PIO... Seriously?!

amos1417 · September 2015

OK, so I just started stimming with Follistim on Monday. I am already freaking out about the PIO I will have to inject probably sometime next week. Please tell me that you have injected and it's not that bad?! I really cannot stop thinking about it.

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bsckgb7 · September 2015

Most people don't do PIO until after IUI. So I would think you have another week. Can you get someone else to give it?

amos1417 · September 2015

You are right, I won't be starting soon but I can't stop thinking about it! Lol. My DH is going to try to give it to me, but he's afraid of hurting me even though it's for the best!

MrsBwIVF · September 2015

Don't stress about it, it's a lot easier than it seems, I promise! It'll be hard on you both the first few times but then it'll be such a routine, you won't even think about it.
I suggest getting a certain small candy like Hershey kisses or those mini candy bars for each of you. After the shot, you both get a piece as a reward.
It's important to keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. You are much stronger than you think are!!! I was completely overwhelmed and was scared of each new ivf stuff, but looking back, it was so easy and doable.
My DH did not like to give me the injections and I found when he did them, it was much more difficult. His anxiety gave me anxiety and I found it a lot easier to do it myself in the bathroom while he sat in the bedroom talking to me. Perhaps that'll be an option if you find it too hard with DH worrying about hurting you.

Good luck on your journey!

athompson0308 · September 2015

Just make sure you ice it for 15 minutes before, dont put weight on that leg while injecting and massage the area after. Once you get used to it, it's not bad...I was super sore till I started icing and massaging. Good luck all!

stacysmb · September 2015

They weren't bad at all for me! They had me do them in my upper hip/thigh area. I didn't ice. I felt that was worse cause it was hard to get the needle in. The needle looks so long and scary. My husband always said he didn't think he could do the shots to himself but it really didn't hurt. It's not too bad. Good luck!

beckihall · September 2015

I was absolutely terrified, but I've been doing them for 7 weeks now. And they aren't bad at all, it's just part of my morning routine now like brushing my teeth. You'll get through it, keep your eye on the prize!

amos1417 · September 2015

Wow ladies! Thanks so much for the encouraging stories, tips and tricks! It's really what I needed to hear - that they really aren't that bad! I will definitely reread these probably daily Thanks again!

:x

Wicked4589 · September 2015

It's not as bad as you'd think. I filled the syringe with POI and set it on a heating pad to warm. Hopped in the shower for 15 min. As soon as I got out my husband would do the injection. Syringe was warmed, muscles warm and relaxed. He would rub the area for a minute afterward. Only a few times did I have any pain. I think my husband hit a nerve those few times. But really it isn't that bad. No icing here. Always seemed too uncomfortable for me.

Wicked4589 · September 2015

Oh and I laid on the bed while he did them. That way I wasn't tense.

amos1417 · September 2015

Thanks @Wicked4589! You certainly have made me feel a lot less anxious about the shots!

Wicked4589 · September 2015

No problem.

I had such anxiety over it because I thought the size of the needle was huge and i would feel like a metal rod was being rammed into me. Then my husband did the first shot. I actually had to ask if he had given it correctly because I barely felt anything. It's all about relaxation. The trigger shot was the only one that I can call painful. But others have had no issue with it. Just make sure he jabs quickly and pulls the skin tight. That was key for me. Then put a countdown on your phone and count down the day until the end of your first trimester when you get to stop. You'll soon forget about it.

amos1417 · September 2015

Sounds good! I am such a baby! Lol

khochanadel · September 2015

Broke down and bought a foam roller last night because the PIO shot pain has been brutal for me. Feeling some significant relief this morning (but it's still a literal pain in the a$$).

Been doing 10-15 squats after the shot to help get the meds into the muscle faster, walking around after, and tried massage but couldn't ever get in deep enough.

Colleen0516 · September 2015

I got all my meds today. I'm not gonna lie, I freaked out. It was so overwhelming.
I have a fear of needles, so this is gonna be a really rough road for me. I had a minor panic attack tonight. Reading these posts calm me down though.
It's more the anxiety before the shot. After I do it I always say, "that wasn't so bad!" But I panic before every shot. I don't know why I'm so afraid of it and I really try not to be. I hate it, but I just can't relax no matter how hard I try.
Deep breaths.

HBamama2B · September 2015

You're not alone! I had a minor panic attack as well after seeing all the meds. I'm still nervous about the PIO injection. Thank goodness we have time before that one. I found the Gonal F isn't bad, but the Menopur stings for me!

Colleen0516 · September 2015

PIO is my biggest fear. The 1/2 inch needles are more bareable, but the 1 1/2 inch are faint worthy.

But PIO is awhile away. I start initial injections on Friday.

KidShrink · September 2015

Ugh, I feel for you ladies! As much as I hate Prometrium, I'm happy I'm not doing PIO (the other injections were enough for me!) For the anxiety/panic attacks: what I ask my little anxious clients is to tell me what's the worse thing they think could happen in whatever situation makes them anxious. And then assess what's the probability of that ever happening (that can involve some research to prove my point sometimes). If you're afraid of it hurting, then what's the worse that's going to happen? It's going to hurt for a bit, then it's over. Is anyone dying from it? No, then you should be okay too. Same thing about needle length? What makes a long needle worst than a short one? Usually those fears involve poking something inside you're not supposed to/the needle somehow breaking in one's body. I won't go in details about the experiments I've done with kids to see how flexible those needles are (and pretty much unbreakable)

good luck ladies!!! Hoping it all goes well for you!

Wicked4589 · September 2015

Not going to lie, I could still feel the injection sites days after injections. But it was just when I'd run and the butt would shake. Not painful, just more of a "woah, what's that??"

Knottie24173360 · September 2015

Heating PAD!!! warm the oil a bit on the heating pad(take the needle off first) then inject then sit on the pad for about 20-30 min it helps every time

Whiggrrl65 · September 2015

Dumb question but what's the difference between PIO and suppositories?

MrsBwIVF · September 2015

Not a dumb question. There are so many small differences and abbreviations with infertility, it can get confusing
PIO or POI is when progesterone oil is injected into the backside where as the progesterone suppositories are taking vaginally.

Whiggrrl65 · September 2015

Oh I meant why do PIO when you can do suppositories? Is it a difference in strength? I've only ever taken suppositories (crinone) and have wondered why others do PIO.

MrsBwIVF · September 2015

Oh gotcha!!! Sorry, little sleep is making me crazy!
The suppositories absorption rate is lower and can vary depending on placement, movement and many other things.
The injections absorb better and seem to be more effective at stabilizing the levels.

I was prescribed suppositories for my iuis and injections for ivf. I think it may depend on your levels, what procedure you are doing and also what your doctor or office has as their protocol.

Wicked4589 · September 2015

My doc would not prescribe suppositories. He said they aren't as effective. But that's just his preference. And when I heated my syringes, I kept the needle on.

Colleen0516 · September 2015

My doctor ordered both suppositories and PIO. I don't know if I will be using both, but I currently have them.

Knottie24173360 · September 2015

suppositories are the day of transfer if that helps but the evening of retrieval id when PIO starts for IVF and certain medicated IUI's from what my nurses told me

Joyzie77 · October 2015

I survived my first PIO shot tonight. It wasn't bad at all. I hope it doesn't get sore. After all the stories I was worried! My husband did it for me.

HBamama2B · October 2015

@Joyzie77 right?! The shot itself is not as bad as the Menopur! Although I think for some it stings/itches after a while??

Oddly, my right butt cheek is always sore the next day and my left never is.

Joyzie77 · October 2015

@HBamama2B .. Any tricks to no soreness? I'm really sore!!!!!!!!

HBamama2B · October 2015

Ugh!!im sorry!! Short answer, I'm just sore!

Walking after didn't seem to help for me, but taking a shower did. I use a combination of heating pad on the oil before and on the area after (medium/low) making sure not to heat the tummy and a shower where I move around and stretch a bit to help prevent soreness. Drink water and take frequent short walks during the day after, I find if I sit too long the soreness lingers.

Joyzie77 · October 2015

Thanks @HBamama2B . I did it before bed. I think I need to do it earlier.

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