Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I am now at the point where my husband and I are prepping for our 1st round of IUI, and I have to give myself a needle in my stomach for 5 days and see how my body responds to the meds before starting IUI. I am FREAKING out, I dont know if I can do this...I HATE needles - just when someone else gives them to me - I have NO idea how I am going to do this to myself....I am actually going into a panic attack thinking about it & I havent even taken the meds out of the box yet. Hubby will not help me, he's all afraid of hurting me so Im really on my own - dont have any close friends or family who I could go to to help either - any advice for this freaked out lady??

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I had to do my trigger shot by myself and I was SO nervous because I too hate needles.

I was travelling for work so I had so much anxiety over it. I ended up pouring a glass of wine for myself in my hotel room the night I had to do it and I called DH for a pep talk first. Then I carefully read the instructions about 5 times and did it.

I have to say, it was really not that bad and it didn't even hurt. If the needle you are going to use is anything like the HCG shot, you should be fine. It will probably even be easier after the first time.

Good Luck

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

Honestly I found that if you ice the spot for 10-15 mins prior you totally numb it. I am the BIGGEST chicken ever and it REALLY helps! Good luck!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I agree with NS. The needle if it's anything like the HCG (trigger) needle you won't even feel it. I give shots as part of my job but I don't like getting them and was even more worried about doing it to myself. Honestly you don't even feel it. Not the needle, not the meds going in.

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

ive been giving myself various injections for over a year. its absolutely no big deal. no one likes the idea of having to inject themselves, no one likes needles. the first cycle DH did them for me. i think if you really cant do it yourself you need to tell your husband to man up and do it for you. you're the one who has to get the injection, the least he can do is get over himself and be part of the process! the second cycle, and every one since, i did my own injections. i was staying at a friends house the night that i had to start stims and none of them knew what i was going through, so i had no choice but to give it to myself. so i did, and have been ever since.
before your first injection ice the area with an ice cube for at minimum 5 minutes. then alcohol it, squeeze the skin, and inject. it will take less than 30 seconds and you will barely feel it. you will be fine!!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

Oh hon. I can completely relate. When I first started injectables, I had psyched myself out so much and was a crying, blubbering mess. I promise you they are not that bad. It's more mental. They really don't hurt. Now, I do the injections in 2 secs. and don't even given it a second thought. It'll be ok. Just take a deep breath. You can do it!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I can completely related!


I'm so terrified of needles, I've even considered skipping the whole RE/IF thing and just being childfree.

I think the suggestions for using ice and telling your DH to man up are good ones.

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I think your DH needs to help you if u are so scared
Just think of how it will all be worth it...good luck

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

Aww Laurie don't be scared it really is nothing. I wish you lived closer I would totally come do it for you!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I was freaking out a couple of days ago b/c of the same thing but its no biggie. You wont feel a thing! good luck!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I can definitely relate. Honestly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. After the first shot, the others were easier and easier. Make sure to pinch the skin and then give yourself the shot, it helps. Good luck!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

my re told me that 99.9% of people do not have problems with the first injection.

ice helps and reading directions online helps too.

i thought the worst part was mixing it.

the actual needle didnt hurt (think of it like acupuncture)

and like other have said- getting blood drawn hurts much more imho


iactually getting a waxing hurts ALOT more!

icing the area for like a minute helps too

squeeze the area, inject, then release the squeeze

let us know how it goes!!!!

(u are better off doing them yourself over dh, this way if he is not around you will be comfy doing it )

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I've been very lucky since my DH has been doing all these shots for me. A couple of times though I had to do the stomach shots on my own, when he had to travel for business. I know it's really hard to do it - believe me when I say that no chicken is bigger than I am - but I just tried to focus on the final product of all this: a beautiful baby! Unfortunately I had to train myself to believe that if there's no shot there's no baby...Just know that what you are feeling is totally normal and that we've all been through it!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I honestly think you're probably making it out to be a bigger deal in your mind than it really is

Really.. you hardly even feel it when the needle goes in but if you're that concerned about it, try icing the area for a few minutes beforehand

i promise that once you do the first one, you'll realize its not that bad and they'll get easier from that point onwards!

Tell your DH that if you have to be the one to get the shots, the least he can do is help you!


you'll be just fine!!

Re: Starting meds for IUI & Freaking out!

I want to thank everyone for their support, love & advice. Unfortunately I couldnt do it myself, I drank 1/2 a bottle of wine,chased it w/ a muscle relaxer & still was in total hysterics when it came to actually having to stick a needle in myself. When DH saw I was basically going into nervous breakdown mode, he came over & stuck me while I pinched my skin and has agreed to help me whenever he can. Thank GOD for good husbands!!!!

I am convinced that if I was in a life or death situation where sticking a needle in myself would save me, I would end up dead b/c I would be so scared I'd either give myself a heart-attack from fear or die from not giving myself the shot quick enough. Sad. Hope I never have to be in that situation!

Thanks again ladies & please say prayers that this works for us!