IVF medications

**Kera** · 13-10-2011 11:16

Hi Everyone,
It looks like I might be joining the IVF train due to male factor infertility, I will know for sure in a few weeks. I have no issues at all with getting help to conceive, except for one thing - I'm extremely needle phobic.

so.. I need to know more, I find my phobia is easier to manage with knowledge! Can you please tell me what meds you have used during your IVF journey, and how you administered it (eg nasal spray, standard needle, pen needle.)? Are pen needles easier for you to use (emotionally)? My clinic mentions Lucrin, but I don't know what others may be involved.

I also have a question for other needlephobes.. I don't know if I can do it, and I can't have my husband do it, I was thinking of asking the local Pathology lab to do them for me. Has anyone else done that kind of thing before? Did it work for you?

Thanks!

Kera

**jetaime** · 13-10-2011 11:27

I hated needles... I wouldnt say it was a phobia for me. Blood tests are the first things i got used to, you have lots. I then had trigger shots... But they have to be done at a certain time, normally at night... So u may not be able to get ur path lab to do those. They are just a standard, thin injection... They go straight in the tummy fat. Also the gonal f pens... They are easier. Also very thin. Dh did my first one... Then i did all the rest. You will get used to it... It becones second nature, but very scary at first i know x

**Kera** · 13-10-2011 12:42

I have to get used to it.. But atm I don't know how, I can't even look at a needle, and cry like a baby when I'm getting one I didn't expect! DH helps me through the ones we do expect, I even take him to the dentist with me!

The idea of pen needles doesn't upset me as much as normal needles.. But I've never seen one. They only have a short needle right?

**Gemini85** · 13-10-2011 12:53

Hi Kera

Im on lucrin at the moment, and the needles are pretty small. My clinic gave me a bag of different needles as well, in case I didnt like the ones that came with the lucrin. She said some people find them blunter, but to tell you the truth, I couldn't tell the difference.

I used to hate needles. And the site of my own blood. Couldnt get a needle or blood test without fainting. But I tell ya, after IVF, I dont have that problem anymore. My hubby used to do all the needles for me cause I thought I would never be able to do them myself, but he is away at the moment and I have had to do it. I was packin my pants the first time, but I iced the area first, grabbed a big chunk of my belly and stuck it in...and I didnt even feel it! So now, I have no problem with it.

The puregon pens are super easy too. I dont need ice for those. The only needle I found that hurt was the trigger injection, but you only have to do that once, and it wasnt so much the needle that hurt but the stinging afterwards.

You'll be right chick. Its all for a good cause. Goodluck

**RunningWithScissors** · 13-10-2011 13:33

Hi Kera!
We also have MFI

I'm pretty much going to repeat what Gemini said

I was needle phobic...to the point that I'd vomit if I saw one, and my mother had to hold me down for needles...at age 25! I fainted several times too.
Funnily enough, knowing what I was being jabbed for when I started our infertility journey, it seemed to be easier!
Now, I even watch them draw blood

I was on Puregon and then the Pregnyl trigger. Puregon was so easy! I was nervous for the first time but when I went to do it I thought I'd touch it to my belly gently to see if it would sting..and it slid right in!!

It was a breeze after that.
I was really worried about the Pregnyl as Id heard horror stories so I got DH to do it, I just closed my eyes

It really stung though, that part was true!

**MummyNanny** · 13-10-2011 14:08

I hear you on the needle front

and to this day have never been able to give myself one. I'm lucky my DH doesn't mind jabbing me, do you have someone who lives close by to give it to you???
I've done 2 cycles and both times needed injecting first thing in the morning and again in the evening. s I said I'm not brave enough to do it my self but I do believe thinking about positive things helped me handle DH doing it. I just kept thinking of that baby I was going to hold one day, it would all be worth it

* Tip, ice the area you will inject for a few minutes to numb it, works a treat

**Kera** · 14-10-2011 14:53

Thanks everyone for the replies! Gemini you've calmed me a bit, I haven't been so bad that I've fainted, but I kind of wish I were because then they can go ahead and do it without me being 'present', strange as that sounds

logically I have no problem with needles, but it's a completely different thing if I'm in the same room as one, especially if it's destined for me

If you can do it then I should be able to too!

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what's coming. I do have a young doctor friend, but a few years ago she told me never get doctors to give you needles, the nurses are always so much better, so that's scared me off a bit!

**Bub101** · 23-11-2011 20:28

I'm on first course of IVF - Egg Harvest tomorrow!! I was extremely phobic of needles before starting. In past I'd be crying the night before, doctors would give me valium prior & even then I'd lock myself in the toilets drugged up..... spent millions on emla! I never thought I'd get over this phobia but I had a blood test unsupervised by a family member for the first time in my life on Monday. I still cried & yelled, luckily I was able to get a Nurse to come & hold my hand. Pretty embarrasing for a 35 year old! If you let the staff know you are phobic they are extra gentle!

**klong** · 23-11-2011 21:26

I just wanted to let you know that IVF is the perfect way to get over needle phobias. I was so bad with needles I used to faint when I had a blood test and even fainted when I had my ears pierced!

I am now able to give myself the Puregon shots and even the trigger injection. It will become like second nature to you and just another daily task like brushing your teeth.

My DH started giving me the shots but one morning he went to work early and fogot to give me my shot before he left so in a panic I realised I had to do it. I sat on the couch with a few big pillows behind my back so I was well supported. I then prepared the area with the antiseptic wipe and grabbed as much belly fat as I could then really slowly put the needle to my skin and it just went straight in without much of a push at all. I was actually so surprised how easily it went in and how little it hurt. It hurt less than when my DH did it because you know where it hurts and can apply the right pressure or go in at the right angle but when DH does it he just sticks it in not knowing how it feels for me.

Trust me, once you get over that initial fear and do it the once, you will think what the hell was I worried about. I never in a million years thought I'd go from the 'fainting at the sight of a needle' girl to the 'brave self-injector' girl!!

Good luck and I hope it goes well for you on your IVF journey

**jacklicky** · 24-11-2011 09:30

Kera, for me is was easiest to shut myself in the room and get all the injections ready. Lucrin came in a bottle with a seperate syringe and Gonal f (the stimulation part) came in a pen. You start on the Lucrin. I didnt ice or anything....just grabbed a pinch of skin...pressed the needle and if it hurt at all I moved it. You will find there are areas around your belly that just dont hurt at all...Once I found one I just put it straight in.....After the first couple it gets alot easier....

Goodluck...maybe just try and keep your end goal in mind!