(Hi, I am reposting this on this board due to higher traffic. Thanks!)

Ladies Need your help....
Can you help a DH and post your best tips for making the progesterone shot easier for DW (IVF)? What worked best for you?

-The Doctor refused to prescribe EMLA (sp?) Cream because they said it was taken off market for not being effective, now it is back on the market, and we were fed some FUD about not knowing what adverse effects the chemicals may cause. So even if the stuff works DH is now afraid to use it.

-We have used Ice a few times, but we understand that may inhibit the spreading of the progesterone oil, so we will avoid that.

-We tried Anbesol, but that didn't seem to do much of anything.

-We tried 'flicking' the spot for a few minutes, but that didn't help all that much.

-We never tried any other position for the shot beside DW lying on her stomach (cursing into a pillow)....anyone have any better luck on the side or something?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am not looking forward to another round of the shots.
T

I ama definately no expert-my 1st PIO shot wil be tonite! But the nurse said try leaning over the sink with your weight on whichever leg is not gettting the shot-- she says it makes itt less tense and said when ttensing up the shot hurts. I hope shes right!!
Oh yeah, the nurse also told DH tto massage the area aftterwards and put a damp towel in he microwave and heat for alittle and put on it--she said something about the "moist" heat that seems to help.

My SIL used the EMLA cream and swears by it though.She also said a heating pad helps after.
Karen

Sorry about all your anxiety. That PIO is very intimidating. Well, to anwer your question...I ALWAYS use emla cream. I used it with my last pregnancy and will use it this time. One morning I did use ice (I had misplaced the emla) and it worked fine with me. I don't think that would inhibit your body from absorbing it. Heck, for that matter use a heating pad after the shot if you are worrying over that.

I actually do my own PIO's. I have found the most comfortable position to be standing. I put all my weight on the opposite leg that I will be injecting in. So for a PIO in the left buttock, I would stand totally on my right leg. I would really concentrate to TOTALLY relax my left leg. That seems to work for me. Good luck!! Shanna:)

T-

Check the pinned thread toward the top of this board that mentions PIO tips. Our lovely moderator Karen (Thank you, Karen!) as well as several others gave their input on exactly this subject. I always did mine myself, standing (weight on opposite leg) and used a heating pad or warmed towel.

Good Luck!!!!:)

Hi, I've been doing them a couple days now, and my DH does a great job. I lay on the bed, (make sure to switch sides every night) and lay pigeon toed in. I don't ice. He pushes it in like a dart and I barely feel it.
I do use a homeopathic gel called Arnica gel (over the counter) that I apply in the morning. Don't do it around the time of the shot, because it will burn. Just helps with bruising and stuff. Also make sure to massage the area for 10 minutes after and I sit on a low setting of a heating pad for 30 minutes to help spread out the oil. Also, have the PIO put in the bra for half hour to bring to body temperature. The link on the top of this page is great.. that's where I got most of this.
Good luck!

The best thing for me was to place a neck wrapped in the microwave for about 2 minutes and let it heat up. Then I place the vial in between it and let it sit their while I get my needle and syringes ready. It makes the oil thin out. Works every time!!

My dh does an excellent job doing my shots. I've never bruised from them since I let the oil warm up. That's what makes the shot hurt is the actual medicine. But Wednesday my nurse showed me the greatest trick of all when she did my estrogen shot. She said to place your thumb and index finger together then place them on your skin and spread your fingers apart making the skin taunt between your fingers. Place the hole on the needle face up and then slide it into the skin. I promise she was done with my shot before I even knew she was in. I said "How did you do that" and that's what she told me.

Afterwords, I always place the warm neck wrap on my bum for a few minutes and then I'm off to bed. There pretty painless to me!!


So that's my tip! :) Best Wishes!

Try taking a blow dryer to the bottle for 20 seconds to warm it up before drawing it up in the syringe. Then when you goto do the shot, make sure the skin is stretched tight. I know when my DH does not pull the skin tigh that it hurts because the needle goes in slower. Also, it hurt a few times when my DH was in the wrong spot, it's such a tricky area for me because i'm tiny so I draw a target the first few times where he is supposed to go and that helps. I do this by memory as I had my RE's office draw a target for me with my first cycle on PIO. I found that it has deffinately helped. Last but not least if your DW happens to have a low body fat percentage like I do, you may want to switch to a 1 inch needle. The 1 1/2 is too long for me and hurt anytime we used it. Last but not least, rub rub rub after the shot is completed in small circles working larger as you rub. It may hurt at the time but your DW will thank you in the morning. lol :)
Best wishes to you

Ditto to all above. The thing that helped us the most (getting PIO #19 tonight) hold the skin as taunt as possible!! It makes all the difference in the world! Best of luck!

My Dh read somewhere that to rise your knee up to the side to relax the joint helps. So you are lying face down on the bed and to have your shot on your right side, you pull your right knee up towards your waist. I found that for the most part they were painless. Just the odd one stung.

The best of luck to you.

Grainne