Lubion injections advice

[DLZ321]

Hey guys! Based on two transfers that have ended in early miscarriages I asked for my progesterone levels to be tested prior to my third transfer (this coming Tuesday). I went for my blood test today and they have called to say that my level has come back at 30.8 (I believe the range starts from 30?) so I am borderline. As a result they’ve said based on my history I should proceed with Lubion injections for this attempt …. And I’m absolutely dreading it 😖😖

I was wondering what sort of progesterone level is considered good prior to transfer.. as maybe being told mine is low compared to where it should be will inspire me a bit. As awful as the end results to my last two transfers have been, I’ve been so appreciative of a break from injections (having three egg collections sort of back to back).

Also for those of you who do take them, are they ok? The consultant said they don’t hurt but I feel like I’ve read other things on this forum 👀 and if you don’t mind sharing what sort of doses you are on… or whether it’s just a standard amount?

Just feeling a bit anxious about the whole thing which is so silly given the amount of needles we have to put up with in the world of ivf!! Hopefully after my first injection later I’ll be a little less anxious.

*update* so I’ve had the first injection and it’s absolutely not great 😂 I am going to change my question to does anyone have any tips for how to make it a bit more bearable? It was not too bad going in but is quite sore/throbby an hour and half on…. Can’t believe this may be for 12 weeks 🤯

Sorry im actually boring myself with how much of a baby I’m being about it but equally any tips welcome 😂🙏🏼

[Hidden]

Hi there, I used Lubion for the first time this round and found what worked for me through trial and error. My first week I was injecting in to the part where there seemed to be more fat either side below the belly button (I also inject blood thinners). It was painful and I ended up so bruised. I’m now injecting lower down - like on bikini line and hardly feel a thing. I think it helps if you pull the skin and inject lower. If you haven’t tried that give it a go. There will be loads of ladies on here with different tips I’m sure. Good luck ! X

[DLZ321 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply. I am reading out your advice word for word to my husband as he does all my injections. I honestly am finding it way worse than any prior injections. So when you do it lower down you don’t have any of the throbbing? I read some posts from years ago where people say to massage the area really hard straight away. I tried to do that after but guess I left it too long because it’s too sore to touch.

It’s a relief to know it got better for you though! Xx

[NemoFish]

I’d put it in my bra for 20 mins to bring it a bit closer to body temperature, and it made it a lot easier to inject!

[DLZ321 in reply to NemoFish]

Will totally be doing this tonight!

[Twiglet2]

I have used lubion quite a few times and up to 12 weeks with my current pregnancy it’s obviously not fun but it’s really not that bad when you get used to it. Maybe as I was on clexane injections as well (which can be nippy) I saw the lubion as the better one 😂 although a pain to make up, they can leave bruising sometimes but I found grabbing a good bit of skin and if too much resistance just move position. I did mine at night so I don’t have to put any clothes on my stomach afterwards either. When actually injecting I find going a little slower with lubion is best as it’s a sticky liquid that can come out if you go too fast and is annoying but all and all not that bad to be on for 12 weeks. Good luck xx

[DLZ321 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thanks Twiglet2, yes I should clearly be thankful I haven’t got clexane to do too as my post would be twice as long! 😂 it’s hard for me to know about resistance as my husband does them, but he did say it felt a lot harder to push in than prior injections. Will definitely tell him to go slower than usual - when you made these changes did it stop the after affects or it just lessened them? I can honestly still feel the area bruised this morning and we did it at 8pm last night. Will obv switch to other side tonight but generally wondering if this will still feel bruised when we need to switch back to this side tomorrow haha

Anyway it’s reassuring to know you get used to them!! You must be so happy to be past the 12 week mark 🩷

[Twiglet2 in reply to DLZ321]

Yeah I had a stomach full of bruises but think it was mostly the clexane. I could always find a wee space somewhere though for both the injections each day that wasn’t too painful. I find it much better doing it myself as then I can feel the resistance and if sore to stop etc. some days it hurt the next day still sometimes it didn’t. Some days it didn’t hurt at all even going in. I guess it is just one of those things we are the ‘delight’ of having to put ourselves through! 🤪😂 very very worth it though defo made a difference for me as I bled before test day a few times and this stopped that, made me know it wasn’t progesterone as an issue and that was all taken care of xx

[xIVFWarriorx]

I’ve now been on Lubion for 2 weeks and had the same first experience, but having done a little research I’m now warming the vial up a little in my hand before I inject it and it seems to make it go in a lot easier. I also really take my time injecting it. The needle must be in for at least 2 minutes. I also vigorously rub the injection site but it does need to be literally the second you pull the needle out. I forgot one night and rubbed it about 10 mins later and it was sore for a day afterwards. I’m probably the opposite to Forevertrying2 though, I started further down towards my bikini line and found that worse than up just below my belly button. I am now 6dp5dt so if this works, I like you will be on those injections daily as well as 4x Estraderm patches (changed every 2 days) and 2x Cyclogest pessaries per day. It’s going to be a long 12 weeks but well worth it. Wishing you luck with your cycle! X

[DLZ321 in reply to xIVFWarriorx]

Thanks for your reply! Two weeks feels like such a long time to be doing this let alone potentially 12 weeks 🤣 will absolutely take all these tips on board this evening. When you say you vigorously rub the site, how long would you do that for? Also interesting about different areas being better for different people. I guess it really is trial and error! I read a few old posts about some people doing it in their thigh too 🫠

How long before your transfer did you start the injections? Xx

[xIVFWarriorx in reply to DLZ321]

I know! When my clinic told me it would be until 12 weeks of pregnancy I almost passed out! I started my injections 6 days before my transfer, so almost 2 weeks ago now. I just rub it for about 30 seconds. I don’t go crazy, but enough that I feel it’s helping the liquid move around a little. The very first one I done I could barely move the next day but they’ve gotten easier since. I’ve had ones where the actual injection was sore at the time but fine afterwards and vice versa. It’s definitely a case of trial and error. You’ll soon figure out what works best for you. I just keep telling myself it’s for the greater good and that I’ll be sharing good news with our families at Christmas 🤞🏼x

[Wishinandahopin]

it’s absolutely worth taking it as can be the difference between baby or not.

But yes they can be painful a bit after, but you get used to them. I’ve heard some people ice the area before. I massage the area after. But yes stingy later on, but ultimately you’ll just get used to it. Be thankful you don’t have to take blood thinning injections as they are next level! 🙈 but yes it is rubbish- the things we have to go through to get pregnant! Totally unfair!

[DLZ321 in reply to Wishinandahopin]

Thank you - these are the strong words I need to hear!! Hahaha. I was the one who pushed for them to test my progesterone levels this time round and now that they have and said I need to boost them im annoyed about it 😂

Ultimately I am happy to be trying new things for this round, just wish it wasn’t so stingy! Like the rest of you I will get used to them 😅

How far in advance did you start taking the injections? Xx

[Wishinandahopin in reply to DLZ321]

Haha it’s all just rubbish though isn’t it!

I started taking them the same day I started the pessaries, so 5 days before my day 5 transfer. But that’s because I had previously had very low progesterone for my previous rounds.

[Here4ivfinfo]

I can’t give advice on the Lubion pain as I tend to tolerate it reasonably well but sometimes it does hurt more than others and sometimes it bruises and other times it doesn’t. I do think 30 is low for progesterone though. I think my clinic told me they want it at 100. Mine was 150 on transfer day for my last transfer and I was on two Lubion and 2 cyclogests per day.

[DLZ321 in reply to Here4ivfinfo]

That’s so interesting! I’m actually pleased to hear it’s low because that gives me more of a boost to do them! From what I was reading online I was thinking if I’m borderline, this is a very extreme thing to do for 12 weeks haha!

Though if your clinic wanted you at 100… I was 30.8 yesterday and my transfer is tomorrow. So I’ll have had two Lubion injections and 6 utrogestan pessaries before the transfer - how quickly do levels rise? I’m wondering whether I’ll still be low for transfer day. I’m also wondering whether I should ask them to take a progesterone blood test on the day of transfer too 🤔

[Here4ivfinfo in reply to DLZ321]

I'm not sure how quickly they rise but I imagine it's pretty quick. My clinic check progesterone on the day of transfer (after transfer) or even later than this if you have a transfer on a Saturday. They then up your dose (I assume) if needed. So I think it being low on the actual day is probably not an urgent issue (I'm assuming again!). Mine has always been quite high so I haven't experienced this. I feel like it probably doesn't NEED to be at 100 and expect clinics all have their own rules. I think mine is generally quite into over doing things! I think ask them though as that will hopefully help to put your mind at ease. Wishing you so much luck for your transfer tomorrow!! xx

[DLZ321 in reply to Here4ivfinfo]

I actually had a quick telephone call with one of the doctors today and he also reassured levels rise very quick with Lubion, and has said I can do another blood test tomorrow after transfer if I want to.. so I will do that for peace of mind! I actually mentioned about some clinics wanting 100 but he said generally they like to see above 30-40 based on studies la la la 🤷🏻‍♀️ either way I guess if it rises quickly then it should be ok. Anyway, probably better to feel like your clinic is overdoing it rather than the other way!

Thanks for your well wishes, third time lucky 💪🏼 what stage are you at? X

[DLZ321]

update: injection no.2 was much better this evening so thank you for all your advice everyone - it obviously helped!! X

[Rox28]

I was on lubion for weeks, the initial one was a bit sore but I think I pushed it in too fast but after that I pushed the liquid in slower & remove the needle after 5 seconds, slowly - didn't have much pain or soreness doing it that way. Also once I injected directly underneath my bellybutton in the centre of the stomach which was painful so after that I injected just below the belly button to the left or right side and swapped sides each night, certain areas once the needle was in it just slid in.

[DLZ321 in reply to Rox28]

This is very similar to how it’s been for me! The initial one was soooo much more than a bit sore for me 😂 so so bad, but thanks to all the advice with warming the vial prior, massaging the area and also making sure it’s all done slowly (and lower) …it’s literally night and day. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore. The first evening it was stinging, throbbing, I couldn’t engage my stomach to sit up and it still felt bruised the next morning. Amazing how much of a difference it’s made!!

I will be sure to avoid the centre based on your experience now too - just in case! 😄