Any tips for a self-administered PIO shot?

sarcasticowl · October 2017

DH is camping with his buddies and I unexpectedly have to start PIO tonight (blood work yesterday said I was surging... so much for planning out this month’s transfer!) He was the one who gave me all my PIO shots last month so I’m nervous to do my own. Tips on getting that awkward angle just right?

cseley321 · October 2017

I lay on the couch to do it. Much easier. Just twist, and breathe deep

I am not super flexible or anything either. Go slow. If you temse up, you bruise

prudence9-2 · October 2017

I do it standing up. I find it easier to twist that way.

coco305 · October 2017

I was just thinking about this last night. Following the thread and hoping to learn. I was researching PIO in the thigh, but I think you need a shorter needle.

cseley321 · October 2017

I originally tried standing up. The first time I was fine. The second time though I locked my knees and almost fainted though lol. From then on I just lay down to do it

prudence9-2 · October 2017

I heard PIO in the thigh hurts a lot more afterwards. Try doing it standing up. Just make sure you don’t lose your balance

sarcasticowl · October 2017

Thanks for the tips, @crystal321 and @prudence9-2. I usually lie on the couch when the hubs gives me the shot but I do wonder if twisting around would be easier standing up. Hmm. I’ll see how well my abs hold up with lying down and reaching around and if not, standing it is

prudence9-2 · October 2017

Also, before the first time I’ve done it, I checked out YouTube videos of women self administrating it to themselves. Helps out with figuring out the position.

cseley321 · October 2017

Yeah I only do the butt cheek. Standing works, just stay relaxed and don't lock your knees

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@sarcasticowl I don’t think I’d be able to twist that much lying down. The nurse in my clinic also suggested sitting on a chair and then doing the twist.

sarcasticowl · October 2017

Hey guys... I did it! Took a few minutes for me to get up the gumption, but I did it sitting down and it was super easy! I barely felt it. Thanks for your help!

coco305 · October 2017

Awesome!! As soon as I read "sitting down" it totally made sense. That's probably the easiest way to self administer.
I've been researching how to self administer PIO. I've yet to do an IM shot. I'm nervous about DH giving me injections, since I let him practice with stims (back when we thought we were doing a fresh transfer, and our trigger needed to be intramuscular) and the dude gave me a couple huge bruises lol. He's got a giant heart and a heavy hand, what can I say?

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@sarcasticowl glad it was easy! As I said, sitting down is what the nurse at my clinic suggested. Glad it worked!

loverin · October 2017

@prudence9-2 is right, the thigh is a lot more painful than the hip. My nurse gave a few shorter needles (1") since my husband works in an ER and isn't home every night. There was one night I had to and decided to do the thigh because I was worried about the angle. Not only did it immediately hurt alot more but it bled a lot too. Glad it went well for you and just a confession from someone who's tried it, I wouldn't do it that way again if I can help it!

FuzzyDust · October 2017

I'm just in awe with admiration for all of you who can self-administer PIO

Image: https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2016/03/02/6359255036809664461943503715_wecandoit-1024x768.jpg

sarcasticowl · October 2017

@FuzzyDust It was remarkably easy, but like I said, it took me a good few minutes to get the guts up to just do it. And I do have a substantial ass so it might be easier for me with the extra padding

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@sarcasticowl so do you keep giving yourself the injections?

sarcasticowl · October 2017

@prudence9-2 Nope, DH is back to giving them to me now. I prefer it that way and I think it helps him feel a little more involved in this process. He's pretty darn good at it, I must say, so he can have at it

FuzzyDust · October 2017

sarcasticowl said:

@prudence9-2 Nope, DH is back to giving them to me now. I prefer it that way and I think it helps him feel a little more involved in this process. He's pretty darn good at it, I must say, so he can have at it

My DH said he's going to miss it once he doesn't have to do PIO for me anymore

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@FuzzyDust

loverin · October 2017

Lol my DH was more than glad to not have to do those anymore! I don’t think I was a very good patient

cseley321 · October 2017

My husband wanted to do it but tbh it stresses me out even thinking about him giving me shots

prudence9-2 · October 2017

Today when I injected it was really not painful. And then when I put a pad after and massaged the area, after a minute I felt my hand was wet. It was all bloody! Hope the spot won’t get bruised.

sarcasticowl · October 2017

@prudence9-2 OMG!! I usually have a dot of blood no matter what - DH even pulls back on the syringe when he injects to check for blood and he never gets any, but it almost always bleeds a little after the needle comes out. Two nights ago I got the infamous oil leak. He was like “oh no, the oil is coming back out!” I told him I’d read on “the boards” that it sometimes happens. Thank god for this resource, you know?

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@sarcasticowl I did check for blood before injecting and it was fine. And after I pulled the needle out it seemed fine as well. And then all of a sudden I felt like my hand was wet and it was all blood.

I looked at my butt when I went to the bathroom at work and so far I don’t see a bruise. But sometimes it take more hours for it to show. I’ll put some ice on it tonite. Maybe it would help.

cseley321 · October 2017

@prudence9-2 that happens to me more than I would like to admit. I haven't bruised from it though and I am generally easy to bruise

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@Crystal321 it was weird though as it didn’t hurt going in and no blood going out (I usually have a spot). And then all of a sudden so much blood. It bruised but not super bad.

rainbows2018 · October 2017

Following because I’m starting PIO prob Thu of this week. Sounds like I should invest in a good heating pad.

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@rainbows2018 I think I got mine at Walgreens. You just reheat it in the microwave. I don’t think it was more than $15.

coco305 · October 2017

@prudence9-2 I admire your moxie. I keep looking at the darn needles for PIO and can't imagine doing it to myself, you are a rockstar, my friend.

sarcasticowl · October 2017

@coco305 It took me a looooong time to get the guts to stick myself but you know what? The needle is long but it’s thin and ultra sharp and goes in surprisingly easily. You got this!

prudence9-2 · October 2017

@coco305 I still can’t believe I am doing it. I used to be scared of needles. It’s amazing what you can do if you really want it

coco305 · October 2017

@sarcasticowl you are also a wonder woman! I have 5 other people that can give me a shot before I have to do it myself, and I plan on calling ALL of them to step up. I'm a big crybaby though, I really thought I was going to have a mental breakdown when I had to inject myself for IVF, and when it came time to do it, I just did it. I better start upping my yoga practice so I can be flexible enough to turn around enough to inject.

rainbows2018 · October 2017

I did My first PIO this AM. DH was supposed to inject but I freaked out at the idea of someone else giving me the shot so I did it myself. Surprisingly much easier than my ER shots - needle went in easy and there was no sting or burn when the medication. Went in. The angle is a little tricky but overall not too bad. We can do this ladies!!

sarcasticowl · October 2017

Nice work, @rainbows2018! Fair warning, there are spots where it is more painful, but you'll learn where they are. 95% of them are nearly painless!

coco305 · October 2017

Ladies! I did my first PIO last night and I totally worked myself up over nothing. Possibly the easiest shot yet. I barely felt it go in. Now, I'm Hispanic, so I got a little extra padding in the area, so yay for love handles! DH gave me the shot and I'm sure that not looking at the needle directly determines the amount of pain you feel. Also, no sting. Thank you for the tips and the virtual hand holding. I was excited to come tell you guys about it

sarcasticowl · October 2017

@coco305 Extra junk in the trunk FTW! Same here!

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