Estrogen Q and PIO tips

gsancho

I promise I won't be crazy question girl...but I think I drove my nurse crazy with my last round of questions, so maybe you can help.  This is probably more for you IVF ladies...

If you were on E2 patches or Estradiol, how long were you kept on it after you first beta?  Is it like PIO, where you take it for the full length of the 1st tri?  Or do they stop after they see high E2 levels in your bloodwork?  

And I'll have to give myself PIO shots a few times coming up.  I'll be traveling alone so I can't get anyone to help me.  I'll try to give it to myself in the booty cheek.  Any tips??  Lay down?  Stand in front of a mirror?  Bite into something b/c it'll hurt like a mofo?  

KT416

I was on Estrace for 8 weeks and PIO for 10 weeks. My dosage for each got lower halfway through or so.

After my u/s at 7w5d (my RE graduation date) she gave me my final dates for each to stop.

I only did PIO shots twice by myself so I'm probably not the best as I never got the hang of it, but I did it in front of the mirror standing up. There's some youtube videos of ladies that give them to themselves daily so maybe that would be worth checking out since they made it look effortless, but I was never that good.

(It did hurt a tiny more when I did it, but I was surprised it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would.) Good luck!

ajlmom

I did all my PIO shots myself as I don't trust my DH with this kind of stuff.  I used to stand in front of a full length mirror and just kinda stuck out my butt so I could see.  I did it right before I went to bed and always put a heat pack on it afterwards (I wrapped it in a towel and wore it to sleep).  The pain was bad in the beginning but you'll get used to it.  It's a just a short period of time and hang in there!  I honestly forgot all about the PIO shots until I saw your post.  Once you make it through the initial PIO and estrace stage you'll be a normal preggo lady and it's a very nice place to be.  Good luck!

gldnbearz

I was on estradiol patches after FET until I developed a rash to the adhesive. Then the RE switched me over to oral estradiol until the end of 9 weeks. I was kept on PIO until end of 9 weeks and given a choice to switch to vaginal progesterone or keep the PIO until the end of 12 weeks.

I was sick of the PIO so took the switch to the vaginal progesterone, especially since I had an upcoming trip without DH to help with PIO.

I admire anyone who can do her own PIO.

hopeby2015

I took the oral estrogen tablet til 10 weeks and the PIO until about 14 weeks, where I was weaned off it.

I did the shot myself about 2x. I just iced the area for a while then stood in front of a mirror and did the deed. I just recommend having everything ready and prepared beforehand. Ie: napkins, bandaids, etc.

Good Luck!

pblge

No one has mentioned anything about me regarding stopping either the Estrace or the PIO. Sigh. I'm just thinking it's a forever thing.

I did the PIO myself a few times and didn't stand. I sat with the corresponding side's leg crossed over the other (so if it's a shot on the right, put your right leg over the left) and just twisted with the needle in hand. Pulling out was the hardest part, aside from the panic attack about putting a needle in yourself. For me, a relaxed butt cheek is the most important part, and that's harder to accomplish on your own, but definitely doable.

Good luck!!

chickyclg

I continued the patches until week 11, and the Estrace I started weaning at week 10-11,  PIO SUCKS and was finally completely off at week 12.  No advice on giving that yourself though, I was too much of a baby, but a friend of mine gave it to herself standing the mirror.

runawaylaurel

I was on estrace (oral estrogen) until 10 weeks, but I started weaning (half dose) at 8 weeks. I didn't do PIO, I used endometrin, but I was also off that at 10 weeks.