https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:55:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644666 Mon, 19 May 2014 12:34:07 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1644666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing I did was progesterone suppositories instead of PIO injections. I didn't have much issue...stomach hurts way less than butt and I was able to avoid all butt shots. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644609 Mon, 19 May 2014 12:13:05 +0000 Jenn23 1644609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found the Lupron needles to be a piece of cake. Tiny and quick and painless for me. As I told you on the weekly thread last week, I had a fear of needles, but after only a few days of IVF injections, I gave myself the Lupron (husband sleeps later in the morning and I didn't want to wake him for it). I just did it! He gave me the others at night still, but it really wasn't bad. I got used to it very quickly! :) You can do it!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644382 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:55:24 +0000 swedishfish 1644382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: I didn't use Lupron. I started with BC pills. Ask about Follistim - the cartridge made injecting so easy. My RE decides on a sub-q or IM trigger depending on weight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644255 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:16:34 +0000 Sunshine1810 1644255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only IM injections I have are two PIO injections and then I am using Endometrin suppositories for the rest of the time. They actually offered to do my IM injections for me at the hospital since they want me to do one on retrieval day, and then next on transfer day. Not sure what your RE's protocol is for progesterone, but maybe that would be an option for you too. It has lessened my anxiety about IM injections. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644242 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:14:35 +0000 Sunshine1810 1644242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: My trigger is sub-q Novarel too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644241 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:12:59 +0000 spaniellove 1644241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: Sometimes, not always! Ovidrel is subcutaneous, the others like plain old HCG is IM although IIRC sometimes they can come up with a way to do it IM. And yes, I think it is pretty common to mix the stim meds into one needle - that's how I did it and how I'd seen it done in the youtube videos! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644233 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:12:10 +0000 Shutterbug 1644233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: fwiw, my trigger was sub-q Novarel both times with BIVF, (and sub-q Ovidrel all 4 IUIs) although each RE has different preferences for what they use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644231 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:11:36 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1644231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: my trigger was subcutaneous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644223 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:05:18 +0000 mrs. bird 1644223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@night cheese: you're brave!</p> <p>@spaniellove: interesting!! That would be great if that was possible since aren't the trigger shots usually IM injections? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644213 Mon, 19 May 2014 10:02:13 +0000 Shutterbug 1644213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@night cheese: haha ditto! Nothing like exposure therapy to cure a phobia :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644198 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:58:34 +0000 mrs. bird 1644198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sunshine1810: I've heard some places are starting to encourage ppl to mix some of the injections. Hey, one less stick is one less, every little bit helps!</p> <p>@brownie: oooo, interesting. I hadn't thought of that!</p> <p>@Shutterbug: oh that stinks that they weren't sharp! I'm going to ask about what our options at my June follow up, but I'm hoping if I bring some ideas she'll be able to address each </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644158 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:44:26 +0000 spaniellove 1644158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh also for the blood draws, you can ask for the smallest possible needle or a butterfly needle. When I remembered to do that it never left a scar/bruise and it was only the tiniest prick. I think the small needle is the black one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644147 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:41:10 +0000 spaniellove 1644147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know one of the clinics uses Synarel as a trigger...also depending on your situation, there are protocols that don't involve Lupron at all, so you might only have needles for bloodwork and stims. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644139 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:37:53 +0000 night cheese 1644139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, the best way for me to get over my fear of needles was to stick a crapton of them into myself every month for four months.</p> <p>The first few times were torture (I cried and shook and screamed and came close to vomiting), but after I got used to it, my fear of needles was GONE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644103 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:30:14 +0000 Shutterbug 1644103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: you already know my (limited) experience with the saliva testing :) Maybe see if the clinic can give you some stats on the studies they've done and more information about the risks/benefits? I will say that although I used to be THE biggest baby about blood draws, I made it through two cycles with no issues. My arm was pretty bruised by the end, though, because they kept making new holes in the same vein.</p> <p>ETA: Also, in my experience, the Lupron needles weren't very sharp (they're just regular insulin syringes/needles) :bummed: Maybe it's because you have to stick them into the rubber stopper of the Lupron first, but they were the hardest to go into my skin (so says DH). Even still, it wasn't bad, but it made the Gonal-F feel pleasant by comparison LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644102 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:29:45 +0000 Sunshine1810 1644102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Leialou: I second the tiny needles. For my current fresh cycle I will need to do 2-3 per day max (2 if I mix Gonal and Menopur). I started Lupron this week and the tiny needle makes things MUCH easier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644079 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:19:15 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1644079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have experience with either of those. For my fresh cycle I had to give myself two shots a day. If it makes you feel any better, the needles are small. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644067 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:13:26 +0000 brownie 1644067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't able to. I got emla cream which numbs the skin so that at least I didn't feel it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644059 Mon, 19 May 2014 09:10:16 +0000 Sunshine1810 1644059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: I don't have any experience with either of those, but my RE did tell me I could mix my Menopur and Gonal-F injection if I want so that it would only be one injection instead of 2. I know that's not great, but it's still one less! Good luck to you!! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/minimizing-needles-for-ivf#post-1644004 Mon, 19 May 2014 08:52:30 +0000 mrs. bird 1644004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think i'm starting to lean toward starting IVF once i've gotten the okay that my uterus is healed enough, but needles are a HUGE phobia of mine. i'm looking at ways to minimize the number of sticks involved. </p> <p>my fertility center does offer some hormone testing using saliva instead of blood<br /> <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-ivf-pioneers-worlds-first-needle-free-saliva-test-used-in-infertility-treatment-patient-friendly-monitoring-replaces-daily-blood-tests-138043113.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-ivf-pioneers-worlds-first-needle-free-saliva-test-used-in-infertility-treatment-patient-friendly-monitoring-replaces-daily-blood-tests-138043113.html</a></p> <p>and i've read the instead of lupron injections, there is a nasal spray, Synarel, that is as effective that can be used instead<br /> <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/infertility-insights/afraid-ivf" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/infertility-insights/afraid-ivf</a></p> <p>anyone have any experience with either of those alternative protocols or have any other insights on minimizing the number of injections/blood draws involved in the IVF process? </p>