I'm sorry if someone has already posted this but i'm new and didn't see anything. If there is already a thread, please feel free to let me know. thanks!

I am terrified of needles. In fact, I never realized how bad it actually was until I started my first IVF cycle. My husband has to give me my lupron shots (and I think these are the "easy" ones, right?). I tried myself and absolutely could not come close.

My question is, what are the next round of shots like (i'm just starting and i'm not familiar with all the terminology so I apologize but I am getting Bravelle/Menapur)? Will I be forced to do these myself b/c of time issues etc. or will my husband still be able to do it?

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Nick-
I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with the shots. Although it does get easier over time, it would be wonderful if they could come up with some other way!

Yes, most people will probably agree that the lupron is the easiest to take. But menopur and bravelle really aren't too bad. The nice thing is, you mix them together, so you only have to take one shot. However, since most REs have you stay on lupron during stims, you will have two injections each day. The menopur/bravelle can sting a bit, but it goes away rather quickly.

My Re didn't care what time I took them, as long as it was in the evening at roughly the same time each day. Thus, if you're currently doing your injection at say 8:00 each night, you'll continue to do so throughout the process. Therefore, your husband should be able to do all your injections. The only thing that may change is that some REs like their patients to do their lupron injection in the morning and then their stims at night.

People always told me the trigger (HCG) shot right before the retrieval was the worst one. But IMO, it really wasn't too bad. I prefer to do my injections myself, but my DH did the trigger shot and it really didn't hurt at all. In fact, I can remember thinking afterwards that maybe I should have had him give me all my injections...perhaps I would have been pain and bruise free!

HTH! I think there's actually a board somewhere here that deals with injections, so you might get some tips/advise here. Also, I didn't take PIO during my fresh cycle, so I don't know much about that. Guess I should learn though as I'll have to during my upcoming FET. Best of luck to you!

Anne

It can be a scary thing, but I got through it WAY better than I thought I could. I was exactly where you are during my first cycle....terrified of needles. My DH did ALL of my injections. I tried, but couldn't do it. I would prepare the meds and wipe my abdomen w/ the prep pad. Then I'd just lie on the bed with my eyes closed and we would talk. I never knew when it was coming, and he did a great job. The last shot was the toughest, but not really while he did it. It was more of a sore muscle ache the next couple of days. Lupron is easiest, and for the other meds I think it helps to have an ice pack so when he's done, you can hold it over your shirt on the spot. You feel nothing at all that way. Going into IVF#2 at the end of the month, I can tell you I am not at all worried about the shots this time around...and believe me I panicked the first night of injections last time. You'll be ok. Your fear and anxiety is normal, but you'll see it is really much worse in your head than in reality. It was for me. Let me know how it goes, ok?

Wow you guys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your responses.

I already feel a little better hearing from both of you (especially about the final shot!) I received a HUGE box in the mail yesterday with the rest of my injections, pills etc. and it literally brought me to tears. I think I was in shock for about 3 hours. So, your responses came at a great time for me.

I guess I will just have to cross each "shot hurdle" as I come to it but it's good to know that I'm not the only one going through this. Sometimes it feels that way.

Let me know how your cycles go. I truly hope they are successful.

Take care.

I reacted the same way when I got my first box of meds. It is a lot to absorb, but you'll be fine. There is usually a support # you can call to sort it all out. Once you organize all that stuff, you'll feel better. For me I had to set it all up in a way that made me regain control of the situation. I cleared off a door shelf in the fridge, took over a side of the counter at the bathroom sink and organized all my materials. Once that was done, I just exhaled and felt better already...

That's a great idea. I'm a born organizer and a bit of a control freak (much as I hate to admit it). I think both those traits make this much more difficult.

I am going to put your suggestions to use tonight. I think having a "place" for everything will make it a little less overwhelming.

Thanks so much!

Remember that the needles are so much thinner nowadays. The subcu ones are a minor irritance I would say. The IM ones (like trigger and PIO) are more involved and most people have their dhs do these. But if you follow some of the tips you can get off of the IVF bb, you should not feel much. I think it is more about anxiety that the actual shot itself. No one likes to get shots, and having to be your own nurse, well most people don't go through that. But here we are trying to make a baby and you gotta do what you gotta do. It does get much easier as time goes on and the biggest inconvenience becomes being home at the same time each day. You may even pack and cooler and take them on the road, and be doing your own shots in the bathroom at a theatre someday! Good luck!

Kate

thanks! i was wondering where I can find the tips you spoke about?

Also, I'm new to this so I don't know what a lot of the abbreviations stand for like:

PIO

DH (I think this one means husband!)

FET

Any help would be greatly appreciated (and feel free to add some if can think of any...)


Thanks again.

The injection board is under infertility at the bottom of the page. I think it's actually listed as self-injections, or something like that.

Sorry for all the abbrevations! When my husband talks about Fertile Thoughts he always says, "They speak a whole different language." And with all the abbrevations, we kind of do!
DH - Darling Husband
PIO - progesterone in oil
FET - Frozen Embryo Transfer

Here's some other common ones:
AF = Aunt Flo or Menstrual cycle
ART = Assisted Reproductive Technology
BB = Bulletin Board
BBT = Basal Body Temperature
BCP = Birth Control Pills
BFN= Big Fat (or other words!) Negative
BFP= Big Fat (or other word) Positive
BMS = Baby making Sex
BTW = By the way
B/W = Blood Work
CB = Cycle Buddy
CD = Cycle Day
CM = Cervical Mucus
DE = Donor Eggs
DH = Darling, or Dumb Husband (whichever fits at the moment!)
DIUI= Donor Intrauterine Insemination
DW = Darling Wife
DPR = Days Post-Retrieval
DPT = Days Post-Transfer
Dx = Diagnosis
E2 = Estradiol
ED = Egg Donor
ET = Embryo Transfer
FET = Frozen Embryo Transfer
FSH = Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
GnRH = Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
GS = Gestational surrogate
HCG = Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
HPT = Home Pregnancy Test
HSG = Hysterosalpingogram
ICSI = Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
IMHO = In my humble/honest opinion
IUI = Intrauterine Insemination
IVF = In Vitro Fertilization
IVIg = Intravenous Immunoglobulin
LAP = Laparoscopy
LH = Luteinizing Hormone
LMAO = Laughing my a$$ off
LOL = Laughing Out Loud
LSP = Low Sperm Count
MC = Miscarriage
OD = Ovulatory Dysfunction
OHSS = Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
OPK = Ovulation Predictor Kit
OV/O'd = Ovulated
PCO = Polycystic Ovarian Disease
PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
POF = Premature Ovarian Failure
PGD= Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Prog = Progesterone
RE = Reproductive Endocrinologist
RPL = Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
SA = Semen Analysis
TTC = Trying to Conceive
TX = Treatment
UR = Urologist
U/S = Ultra Sound

Don't worry, you'll get all the abbrevations down soon and it will be like second nature. Let us know if you need anything else!
Anne

Oh my God.

You are so awesome.

thank you!!!!

Now i'll know what everyone is talking about without having to decipher it every time!

Under IVF & High Tech board there is a thread titled….."PIO tips, Acronyms, Beta Levels & Doubling Chart, & IF info web link here**"
Here is the link. It has some helpful stuff. I used it back during IVF #3 and later posted my tried and true method in that thread.

http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140004

I am a type A control freak and actually found that after 2 full IVF's of having others give me my shots that I liked doing my own better. I did every single shot for IVF#3 and it gave me back a bit of control. It worked out well for me. Good luck with your shots.

KL,

Thanks! I bookmarked the page and printed your tips.

I can use all the help I can get. I appreciate it.

Take care.