Needles...how bad are they?

Maddy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 01:20 PM

I will start my shots on June 12 and i'm terrified. How bad are they really? I will be doing Sub-Q and IM...please be honest. Also, do you ever get used to them. What about PIO shots??

Justine · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 01:54 PM

never did pio -- I did Lupron and Follistim both in the thigh. Not bad at all. Really at one point I had the follistim in and was talking and DH asked if I was going to finish. So no worries. really they are not bad!!!!

Staciewi · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 02:09 PM

They arent bad, really. The PIO takes some getting used to, but its fine once you get past the first
couple!! I think its the needle that is intimidating!!!

Hang in there, you will do great!!

Tkeys · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 06:31 PM

I'm needle phobic (seriously - drs all want me to go to more counseling, but it hasn't helped yet) and I got through it! All of my shots were subq except the trigger, and I did suppositories instead of PIO. Here are some tips: use little needles for the subq shots! The Lupron comes with tiny needles, and those really didn't hurt. I used 30 gauge needles for anything I had to mix and use a syringe for (for me it was the luveris). The Follistim pen needles were fine, too. I was a total wimp, though, and I used a numbing cream before doing my injections (my anxiety about needles kind of made that part necessary). You can buy numbing cream over the counter, but some people say icing the spot before taking the shot helps. DH did a few practice shots with saline, and he said that he really couldn't feel them. There were a few times I missed my numb spot when injecting (not so bright) and it was really okay - I could feel it, but it didn't hurt.

Make sure your meds are warmed to room temperature before you inject - it eliminates the stinging for follistim. I found that for meds I had to mix, they stung less if I would mix them several hours before - I think they had more time to fully dissolve that way.

As for the IM injection - I was TERRIFIED to do that. I numbed my butt, and I was sure I was going to be in horrible pain . . . but I actually didn't feel it (and the numbing cream only numbs the skin surface). I was sore for a day or two afterwards, but I also had an allergic reaction to the medicine.

I promise - if I can get through it, ANYONE can!! You'll become expert at it in no time!! Good luck!

Dana30 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 07:19 PM

Hiya Maddy!

I did not realize you and DH had decided to move forward with IVF. I hope it does the trick for you.
I think the sub q were easy. No pain, just some occasional blood and my lower tummy looked like i had been beaten from the painless black and blues. The PIO sucks, but eventually you get used to it. Overall, I thought the shots were easier than I would have ever imagined. And they are so worth it

Good Luck!

mildlydelirious · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 08:49 PM

There's not much I can add except to say that

, the shots are totally doable. Some of the PIO ones were worse than others, but totally nothing to worry about.

~m

mroth24 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 11:02 PM

Hey I started a week ago for the first time and I was terrified. I had to leave town without DH so I had to give them to myself. And I swear the sub Q is almost painless. Honestly the only part that stung was when the meds were pushed in. The needle is soooooo small you barely feel it and what you do feel is not painful at all. After only 7 days I am totally and completely used to it. just be careful not to stick the same puncture site twice..that kind of smarts..but still very bearable. haven't had any IM shots yet and am very nervous. I will let you know in about 12 days!!!

SpoiledHouseWife · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 05:26 AM

I was a total needle Phobe. It was not bad at all. The PIO I found bad once I had been on it several weeks and I was sore.