Hi- just wanting some moral support. I start injections tonight and I'm kind of scared. I'm scared that they're going to hurt, that it's not going to work, that it may be screwing up my body, etc. etc. etc.
I am wishing the best for all of you. Please send some positive thoughts my way as we start this process (1st time with injections).

xoxo

Hi llama mama.

I know just how you feel. I started my first injections on Tuesday. They don't really hurt. it's just a little nerve wracking trying to give yourself that first needle. It really does get easier with each one. What I do, is tell myself what the end result is going to be. It's all for a baby. And trust me it's worth it.

Good Luck!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Rose

Hey llama! What kind of injections are you doing? I did Repronex and that can go in SC or IM. We did IM in the buttcheek which my husband did. During the second cycle on them, he had to go away and I had to do it SC in my leg. It took me 30 minutes to actually put the needle in my leg. Even though it hurt ten times less in the leg, I prefered my dh doing it in my cheek. He wanted to be involved and I didn't want to have to do it. Plus, the repronex is made directly from the urine of menopausal women so putting it in the fat in my leg cause a great big welt and hurt for four or five days to walk. The after part hurt a lot less in the cheek.

To tell you the truth, when I had to take a month off and go on the b/c pill I couldn't wait to feel the pinch of the needle. It's like if I could feel that pain, I'd know we were moving forward. I craved the needle. By the end of the 15 days that I was on it this last cycle, I was ready for it to end though.

Some people put ice on it afterwards, but the IM one never really left any pain after the injection of meds.

Good luck. And remember, that pinch is a good thing! BFP next!!!

I'll keep you in my thoughts @ injection time!!!

llama mama - feeling apprehensive about shots is totally normal , but honestly, they are not that bad. i was doing 4 shots a day this month for my zift (ivf) cycle. it's a pain, especially when you have to figure out where you are going to do your shot, because sometimes you won't be home at the time you need to take it - so that gets to be a little challenging and as far as the physical pain, yes they sting and i was bruised badly, but i would do it 50 times a day if i had to, in order to get a baby. i also find that it is kind of a bonding thing with my dh - he was giving me all 4 shots, so it just kind of brought us closer sort of. everything will be fine - hang in there - i will be thinking of you! you can do it!! :-) hugs, jen

It gets a little easier to do them yourself as time passes. I am a nurse with a healthy fear of needles when I am on the receiving end. For my DD, I had a friend from work who only lived a few blocks away, so she gave me every shot I needed, even if it meant my driving somewhere to meet her. She had moved away by the time I got into my second attempt, so one night I let DH do it. He was anxious, I was anxious, and I ended up like bruised fruit, so that was his one and only foray into the medical world. I started doing them myself, and it got easier as time went on. I've seen people here say to put ice on the site after injection, but at my RE office, the nurse told me to do it before, so the skin would be numb.

Thanks all for your words of wisdom and encouragement! My DH will be doing the shots. I am getting them in the back of the arm (tricep)- has anyone else done that? I'm sure I will be a "bruised fruit" (I liked that term!) too because I bruise pretty easily but as most of you have said- it's definitely for a good cause! Thanks!!!!!!!

llama mama -- Do you have to do them in the back of the arm? I did my IVF shots myself in my stomach and it wasn't that bad. The needle itself didn't hurt at all. A little stinging of the medicine, especially at the higher doses, but that would subside in 5 minutes. I put ice on afterwards and that helped a lot. Only one of my 30+ shots bruised and there is a lot of area on most women's stomachs, so they can choose a different place each day. Another trick my nurse told me is to let the medicine sit for 20 minutes in the syringe after you reconstitute it. She said that patients who do that have less stinging. Also, going slow as you push the medicine in is supposed to reduce bruising. The first one is tough, but it's good advice to keep remembering why you're doing it. It's for a very good cause! Best of luck, and you'll be so proud of yourself once you're through.

llama,

I'm not familiar with the back of the arm - the places I was told for SC was the belly and the upper thigh and for the IM the thigh or but*. I can do the SC in my belly just fine - I use follistim which stings at higher does - but other than that no problem. My DH does my HCG trigger shots IM in the 'rear' and I can't even feel it - it's a little sore the day after but not too bad. Once you get past the 1st one you'll be fine.

Good luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I did it last night with no problem! It stung a little going in but not a big deal. You're right, it feels good to have done it and it's exciting to be moving forward.
Thanks for all your help. I love this site!

yay!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif

A happy ending and a new beginning!!!

Aren't we brave?!!! It was funny, I used to be so squeamish about needles (a big cry baby really), but now, fuggetaboutit! In fact, I went to the ear-nose-throat doctor this week cause of an ear infection. He said he wanted to prescribe antibiotics, but I said, "hey, can't you just give me a shot?!" I think I was the first person who ever REQUESTED an injection instead of pills (he wouldn't do it -- can you believe the nerve?!!!)

Best to all you "shootin up!"
Laura