[fedele21]

Hi ladies,

I am taking Menopur for the first time this cycle.

Where do you give the shot to yourself of Menopur?
I thought it had to be in the muscle or can it be in the stomach?

I appreciate any advise.

Thanks,
Erica

[eggy]

My Menopur injections were subcutaneous, so I injected into my stomach, though parts of the thigh are said to be ok, too. You may want to double-check with your RE to see what he/she would like you to do.

[lisa_kev]

My nurse had me inject into the stomach, 2 inches from the belly button, pinch an inch and inject. I'm surprised you didn't take some sort of injection class prior though. My RE wouldn't write percriptions unless the class was taken first. There are many gals on Youtube who have put their injections online for a self-help. Just type in the type of meds you're taking and tons of videos pop up. As far as muscle injections, I did progesterone in-oil in the upper hip. You could always call your nurse and ask if there is a CD you can watch to teach you to sub-q. Once you do it once or twice, it's a peice of cake. Good luck with your cycle!

[fedele21]

Thanks ladies,

No I never went to a class even before when I did my first IVF cycle. It was all here ya go, and good luck.

I really think my clinic stinks. There are a lot of things that they don't do that make it less stressful that it sounds like other ladies get.

Did you guys combine Menopur, Lupron, and Follistim in one shot?

Thanks for the help.

[lisa_kev]

Originally Posted by fedele21

Thanks ladies,

No I never went to a class even before when I did my first IVF cycle. It was all here ya go, and good luck.

I really think my clinic stinks. There are a lot of things that they don't do that make it less stressful that it sounds like other ladies get.

Did you guys combine Menopur, Lupron, and Follistim in one shot?

Thanks for the help.

That really sucks, I'm sorry you have a poor clinic. Is there a reason why you chose this one or were you left with no other choice?

As far as the meds, I can't comment on those because I did Menopur, Bravelle and Ganerelix. I was able to mix the Menopur and Bravelle, but the Ganerelix was pre-filled and taken the last 5 days of stims. By all means though, call your clinic....afterall this is what you're paying them BIG BUCKS for and they should be there to answer questions just to be on the safe side. I find it bizzare that they just gave you the meds and said "here ya go....good luck". If you can't find the answers here you can also call the pharmacy where you got the meds from. Good luck!

[essemkay]

I had my husband do my shots in the back of my arm because I'm a total weenie when it comes to needles.

Also, just a heads up -- Menopur can burn. Not everybody, but it does me. Some say that if you ice the area first, it helps. It didn't help me, but your mileage may vary. It also may help to let the drug rest for a bit after mixing it up, to use a bit more of the diluent and to inject slowly.

Good luck to you!!

[fedele21]

Thanks ladies,

Yeah I chose the clinic out of stupidity. LOL. I thought it was good.

Apparently some ladies get a schedule of their meds for the month? I never get that. And yeah I just figured the injections out myself.

I should have looked up reviews on the doctor but didn't. There are quite a few unhappy people with them. They never called me for with my last negative beta result. I just knew b/c of a HPT.

I paid for two cycles so I am stuck there for one more. But I hear this clinic is cheap compared to others- I paid $6000 for two cycles.

Thanks again for the responses, and I will def be icing the area first to try that.

[eggy]

I did exactly that combination both times -- Lupron, Menopur, and Follistim -- and both times, it worked! So even though you may think your clinic stinks in some ways, it sounds like they're on the right track medically.

Unfortunately, it looks like you're just going to have to be super resourceful and find out information on your own. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor and the nurses as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with the process. This is your body and your life, and you're paying a lot of money for treatment.

As for combining the shots into one, I don't think that's possible. Menopur involves mixing powder with diluent and injecting it using a regular-sized syringe with a small needle, Lupron is injected using a small syringe with a tinier needle, and Follistim is injected via a pen-like dispenser with the smallest needle of all.

On the bright side, there's a theme here. The subcutaneous injections involve smaller needles than the intramuscular injections and are relatively painless. (Though the Menopur does sting a bit.)

Originally Posted by fedele21

Thanks ladies,

No I never went to a class even before when I did my first IVF cycle. It was all here ya go, and good luck.

I really think my clinic stinks. There are a lot of things that they don't do that make it less stressful that it sounds like other ladies get.

Did you guys combine Menopur, Lupron, and Follistim in one shot?

Thanks for the help.

[babydoll00]

I did combo of lupron, menopur, follistim and letrozole and just got a BFP. How long are your needles? The 23 gauge long needles are to be done intramuscularly in the muscle of the buttocks. I can't remember the gauge of the subq needles but they look close to the same size as insulin needles. I would ask re to be safe. The menopur does sting. The subq injections can be done in the stomach or leg but one of the nurses at my re office said they prefer the stomach so that the med just sits there where as the leg is moving. Best wishes to you.

[fedele21]

Awww congrats on your !!!! That's awesome!!!

I think they are 23 gauge. I don't want to do the muscular one. LOL. I wonder if I have the choice?

[shelby77]

I had to watch a class online before my injections. Then went in for a consult and could ask any questions I had. I did nto have to put in a password or anything for the class, so I guess anyone can watch it. It is for the clinic I go to in Delaware, but the films at the end about the shots appear to be done by the companies. It may help you to watch it. Here it the link.
Patient Resources

[DRB]

It is possible to mix menopur and Gonal F/Follistem pens. I did that my last cycle. You take the pen and put that amount in the menopur already mixed vial, take the whole thing out with syringe, and one shot, instead of 2. Much easier.

This cycle I am menopur in the am gonal f in the evening, so I can't do that