[Bothsidesnow]

Hi everyone,

We are on IVF #1 after 2 years of ttc. I am excited yet terrified at the same time (I'm in my late 30s). I've been taking Lupron for the past 10 days and will start stims tonight!

I have a question about which syringes can be used for Lupron. I have been using the 50 unit (1/2 cc) syringes that came with my 2 week kit, but will run out of those soon. My pharmacy screwed up my order, so the nurse gave me these 100 unit (1 cc) SafetyGlide syringes to use when I run out. I just discovered tonight that they are larger than the other ones.

Has anyone else used these larger syringes for Lupron? I am concerned since I'll be using them for 5 units only (very small amount compared to the size of the syringe). Will it still be accurate? Also, is there anything special I should know about the "SafetyGlide" feature? I think I'd feel better knowing that others have used these with no issues.

I am new to this whole process and seem to be nervous/anxious about everything. Thank you in advance for any advice/input!

[tygerlilly]

Actually not from personal experience, but from my experience working in the OR I can help you with this.

As long as the units of measurement are the same, then yes the dosage is accurate. If the units of measure are different then you may need to use a converter to ensure the dosage is correct.

Now, the safteyglide feature I have only seen on the larger needled, not the SubQ needles. But pretty much you use the needle and towards the base of the needle you should have one of 2 items: 1. a button that will cause the needle to automatically retract, or 2. (Most likely what you have) will be a think piece of plastic bent out in a triangle shape. You push the white plastic towards the needle tip, and it covers the tip preventing any future needle sticks.

I hope this helps

[Bothsidesnow]

Hi tygerlilly,

Thanks so much for the info. I believe the units are the same (it is just a larger volume syringe). I was worried that using the larger one for such a small volume might not be as accurate, but I feel better now after reading your message. I have the triangular safety glide feature that you described. So, it sounds like just an optional feature, right? I can use the syringe just like a standard one?

I am still getting used to giving myself shots. I started stims last night and managed to get through it, but was *really* tense the whole way through. Then, I started obsessing about whether or not I used the Gonal-F pen correctly (interestingly, I felt more confident with the Menopur since I could actually see what I was injecting, though, boy, did it sting!).

There were two decent sized bubbles left in the Gonal-F pen barrel even after priming (they eventually combined and formed one large bubble). I also forgot to recap the needle while I was loading my "real" dose and got paranoid that I sucked air into the pen when I pulled out the knob to load 150. Is that even possible? I think I might be driving myself crazy...

Thanks again for your advice! I really appreciate it!

[tygerlilly]

Yes you use the needle the same and it is optional; however I recommend using the safety feature . As for the bubbles, I wouldn't worry about them to much.Of course try to clear them but if you cannot it is not as bad as most people make it. Most injectables have micro bubbles that you are injecting into yourself without knowing. I would be concerned if you injected 1-2 CC's of air, but even then the risk is minimal .

[amybeth]

Hi! First, congrats on making it through your first night of stims!!! It gets easier from here

I was so worried about air bubbles as I had a horrible time with them. My IVF nurse told me that because you are not injecting into a vein, the air bubbles are no big deal. If you have small ones, they won't hurt. If you have large ones, you just have to be careful that you draw up the right amount of solution!

Also, as a suggestion to help cut the sting of the Menopur, once you mix the liquid with the powder, let it sit for at least five minutes before injecting it... I found that the longer I let it sit, the less it stung. That worked for me and it seems to have worked for others too! I also would press a sterile guaze pad over the injection site immediately after taking out the needle. The pressure seemed to help too.

Good luck and sending you lots of baby dust!!!

[Bothsidesnow]

Tygerlilly - Thanks so much. I will try using the safety feature. I guess at this point, anything "new" or different seems intimidating to me.

amybeth and Tygerlilly -
As for the bubbles, it's great to know that they probably wouldn't cause harm. My biggest fear is that I'm not giving myself the full dose I am supposed to get and not stimming myself! My husband thinks everything actually went fine... but I'm a worrier (not good for the IVF process!). Hopefully, I'm just freaking out over nothing.

amybeth, thanks so much for the tip on the Menopur. Even after all the warnings on the message boards about the burning, I wasn't quite prepared for that sensation! It's good to know that there is a way to lessen the sting.

Thank you both for your advice and support! I'm going to do my 3 shots (Lupron, Gonal-F, Menopur) in an hour. Wish me luck!