https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:30:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1392004 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:45:43 +0000 twodoghouse 1392004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I did the suppositories in addition to the injections too - yuck! I think I read somewhere that it takes 6 or 8 suppositories to equal one of the PIO injections. So you might have to increase your suppositories by a lot but it's worth asking if the PIO is just terrible for you! Either way I hope at your next appt they just say you're good to go and can be done with them!! It's so freeing when you FINALLY get to go off all the needles and shots and meds, etc. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391980 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:36:00 +0000 spaniellove 1391980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: I think there are sites you can use other than your butt/hip! I'd be very careful moving an inch out from the site that's worked for you...we found that even the slightest variation would send electric shock-like jolts across my back and down my leg, meaning I hit a nerve, and it ended up giving me sciatica. The aspiration is old school but totally worth it because when doing subcutaneous shots I injected into a vein and it was bad. I still have a scar a year later. A tiny bit of blood on the gauze is probably normal...we always ended up with a few drops and sometimes a bit more (you bleed more easily when you're pregnant) but massive bruising is not normal!</p> <p>The lumps/knots are THE WORST! I feel for you! And about the itching - I didn't get it but my nurse recommended Sarna lotion which I think you can get at Target. Hang in there! And if you feel like you just can't take it, ask your RE if there are other options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391960 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:25:47 +0000 Snowdrop 1391960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: it is a bit old school and I would think with everything that goes along with giving them to yourself it isn't really worth it. I like to do it in the but because you are more likely to hit a vessel. The worst that would happen is more bleeding, like you noticed, and in the worst case, a very painful lump, it just isn't something I want to inflict on my patients!<br /> Also, do you count to ten before withdrawing? That gives time for the muscle to absorb the medicine and you are less likely to get stuff, including tha little drop of blood, coming back out afterwards.<br /> Sometimes you do just get more blood than others and it isn't anything to worry about. If they let you do the thigh you'll have lots of place to inject and it'll give you time to heal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391954 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:20:37 +0000 SweetiePie 1391954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Same!!! I had a rash a week or so ago. I got some bumps and itchiness on both sides and I got so scared I had an infection or something. But the nurse said its normal irritation from sticking yourself over and over. How fun!</p> <p>I know it'll all be worth it and I feel guilt complaining about it. I actually feel guilty telling my RE I don't want to do t anymore. I feel like he looks at me like "really? You aren't willing to do a few shots for a kid?" Which obviously isn't true. I just wonder if there's a better way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391947 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:16:21 +0000 SweetiePie 1391947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: Ok, thank you so much!!! I will ask them if that's ok to try. I'd be willing to go in during their AM hours before work for training if need be. I'm desperate!</p> <p>I don't do the aspirating part because the nurse at my RE office said I didn't need to. She said that it's an "old school" practice that they don't worry about so much anymore. Is that crazy??? </p> <p>I give myself the injection on the right side since I'm right handed and it's not that difficult. My husband does the left side (well, I stick it and he pushes the plunger. My left hand/arm has a hard time).<br /> Yesterday when I did it and got the bleeding, I did move the needle a bit by mistake when I reached for the gauze at the end. So I'm also wondering of the needle moved inside and nicked something? Is that possible?</p> <p>I am also thinking about asking my RE if I can just nix the injections and double my suppositories. I'm doing those once a day too. Yes, I get all the fun. ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391943 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:10:43 +0000 Snowdrop 1391943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: just edited my last post for you too. I'm a nurse. I would definitely check with them because you haven't been trained to give it in that area and I wouldn't want you to get it wrong. There are basically 4 places you can give IMs, top of arm, thigh and buttock, I don't like mixing the arm one in with thigh and buttock as some newer research shows the absorption rates differ but thigh and buttock are pretty similar. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391941 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:08:20 +0000 twodoghouse 1391941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I definitely had this problem! I also developed a rash all over my bum which we tried to avoid while injecting too. Once I was sore all over and it was harder to find a spot, my husband (he always did the injections) would try to be more methodical about where he was injecting. So we'd sort of make our way through the target area (switching sides) in a pattern so we knew this was the area with the oldest injection sites (and hypothetically the most "healed") and here are the newer ones. But near the end of the 12 weeks everything was swollen, achy, bumpy, rashy, etc. and it was miserable. It will be worth it in the end! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391940 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:06:43 +0000 SweetiePie 1391940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: Hmmmm that is really interesting! I've never heard of that. My RE just told me to use the buttocks/hip area. Do I need to ask them about the thigh or could I just try it? (I'm assuming you're some kind of medical professional ;-) ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391936 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:02:52 +0000 Snowdrop 1391936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you do a four way alternation? I.e. Right buttock, right thigh, left thigh, left buttock. That's what we do for people who are having trouble with frequent injections, old people in particular. The two sites tend to absorb in a reasonably similar way. And it means a reduction of 50% in frequency per area.</p> <p>Oh and it just sounds like you hit a vessel when you got bleeding. We aspirate a bit to check we don't get a blood vessel when giving IMs especially in the but. There is quite a small area that is suitable for injecting so don't stray too much in that area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391930 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 09:59:19 +0000 FaithFertility 1391930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>:((( NO BUT I HATE NEEDLES, AND JUST WANTED TO SAY<br /> ........YOU ROCK! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391926 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 09:56:37 +0000 SweetiePie 1391926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I have strange numbness on my right side that extends down my leg, way below the injection site. Might as well ask if anyone has experienced this as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feel-like-im-running-out-of-im-injection-sites#post-1391921 Sat, 01 Feb 2014 09:54:13 +0000 SweetiePie 1391921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been giving myself PIO IM injections in the butt every day for the last month. I feel like I'm running out of injection sites. I know you're not supposed to inject right into the lumps that form or any spot that is sore. Which is pretty much everything at this point! I do alternate sides every day. I use the heating pad after and massage. </p> <p>Last night I tried a new spot about an inch above and to the left of where I usually try to stick. It was still muscle (I check by holding the spot beforehand while I walk to feel the muscle flex). It bled a lot more than usual and today is super sore.<br /> I just feel like I have to inject into spots that I'm maybe not supposed to and I'm a little worried that I'll either not get the progesterone I need to support this pregnancy OR I will permanently injure myself somehow.<br /> I still have at least a week and a half of shots (I find out at my next appt if I have to continue or not). </p> <p>Does anyone else have a similar experience? Ultimately I know I should ask my doc/nurse, but hoping someone else can comfort my worries before I do that. </p>