Congrats on starting your blog! As for injections, it seems like such a big deal before you do them, but after a few days in the cycle, i found it becomes second nature. not to say it doesn't hurt, but you do get used to it. Also, there are tons of online videos about injections, and everyone survives! i found them very reassuring. good luck!!
Hi Hope! I'm also in Virginia (about 2.5 hours down 95 & 64 from you on a good day). And have I got a lot to say about this topic!
I will tell you up front that I am one of the biggest weenies you will ever meet when it comes to needles and injections. Seriously. Once, *as an adult* I even hyperventilated and threw up when faced with getting a shot. My husband was so proud.
As you may guess, I was seriously nervous about moving from Clomid to injections. And then I was introduced to the Follistim pen, and realized the needle was so small I could barely feel it. The majority of needles in IVF are tiny (27 gauge is also what diabetics use). I won't promise that they all are, because they aren't.
Like Pie said you do get used to them, and then you wonder why you worried about them at all. That's not to say that I haven't been nervous when new injections were introduced, and I still can't look when they take blood, much less bring myself to donate, but I'm mostly okay now instead of being terrified into a panic attack.
(Let me digress to wonder why RE's insist on scheduling a time to teach med's when it only takes about 5 minutes for any version, IME.)
In the immortal words of Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler "You can do it!"
It's not pleasant to give yourself injections, but it's not the worst thing in the world either. I have no technique suggestions - all my injections were subcutaneous heparin injections - right in my stomach - and that's easy enough.
Mrs. Higrens, nice to find a fellow Virginian. I know I'm not the only one fearful of this but it is always nice to know that others have walked in your shoes and survived. Our handout from doctor says the injection training will take 1-2 hours - yikes. I think the most complicated part will be knowing which needle goes with which medication!
areyoukiddingme, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll come back!!! I think some of my shots will be in my stomach and some will be in my butt. Hopefully I'll put the right ones in the right place!
Hi :) Glad to follow a new blog and be a supporter! I was really worried about the injections but after a few, they really become old hat...the PIO if you get that, does hurt once in awhile but nothing where the pain lingers more than a few seconds. You are going to do great!
Mrs. Piggy - Thanks for the encouragement. Boy am I going to need it! Hope you'll keep checking back! I think this is going to be a great source of support (and give my husband a welcome break from having our conversations be IVF all the time!) Thanks again!!!
I'm a tad over 30 and started trying to conceive in January 2008. First IVF cycle in June 2009 and BFP in July 2009. Sending up lots and lots of prayers for baby Emma Grace who made her big debut on March 20, 2010. Eighteen months later we welcomed Sarah Kate, a total, but wonderful, surprise.
Married to my high school sweetheart since 2001 and living in the beautiful mountains of Virginia.
Hope to connect with others who have walked in my shoes or may even be sharing my size 8's right now! Please spend some time here and pass along any words of wisdom or support.
Congrats on starting your blog! As for injections, it seems like such a big deal before you do them, but after a few days in the cycle, i found it becomes second nature. not to say it doesn't hurt, but you do get used to it. Also, there are tons of online videos about injections, and everyone survives! i found them very reassuring. good luck!!
ReplyDeleteHi Hope! I'm also in Virginia (about 2.5 hours down 95 & 64 from you on a good day). And have I got a lot to say about this topic!
ReplyDeleteI will tell you up front that I am one of the biggest weenies you will ever meet when it comes to needles and injections. Seriously. Once, *as an adult* I even hyperventilated and threw up when faced with getting a shot. My husband was so proud.
As you may guess, I was seriously nervous about moving from Clomid to injections. And then I was introduced to the Follistim pen, and realized the needle was so small I could barely feel it. The majority of needles in IVF are tiny (27 gauge is also what diabetics use). I won't promise that they all are, because they aren't.
Like Pie said you do get used to them, and then you wonder why you worried about them at all. That's not to say that I haven't been nervous when new injections were introduced, and I still can't look when they take blood, much less bring myself to donate, but I'm mostly okay now instead of being terrified into a panic attack.
(Let me digress to wonder why RE's insist on scheduling a time to teach med's when it only takes about 5 minutes for any version, IME.)
In the immortal words of Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler "You can do it!"
It's not pleasant to give yourself injections, but it's not the worst thing in the world either. I have no technique suggestions - all my injections were subcutaneous heparin injections - right in my stomach - and that's easy enough.
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
Thanks to all of you for commenting.
ReplyDeletePie, I'll check out the videos. Thank you.
Mrs. Higrens, nice to find a fellow Virginian. I know I'm not the only one fearful of this but it is always nice to know that others have walked in your shoes and survived. Our handout from doctor says the injection training will take 1-2 hours - yikes. I think the most complicated part will be knowing which needle goes with which medication!
areyoukiddingme, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll come back!!! I think some of my shots will be in my stomach and some will be in my butt. Hopefully I'll put the right ones in the right place!
Hi :) Glad to follow a new blog and be a supporter! I was really worried about the injections but after a few, they really become old hat...the PIO if you get that, does hurt once in awhile but nothing where the pain lingers more than a few seconds.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do great!
Mrs. Piggy - Thanks for the encouragement. Boy am I going to need it! Hope you'll keep checking back! I think this is going to be a great source of support (and give my husband a welcome break from having our conversations be IVF all the time!) Thanks again!!!
ReplyDelete