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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

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Original poster

Freaking out about injections tomorrow. Thinking of backing out!!!

44 replies

Daisyboo1203 · 31/07/2015 20:08

I'm starting my mediation tomorrow for IVF and I am FREAKING OUT about injecting myself, to the point where I am thinking of backing out.
Someone suggested a numbing cream, but it needs to be on for 1 hr and wrapped up. I tried it earlier and this made me feel faint cos it made me think about the injection the whole time. So it is not helping or making it easier. as with any phobia, it's the thought rather than the actual thing that causes more distress.
Argh!!! I know it will easier after the first time, but that first time!!
Sorry, can't talk to anyone about it where I am at the moment and need to vent

OP posts:

FlipperSkipper · 31/07/2015 20:18

I don't know what to say to make you feel better, but it does get easier (I'm on my second IVF, third round of injections as I also did a medicated frozen cycle). Plan a treat for afterwards. I know some women get their partners to do it, would that help?

Ilikesweetpeas · 31/07/2015 20:22

Please don't give up, I was also terrified but the thought of it is worse than the reality. I amazed myself the first time I injected and couldn't believe that it was ok. An ice cube on first will numb the area but to be honest I found I wax give without. Think of it as a step closer to getting pregnant. Good luck with your injections, and with your IVF. My DD is IVF so I know what you're going through

Diggum · 31/07/2015 20:24

Not the same but I had to get clexane injections for a period of time and I got DP to do it. There's no way I could have done it myself. Even with DP doing it I broke out in a cold sweat before hand. But he was ace- really quick, soooooo not as bad as the build up. I still dreaded it each morning but I always felt a bit silly after as it was never that bad.

And if it makes you feel better I am a doctor! (No problem jabbing other people!)

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 31/07/2015 21:14

Thank you for the support, you are all very kind.
I have to do it myself as I am single
Tomorrow evening....... got to stop thinking about it and do it!!! (And not curl up in a ball and cry)

OP posts:

CanISayOfHerFace · 31/07/2015 21:18

The first time I did mine it took an hour! I was on the sofa, then on the bed, then stood in the kitchen then back to the sofa! In the end I numbed with an ice cube, stuck it in and honestly it was fine. The needle is so thin it never hurt. It's nothing like having an immunisation or blood taken.

You will do it and you will be fine. Good luck

FranBrodie · 31/07/2015 21:20

It might be a lot easier than you think. I'm very squeamish, but I felt I had to be brave and I just kind of blocked it out. I could hardly feel it anyway, the needles are very fine

loopylou1984 · 31/07/2015 21:21

Daisy, i promise you it is not that bad. I was seriously worried, and pleasantly surprised at the lack of pain. It stung a bit as the drug went in, but really nothing to worry about. Xx

CorBlimeyTrousers · 31/07/2015 21:26

I haven't done a stimulated IVF cycle but I did the trigger injection (Natural IVF) and clexane injections myself and husband did progesterone injections for me (donor IVF cycle). When I did that first trigger injection I did have to psych myself up. Just take your time, make sure you have everything you need to hand. It probably won't be as bad as you think.

The progesterone injections were intramuscular and so my husband did those in my bum. I did try doing one in my thigh as he went away over Christmas but I was really tense and it hurt a lot the next day. So after that I arranged for the nurse at my GP surgery to do it. Could that be an option if you really struggle?

Good luck! I hope you have a successful cycle.

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 31/07/2015 21:32

Pain doesn't worry me. My phobia is more the idea of it something going in my skin, putting something in my body. I've even fainted hours after an injection due to thinking about it. Daft me. Blood tests are the worst!!! I survived 2 of these earlier last month, with headphones and music.
I do need to just block in out. Will try ice to numb.
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Thanks all

OP posts:

LittlePeasMummy1 · 31/07/2015 21:42

Hi, I'm the worlds biggest needle phobe and managed 3 IVF cycles. In a couple of days, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. In the early days, I got DH to inject my bum ( thigh area really, not at the top) but eventually built up the confidence to do them myself into my stomach. You'll get used to it v quickly and I promise you, the end result is more than worth it ...

Persipan · 31/07/2015 21:53

I'm single so do my own shots. You can totally do it!

Since it sounds like the very idea makes you feel faint, I'd suggest doing them lying down - keeps you safe if you go a bit wibbly - and I wonder if it would help to close your eyes while you do the into-the-skin bit?

Pocket1 · 31/07/2015 22:21

Daisy you can do it! Loads of great words of encouragement on here. You CAN do it.

We had donor egg ivf and although our treatment was different to yours, for 12 weeks DH had to inject my backside with progesterone and I had to inject something else (can't even remember) into my stomach. I hated it but I got through it. And so can you.

I used to numb the area with an ice cube. Also did them as early as I could each day to get them out of the way.

Let us know how you get on. We will be cheering you on

YippeeTeenager · 31/07/2015 22:34

It really is fine! The idea of it is so much worse than the reality just because someone's given you a needle and let you loose with it and that seems so weird! But it's only little and it's not difficult to do honest. You're bound to feel nervous at first because you want to get it right but you'll soon get the hang of it. Deep breaths, stiff upper lip and go girl!

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 01/08/2015 17:46

I did it!!! Stingy!
Lying down feeling faint, shaky and teary. Got the telly on to take my mind off it.
Can't believe I've got to do it all again tomorrow!
Thanks for all your support, I'll be reading all your messages everyday to get courage, at the moment I can't imagine it getting easier.

OP posts:

Persipan · 01/08/2015 17:49

Well done you!

I genuinely think it will get easier, but even if it doesn't, you now know you can do it - and every one you do is one closer to being done. Now go do something nice for yourself, and have a good evening!

Pocket1 · 01/08/2015 20:58

Well done Daisy! Told you you could do it

Pipbin · 01/08/2015 21:01

Well done!

I've had three rounds of IVF and I got very used to the injections after a while. I had to do two a day, then after ET a gestone injection in my bum!

You can do this, it's worth it.

Ilikesweetpeas · 01/08/2015 23:57

Well done, you've done it once- you can keep doing it now. Remember all this is helping you maximise your chance of getting pregnant

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 02/08/2015 15:05

Thanks
It's really red and sore now... Is this normal?

OP posts:

Pipbin · 02/08/2015 15:07

I found they would get very itchy, not unlike an insect bite.

MewlingQuim · 02/08/2015 15:16

Well done

I have a massive needle phobia and was terrified of giving myself injections during fertility treatment. Ended up doing 7 cycles of IUI/ICSI in total so got plenty of practice, it does get easier. I found it is least painful in a flabby area, mine is my belly, so try a different place if you find it sore.

Good luck with your treatment, I hope it is succesful.

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 02/08/2015 16:29

It's come up like a bad mossie bite. I hope this is normal, I followed all the instructions right

Freaking out about injections tomorrow. Thinking of backing out!!!

OP posts:

Pipbin · 02/08/2015 17:41

That looks as mine looked. I found the angle of the needle made a big difference. The slighter the angle the itchier it was.

Original poster

Daisyboo1203 · 02/08/2015 18:28

I just did it again (more scared this time!!)
I did it at angle to get more of a fatty part of stomach (nice!)
Feels ok, still lying down afterwards!

I did it slower too (without fainting!!) so hopefully it will be better tomorrow.
What angle did you find better, Pipbin?

OP posts:

Pipbin · 02/08/2015 18:33

Well I am rather gifted in the flab department.......
I found it worked best at about 8 o'clock if you look at a clock face.

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