I'm Back! And possibly in love with my RE.

jjgrl55 · June 2014

After two very stressful "vacations", I am back! I'm not exactly a regular around here, but I wanted to check in and say that I didn't ditch the board, just was out of town a LOT. I should be able to pick my participation back up from now on.

Anyway, I finally got in with an actual RE and the appointment went AMAZING. They were super sensitive, understanding, answered all my questions without attitude or snide comment. After the terrible time I had with the OB I was originally sent to, I am just thrilled with this place.

So far the diagnosis is just irregular cycles with some PCOS tendencies, so they will be doing a few more blood tests and an ultrasound on Friday to clarify. After that I'll be started on Letrozole, injections and timed intercourse (and they went into detail about all of the monitoring they will be doing as well). I am just so INCREDIBLY happy to feel confident about this doctor.

Anyone have any advice for a newbie starting out with injections (which seem a little scary)? Does this seem like a reasonable treatment course to start with?

Also, thank you to everyone here for all the info you constantly put up here every day. I loved that this site enabled me to understand everything they were talking about and to ask all the right questions. You ladies kick ass, for real.

ETA: I could be wrong about it being injectables. Maybe a trigger? Or are those the same thing? Guess there was one question I forgot to ask. Oops.

jkremp · June 2014

I believe injectables usually involve some sort of follicle stimulating horomone (like Gonal-f, Follistim, or Menopur). A trigger is a different kind of injection that causes you to ovulate (often something like Ovidrel).

My best advice would be to briefly ice the area you plan to inject ahead of time so it is a little bit numb - and then apply some ice after. Menopur tends to really sting, so I needed to ice a bit more than I did when I was doing Gonal-f. I never find the trigger shots to be too painful, but that's just me.

Good luck!

masterofallcheese · June 2014

I've only used the Ovudrel shot and it wasn't bad at all. I iced the area ahead of time and I had no pain afterwards. Good luck!!

lebradford · June 2014

If you know the name of your medication, we could tell you if it is FSH ("injects") or a trigger shot. My guess is that it is a trigger shot.

jjgrl55 · June 2014

Thanks for the info, ladies! It definitely sounds like a trigger shot from comparing your descriptions above to what the RE said. I will ask for specific medication info when I go in on Friday.

tweetyknicks · June 2014

Seems like it'd be quick to go directly to injected FSH.

I tried a cycle of Clomid (hated the bitchy side effect and increased migraines are scary), then ovidrel trigger and timed intercourse (BFN). Second cycle I started with Letrozole (no side effects, but no follicle development either) and later did Bravelle FSH shots (tender lower abdomen).

I liked the shots much better because I can deal with physical discomfort better than mood swings. The injection burned for up to 15-20 minutes after the injection, but that's it. (Ovidrel had no noticeable side effects and I barely felt the needle.)

I suppose I'll stop prattling now that I've covered all possibilities that I've experienced. Best of luck!

RockABye · June 2014

*lurker coming out*

The trick to injections is to stick it quick then express the medication slowly! If you hesitate and push the needle in slowly, it'll hurt more. Just stab it in with wild abandon I also personally feel that if you inject the meds slowly, it's less uncomfortable.

The hardest part with injections, be it an injectable cycle or just a trigger, is the anticipation. My first injection, I literally sat there for about 20+minutes and hesitated. Once I finally did it, it was like "um, that was it? I didn't even feel it...".

Also, like pps said, ice it first... or use heat. My DH has MS and his meds are injection so he does this multiple times a week.. he has found that the best method is to use heat beforehand, then ice afterwards if it bothers him.

Yay for liking your doc and good luck!

*goes back into creeper lurker mode*

aves0708 · June 2014

I'm SO glad you love your RE! That is such a major step in making this process just a little more bearable. If you have a trigger shot it's much less scary than it sounds. I was really nervous, but I barely felt it. Good luck this cycle!

tweetyknicks · June 2014

RockABye: A nurse friend of mine also said that if you inject a subcutaneous shot too quickly, some of it can come back out the needle hole because it does not have time to disperse under the skin. I also read that gently rubbing the area after the injection helps the burning subside. Seemed to work for me.

RockABye · June 2014

tweetyknicks said:

RockABye: A nurse friend of mine also said that if you inject a subcutaneous shot too quickly, some of it can come back out the needle hole because it does not have time to disperse under the skin. I also read that gently rubbing the area after the injection helps the burning subside. Seemed to work for me.

Yep, that was my experience too... Any time I injected the meds too quickly, it would bubble back out a little. Not good when you're talking about pricey meds! (well, any meds, but ya know lol) We all know that every drop counts!

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