Progesterone injections after FET – awful muscle pain, anyone else?

[Nikc89]

Hi all,

Looking for some reassurance from anyone who’s been through similar.

I’m currently in a frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. I started oestradiol and Cyclogest pessaries in December and had my frozen transfer on 12 January. I was told my progesterone levels were slightly low, so the clinic added progesterone injections (Prontogest) every 3 days, starting the evening of transfer.

I had my first injection last night and woke up in the early hours with really bad muscle pain in my upper buttock, to the point I struggled to get back to sleep. This morning I logged on for work at 8am but had to log off a couple of hours later as the pain and discomfort were overwhelming and had me in tears.

It hurts to walk around, go up and down stairs, sit down, etc. I’m trying not to lie down all day as I know gentle movement is meant to help circulation, but honestly it’s really uncomfortable.

Has anyone else been on the same meds and had a similar experience? Did it settle after the first injection? Any tips for managing the pain would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance ❤️

Hi @Nikc89 definitely speak to your clinic as it might be that the medication isn't agreeing with you, or they'll have some good advice. I was on prontogest for about 10 weeks and found that getting my husband to do the injections for me while I was lying down and keeping my muscles relaxed made them less painful during and after, although I didn't have such a painful reaction as you did, sounds horrible, poor you! Hopefully it was a one off bad one

I am waiting for a call back from the clinic. Thank you for the advice 🙂

Sounds awful 😣 I was on daily lubion progesterone injections and didn’t have anything like this. Sometimes a bit uncomfortable but nothing unmanageable. I did stomach or thigh. Wonder if it’s possible to switch?

Mine would kind of gather into a lump and be incredibly painful. The things that helped were: ice the area 5 mins before hand, relax the muscle when injecting, use a heat pack on the injection site after to disperse the oil and massage the sight for 5 mins after. This helped to disperse the liquid and stop the painful lumps from forming. Hope that helps.

Thank you for the advice, will give this a go if I remain on them 😊

The clinic is going to speak with the doctor to check if I can come off them altogether as progesterone level was 44.6 and should be 45 so only slightly low. They have also offered the option of self funded injection of Lubion. Hopefully they come back to me soon as still struggling with discomfort in the upper muscle

Fingers crossed you have some good next steps soon

I have suffered this too.

I had the same as you, progesterone was on the low side from pessaries so I was prescribed prontogest every 3 days for FET.

I asked if I could do it myself but the nurse said not to attempt to unless I had to. My husband does it for me.

We had a few ‘good ones’ where it hurt, but there were no after effects. Then randomly one would be really painful and hurt the next day. It’s really hit and miss. The worst I have experienced was the time I couldn’t sit on that butt cheek for a few days, even wearing jeans hurt. Then it just went away!

We have found the oil being warm helps with the after pains so he holds the vial in his hand for about 15mins before the injection. But it is a massive needle so that still really hurts.

Hi, thanks so much for replying, it’s reassuring (in a horrible way!) to know others have had the same.

I actually ended up going into my clinic yesterday because I was struggling so much I could barely walk and my husband had to take me in a wheelchair. They checked the injection site and said the first one we did may have been slightly off, so they re-marked exactly where it should go. They also advised doing the injection standing up rather than lying on my side, as that can help the muscle relax more.

They suggested exactly what you said about warming the vial beforehand (they said even 20–30 mins can help), and also icing the area briefly before the injection. Afterwards they advised using a hot water bottle on the area and trying to keep gently moving/walking to loosen the muscle, even though it’s uncomfortable.

I’ve had exactly the same thing as you, not being able to sit properly and even clothes hurting on that side! They also mentioned there’s an option to inject into the leg if I really can’t tolerate the after effects in the buttock.

Really hoping it eases off for both of us, especially as I’ve also been told if the embryo sticks it could be up to 12 weeks of injections 🤞 Fingers crossed it’s all worth it in the end.

Yes the placement definitely makes a difference. Too low is definitely worse!

I’m about 6 weeks into them so now have a bruise on each cheek for him to use as a guide so we’ve stuck to alternating. I did ask about a thigh if I was away or it got too much and the consultant said they recommend the glute, so we have stuck with there.

We have found me kneeling on all fours on the bed is best. So the muscle is relaxed and I can brace myself with my arms and knees to not move. It still really hurts, but I haven’t had muscle pain afterwards for a few times now!

Good luck, it will be worth it :)