I've only done it one time, but I didn't have many follicles/eggs to retrieve because I only have one ovary- so it wasn't so bad. They only had to poke me 4-5 times so I don't think I felt as much pain as most do.
They gave me Halcian (makes you fuzzy sleepy and have a bit of amnesia- so maybe it did hurt really badly and I don't remember it.) I found I was most uncomfortable 2 days later when my belly was sore and my ovary was aching, but Tylenol helped me with that. So my experience was pretty mild. The RE says that the follicles sometimes fill back up with fluid and make little cysts that cause pain.

If your clinic has an anesthesiologist, you can just ask to be totally put under, to where you won't be awake for it. Mine didn't, so I just took Xanax and a shot of Dilaudid. They retrieved 19 eggs, which is more than the average. I had a bit of a difficult time with discomfort on my right ovary mainly, because I had more follicles on that side. If you are already so worried, perhaps you can choose to have it done at the hospital with anesthesia? We were given that option but chose not to. Good luck! Nonetheless, remember everyone is different! And also that this is all for a great cause, it will be over before you know it!

Hi, I did 2 ER (12 and 13 eggs)total and I was for both under anesthesia.
I wake up feeling great the first time, no pain at all.
But when I wake up the 2nd time, my ovaries were kiling me. The nurse gave me a hot pad and a tylenol and the pain went away 1h later. I believe that it depends how the doctor is during the surgery.
The doctor who did my 1st surgery is very gentle and calm, even during U/S he was the best. The second time, I got another doctor, he is also very good but not as gentle as the first one, and it might be why I got some pain this time.
Anyway, I know it is kind of scary, but you will have to go thru it anyway, so just try to relax and it will be OK!

I just had ER yesterday. I had 36 eggs retrieved. I was out for the procedure. I woke up in pain but I took tylenol which somewhat helped. I am still very sore today but it is pretty bearable, I just take tylenol every few hours.

Hi there, I had ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome so it was not too nice for me. My sister had fewer eggs because she was converted from IUI and she said it was not too bad at all. After I got pretty sick, but that was because of the OHSS. You will be fine. Once you are there you are either put to sleep or like me given drugs. Good luck!

Not that I want to scare you b/c every woman is different and the day I went in for ER the woman in the bed next to me refused pain meds and was up walking around before she left. But...
I had a terrible experience with it. Please know I have other health issues that may of played in to the level of pain I felt.
I was put to sleep for the procedure. When I woke up, I felt some pain, but not too bad. They gave me pain meds, but after they took out the IV's and I thought I was going to leave, the pain got so bad I burst out in tears. It was not just my belly, but up through my ribs and chest too.
The right side was worse and they said it could of been b/c that is where they got the most follicles.
They put the IV's back in me and gave me more pain meds and liquids. Several hours later I was in worse pain, throwing up from all the pain meds, the anesthesia and the anitbiotics they were pumping in me.
I was one of the first people in that morning and the very last to leave. I could not stand the pain and just wanted to get home to my own comfy bed. I knew we would be stuck in traffic if I waited any longer.

This may be TMI, but kind of funny in a way. I ate a pistachio muffin and gingerale after ER. Well, if you ever saw pistachio muffins you would know they are BRIGHT LIME GREEN.
I was trying to hold it all in, but as soon as the nurse started to push me in the wheel chair down the long hall with the hot sun shining through the window on me, I lost it. The poor man holding the elevator door must of thought he was stuck in the movie "The Exorcist" because that is what I looked like with all that green stuff flying out of my mouth, covering my hair, face and body. Needless to say, he decided not to get on the elevator with us!

I got home and went right to bed. The pain was terrible. I ate some chicken soup and took some Vicadin. I still could not walk the next day. But, by the third day I was feeling better. Not completely but enough to go back to work. Then I went in for ET and continued to improve.
So even though you may have a hard time with it like some of us do, the pain does go away and you do feel better. And hopefully, God willing, 9 months later you can go through a similar experience while giving birth :-)

I have my ER on 12/17 and Im excited but a bit nervous cause DH ladies have told their experiences. I can say I have a high tolerance for pain BUT still a bit on edge.....I will see when my times comes, HOPEFULLY!!! Good luck to those who are waiting for BFP's, about to do ER!!! You are in my prayers.

I've had two ER now. One I was put under completely the other I was not but don't remember much. They gave me some valium right before I went in and I was under conscious sedation. I remember waking up once and the doctor asking me if I was with them, I heard him say, "Give her a little more." and I don't remember anything after that. Both times I was a little foggy afterward but no pain. I just went home and took it easy and I felt fine the next day. I only had four eggs the first time and eight eggs the second time so maybe the number does make a difference. Good luck!

It does seem so very arbitrary--I mean maybe a bit more likely to have pain with more eggs, but I guess we all react differently. When I had my endomytrial biopsy (I took Advil before hand) it was so painful (though short) that I started feeling hot and cold and clammy and nearly fainted after I got off the table--and I'm told women are fine with that, not meds, nothing. I'm still scared, but I guess the long term gain is worth the possible pain and suffering. It just seems so unfair that we have to go through this. Isn't childbirth bad enough??

I was totally out. Mild pain when I woke up. They gave me good drugs! They also gave me a prescription of Vicodin. I didn't even need it. I hope you get to be totally out. I know I can't tell you not to be nervous. My heart rate was atrocious. See if they can give you something before so you can relax. You'll feel better.

I just had my RE on tuesday and they retrieved 36 eggs. They gave me a valium to take 30 minutes before I got there and then whatever they gave me during the procedure almost knocked me completly out. I remember hearing them count and that was about it. The first day was the worst. Yesterday I was still pretty sore and probably shouldn't have gone to work. So, I would take 2 days off if you can. Towards the middle of the second day I didn't have to take anymore tylenol. Good luck with everything. You will be fine.