Infertility

scared to death of PIO

I'll be cycling for a december ER/ET, but you girls are scaring the pants off of me with the PIO shots.

Does anyone have any advice to make them hurt less?

Are there any other progesterone options?

Dx: MFI, DOR, 9 Fibroids and homozygous MTHFR

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Re: scared to death of PIO

  • You might try to ice the area before the shot and then have Hubby (or you) use a hot, wet cloth and massage the area after the shot to move around the oil. I know this helped with my welts and the pain. PIOs are such a pain in the a$$! Embarrassed Good luck to you!
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  • I was terrified of it and really didn't think it was that big of a deal in the end.  My nurse drew a circle on one cheek and a square on the other and DH just rotated around those, switching sides (12, 3, 6, 9, center on both sides.)  He wasn't ever hitting the same spot very often, which helped, I think.  I didn't have much soreness, and the shots didn't really hurt.  I had Progesterone in Cottonseed oil, which is supposed to be a little thinner, I think?
  • I would always ice the area beforehand and then after DH adminstered the injection he would massage the area afterwards.
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  • Im scared as hell of this too,
    image.
  • imageschoolsoutbride:
    I was terrified of it and really didn't think it was that big of a deal in the end.  My nurse drew a circle on one cheek and a square on the other and DH just rotated around those, switching sides (12, 3, 6, 9, center on both sides.)  He wasn't ever hitting the same spot very often, which helped, I think.  I didn't have much soreness, and the shots didn't really hurt.  I had Progesterone in Cottonseed oil, which is supposed to be a little thinner, I think?

    That's a great idea

     

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  • It doesn't really hurt and if it does, it is only for one second. Remember it is all for a good cause! What helped me was to put a heating pad on the area immediately after in order to disburse the oil so that it doesn't "harden" in one spot. Good luck....you will do fine.
    TTC since 8/07 DX - Severe MFI/azoospermia & MTHFR/ TESEs found sperm - 7/08 & 6/09/ 12/08 - IVF#1 - BFN/ 6/09 - IVF #2 - cancelled due to OHSS risk (had retrieval)/ 7/09 - FET #1 - BFN/ 9/09 - FET #2 - BFN/ 11/09 - IVF #3 with new RE cancelled twice - 10/09 & 11/09/ 1/10 - IVF #3 take 3 - BFN/ 4/10 - IVF #4 - first ever BFP on 5/13/10!!! 108 @ 10dp3dt/ 2nd beta 311!/ sono on 5/28/10 said TWINS!!!! Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • there are other progesterone supplements - prochieve, prometrium and endometrin. Some are vaginal inserts and some are gels and you take them 1 to 3x per day. I think this is the route we're going to go, I am not a fan of the idea of the PIO shot either.
  • Ice before, massage and heat after.  DH would also warm up the oil by holding it in his hands for few minutes.  Rotating the injection area is good too, we'd switch sides each night, and he never injected in the same place twice.  It's not fun, and I'm a big baby, but it's really not that bad...I promise!  Good luck!!
  • I just want to say good luck and you CAN do it. I was the biggest baby when it came to needles. I serisouly had multiple panic attacks just thinking about it. I had to do desenstitzation therapy with my therapist in order to get prepared.

    I did it. You can do it. As much as it sucked, it was never as bad as I thought it was going to be, just remember that. ((HUGS))

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  • I'm pretty scared of these as well... Yikes. We have our injections class tomorrow, reminds me I need to sort my meds out so I can take them in.
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  • Endometrin is a vag supp that is an alternative.  There was a recent study done that said that the PIO shot was no more effective than the supps. However, the supps are gross (leakage...think "smurf panties"...the pills are blue) and many women over on SAIF, and here too I think, actually prefer PIO.  Endometrin can also irritate your cervix, leading to spotting, which can be an unnecessary worry.

    There is also a numbing cream you can use before PIO.  I didnt do PIO but I was shocked that my other IM shots never hurt. 

  • imageHarleyQ8:

    Endometrin is a vag supp that is an alternative.  There was a recent study done that said that the PIO shot was no more effective than the supps. However, the supps are gross (leakage...think "smurf panties"...the pills are blue) and many women over on SAIF, and here too I think, actually prefer PIO.  Endometrin can also irritate your cervix, leading to spotting, which can be an unnecessary worry.

    There is also a numbing cream you can use before PIO.  I didnt do PIO but I was shocked that my other IM shots never hurt. 

    Harley! Hi... How are you feeling momma?!
    Dx: MFI, DOR, 9 Fibroids and homozygous MTHFR

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    "Smudge's Story - How to Grow a Dandelion" will return soon!
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  • I was terrified of PIO shots- and they really were a snap to do. Unfortunately I developed an allergy to them at 8 weeks pregnant, so had to go to Endometrin for the last 4 weeks. Let me tell you, after dealing with the constant discharge, spotting, and overall nastiness of the Endometrin, I would have happily gone back to PIO had my dr let me. PIO was a shot in the morning and I was done for the day. Endometrin was a 24/7 hassle.
    TTC#1 since Mar 2008. Serious MFI due to cancer. 3 cancelled IUI's, just about every test in the book. IVF#1 - BFP! Twin girls arrived 2/5/10 at 35w2d. Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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