizzy but it is the fear more than anything else. I was so scared I didn’t even realise the needle was going in. Honestly, I am blessed that we have the finances to do this, but I am counting down the days til next Sunday when this is over.

I read your background. I keep my fingers crossed for you and your partner this time around. You deserve to have a beautiful baby.

[WillowPark]

Exciting! Maybe just if you are in a situation where you start typing into google "IVF injection [insert worry here] am I going to die", whatever you write, you are probably going to be absolutely fine 🤣 Also if you are sore ice cubes on the injection site before the injection and be confident and steady. Good luck! I found stims the best of all the drugs! x

[Claryfri in reply to WillowPark]

Oh, ehm...you may have described my google search history! 😅I am really terrified of the side effects of these hormones and if they'll give me problems on the long run...however it seems that these procedures are generally safe. I hope so, because I am terrified :(.

hahahaha well, I didn't feel the needle going in last night, like ZERO pain, and I didn't bruise...in your experience is there any side effects I need to look out for? I already feel very gassy. That's good that you found the stems the best of all the drugs, I am already over these.

[WillowPark in reply to Claryfri]

Yes, the bloating can be unpleasant. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. The worst effect I had on stims was after taking my second injection (I had fyremadel) I had a rash which started at the injection site a few minutes after injecting and spread across my abdomen. It was really stingy, like sunburn. It calmed down in about 2 hours but I got it every night. I've found lots of unpleasant side effects but also found they have disappeared when I have stopped taking the drugs, so hopefully no long term effects! I generally found I had headaches/migraines when switching drugs and bloating. The progesterone drugs made me feel really very low too. But nothing horrendous and definitely worth it in the long run! x

[Claryfri in reply to WillowPark]

Sounds like we are on the same meds. I had to take norethisterone for my period (I absolutely had zero side effects, but when I stopped it I was incredibly sad for 2 days and then from the day I got the bleed I was fine). Now GonalF and on the 17th I will start fyremadel... I am not looking forward to the sting, but it's only for five days (hopefully) I think I can make it!

Wherever you are in your journey, I wish you all the love and happiness I know you deserve. We will be fine 💕

[WillowPark in reply to Claryfri]

That's interesting. On northisterone I was incredibly anxious - I could hardly drive my car as I was convinced everyone I saw was about to pull out of junctions and smash into me 🤣 It was the later progesterone drugs (cyclogest and then lubion) that made me low. Especially coming off them. Fingers crossed everything is good at your next scan and you can move quickly to egg collection!

[Claryfri in reply to WillowPark]

Yeah, I was fine on norethisterone. I am on day 4 of gonalF and I have some mild cramping and occasional “sting” inside by the ovary (the same feeling I have when i am ovulating). I am just really sad all the time and worry that this is all for nothing and I will die because of the hormones and I may get cancer and all, but I think it’s all the injections that are making me feel so uncomfortable. I just want to get this done and over with, so far not the best experience 😱

[WillowPark in reply to Claryfri]

Not so good! Make sure you are drinking tons of water. That seems to help so much, including the cramping and twinges. The ovaries will be doing their thing now so the twinges sound normal - try to think of them as a good sign! The worrying sounds a mix of totally normal (it is a horribly stressful process and you are right, you dont know if it will be worth it until it is!) and the drugs, which can make you feel so out of sorts mentally. It might help you to look at the true statistics. If I recall correctly, nobody in the UK has died from IVF treatment in a very, very long time, and the risk of cancer is only very, very minimally elevated. Rationally you will be absolutely fine! There is a much, much higher chance that you will have a baby, not have cancer and not die early! Day 4, you are already getting through this 💪