PIO tips and tricks

jmorta04 · July 2014

Need your help ladies...

With my first IVF that got us L, I used Endometrin suppositories as my progesterone. With my upcoming FET (which could be as soon as the 24th...holy soon-ness! Lol), I am using PIO (apparently they have had more success with FETs this way).

So, I need all your tips and tricks when using this lovely injectable. What worked before, during and after the injection? H will be most likely doing it for me if he can get past his huge fear of needles.

TIA!

PhillyJ33 · July 2014

My RE prescribed a numbing cream that I applied an hour before the shot and I never felt the shot itself. Massage the area after the shot and walk around after- it helps with lumps.
Good luck!

mdiblasi10 · July 2014

DH does mine for me, with the exception of 4 days when he was OOT. I did those myself and it actually wasn't too bad. Tell your husband not to hesitate when doing the injection - commit to it and go

You will find spots that are less painful - stick to those. I know some people ice before, but I never have. I did find that a heating pad helped afterwards. I also have MH massage the areas every few days to work the knots out. I get itchy at the injection sites but I haven't found anything that helps with that.

Good luck!!!

ccam · July 2014

Numbing cream?! What the eff.... everyone should be given that!!

I normally warm up the oil before drawing up the injection (aka shove it in my bra for a little while). It makes drawing it up and injecting the oil much easier since it's a little thinner when warm. After DH does the injection, he massages the area until his hand is numb (keeps him involved!) and then I sit on a heating pad for a little while. Not only do those things help with the actual injection site but they help to distribute the oil.

efhoping2010 · July 2014

ccam said:

I normally warm up the oil before drawing up the injection (aka shove it in my bra for a little while). It makes drawing it up and injecting the oil much easier since it's a little thinner when warm.

This!!!! I also have the nurse draw circles since I inject it myself. I lean on the bathroom counter with one leg down, there are some great youtube that taught me this! Always rub rub rub that oil in to disperse it and walk around a bit after. I never had lumps because of this. Also I feel for the least sore spot before choosing an injection site, some areas will become more tender. And I agree, heating pad about 15 min after the shot. Good Luck

ccam · July 2014

Oh yes, forgot about the circles! Have the nurse draw those for you. Also, I would stand on the opposite foot of the side that DH did the shot and sort of lean over the counter. That way the injection cheek wasn't so "tense".

Ruthie04 · July 2014

I liked PIO much better than endometrin!! So much easier to just do it 1x/day. PPs had wonderful tips. I iced, had DH do the shot while I was laying on my belly, and used the heating pad while alternating heat and rubbing the injection site. I also had the nurse draw circles and just redid them as needed. I used sesame oil PIO and found it easy to warm the oil in the crook of my elbow- my boobs aren't big enough to warm it in my bra!!

GL!!

mdiblasi10 · July 2014

ccam said:

Numbing cream?! What the eff.... everyone should be given that!!

@ccam no kidding!!!!!! No one offered me that

(

jmorta04 · July 2014

Thanks ladies! Am I correct that I am drawing up with the 18 gauge and injecting with the 22? I don't go to meet with my nurse to get the lesson until after my U/S on the 19th.

auntjessy · July 2014

There are great tips on here, but what worked for me:

Again, warm the oil for 15 mins.

Instead of numbing with ice pack, I heated with heating pad. It didn't numb the area, but helped prevent bruising and knots.

Give the shots as high in the quadrant as you can go (not too high!) and there's less pain.

Lay across the arm of the couch with no weight on your legs

Quickly rub the area when done to help distribute.

When we gave the shots high in the quadrants, it really, really cut down on the pain. Less nerves there.

Keep in mind, though, after you do all this - it's gonna be sore anyway. ;P

auntjessy · July 2014

Oh, yeah, draw with the larger gauge, inject with the smaller.

Numbing cream might help the initial stick, but won't help with the soreness you'll feel for 2 months. Sorry.

CarrieB. · July 2014

jmorta04 said:
Thanks ladies! Am I correct that I am drawing up with the 18 gauge and injecting with the 22? I don't go to meet with my nurse to get the lesson until after my U/S on the 19th.

Yes. Do not inject w the smaller needle. It hurts like a bitch.

PhillyJ33 · July 2014

mdiblasi10 said:

ccam said:

Numbing cream?! What the eff.... everyone should be given that!!

@ccam no kidding!!!!!! No one offered me that

(

It worked like a charm for the needle itself. That said, it still hurt after once I was covered in lumps and bruises but I would highly recommend the cream! I don't remember the name of it but it was a prescription. I am sorry you didn't get it!!!

JBDamonM · July 2014

I echo everything @ccam said to a tee!
Honestly I had no issues with PIO. I really didn't mind it and next time around would choose to stay on it rather than switch to crinone (I haaaaated crinone).

Good luck. You got this!

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