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Help! Doing PIO shots on my own...(sig warning)

RosyGlowRosyGlow member
in Infertility
Hey ladies, 

I am heading out of town this weekend for a girls' weekend (yay!), so obviously will be without DH. This means I will have to do two mornings of PIO (it's actually Progesterone in Ethyl Oleate...so PIEO) shots on my own. I also have four days coming up where I will be at outdoor education camp with my students, so he won't be there, either. My nurse suggested just reaching over with the left hand, putting my thumb on the hip bone, and pulling the butt muscle toward me. Then, stretch the skin, aim, and put the shot in. She said I don't need to aspirate/pull the needle back to check for blood, because it's nearly impossible to do that on your own. She said the chances of hitting a vein are slim to none. *knocking furiously on wood*

Any other great tips? I'm really nervous to do these shots by myself. Tomorrow I'll practice once with DH here with me. Then again Friday morning. Ugh. 

Thanks in advance. 


| Married since 2008 | DH and I: Both 30 | Me: Endometriosis and Carrier of an X-Linked Dominant Genetic Disorder | DH: Low Morph | Planning IVF with PGD and PGS in 2013 | Freeze-All IVF #1: March 2013 ER 3/26. 29R, 12M, 11F. 4 5AA frozen blasts. Freeze-All IVF#2: May 2013 ER 5/15. 31R, 21M, 20F. 6 5AA frozen blasts. Our PGD probe was completed in late June (total of 20 weeks to develop). PGD and PGS Results came on 6/19: 3 healthy embryos (normal chromosomes and unaffected by my family's genetic disorder). FET #1: July 2013 Natural Cycle - Cancelled due to insufficient lining (only got to 7.5mm). FET #1.2: August 2013 - Medicated Cycle with Lupron & Estrogen Patches to build up lining. Single embryo transfer was 8/23. Beta #1: 240! Beta #2: 578! U/S on 9/19 at 6w4d: We saw the heart beating at 131bpm. Second U/S on 10/4 at 8w5d: We saw the heart beating at 178bpm. EDD 5/11/2014
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PAIF/SAIF/Everyone Welcome! 


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Re: Help! Doing PIO shots on my own...(sig warning)

  • kc1218kc1218 member
    Hi Rosy. I have done one PIO by myself. Im not sure that my technique was as good as yours...but the main thing is dont overthink it. I literally have to just do it. I dont question will I or wont I...I just jab it in. Good luck. You can do this. I am/was terrified of needles... if i can do it, anyone can! :)
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  • ILoveRedVinoILoveRedVino member
    I'm starting tomorrow and will be doing my own several times. I'm freaking out. Good luck to you!

    I did find some YouTube videos that were helpful. It's just so nerve-racking!
    image
    Baby Boy born sleeping at 20 weeks.
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  • BrideJackie11BrideJackie11 member

    *** TICKER WARNING***

     

    Hey Rosy!!  They really were not that bad to do on my own when I had to when DH was out of town.  I laid on the couch (it's a hard modern couch) on my side to do the shot.  It was easier to lay on my left side and inject with my right hand but both are possible.  Pulling back was hard as well as pushing the plunger in but it honestly didn't hurt as much doing it myself.  I felt so proud after I did it too!  You can do it!!!  Good luck!!

    <Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Married June 2011 Dx: anovulatory due to prolactinoma (1.5cmx 1.5cm in 2006)
    April 2012: MRI- questionable cyst 8mg by 12mm in pituitary ; referred to RE by Ob-gyn after amenorrhea x 4+ months, provera ineffective, low estrogen level
    cycle 1: May 2012, clomid 50mg; cycle cancelled, thin lining, no response
    cycle 2: June 2012, femara 5mg; cycle cancelled, no response
    cycle 3: July 2012, femara 7.5mg; cycle cancelled (largest folli on Cd12 & cd 16: 11, lining 4)
    Repeat MRI July 25,2012- Cyst unchanged, likely old infarction.
    Aug. 8: met with RE, move to injectables if HSG and SA normal
    Aug. 23: HSG all clear; DH- perfect
    Switched to a new RE in early Sept. IVF here we come
    Genetic testing reveals: Fragile X- Intermediate risk/grey zone.
    IVF#1: ER 11/30: 14 retrieved, 10 mature, 7 fertilized. E2 prior to trigger 5200. Decision made to freeze 6 embryos and transfer later due to OHSS.
    IVF#1.2/FET #1: estrogen injects start 1/18, FET delayed to try to thicken lining. lining 5.4mm. FET- 2/18- transferred one 3AA expanded blast. BFP 5dp5dt. Beta #1- 2/27 9dp5dt- 102.27 beta #2 3/1: 147 :(, beta #3 3/4: 268 told to stop meds and let nature take its course. requested 4th beta (3/6); Beta hell for 2 months.

    FET # 2: endometrial scratch 5/6, added estrace vaginally and ASA to delestrogen and PIO. June 10- transferred one 4AA hatched embryo, BFP 4dp6dt, Beta 1 (9dp6dt) 187, Beta 2 (11dp6dt): 412; Beta 3 (15dp6dt ): 4452. U/S #1- one beautiful embryo with a heartbeat of 133 at 7 weeks.  8 weeks: heartbeat 156. EDD 2/26/2014: born 2-3-14 induced due to Pre-E and HELLP at 36w5d.

    12/1: met with RE to discuss trying for #2


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  • amcastordamcastord member

    Are you not comfortable having one of your girlfriends do it this weekend? No nurse around with you and your students when you are out of town with them? I'd TOTALLY have to ask one of my gfs to shoot me up! I'd never get it done on my own. I'd just keep looking at it and not be able to inject. No way! GL!!

     

     


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  • RosyGlowRosyGlow member
    amcastord said:

    Are you not comfortable having one of your girlfriends do it this weekend? No nurse around with you and your students when you are out of town with them? I'd TOTALLY have to ask one of my gfs to shoot me up! I'd never get it done on my own. I'd just keep looking at it and not be able to inject. No way! GL!!

    Nawww...DH and I are keeping our IVF journey pretty quiet. I'm sure I can do it, but am nervous!
    | Married since 2008 | DH and I: Both 30 | Me: Endometriosis and Carrier of an X-Linked Dominant Genetic Disorder | DH: Low Morph | Planning IVF with PGD and PGS in 2013 | Freeze-All IVF #1: March 2013 ER 3/26. 29R, 12M, 11F. 4 5AA frozen blasts. Freeze-All IVF#2: May 2013 ER 5/15. 31R, 21M, 20F. 6 5AA frozen blasts. Our PGD probe was completed in late June (total of 20 weeks to develop). PGD and PGS Results came on 6/19: 3 healthy embryos (normal chromosomes and unaffected by my family's genetic disorder). FET #1: July 2013 Natural Cycle - Cancelled due to insufficient lining (only got to 7.5mm). FET #1.2: August 2013 - Medicated Cycle with Lupron & Estrogen Patches to build up lining. Single embryo transfer was 8/23. Beta #1: 240! Beta #2: 578! U/S on 9/19 at 6w4d: We saw the heart beating at 131bpm. Second U/S on 10/4 at 8w5d: We saw the heart beating at 178bpm. EDD 5/11/2014
    image
    PAIF/SAIF/Everyone Welcome! 


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  • amcastordamcastord member
    Got ya!

     

     


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  • ILoveRedVinoILoveRedVino member
    @rosyglow
    Last night was my first PIO shot and as H and I flipped out over it, I decided to do it myself. It was actually ok. There was about an hour long anxiety/crying fit beforehand, which was totally not worth it. I laid on my left side and injected into my right hip/butt cheek. The actual injection was no big deal at all. It hurt a little bit (hurt is a strong word, but i felt it) when I took the needle out. It's a little sore this morning but not painful- just feels like any other soreness after a shot. I will continue doing them on my own.
    image
    Baby Boy born sleeping at 20 weeks.
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  • HeatherHam10HeatherHam10 member
    It really wasnt too bad just need to get the right angle. I stood and looked in a mirror and just made sure to put all my weight in the other side. It actually hurt less than when dh did it. I always iced before also.
    image



    Me 28 DH 30

    After 4+ years TTC

    FET #2 = DS Madden Jeffery <3 July 29, 2014 <3
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  • sorrellam30sorrellam30 member
    I haven't started pio yet but I actually wanted to try to do it myself, idk if that's possible but I'd be less nervous doing it myself than letting DH! I'm gonna at least try!

     


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    *******siggy/ticker warning***** 

     Me(31). DH (31)

    DH SA normal count and motility, 1% morphology
    Me .72 AMH, Fragile X premutation carrier
    IVF #1 (6/12/13) BFN

    IVF #2 (8/16/13) BFN

    FET 10/4/13 Chemical

    IVF #3 MC 5 weeks 5 days

    IVF #4 DE 11/7 BFP, edd 7/28/15

    All Welcome

    BabyFruit Ticker

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  • sorrellam30sorrellam30 member
    amcastord said:

    Are you not comfortable having one of your girlfriends do it this weekend? No nurse around with you and your students when you are out of town with them? I'd TOTALLY have to ask one of my gfs to shoot me up! I'd never get it done on my own. I'd just keep looking at it and not be able to inject. No way! GL!!

    I'm going to a concert next Friday and I told my best friend she might have to shoot me in the butt in the back of her car while people around us tail gate. She was like are you freaking serious. I told her its good for our bonding :)

     


    imageimageimageimage

     
     

    *******siggy/ticker warning***** 

     Me(31). DH (31)

    DH SA normal count and motility, 1% morphology
    Me .72 AMH, Fragile X premutation carrier
    IVF #1 (6/12/13) BFN

    IVF #2 (8/16/13) BFN

    FET 10/4/13 Chemical

    IVF #3 MC 5 weeks 5 days

    IVF #4 DE 11/7 BFP, edd 7/28/15

    All Welcome

    BabyFruit Ticker

    Report Reply
  • J&D2007J&D2007 member
    I did all of my PIO shots. I found it easiest to sit for me. I'd sit on the edge of the bath tub, twisted at the waist so I could see me hip/but, stretched skin with left hand, and injected with the right. Just be fast!! I did actually pull back too, I didn't find it too awkward(I just released the hand I was stretching the skin with and held the body of the syringe and pulled back with my right). GL! It's really not too bad!
    Me: 37, DH: 38: ttc 7 years, dx: unknown
    10/11: after 2 years, saw a RE, FSH 5.4
    11/11: BFP! (surprise after thyroid & normal hsg),
    12/11: missed m/c after 7 week u/s, 1/12: D&C
    6/12 IUI#1-IUI #3: clomid = BFP!, C/P
    IVF #1(10/12) FSH 5.4, AFC: 16 long Lupron, 5R/5M/4F, all 4 made it to 5dt, 1 blast/1-8 cell transferred=BFN
    IVF #2(12/12)AFC 21, MD lupron, 4R/4M/3F, 5dt of 1 blast and 2-8cell. BFN.
    IVF#3(4/13) Natural start antagon protocol, 12R,11F. one PGS normal at day 6 transfer. BFN.
    IVF#4 (11/13) C.CRM (ODW.U normal 8/13 Still no Diagnosis) EPP/antagonist. ER 13R/7M/6F. Only 1 made it to freeze. Abnormal. Looking into options of DE, Fresh vs frozen.
    10/14 new local RE to look into what's next. CD3 FSH 4.7, AMH 0.9. Met with DE agencies and exploring options for feb/march 2015.
    Surprise natural bfp (4 days before donor is signed). Beta #1 at 9dpo: 51.8, 2nd beta: 195 (25 hours doubling) @11dpo. 3rd beta (12/15): 516 (35 hrs doubling) 4th beta(12/17): 895 (58 hours doubling) 5th beta(12/19): 2120. U/S at 5w0d(12/22): one gestational sac with yolk sac. U/S #2 (6w0d)12/29. One little bean measuring 6w0d with HR 124. 3rd u/s(1/4)7w0d: baby measuring 7w2d. HR 134. 3/30: A/S at MFM went great except for low lying placenta. Verifi results are normal! Team Blue! Please send any positive thoughts our way! EDD:8/24/2015
    Baby Will born 8/18. He's perfect.
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  • Km672Km672 member
    I've done all of my injections, even the PIO. You can totally do this!!!!

    I sit on the couch and take my time.
    I don't aspirate before I inject and I haven't had any issues, but I know there is a risk.

    It's not a pleasant experience, but you can most definitely do it.

    Good luck!

    Me (32) DOR, elevated NK Cells/ 2 copies of MTHFR mutation/ MH (35) azoo/high DFI   (TTC#1 since 2009)

    IVFs#1-4: (4/10-2/12) all BFN

    Surprise Bfp (9/11) - c/p

    DS IUI#1-2 (9/12, 10/12) - BFN

    DS IVF: (11/12) - BFN

    DE/DS IVF#1: (10/13) - 2 day 3 embies transferred-BFFN

    FET of 2 day 6 blasts: (12/13) - c/p

    DE/DS IVF #2: (4/14) - 1 day 5 blast transferred...BFFN...again.

    FET 5/14: 1 day 5 hatching blast transferred...another BFFN

    Repeat SHG 6/14-normal / Endometrial Receptivity Array biopsy 7/14-Receptive Uterus

    New RE, additional testing reveals elevated NK Cells

    FET of 1 day 5 blast (RE recommends transferring 1 due to elevated NK cells) with lovenox, steroids & intralipids in October

     

     

     

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  • HeatherHam10HeatherHam10 member
    sorrellam30 said:

    amcastord said:

    Are you not comfortable having one of your girlfriends do it this weekend? No nurse around with you and your students when you are out of town with them? I'd TOTALLY have to ask one of my gfs to shoot me up! I'd never get it done on my own. I'd just keep looking at it and not be able to inject. No way! GL!!

    I'm going to a concert next Friday and I told my best friend she might have to shoot me in the butt in the back of her car while people around us tail gate. She was like are you freaking serious. I told her its good for our bonding :)
    I had my bff do it at a wedding and she loved it! She asked if she needed me to do anymore any time soon haha.
    image



    Me 28 DH 30

    After 4+ years TTC

    FET #2 = DS Madden Jeffery <3 July 29, 2014 <3
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  • bhead81bhead81 member
    Thanks everyone for posting.  I have had my mom do the past 3 PIOs and my husband can do them through Mon but after that he goes back to internship and I have to do them.  I am freaking out a bit to do them as I hate IM shots.  I can give all my other ones without problems but the IM worries me that I will not "dart" it quick or deep enough and end up having to finish pushing it in.
    Brenda & Phillip married 10/10/09 

    After 6 years of failed cycles, we were blessed with our little man through adoption. 
    B born 1/3/2012. Adoption finalized 12/27/12

    Back  on the IF crazy train...
    Sept 2013 - IVF #1 -  BFP, EDD 6/4/14, born 6/8/14
    Everyone welcome

    image


    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • mccall0113mccall0113 member
    Sorry if this has already been suggested... but I nurse I work with suggested to roll you bottom up against the corner of a door jam.  I guess they teach diabetics to do the same with injections to the arm.  Good luck!
    Trying to Conceive Ticker
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