Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

any tips on repronex/IM injections?

Question:

Hi everyone, Well we are slated to begin repronex injections paired with clomid on about March 1st. I am curious if anyone has some helpful advice…like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Does the needle have to go all the way in? I have 22 gauge needles. (Youch!) any advice would be appreciated. I am not too nervous but then again when I have a needle poised at my backside that may be an entirely different story! LOL Thanks! shelley PCO/IR Clomid 5 cycles Metformin 1500 mg onto repronex/clomid/IUI in march

Response:

<<like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Whoa….first of all, why are you assuming the shots will hurt??  I have given myself lots of IM injections, and they were all painless.  The needles are very sharp and don’t hurt.  The IM injections should not sting, either.  There are less nerves in muscle than there are in skin. <<Does the needle have to go all the way in? I have 22 gauge needles. 22 gauge refers to width, not length.  I always use a 22 gauge, 1-1/2 inch needle, and yes it should go all the way in if you’re using your hip. Otherwise, you may not get it in the muscle.  If you use your thigh, you could probably use a 1-inch, altho I’ve always used a 1-1/2 inch one in my thigh. Good luck….it really isn’t that bad at all!  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  -Kay

Response:

I gotta back up Kay on this– try not to always expect the worst, because it might not happen! Tips: Be sure you are not giving the shots with the ‘drawing up’ needle, as it is usually a HUGE gauge, and loses some of its sharpness if you are drawing the meds out of one of the rubber tipped vials. Amps are a different case, but you should still switch to a smaller gauge needle if your dr. lets you. Also, remember that when you give an IM shots, spreading the skin apart instead of bunching it up seems to help too. I believe there is something called Amla or Emla(?) that numbs the area, but I’ve never used it. Your dr. might prescribe it. This current IVF cycle was *all* IM shots (except for the daily sq lupron) and once my DH figured out the ‘configuration’ for giving them to me, the only thing that really hurt was the initial pinprick feeling, and that wasn’t too bad once I got over the fear of expecting it. DH always asks if I am ready instead of just going for it, because if I didn’t know I would tend to tense up my muscles. This way I know it is coming. Getting up and moving around a little after the injection seems to help me as well. The soreness/uncomfortableness/pain I have felt from previous IM shots was from the meds (prog. in oil, hcg) not being distributed correctly, not the actual injection…but my husband would massage the area and it would be fine. A little sore the next day, sometimes, but not bad at all! Maybe you just get used to it after awhile, and stop dreading it so much, I don’t know. In the past few weeks of this IVF I did 10 days in a row of stims (pergonal & gonal f combo), the hcg, and 3 p.i.o. shots since my transfer on Thursday this week, that’s 14 total IM shots (alternating cheeks), and so far, so good as far as it being a ‘pain in the butt’! Good luck! Carolyne in TX – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Whoa….first of all, why are you assuming the shots will hurt??  I have given myself lots of IM injections, and they were all painless.  The needles are very sharp and don’t hurt.  The IM injections should not sting, either.  There are less nerves in muscle than there are in skin. <<Does the needle have to go all the way in? I have 22 gauge needles. 22 gauge refers to width, not length.  I always use a 22 gauge, 1-1/2 inch needle, and yes it should go all the way in if you’re using your hip. Otherwise, you may not get it in the muscle.  If you use your thigh, you could probably use a 1-inch, altho I’ve always used a 1-1/2 inch one in my thigh. Good luck….it really isn’t that bad at all!  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  -Kay

– My millennium wish for you: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (III John 2)

Response:

I am on the same exact meds.  The repronex does not sting at all.  The key is to get the needle in fast like you are throwing a dart.  My doc gives me 25 gauge needles 1 1/2 inches long, these are smaller than 22 gauge.  Ask if you can use the 25.  Also, a note to help you not tense up, if you are getting the shot in the right hip, slightly bend the right knee and point your right toe in.  Most of you weight will be on the left foot.  This prevents you from being able to tighten the muscles in the right buttock area.  I have lots of experience giving shots since I am a nurse and unfortunately I have too much experience in receiving them.  The first month I took the repronex my butt would ache from the shot later in the day, but I haven’t had that problem since the first month.  I think my butt is just used to it by now. LOL. If DH is going to give you the shots, buy an orange and have him practice the dart technique so he gets the hang of it.  It is a wrist movement, not an arm movement.  A thin orange peel has a similar feel when giving the shot.  That was actually part of my homework in college when I was learning to give shots. If you have anymore questions, I would be glad to help. Leslie Even more crazy at 13dpo

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi everyone, Well we are slated to begin repronex injections paired with clomid on about March 1st. I am curious if anyone has some helpful advice…like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Does the needle have to go all the way in? I have 22 gauge needles. (Youch!) any advice would be appreciated. I am not too nervous but then again when I have a needle poised at my backside that may be an entirely different story! LOL Thanks! shelley PCO/IR Clomid 5 cycles Metformin 1500 mg onto repronex/clomid/IUI in march

Response:

Reply sent by private e-mail already! Be sure you are not giving the shots with the ‘drawing up’ needle, as it is usually a HUGE gauge, and loses some of its sharpness if you are drawing the meds out of one of the rubber tipped vials. As I understood it we are using the same needle for drawing up the diluent and for injecting. Should I switch the needle after mixing the meds? Thanks shelley

– My millennium wish for you: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (III John 2)

Response:

Be sure you are not giving the shots with the ‘drawing up’ needle, as it is usually a HUGE gauge, and loses some of its sharpness if you are drawing the meds out of one of the rubber tipped vials.

As I understood it we are using the same needle for drawing up the diluent and for injecting. Should I switch the needle after mixing the meds? Thanks shelley

Response:

<<like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Whoa….first of all, why are you assuming the shots will hurt??  I have given myself lots of IM injections, and they were all painless.

I’ll add a bit to Kay… I agree that the IM injections themselves don’t hurt (much, anyway However, I always have a bit of soreness in the muscle the next day. I’ve found that moving around a bit (gently) right after the shot helps some — that way, the muscle doesn’t get so stiff. I do need to point out that I’ve never done Repronex — my only IM injections have been Profasi, so YMMV. Good luck! You can do it! Paula

Response:

Hi Shelley, I am in the midst of an IVF cycle using Follistim and Repronex.  I started out with 25 gauge needles because for some dumb reason I had to order the 27 gauge needles because I couldn’t find anyone in town who carried them.  (In needles, the larger the number the smaller the needle.)  There is a big difference between 25 and 27 gauge needles (IMO!) and I think it is worth your while to get the smallest needle you can.  (I honestly can’t feel the 27 gauge needles going in, but I sure could feel the 25s!!!)  Sometimes with smaller needles the injections will take a bit longer, but I think it actually hurts less if the injection is slow and steady than with one big push anyway. A warm compress (washcloth, heating pad) may help some of the pain afterward.  My butt is sore, I must admit (I am not quite a week into these shots), but not too bad. I have found the shots burn a bit and that sometimes lingers for a few minutes afterward.  I *think* it is because the Repronex is mixed with sodium chloride. I think the biggest tip for reducing pain with IM injections is to remain calm and be sure your muscles are not tight. Good luck! Rachel Browne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everyone, Well we are slated to begin repronex injections paired with clomid on about March 1st. I am curious if anyone has some helpful advice…like how to lessen the pain? heating pad after injections…or ice after the injections? Do the shots sting? Does the needle have to go all the way in? I have 22 gauge needles. (Youch!) any advice would be appreciated. I am not too nervous but then again when I have a needle poised at my backside that may be an entirely different story! LOL Thanks! shelley PCO/IR Clomid 5 cycles Metformin 1500 mg onto repronex/clomid/IUI in march

Response:

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