for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

Hi gals. I went for my transfer today. While talking to the nurse she mentioned the progesterone suppositories that I have to start tomorrow. I laughed and told her I would definitely do PIO shots over suppositories. I didn't expect her to say this, but she told me I could do the shots if I want to. SHe was surprised to hear that I am able to do the shots myself, but told me the choice was mine.

So here is my question. She cautioned me that I would have to do the PIO shot s once a day for twelve weeks. Has anyone done this? Was it physically possible for that long or did your bum end up hurting too much?

TIA

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

no advice, just wanted to send you lots of baby dust and prayers!

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

i was on the supossitories for the 12 weeks...but i did the shots for the first 5 days i think...and i know people that have done shots all 12 weeks...i know that it hurt my bum, but its definitely much "cleaner"! im sure if you alternated sides and places you would be fine...good luck!

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

MY RE office only does the shots ( so far as I know) , so I ended up doing them for probably 14 weeks total ( 2 cycles back to back, one being for 10 weeks after my BFP)....

For me they were a piece of cake ( my DH was really good at the I guess )

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

I get to stop mine next Monday. at that point I will be 10 weeks pregnant. I have been doing them since the ER which will mean I was on the shots for 8 weeks. 12 weeks sounds long. Is she sure about that? My but is totally used to it now. It's fine, it's not that bad.

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

My RE's office only does PIO after FET and fresh cycles.

When I got pregnant with DD last year, I was on the PIO from the day after retrieval until 8 weeks pregnant. So in total I'd say it was about 10 weeks on the PIO.

Yeah, my azz hurt and was lumpy by the end of 10 weeks, but I would have rather done that then suppositories any day of the week!

Some RE's do keep their paitents on PIO or suppositories until they are 12 weeks pregnant.

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

Definitely do the suppositories! I was going to stick with the shots but I am so happy that I moved to the Crinone. The shots will be annoying if you get pregnant because you will have to stay on them for WEEKS!!!!!

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

My dh did the shots for me up until around 10-11 weeks and I would choose the shots over the suppositories any day! The shots weren't too bad once you knew what to expect and the soreness wasn't terrible once you got used to it. I think I would've been more nervous using the suppositories if there was a lot of discharge while being pg. bc of them.

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

After my transfer, I was on PIO shots until I was 9 weeks PG. They started weaning me at 8 weeks. I gave the shots myself, but was in rough shape - especially at the end! I was sooooooooooooooo swollen and lumpy. It did not matter how much I heated and massaged the area. I had asked my doctor about switching, but he really wanted me to do the shots so I sucked it up. In hindsight, it was doable, but I probably would have preferred the suppositories.

ETA: I never did the suppositories, so I guess I can't really compare the 2! The PIO shots are now a distant memory

Message edited 1/17/2010 3:54:54 PM.

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

I also did the shots and my last night was last Friday! YEY! I did them for 10 weeks. In the beginning, my butt was sore and I had some red marks. My husband alternated sides every night, and I would say by week 6 or 7, my butt cleared up! LOL I was so used to them. He put a hot wash cloth over it and massaged the area for about 5 minutes everytime! Piece of cake!!!

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

i did the pio shots myself for 11 weeks also, its totally possible your more sore the first few days then your body kind of gets used to it. as long as you rotate sides and rub it in after you'll be fine, otherwise you get bumps at the site.

Re: for former IVF-ers.... re: PIO

I'm going to have progesterone injections for 10 weeks if my hormone levels stay where they are.

I would have MUCH rather had done suppositories.

I can't do the shots myself (I can't really see if I twist around to get myself DEEP in the butt if I hit a blood vessel). My husband does them for me... and as we both work at times overnight, this is a real scheduling challenge.

Never mind the fact that my butt looks terrible: I had a superficial infection on both sides (went away with neosporin) & I have a numb spot from hitting a nerve (you can't tell when you do this). I really scare family by showing them my glorious backside.

You do get used to the residual pain (learn new ways to deal) at about 3-4 weeks. It does hurt every time the needle goes in.