Ladies that have done injections...help!

KelinandKevin

I am about ready to give myself the first injection for this whole thing.  I have everything lined up in the other room ready to go.  I just realized I never asked how hard to stick myself!  Do I just go hard and fast, or is it better to go nice and slow? How deep do I need to go?  The whole length of the needle?  Apparently I didn't pay close enough attention in shot class last Friday.

Help!

rjl07

I don't know how much help I'll be because I make DH do it and I cover my face with a blanket.  I think he did it nice and slow though - he pinched the area as he put the needle in and then let go as he pushed the plunger.  I think he probably did close to the whole needle too.  One little tip - make sure the alcohol is totally dry before you do the shot.  If not, it stings a little after you are done.

GOOD LUCK!

KelinandKevin

Ok, I did it!  It did hurt for just a second and now it is stinging a bit... but it's done!  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Those needles are pretty small.  Now I am interested to see what, if any side effects I get from the Lupron.  I know that this is nothing compared to when I start Follistim and Menopur... but at least I am not an injectible virgin anymore!

DoingItRight

Yea, I hope that all of this works for you and you get your sticky baby!!

jdeats71

I don't know about the Lupron shots but I had the gonal-F pen which was a pretty small needle as far as needles go......I just put it in slow.  the ovidrel trigger shot is a little larger but not too bad.  the anticipation is what killed me!  I absolutely hate needles but once you get over the 1st one it's not so bad.

GL!!!!!

rjl07

Great job!  I haven't taken Lupron (yet), but the Follistim pen is pretty easy.  The pen usually has 50-100 units of overfill so you can set the pen to your dosage and it will stop when it's empty.  You'll be able to see where it stopped and then you can just load another cartridge, set it to the amount you still need, and do the rest of the dose.  Every drop counts when you are OOP!

mlmtgg

Hey Kelin - sorry I'm too late to provide any advice - but GO YOU for getting it done so fast!

For me - slowly is best - like slide it in, not poking! I find pinching the skin (blubber for me) helps, as does icing it a bit before hand with a cold soda/beer  can.  The ice helps with bruising I found. 

GOOD LUCK!! WOW!!

suntoto

For the small needles:  Let the alcohol dry before sticking the needle in and it shouldn't sting.  Also, pinching the skin is helpful. 

I don't know much about the inter-muscular injections, though.  Those might take something special.  I know that if we move to IVF I want DH to do those and he REFUSES b/c "the needle is too long".  He also has to look away when they take my blood.  It is funny and cute at the same time.  

jcath

I'm so proud of you for doing it.  I'm praying I get a +OPK this month b/c I'm scared to death to do the Ovidrel.  I could give it to someone else but doing it to yourself seems worse!

surfergirlkona

Yea for making it through the first injection!  It gets easier as you go along. 

momagain2009

Lupron, follistim and Menopur should all be sub-q shots, the only injects you have that are IM should be your trigger and the PIO shots for after transfer.  They both have a much longer needle and you need to make sure the whole needle is in there.  It's so awesome.

Good for you for just taking the plunge and doing it!  I'll never forget my first injection and the beads of sweat and arguments that DH and I ended up in that night....on Christmas Day.  It was eppic.

Kelin, good luck to you this cycle!!!! 

If you ever need a refresher, the Freedom Pharmacy website has some tutorial videos.  I watched them several times.

hoping&waiting

Squee!!!  I am excited that you're starting this process.

I am WAY too late on the advice, but I second PP's advice to make sure the alcohol is dry and take a nice pinch of flab (everybody has flab somewhere and you'll never be so appreciative of it as doing injections).  Getting through the top layer of skin is the hardest, so don't be too goosy about that or it will hurt more, just go for it.  Luckily the subQ needles are small and most of the time surprisingly painless (occasionally you'll get unlucky and hit a more painful spot).   It gets much easier once you get used to the idea of poking yourself.  IM shots are definitely more painful, so I made DH do them (and I totally recommend the ass instead of the arm for IM shots).   

butterfly843

Sorry I just got on. It will be easier now that you got the first shot down. With my other cycles dh helped with my shots, this cycle so far I have done all my own except when it comes time for progesterone that is all him.