[Patches0007]

Hi. Im starting progesterone today for an embryo transfer on the 16th. I dont have anyone to help me inject. Any tips? Can I inject into my arm (they give injections in the arm all the time). Thanks!

[jewellc]

Yes! I had to do them myself, My husband travels during the week. I highly recommend using an ice pack to completely numb the area and then sitting on a heating pad after so that you don't develop pockets that become sore. It wasn't bad at all. If you completely numb the area, you won't even feel it go in!

Good luck

[Midum]

I do them myself also. I think it's easier and less painful than when dh does it for me. I agree that you should numb the area with an ice pack. Then, after you clean the area with alcohol, make sure the alcohol dries completely. I also think it's less painful to put in the needle slowly, and sometimes I twist the needle just a bit as it goes in. The PIO is thick so takes some time to push in. Afterwards, I always put warm compresses on the area. Good luck!

[jenm]

I occasionally gave myself the pio in the rear. Wouldn't dream of doing it in my arm. First of all that needle is really long and I think the butt has more padding. Also needed one hand to pinch a little skin before inserting the needle- took my mind off of the needle going in. For example, twist to the right, pinch r cheek with l hand and inject with right hand. You may want to check with your doc, but it may also be more beneficial to have the progesterone in close proximity to your uterus.

[AMKD]

I wouldn't recommend doing it in your arm. I did my own in my leg once and it left a big lump for days. The PA at the RE's office explained that while the progesterone gets absorbed pretty quickly, the oil is slower to absorb and that is what the big lump in my leg was. They recommend using your butt so that as you walk around it promotes better absorption of the oil. Plus, it hurt a bit more in my leg than in my butt.

Good luck - you can do it. The first time is always the hardest!

[Katya10]

Man, the needle for the PIO--eek. I surfed the web and took every suggestion I could to make it easier, especially since it's done for so long.

I never saw anything about injecting in the arm, although there were people who self-injected into the leg. They said the leg was more painful than the butt.

Here was my system (although I do want to say that I didn't do any of the PIO shots myself--had DH for that):

• Warm vial of oil in bra for 10 minutes (makes it thinner).
• Turn on heating pad.
• Remove PIO from bra and prepare needle/med (I kept it warm under the stove light in a dish while still keeping the needle sterile).
• Grab ice pack and numb injection area for 5-10 minutes.
• Swab area with alcohol and have DH jam the needle into my muscle--oh, so much joy. (Affix band aid if necessary--rarely was)
• Massage the area and use the heating pad for about 10 minutes to spread the PIO around so it doesn't form a knot.

Yes, I am a big weenie. Yes, it took about half an hour for it all. But I do want to say that it worked. I never felt any pain other than the occasional pinch during injection, never had any knots form (places were tender once in a while but nothing bad), and
stopped being so horrified about the thought of jamming an inch-an-a-half-long needle into my butt.

Cat

[Ladybuglee]

i've always done mine myself and it's a breeze. i used to put emla cream on to numb it but found i don't really even need that. i do warm the pio in my bra for a while, which helps tremendously. goes in a lot faster. heating pad after and you're all set. it's not bad - scary at first, but you'll see how easy it is!

[Katya10]

Ah, girl, you are so much braver than I am. No ice pack? No numbing? Wow!

Cat

Originally Posted by Ladybuglee

i've always done mine myself and it's a breeze. i used to put emla cream on to numb it but found i don't really even need that. i do warm the pio in my bra for a while, which helps tremendously. goes in a lot faster. heating pad after and you're all set. it's not bad - scary at first, but you'll see how easy it is!

[Godiva4me]

PIO shot tips to make it easier! Here is a link I posted in April.... hope it helps you and others... some of the ideas have already been mentioned! Good luck, you CAN do it on your own!

[Julianne]

Search progesterone in oil injections on youtube.com.

There are a few videos of ladies doing it themselves.

Piece of cake! I don't numb, ice, or heat anything.

It all looks so much worse than it is. Good luck!