I think this is the place to post this.

[Deleted]

I am new to this board and just started the IVF process. I *think* it was notquiteblushing that posted she also just just started her shots. I am new to this whole process and looking for your experinces on it. I am not scared, but more just wondering what is going to happen next? I just started the birth control pills 3 days ago, then we move into taking the daily shots. How painful is this going to be? I am hoping you all tell me it is no big deal and a piece of cake. What has been your experince with IVF and I guess I am just looking for some reassurance this will be an easy process, even though I have a feeling it won't be.

[electricmayhem]

While I wouldn't say it was no big deal and / or a piece of cake, I did not find the process to be too physically painful. I didn't take BCP for my IVF (I have a blood clotting issue and cannot be on them), but I did the long lupron protocol, stimmed with Gonal-F / Menopur, had a Novarel trigger, and then did progesterone suppositories following the transfer.

The shots were really not bad. The Lupron, Gonal and Menopur were sub-cutaneous in my abdomen, so the needles were relatively small and painless. I did all of those by myself. The trigger was intra-muscular (so much bigger needle) and had to go in my flank, so DH did that one for me. I didn't have any pain with that either, which really surprised me.

The egg retrieval was (for me) by far the most painful part of the process. I had a lot of follicles and think I was probably over-stimmed, so when I woke up from that I was incredibly sore and crampy for a good few hours. However, I was able to walk around pretty well by the end of the day. The transfer itself was not too difficult either.

Of course, the least easy thing about the whole process is probably the mental part, so do what you can to try and relax and take care of yourself.

[Deleted]

Hi welcome IVF buddy. I'm stimming now for my first IVF but I had an injectible IUI cycle last month that they tried to convert to an IVF because I overresponded...so I've done the shots before. After the first few times it got pretty easy. Make sure you grab some skin when you inject and alternate the side you do it on so you'll avoid bruises. I hope we both have success.

[ECB]

Sigh. I went through IVF 5 times. I don't remember the specifics, though, of my protocol's (it's been over 4 years since my last one!).

It's an emotional process (duh) and stressful. But it's also manageable. The needles are small and I personally didn't find them to be very painful. Definitely alternate sides, though.

While I'm a pretty scheduled person, having to keep such tight track of the time of day, what shots when, etc - it was a lot. I know w/ my first 4 IVF's, I ended up doing all my shots at the same time of day. But w/ my 5th, my protocol did require some in the morning, some at night. So it was even MORE time consuming.

What I personally hated was having to go in for daily bloodwork. To this day, I HATE having blood taken.

I wish you the best of luck. I hope #1 is the lucky number for you.

[UnderProtest]

Sept 13, 2012 10:59:22 GMT -5 electricmayhem said:

While I wouldn't say it was no big deal and / or a piece of cake, I did not find the process to be too physically painful. I didn't take BCP for my IVF (I have a blood clotting issue and cannot be on them), but I did the long lupron protocol, stimmed with Gonal-F / Menopur, had a Novarel trigger, and then did progesterone suppositories following the transfer.

The shots were really not bad. The Lupron, Gonal and Menopur were sub-cutaneous in my abdomen, so the needles were relatively small and painless. I did all of those by myself. The trigger was intra-muscular (so much bigger needle) and had to go in my flank, so DH did that one for me. I didn't have any pain with that either, which really surprised me.

The egg retrieval was (for me) by far the most painful part of the process. I had a lot of follicles and think I was probably over-stimmed, so when I woke up from that I was incredibly sore and crampy for a good few hours. However, I was able to walk around pretty well by the end of the day. The transfer itself was not too difficult either.

Of course, the least easy thing about the whole process is probably the mental part, so do what you can to try and relax and take care of yourself.

I agree with almost everything electricmayhem said. Looks like we were on the same protocol. The shots weren't physically painful, just annoying to have to schedule my life around. The menopur stung when it went in which I wasnt expecting since the other shots didn't. The menopur also made me feel like I was getting sick (achy and really run down) too. It was tolerable, I was just worried about it. Egg retrieval wasn't fun, but I wasn't as sore as her. I never had that many follicles though.

It really is the mental part that is the toughest. If you have any friends who have gone through this, I recommend reaching out to them. We are always here, but sometimes you need someone in real life. I found that friends who had experienced fertility issues were much better to talk to than even my closest friends. I don't think you really understand it unless you go through it. And my husband and I ended up in counseling after several attempts. I really hope you don't get that far, but it was helpful to us.

Good luck!!! And come back with any questions. This is a smart, kind group of ladies and too many of us know what you've been through.

[egishere]

I agree with the others. It is more emotionally draining than physically. The shots were not bad except PIO hurts. The worst part for me was the egg retrieval and that is only because the twilight anesthesia they gave me made me so sick. I was barfing before we even left the RE's office.

Best of luck to you on this journey!