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11/04/2003
Mighty, mighty
One aspect of the two-week wait after IVF drives women particularly crazy: the progesterone.
Most women are subjected to the nightly pleasure of a stab in the ass with a 1.5" 22 gauge needle. (For those of you unfamiliar with the gentle art of injection, that's roughly the length and diameter of a #2 pencil.) I, on the other hand, get off easy, with only the lowly progesterone suppository.
Our British friends call it a pessary, but that reminds me too much of a cassowary — the thought of shoving a large, flightless bird all up in my business makes me feel a little bit faint. I mean, would you look at the bony helmet on that thing?
So after that zoological digression, we'll stick with suppository. When I began my first IVF, I was worried about the progesterone injections; a friend had told me they were agonizing. Imagine my relief when the nurse told me I'd be inserting suppositories thrice daily instead. (And imagine, if you're feeling stout-hearted, the strangeness of being relieved by hearing the words, "suppository," "vagina," and "three times a day" in quick succession.)
Anyway, back to my original point, which I momentarily mislaid. Progesterone will make you crazy.
Its side effects mimic exactly those of early pregnancy — tender breasts, occasional nausea, slight uterine cramping — but also those of an impending period — bloating, depression, insatiable cravings for carbohydrates. But wait! There's more! At no extra charge, we'll throw in crippling constipation. Now how much would you pay?
At any point after embryo transfer, any physical sensation can easily be attributed to progesterone. You can think you're pregnant when you're not even close. Or you can think your period is imminent when you won't get another one for almost a year. In short, you're screwed; you can't count on a single one of your body's cues to tell you truly what's going on within.
In my case, the progesterone side effects swooped in overnight. I woke this morning with enormous breasts. Now, I am normally on the shapely side, which is a delicate way of saying I'm a brick...house. I am indeed mighty, mighty, but I do not dare to let it all hang out lest I destroy small villages with the devastating pendulum action of my breasts.
Today they are even bigger. Behold the majestic ProgesteRackTM! Look upon my breasts, ye mighty, and despair!
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For my latest IVF cycle, I switched to intramuscular progesterone instead of the suppositories -- which means an injection every night. In fact, it wasn't bad at all. Not really any pain, especially if you ice your bum first. I think I prefer it over the suppositories.
Hi there
I too have been injecting my butt with progesterone however i skipped it last night because i know I am geting my period but the same monthly things that happen to my body a few days before like mu legs hurting my boobs like clock work get tender. Yes I will propable get my period on wednesday. I am heart broken It;s my second straight try at IVF and nothing. I guess I can now figure out how long it will take me to pay all the blood work bills not to mention the IVF ahead of time bills. You know what, If i had the money I would keep trying a few more times even though I am 42.
Needless to say I am depressed about the fact that this did not work. Yes i will continue with my injections even though I know that i will get my period in a few days
sara
hello all, i hav ejust found out im expecting again after my 4th misscarridge ( im only 24 ) i o have to go on these hormone injections, as that is whats wrong, im dreading the next few weeks as i dont know what to expect, and im scared that ill loose the baby again...
thinking of you all xxx
In 1985 I started progesterone suppositories, after having four miscarriages. I was on them for nine months before I became pregnant again. My cycles were lengthy, unpredictable, and discouraging. When I was finally pregannt, I was switched to injections every third day for 12 weeks. I was nothing to me. A shot in the butt is well worth my two children. That pregnancy produced an extremely fabulous handsome smart considerate and very funny young man who will be entering his first year at college this Sun, 9-4-05. I would take the shots any day over constant dripping goo from my lower place due to suppositories. Keep trying.
hi. I am on the two week wait, i didnt realise the amount of pains i would get from using prosterone, i was crying last night with pain, because of the constipation. I rang the nurse up and told her that it hurt badly when i passed stools. She said it was the prosterone,and the fact i might still have swollen ovaries. I was told to take fybrogel, which has help me in the toilet department but it still hurts now and again, its like having a red hot poker proded up your bottom. I used to get the same pains when i was 14, now there back again with a vengence. I was nearly up all night last night just pacing the floor, i took paracetamals but they can only deaden the pain a bit. Well ive only just started the two week wait im very happy, about the fact i have two healthy embyos inside, grade 1s but feel like it wont happen for me this time. Its been a long wait for me so i will have to grin a bear the pain for now, and hope it eases off a bit. I didnt realise it would be so hard on me. Its all those hormones isnt it my breast are very sore,stomach bloated,feel tearful, but mostly cos of the pain.
well im signing off now just had to get it off my chest.
shaz.
I found this site after googling 'progesterone side effects pregnancy'. I miscarried at 13 weeks in mid-August, found out yesterday that it was probably due to toxoplasmosis from cat stools(probably from the house my husband is renovating- 50 odd cats were the most recent inhabitants), and also found out that I am not now pregnant and was convinced I was. Which brings me to progesterone, which I was prescribed in capsule form (I have not found ANYONE else anywhere on the ENTIRE internet who was prescribed or who prescribes taking it in capsules- why not???????). I started taking them 3 days after fertilization (I thought). I have had headaches, dizziness, woke up nauseous one morning, have been tired, have excess saliva and discharge, and a noticeably increased heart rate. ANYONE have any input?
message to sara. Sara i was told that if you get a period during the two week wait doesnt neccessarly mean that you not pregnant, I actually know someone who had been trying ivf for ages, and came on and thought it hadnt worked. When she went to the hospital they told her she was pregnant. So you shouldnt stop taking the pressures till you find out what your blood test says. But yes we all worry dont we when the period shows up, but its different in ivf.
shaz.
After 2 unsuccessful IVF tries, I am finally 5 weeks pregnant on my 3rd try. Its hard to explain the joy since I wanted kids so bad. But on the other hand I cannot take the pain of the progesterone shots. Certain days are certainly better but my butt is all bruised and in lumps. I have terrible backpains, and it hurts more on the spine and tailbone. Some days it hurts with each step I take. The other symptoms, like sleepless nights, constipation, excessive bloating, seems nothing compared to this pain. I have a ultrasound scheduled in 4 days, if its only one baby then I can switch to suppositories, if its twins then the shots continues. Pray for me! Goodluck to all trying to have a baby!
IVF is a nightmare to go through. We're on our second try and at least this time we made is as far as a transfer. I didn't respond well to hormones, due to "decreased ovarian reserve" at 35. Those progesterone shots hurt so much and it's true that stuff makes you crazy. I keep telling my husband to please humor me and try not to stress me out, but he keeps taking my mood swings too seriously, keeps arguing with me, pushing me. I have a big problem with cigarettes. I want to quit but am stil smoking about 2 a day, mainly when I get stressed. The stress of infertility on both our parts (he is paraplegic and has nearly no sperm), plus hormones and quitting smoking are a bad combination and it's very hard on our relationship. I hope all this doesn't tear us apart.
I go for my 1st pregnancy test on Wednesday. We are going through our first round of IVF this month. I am so nervous, I don't even want to go for the test.
As for the Progesterone Injections, I've found that if I chill the site for 20-30 minutes with an ice pack, I don't even feel the needle going in. When the medicine is injected I have some discomfort. The worst part is that they increased my injections to 2x a day. I have less time to heal now and I have some pain in the muscle when I walk. I figure that if I am pregnant, labor will be a lot worse. If this IVF produces a baby, the pain is definitely worth it!!
Message for Melissa i am also having my blood test on Wednesday and cannot wait so i know one way or the other I am just hanging on to the fact that i have not had a period yet so there is still hope. Feel like i have waited so long for it to happen I am 34. Anyway i will be thinking of you on Wednesday I really hope it works
Progesterone shots are hell, but made much easier by switching needles after drawing the progesterone. The needle dulls immediately, so using a new one will make things MUCH easier.
have I done many...yes this is my 4th IVF attempt.
I am in the 2-wk wait for IVF now and taking progesterone injections daily for the last 8 days. The injections do not hurt me at all, and I haven't had any side-effects either. I am so sorry and surprised to hear of others that have so many side effects. DH gives me the injections each night. He uses the 22G needle to withdraw the progesterone, but then switches to a 25G needle for injection and I barely feel it at all. Piece of cake. (By the way, our first vial was in peanut oil, and we're now onto our second vial which is in sesame oil. The sesame oil seems to be less thick and easier for DH to inject.)
I am surprised at the number of women that are having problems with the progesterone. I have had some of the side effects, but as with Sabina taking the shot is no problem. Our doctor has us using the same thing. Progesterone in sesame oil. The larger needle to pull it out into the syringe and then the smaller needle for the injection. I barely fill anything.
I'm into my 2-wk IVF wait as well. I'm 38 and the progesterone is horrible. Severe mood swings, (like I may actually hurt someone), terrible fear over birth defects, up at night, back & hip pain. Not to mention pain at injection sites. I'm running out of room on my butt.. and I have a pretty big butt! I'm not sure I can keep taking it. This just keeps getting worse and I've only been on it 8 days.
Has anyone heard of women having to stop because of the side effects? Do they level off... ever? I'm starting to think I'm just too old for this. I have a teenage son that I'm so thankful for. Maybe I should just leave it at that.
Victoria, my progesterone side effects were pretty bad too but they won't ask you to stop, its your choice. At one point I was taking two shots a day too and it was unbearable. So the Dr asked me to get a 100mg dose so I can take it one time with a lesser amount. Those who don't have side effects are so lucky. I am in my 9th week of pregnancy and since I am only having one baby, they switched me to the suppositories. I love it! as I have no backpain, I can walk, and sleep on my back. The only negative part of the suppository is the constant dripping. Instead of using a pad I just take a few plys of toilet paper and fold it lengthwise and place it against me and wear a wide thong (not string) or panties that will ride up to keep the paper tight in place. This way I get to change it everytime I go to the bathroom, less mess and less chances of getting yeast infection. I still have nausea, mood swings and fear that I'll have a miscarriage but so far I am enjoying it esp when you get to see your baby on the monitor. I wouldn't go through this procedure again, if I want another child adpotion will be the only choice. Goodluck to all!
Jeena, I think I'm going to beg for the suppositories... at least then my butt won't be killing me while I'm crying and yelling at everyone. As the progesterone would have it; today I'm so pleasant.. almost fun to be around.. I could conquer anything. Tonight, I'll be a bawling maniac, convinced this was the stupidest idea we ever came up with. Hubby will be at work blissfully unaware of the chaos. Then I'll feel guilty and cry even harder... or eat an entire bag of Chips Ahoy. I love when the Doc asks how I'm feeling... "Gee the list is so long... How many minutes do you have on your plan? Let's just leave it at my family and friends are running for cover.. even the dog hides from me!" Today Hubby told me his shift won't end till 1am tonight and he wants to WAKE me when he gets home then stick my butt with a sharp metal object. Ok buddy, you're doin THAT at your own risk.. here sign this liabilty waiver!
9 weeks pregnant and your still sane... so there is hope for me! Best wishes to you & your little one! Yes, it will be worth it.. if it works.. and I don't hurt someone first. Adoption is looking much more attractive.
I'm in the beginning phase of my treatment and I'm terribly fearful of the progesterone shot. As a child I was tortured by allergy shots. I even had plastic surgery awake because I was afraid of the needle for the iv. Is the suppository form of progesterone weaker? I'm beginning to think I'll drop the whole treatment because of the shots. My doctor isn't listening to my fear and anxiety. Can lidocaine be used on the injection site? Does that weaken the impact of the progesterone? Help!!
Yes, I believe that the suppositories are a little weaker than the shot so they might not recommend it till after they confirm that you are carrying only one child. I was very nervous about the shots too and asked for something to numb the area prior to shot. I can't recall the name but an hour before the shot I would have to apply a thick layer, put plastic wrap over it and tape around the edges. Seemed too time consuming and incovenient for me so I never used it. I wish there was something better out there but only thing you can hope for is that your are the lucky few who the shots don't bother. I almost backed out of the procedure because of the shot and was calling it quits after my third attempt mainly because I couldn't handle the shots and ofcourse the stress and wait doesn't make it easier. I hope someone else has a better solution to make the shots easier.
Amanda, you can get a topical lidocaine cream for the injection site. It must be applied a full hour before each injecton then you won't feel it penetrate the skin. Sometimes you feel nothing at all but you may still feel a little sting in your muscle. The uncomfortable part is when your butt gets REALLY tender & sore from getting repeated shots. Some people have no problems at all with it. Others (like me) have lots. You can refuse the shot and insist on the suppository... many people just flat out refuse the shots. What happens after that depends on you and your Doc. My Doc wants shots ONLY. But, I know of some patients who have told him to go pound sand; and they got the suppositories. They also got the BIG lecture about how HE thinks they may not be as effective... but they still got the suppository. Don't give up just yet. You may be one of those people who has no problems at all... you wont know till you try. Despite my butt, back and joints hurting like heck I decided to stick it out... "stick it out"... HA! That's too funny!!
Stopping progesterone. Urine preg neggative. The little bugger didn't make it.
Victoria, I am sorry to hear the news. That's what hurts the most is that you go through all the pain and wait and it doesn't turn out as you hope. Did your Dr tell you to stop the shots?? Out of my 3 attempts, I did a home pregnancy test twice, both came negative. But my third attempt was successful even though the home pregnancy test said it was negative. So please talk to the Dr before you stop anything. Goodluck with whatever you decide to do next.
Thank you all for sharing. This is my first attempt with ivf. I have been searching for information on this 2 week wait with progesterone shots and am relieved to find out here that the shots have many side effects. I have bloating, constipation, and an achy lower back all of the time. It just makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one with these symptoms. We're all suffering! Hopefully it will all be worth it. I have 4 days to go before I take my blood test!
Hi everyone,
I am just starting suppositories (50mg) twice a day to help my lining for IUI. No great side-effects yet ... wait and see, I guess. The discharge isn't even that bad.
I am new to this process, and all of your comments are really helpful!
:)
Hi there all,
I've just got back from the hospital after a succesful transfer of two frozen embryos (max two allowed at a time here in England) This is our third IVF attempt in one year, and what a year! People who don't have to go through
IVF have no idea what it's like!!! The depression, the horrible waiting, the injections, the mood swings, the weight gain, the tears etc.. I know it will be all forgotten if I get pregnant, but it's so hard to get through this. I am sorry you US ladies have to have the progrestrone injected, here in the UK they only give you the suppository (400mg each) and you take one in the morning and one at night and just lie down for 10 minutes. The nausea is pretty bad though, but better than having to inject.
don't know how I'll get through the next 2 week.....
anna (manchester -uk)
As frustrating as it is to have the cycle be a flop(labs confirmed- not preg). I am happy to be off the progesterone. After about 16 days of it I was almost unable to pee in the mornings and was having difficulty "going" throughout the day. Not to mention the other issues with hip pain, major mood swings, etc. I even got a new stretch mark on my boob! Now who needs that after only 16 days?! I mean if I were pregnant.. it wouldn't be an issue... but i got ANOTHER stretch mark for nothing! We're not sure what to do next. It appears my body can't "tolerate" the progesterone. (I mean a girl's gotta be able to pee) So, we're looking for a different approach or something... Hubby's glad my moods are a little more... predictable.. and the dogs don't hide from me anymore so... I guess there's good in everything! Stay strong Ladies!
I just had my first Progesterone injection last night! Holy Crap! That was awful! And then I wake up in the middle of the night with what feels like a hughe bruise. I cannot see anything as of this morning but GEEZE!!! How do I continue this for the next 2 weeks... and then there after if I get preg??? Any suggestions?
Jennifer, Try topical lidocaine & leave it on for at least a full hour before you inject. It should numb the skin... doesn't do a darn thing for the muscle pain. You could also try suppositories if your Doc will write for them. Good luck!
Okay, I'm with Victoria. Two shots of progesterone in seasame oil and the muscle is severely sore. I don't (yet) need anything to numb the area while doing the shot, but it is the musclar pain that showed up 12 hours later. I can't lie on that side and certainly not fall asleep. I'm currently using a heating pad (on suggestion of the nurse when I was given the medication two days ago), but there has got to be a better way of dealing with this. Other than switching to suppositories, any suggestions in dealing with long term muscular pain as a result of shots?
Sonya, my pain from the progesterone had gotten so bad it felt like I had rocks in my hips. The only thing my Doc suggested was tylenol #3. Who wants to walk around in a T3 haze all day?! NO motrin. It was terrible. The Doc FINALLY said "if she can't walk... then we'll switch her". When I switched to the suppositories... thinking WOW this is GREAT!... then I couldn't pee in the morning. No one at my Doc's had any other suggestions. If you can muddle your way through the T3 haze and still get your work done during the day... I'd try it.
I was able to tolerate the progesterone injections for 9 days. By the 9th day I was in so much pain that I could not sleep, eat, or walk. This was not a good thing. There was no real advice from the doctor either except for the heat compress. I rotated from butt cheek to butt cheek and then went to my quads when I could not take it in the butt anymore. But that was no better. The actual injection was not the issue. It was the muscle paid. On day 10 they switched me to the suppositories. I was so concerned that I would not get pregnant based on all the stress my body was being put through; however, I am pleased to announce that I was pronounced PREGNANT on Friday. We are absolutely elated. My advice would be to switch to the suppositories. You are going through so much emotionally as well as physically, why continue to torture yourself when it is not necessary. The good part, I am not so worried about child birth now!!!
Dear ladies,
I just start progesterone injection two days ago. I can tolerate the pain but the sleepless nights really bother me. I'm thinking to switch injections in the early morning and I might sleep better at night. Anybody tried injection in the morning?
Hi everyone. I've had 8 unsuccessful ICSI/IVF. Trying again soon though - it's not over till I'm dead!!!
The progesterone shots never gave me any problems but I ended up with a painful lump in my left butt, just at the top of my hip. MRI & biopsy done show it's benign but it hurts and the only solution they've come up with is to take it - which I'm quite reluctant to do. It'll take a big chunk out of my behind - I'm African and VERY attached to and proud of my butt!
Has anyone else had this problem? HELP!
To Anna, are you sure the lump in your butt is not just a build-up of the oil in the projesterone? Try heating a wet wash cloth in the microwave (no more than 30 seconds) and putting it on the lump with some massage. Try that before you let any take a chunk out of your behind, girl.
Good luck to you.
Sorry - new the site. I think my message is for Feyi, not Anna re: the lump/chunk on her behind.
Thanks Ree, I tried that already. The lumps been there going on 2 years now. The wash-cloth thing seems to help shrink the lump as long as I'm doing it every night. Once I slack, it reverts to large! And it has affected the range of my leg movement - it's probably sitting on my muscle.
Will keep trying the wash cloth. And I'm obviously going to use suppositories next cycle!
Try heating the vial of progesterone by wrapping in a heating pad for about 5 minutes before the injection. It thins it out (since it's in thick oil) and it decreases the pain of the injection.
I'm taking my progesterone shots in the mornings -2cc's - it's the only time of day I can be consistent. But I am still having problems sleeping - so I don't know if that will help there. Tylenol PM helps me get about 5 hrs. Last night without it I got 3. But obviously its not a medication I want to be taking on a regular basis.
Also I wasn't having any problems with side effects from the shots until day 6 & then the pain was all across my upper hips. Ah! That's what they warned me about. I do have the option to change to suppositories, but I'd like to make it to the pregnancy test. I'm a surrogate for a friend so I'd like this to take the first time! They'll switch me over to that method at that time anyway -- though it sounds like it's got its own problems.
I too was in a panic over the progesterone injections, in my mind the needle had grown to the size of a turkey baster, but the actual shots haven't been too awful. We ice the area first until it is numb and sometimes I use a heating pad afterwards to help distribute the oil. The only problem I had was the one night I had to give myself the injection in my thigh. I missed the muscle and ended up with an infection requiring a topical antibiotic. The thigh shots did not hurt, but the next morning walking was problematic. For the folks that are in so much pain, have you been given a smaller needle to switch to for the injection? The needle used to draw up the progesterone is huge by comparison. I'm glad to hear that the sleeplessness is progesterone related. I too have become a raving bitch and don't know how much longer my family will tolerate me. I can barely tolerate me! So far I am 5 weeks along, ultrasound in 1 more week and suppositories if that looks good. I hope to get my personality back! I also did acupuncture with this treatment which I HIGHLY recommend. I had tried it earlier and found it painful, but then I found a woman who uses very tiny Japanese needles. She is amazing. If you haven't tried it, you must.
Hi!
Ok.. my experience with the progesterone shots. It seemed so easy at first.. No pain. Just mild.
But now I understand what I've heard.. It's after the first set you give yourself then wait a few weeks.. it starts to actually form scar pockets.. I'm not liking this at all.
It's like I see a black spot on the back of my butt. And I wonder will it go away in time.
Just a constant reminder of what your putting yourself through..
Had my first IVF procedure last month. Not Pregnant. So I'm afraid to go through the second IVF procedure as this would be my last time since it's covered in the state of CT only 2 IVF's. The 3rd you have to pay for etc.. and I don't have the $$$$ to do this.. so I'm thinking I need a life change before I go through the 2nd one. My nurse tells me not to wait.. that I should do this soon because I will be turning 36 this August. I had 22 eggs.. and out of 22 only 8 were large enough for them to do ICSI.
Out of 8 only 3 divided.. and when I went for transplant only 2 lived.. one was the perfect 8 and the other was only a 3 cell division. Really upset. Had a feeling it would not work.
I should say that I was a smoker.. I'm really concerned about this as I've been informed that as a smoker your eggs are usually older. Maybe that's why I'm not pregnant. After the neg. procedure and really doing a lot of reading on the subject of infertility.. I quit!!!!! I don't think I'll ever touch another smoke again. I'm that determined.. but afraid it's too late.
I think because my eggs did not divide I have bad eggs. My original doctor asked that I come back to him.. Lavy as Williams from another practice did my first IVF. He said that the meds were rushed too quick too soon where the eggs did not develop. I'm wondering if he's right ? So I do plan on seeing Lavy but again, I'm not sure when I want to do the 2nd procedure of IVF. I want to put in on hold..
Are my chances still good - ? anyone out there have my feelings ? just wondering ?
Could use someone to talk to about this...
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Kathleen,
I am still in my first cycle of ivf. I am still stimming right now and have my retrieval planned for the 18th of July. I'm terrified of the progesterone shots. I too was a smoker until 3 weeks ago. I quit 3 days before i started lupron. I'm worried that it will have an effect on the outcome because I waited so long to quit. I am 29. In illinois they only cover 4 cycles, but I'm afraid after the first, if it doesn't work, that I will not have the guts to go for it again. I was blessed with 3 boys and then I tied my tubes. Now I changed my mind and I want nothing better than to conceive. Like you, if my insurance didn't cover it, I could never afford it. One more thing to add to the stress - I am obese - 5'8" and 240 lbs. So on top of all of the other stuff, I'm worried about the weight gain with the stims & progesterone. However, I am still 30 lbs. lighter than when I gave birth to my 3rd son, so I am trying not to make a big issue out of it. I'm sorry you only have one more try, it's a really hard decision to make. ***Baby Dust to you***
Just read thru the entire thread about all of your problems with the PIO (prog. in oil)shots. I saw these instructions from a lady on another message board and they really work! I started my PIO shots 10 days ago after a FET and have only experienced slight bruising and no pain during injection.
1. Turn on a heating pad to high
2. Draw the oil into the syringe using the big needle, then switch to the smaller one but leave the cap on.
3. Hold the heating pad to your butt/hip for a few minutes.
4. Once your butt is good and warm, hold the filled syringe with the cap on and stick it under the heating pad for a minute or so. Just long enough to make it slightly warm and to thin out the oil.
5. My husband does the injection. He sits in a chair and I stand in front of him and I shift my weight to the side that is not getting stuck with the needle so my butt muscle is not tensed.
6. He injects the oil slowly and once he's done we put a band-aid on and I place the heating pad back on the injection site to keep it warm for a few minutes then I massage it in.
I generally only feel a slight prick when the needle goes in or out. By keeping everything heated, the oil stays thinned out and absorbs quicker, hence no lumps. I would imagine that if you ice the area prior to injection, you might not feel the prick but once the oil hits your very cold butt it probably hardens up and makes the injection take longer, be more painful, and causes lumps.
Even with the method above, my guess is after more that a few weeks of these, I'll be pretty bruised and lumpy, but so far no issues, nor for anyone else that I know have used this process. I did Prometrium supps for my IVF and they were very messy and I thought the side effects were horrible. So far with the shots, I haven't been as badly moody as with the supps.
Sorry for the long post but thought I could help.
- Tracy
Hi everybody,
I'm on the other side of most of your stories. I am the husband injecting Progesterone to my wife. We just started yesterday with the first shot. We are doing an IVF and they just performed the egg extraction a couple of days ago and we are now waiting for them to tell us when they will "send them back in". To be honest with you, up to two weeks ago I thought IVF treatments had a very high success rate, but now reading some blogs over the net I have realized it is not like that at all. I think my wife is so convinced that this is going to work that I'm now worried about how she would feel if in fact this doesn't works as expected. I'm also freaking out about the Progesterone birth-deffects such as the genital deffects on baby boys (I read about it on the insert it came with the drug itself) So I would like to ask two questions to you ladies: 1st. would you know what's the average number of IVF treatments until pregnancy is reached?? and also... Isn't it too risky to inject that drug knowing the probles it is known to cause to babies?? Please help!!! :) Thank you!
I got pregnant my first IVF attempt. I was 38 years old at the time. I had 8 cell embryos which apparently are very very good. They say the average amount of time to get pregnant are 2 times. However, they say the quality of the embryo makes a big differance. I got pregnant the first time with fresh embryos and no progesterone oil injection just the vaginal suppositories. Good luck.
Hi All, esp Anna from Manchester
We're in the middle of our 2nd IVF/ICSI cycle; 2 8cell embryos were put back yesterday. I, like Anna, am on the 400mg prog suppositories twice a day. I'm just hoping it's enough progesterone! Has anyone been prescribed these three times a day? Or have any feelings about this? The fertility sister says two is enough for anybody but still...
Thanks. Charlie
Hi everybody,
Is good to know that I am not alone in trying to get pregnant. As of today I am 5 weeks pregnant with twins. This was my first IVF. This process has been very hard for me and my husband.
Progesterone shots are really discomforting, but numbing it with ice helps. I personally perfer the suppositories than the shots. My doctor has me taken 1 shot a day and suppositories 3x a day.
I was daily shots for 4 weeks now I am only on suppositories 3 x a day.
I want to wish everybody luck.
Hi everyone!
I am so glad I stumbled upon this website! I am in my horrible 2 week wait and my pregnancy test is this friday. I have to admit I absolutely tortured myself and took a home test on Sun which of course was negative. I was just wondering if anyone has had cramping during their cycle. I have cramped since day 3 after transfer and feel as though I will start my period, sweating and nausea too. Is this the progesterone or have I lost this cycle too? My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is in our situation!
I am in the 2ww. I am 7 days past ER and taking daily IM progesterone shots. DH gives them to me. My back-side is definately sore, but the shot inself is not bad for me.
I do have major bloating going on in my stomach area. So much that it is uncomfortable to button my shorts and pants! I also have discomfort to my ovaries when I have a full bladder, especially on the left side where they removed 5 of my 7 eggs. I am wondering if my ovaries are swollen? I feel like my body has taken a beating during my first IVF cycle, but I am so hopeful for a positive! I test in 8 days, and am praying for a positive, because I don't think I could handle anything else!
My first IVF and I've been on progesterone shots for 6 days and I've had horrible side effects:insomnia,heart racing, headaches, panic attacks,nervousness. I don't know how much longer I can take it. My doc told me I have to stay on injections for a while. Any one else suffering like me? I won't be able to undergo another IVF.