I will be starting injections in a couple of weeks. But my RE's office said that I will go in and they will show me how to do everything for the first injection. I am also going to take my Hubby just incase I don't have the nerve to stick myself!!!!!

Never worry about complaining to us about anything. That is what we are here for. I totally hear you on the shot anxiety. I have it big time! Poor ol' me with my hatred of shots ends up doing IVF and acupuncture. Crazy! I could never do my shots myself, and instead had to get my DH to do them. In fact when he was out of town, I went to a walk-in clinic because I was too much of a baby. I know women practice on those worry balls (do you know those ones? The kind where you squeeze the ball if you are stressed) or a cabbage. Some will tell you to ice first and then apply heat after, although that didn't help with me. In the end, they really arent as bad as you imagine. I know some have found by doing their own shots, they feel like they are taking charge of their infertility and they take comfort in that. Good luck!

HI! What injectibles are you using? I am starting on Sat-Follistim for IUI. I have given myself the ovidrel now for a few months. It seems the Follistim is the same size needle, in the abdomen as well. I am a nurse. I recommend putting the needle all the way in, for whatever med, and go quick. If you don't use enough force, I think it is more painful. Then you can give the medicine slowly if you want, but I would go all out with the actual insertion of the needle. FOr me, quicker is always better anyway, otherwise I just work myself up all the more thinking about it. Good luck to you!

Well, let me tell you that I was right there with you on the injections. I had never given myself one before and I was freaking out about it. I went to my REs office and they showed me how and even had me practice with a shot of saline. I don't think that there is any other way to practice, sorry. But I will tell you that once you get it in, the hardest part in my opinion, that how hard to push and all that just happened with how fast your body lets you do it. Other than that I don't have any sage advice to give. Oh, BTW I have about 6 shots under my belt and I still can't do it and not think twice about it!!

Idrn,
I too am using Follistim. I've never even used the Ovidrel shot. I was going to do IUI with Clomid and Ovidrel but the Clomid thinned my lining too much so I did not even use the Ovidrel. I moved on to IVF because I have IVF insurance coverage now, but that may be changing soon. I wanted to take advantage of it while they will still pay for IVF.

One very important word of advice: Never insert the needle in the container more than once and then try to put in your skin. It dulls it too much and makes inserting the needle difficult and painful.
Otherwise, push a bit hard and a bit fast. You really just want to get it in. The first few will be hard and then you will be a wiz!
The toughest for me were progesteron. I had BF give them to me. They were thicker, bigger needle and in the bum. But, even after a few of them it got a bit easier.
You will be okay. I just started my second round of IVF and started the Lupron injections yesterday.
If you feel you need to, you can ice the areas first or use some warm moist heat on them after. Good Luck!!

Most of it is mental, I swear. I was on the lupron shots, and they are teeny tiny little needles, and they dont hurt at all. They should give you needles with pointy tips, not flat. The flat tips hurt. Once you do the first couple, it REALLY is ok. You will be a pro! Now I'm taking the progesterone in oil, and those needles are HUGE and look painful, and my husband has to inject it into my butt, but even that needle doesnt hurt, because its pointy tip-you will REALLY be ok. Just remember the reason you are doing it. And do it in your belly...its somehow scarier in your thigh.

I'm also a big baby and can't do my own shots. My DH has to do them for me. I did do my own shot once when he was out and I definitely did it to slow. If someone can't do it for you I'd recommend doing it fast as I never even feel it when my DH does it.

I just went for it, but being a diabetic I'm used to injections (of course the fertility drugs have a much bigger needle). Trt practicing on an orange or grapefruit.

can your dh do it?

I did my first shot this morning, also the first shot I have ever given myself. It took me almost an hour to get the guts up to actually do it. I had to take a shower to relax a bit because I got myself so worked up about it. I iced my stomach with an ice pack. Once I finally got the guts up to do it I realized it was nothing! It hurt less then an ant bite. I am not saying that I won't hesitate tomorrow, but it won't take me a hour to do it. Good luck!!

P.S. I have a cousin is a peds nurse and she suggested practicing on an orange. She said that is what they do in nursing school.

if you are doing follistim, the pen works so well. you just put a tiny little needle on it, dial to your dose, and stick in your belly. it hardly hurts if you stick it in quick. good luck! it will all be worth it!

Thank you for all your sympathy and advice. It is nice to know that other women have the same fears that I do. I guess misery loves company :)
My hubby said he will give me the shots but I really don't think he will. He freaks out if I am in the least amount of pain. If I am much as cringe he is going to say that he can't do it cause it might hurt me.
My soon to be sister in law is in nursing school, she said that she will do it for me but she lives 30 minutes away from me. I am going to try and do it alone and if I can't I will let her. I just don't want either of us to have to drive 30 minutes everyday.
One thing I am very thankful for is that I do not have to do Progesterone injections. My RE uses suppositories.

A girl I work with did IUI with injectibles at the same clinic I go to. Her baby is 3 weeks old today and she brought him to work today and I held him for a long time. I can't wait to hold my own. I just have to keep thinking baby! baby! baby! while I stick myself with those dang needles.

Thanks again girls for all the sympathy and advice. I really appreciate each and every one of you.

You know what I just thought of, when we went for your required injection class, we met with the nurse alone after to go over my protocol and we practiced injections with saline solution. I have my self one in belly and upper thigh and my BF gave me one in the bum. I think doing that helped a lot when it came time for us to do them on our own.
Do other people do this with their nurse too? I am sure they would if you requested it.

Janlei, I completely understand your fear. The anxiety over it really is worse than the actual injection. I went through every emotion the night of my first one. I had myself so phyched out that I was Bawling! If you will be using Lupron, the needle is an insulin needle. You probably won't even feel it. Some people ice the injection site first for the tougher shots, like the Hcg. I know it sounds too easy, but you may be surprised! Best of luck- just try not to work yourself up to much. All will be fine!!