Who was I kidding? I was hoping for the perfect, no rollercoaster, nothing to worry about pregnancy. Of course I wouldn’t get it – this is me! Everything has to be so freaking hard! WHY???
I just heard from the doc about my blood levels from this morning’s visit. The hcg looks great – it’s over 5,000 and they don’t even count it once it’s over 5,000. But it has definitely doubled every 48 hours. The estradiol looks good – it’s 1,083. But the progesterone is not good. It’s 5.95. I’m taking Crinone gel twice per day, which should be sufficient. But apparently it doesn’t get into the bloodstream like progesterone in oil does, so they can’t tell if I have enough progesterone getting to the embryo. They want me to switch to PIO, but overlap with the Crinone. So I’ll take Crinone today and tomorrow, as well as PIO, and then only PIO starting Thursday. I haven’t had any spotting, but they want me to change the meds to make sure. Like the nurse said, everything else looks so good, we want to make sure it all works out.
With a frozen transfer, my body isn’t making any progesterone, so we have to supplement it artificially until the placenta takes over. Hopefully this PIO will make the difference, and everything will be ok.
I haven’t done any intramuscular shots before. I’ve heard they’re painful, but I don’t really care. As long as this baby is ok. I told the hubs via email he’s going to have to give me the shots, and he’s never done shots before. He responded, “I can’t do the shots honey.” And I told him, “Yes you can – it’s for your baby. You have to suck it up – I’m sorry.” He didn’t respond, so I asked, “You’re going to do the shots, right?” And he responded, “I will do my best to support you.” Smart man. Wish me luck trying to explain to him how to give me a shot in a way I’ve never done while making sure he doesn’t pass out.
I’m trying to not freak out. I really am. I just really want this baby to survive.
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oh Alex, deep breaths. I know that you will do everything you can for your little one. It will be okay. Thinking of you (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteDarnit. Well, it's good that the baby is doing so well, now we just have to get you caught up! I've never done PIO but I'm sure your hubby will get used to it after the first couple times. It will just prepare him for watching his baby be born : )
ReplyDeleteYou can do it. They never really hurt me too bad.
ReplyDeleteLean over a couch, while standing. Take pressure off the side/ stand on the other leg opposite the one you are going to inject.
Remember the shot is kind of at the top of your butt where it meets the lower back.
Make sure he uses a dart motion to get it in there.
Rub it in vigorously right after.
My progesterone was really low at just over 5 weeks too--I think it was 6? I was scared too, of course, but they switched me to PIO and by the next appointment, my progesterone was way up and all was well. I know it's terrifying but they caught it and they're treating it so try not to worry too much!
ReplyDeleteThe shots were painful for me, but like you say, worth it. Your husband totally has to do them for you! I did one myself and it was so hard to reach the right spot. My doc recommended a heating pad on the butt for 5-10 min after, so that might help, as well as the massaging as mentioned.
Oh wow, what a turn of events. I didn't do the PIO shots but the one IM shot I had to endure wasn't too bad. I've heard good and bad things about PIO. I had my DH watch a video that my clinic published so that he could "see" what he was supposed to do instead of just me telling him. I think it helped. I bet you can find some youtube videos of PIO shots...if you think it will help. Best of luck to you, sweetie. I'm keeping everything crossed.
ReplyDeleteoh sweetie, I am hoping this does the trick. My husband is not good with blood and stuff but is great at the POI, you do what you have to do. All of the tips that you got are great, you can also try to warm the oil in your hands (by rolling the syringe between your hands) to make the oil more fluid.
ReplyDeletegood luck to you. Pulling for you and this baby.
OH COME OOOOON, please no more scary news, just smooth sailing! It's time already! I really hope the PIO does the trick--I've seen a number of girls deal with low P scares and have healthy pregnancies, so let's just have that happen for you too.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of something similar that happened with Low Fat Lady? Do you follow her? Her baby was/is fine, and growing right on target. Hope all is well. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteGood luck w/ the shots!!! I'm sure the PIO will be just what your little bean needs!
ReplyDeleteAlex - I've never commented here before, just stumbled across your blog from one of your follower's blogs. Anyway, I did my ER for IVF yesterday and had to begin PIO last night. All of the shots with suppressing and stimming were nothing compared to the shot for PIO. I made such a huge deal over it and almost hyperventilated at the sight of the needle and the thought of DH sticking me with it. However, we iced my backside pretty good and I honestly didn't feel it at all. I felt really silly afterward having gotten so upset, because in the end, it was nothing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHope you can get those levels up there and your pregnancy stays happy and healthy! I'll be following along now. :)
Aub
http://www.perfectlyplannedp.blogspot.com/
Hang in there. You will be ok. I have found there is always SOMETHING, no matter how easy or hard things are. It's a test in self control over not freaking out.
ReplyDeleteHi babe do you read low fat lady's blog? Same thing happened with her that she had low progesterone levels. Maybe reading back on her blog will make you feel better. Hang in there. Xoxo.
ReplyDeletehugs... i suggest you warm the shot in your hands, ice you ass, shoot it, then heat for 10min. it worked great for my p17 shots
ReplyDeleteOh how scary. I'm sure the PIO will do the trick. It's a big needle but they dont hurt too bad. There will be tenderness around the injection site. Good luck and keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteI hope the PIO will bump that progesterone right up. I bet you can find a video on YouTube to show hubby how to give you the shots. I've also heard if you warm up the oil a bit (in your hands or waistband or something) it goes in a bit more easily. Best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteI hope that the shot does the trick for your progesterone. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeletePIO shots did not hurt going in at all for me. Just make sure that the nurse gives both of you hands on "how to." You switch sides (one cheek one day, one cheek the other) and the only thing that hurts is the ass from the shots.
ReplyDeletePIO gave me major progesterone, so it should work. ((hugs))
I see you have gotten alot of tips on PIO. I thought I would give you what worked for me. My shot time was for 6pm. At 530 I would draw up the oil in the syringe and for 30 minutes, I would hold it under my armpit to warm up. Having it warm makes the oil thin out and wont hurt as bad when it's injected. At 540, I would take an ice pack and hold it over the area which is to be injected. So 30 min of under arm, 20 minutes to numb. Which brings us to 6pm. I would ALWAYS lay down in our bed, then takes the weight off the leg that is to be injected. Very seldom did it hurt at all. I think the worst part was the initial seconds when I put on the ice pack. But it isnt that bad.
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed that the shots work!
ReplyDeleteI had low progesterone starting out, too, but went on the PIO plus the Endometrin and am now almost 19 weeks! The shots were not bad - usually didn't even feel it. I mostly did it myself although my hubby (who also did not want to do it!) did learn and it was no big deal. Warming it a little does help it go in faster, but didn't make much difference in how it felt. Your bum develops a mild chronic soreness after a few days but the shots themselves don't really hurt. Using 25g needles instead of the usual 22g makes a world of difference. I have some extra 25g needles if you want them!
ReplyDeletethat sounds scary, but I am not worried! I bet the suppositories are doing fine for your baby, but I am glad they are switching it up just to be sure! Good luck to you guys on giving (and receiving!) the shots... this is still a perfect pregnancy! Although of course you will be worried!!!
ReplyDeleteIf it's not one thing . . . Hopefully this PIO will do the trick. And your DH will figure out how to do it. (((Hugs))) I'm so glad everything else is looking so good. And it's normal to be worried anyway.
ReplyDeleteUgh!! It can never be easy, can it? Hang in there. I haven't had to do PIO shots but you've got a lot of good advice here. If you did an IM trigger shot for your last IVF cycle, you've already done at least one IM shot. One more tip I got was to turn your feet pigeon-toed (I did this while lying on my stomach on the bed.) It apparently keeps you from being able to clench your butt muscles which makes it hurt worse when you're doing an IM in your upper outside quadrant of your butt.
ReplyDeleteI hope the pio shots do the trick. It sounds like your dr's have you doing the right thing. The pio shots are no fun, but they aren't too horrible. I had my hubby do them as he helped me with my other shots (follistim, lupron, hcg). I never iced, but I learned that having my hubby tap around for a spot that wasn't sore and didn't hurt as I got more shots helped Wishing the best for you!
ReplyDeleteDeep breaths! Just FYI, my clinic doesn't even check progesterone levels after the 7DPO/7DPT check. I think it's great you're getting some extra prog support, that baby is doing great and is getting everything he/she needs!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely take deep breaths. I'm sending lots of high progesterone vibes. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteStaying with you and sending all my good karma!
ReplyDeletewww.infertilityinstability.blogspot.com
A very smart man! I hope the shots go well!
ReplyDeletehttp://doihavetobeadink.blogspot.com/
I know it's not the most ideal of situations, BUT at least there is a remedy. Hang in there and they aren't sooo bad :)
ReplyDeleteHi Alex, I just wanted to stop by and congratulate you on the GREAT news! I've stopped by on and off over the last year, but never left a comment, but thought I would today. It's so, so wonderful that the FET worked.
ReplyDeleteThe PIO shots are an added hassle, to be sure, but it sounds like your medical team is taking no chances. Good luck with those.
Take good care of yourself.
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ReplyDeleteIt is all worth it. I am currently 5weeks and have been on the PIO since mid FET cycle. You get use to it after awhile. It definitely helps when someone else does it for you. Good luck and hang in there!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the PIO shots, but try not to get too worried. Your levels are great...I just know you're going to be holding this little one in 8 months!
ReplyDeleteYou guys can totally do it. Ice it before for about 5 minutes and then do it. The ice will help numb the spot. I'm cheering you guys on from the sidelines! Take care!
ReplyDeleteThey're not bad shots despite the scary looking needle.
ReplyDeleteProgesterone delivered by suppositories doesn't show up as well in bloodwork, so dont worry too much about the number. The PIO will get the numbers high and then you'll be able to relax again. *hugs*
Oh! Another tip. Have your hubby smack you where he's giving you the shot. It sounds really silly, but it numbs the area. I found it really helped. And it makes you giggle and breaks the tension!
ReplyDeleteAlso, for what it's worth, I found the belly shots WAY worse.
Oh, Alex, how scary! But I can tell you, as someone who is currently lying on her ass on a heating pad to soothe an unhappy PIO butt, that these shots are powerful stuff! I hope they clear the issue up ASAP and just wish you didn't have to deal with this to begin with. xoxo
ReplyDeleteFound this on Stirrup Queen's site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lRmo0D9m7w
ReplyDeleteI've heard numb the spot with ice beforehand, but use heat after to spread the oil out and reduce soreness of the muscle. Warming the injection helps a bunch too!
I'm sure you local P4 levels are fine, but I'm glad they want to take preventive measures.
Thinking of you Alex...Things will work themselves out and just take one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it girl! I gave myself every single shot (control thing), and it wasn't bad. I did PIO laying on my side and they didn't even hurt. I used a heating pad and never even got lumps.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think non-PIO progesterone is harder to read in blood tests. The fact that you haven't had any spotting is a good sign. Hang in there.
It feels like it is always a constant battle, doesn't it? Why can't things just go easy for once?
ReplyDeleteI hope these shots help and do exactly what we are all hoping they will. I am praying really hard for you. Keep your chin up and your hope alive.
Come on baby! Stick in there!
My husband passed out the first time he gave me an IM injection. But he did great every day after that. I recommend watching some YouTube videos. There are tons available. I also recommend icing the area before. I would lay on the couch while receiving my injections because I swayed too much while standing. You can also do heating pad after to prevent lumps. But most of all, a bunch of YouTube videos might help with his confidence.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I think that of all the things that could go wrong, this is the best one. It's the easiest to fix. The shots will do the trick, don't worry.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I too would be totally freaked out if my husband had to give me shots. Good grief.
Good luck babe. Stay strong.
I'm so glad things are looking as good as they do! We do what we need to do right, it hasn't been easy on you guys that's for sure. Good luck with the shots! Will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congratulations on your little bean! I am so excited that your u/s went so well! I know what you mean about wanting twins. I was always that way, too. IF is so hard and if you know you want to not have an only child the twins thing makes it so you can put all of your IF-related worries (not pregnancy related ones of course) aside. Of course, I got 4, which added a whole new level of panic haha. But I am glad you are still so happy for your little one. And if you get pregnant with another FET just think -- it will technicially in some way be like a twin since they were conceived at the same time. Kinda cool, huh? I will be praying hard your progesterone moves up fast. I think LowFatLady had this problem, too, and she is doing great now! The PIO shots definitely hurt, but they're so worth it for the peace of mind the suppositories don't give you. I wanted it right in my bloodstream ASAP. Hang in there, Alex!!
ReplyDeleteYuck about having to do the shots, but thank goodness your doctor caught it and is making the needed corrections!
ReplyDeleteYou and baby are going to be fine! I will continue to think of you!!!!
First, many congrats! So happy for this great news.
ReplyDeleteYes, the PIO shots are not fun. I would ask your clinic to show you how and where to give the shots. For the record it's the upper quadrant of you butt.I have done them myself many times, but it is easier when you're lying down and your hubs gives it. You should have him come with you if possible to practice.
OMG, I almost had a heart attack when I saw your title! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this! I'm hoping and praying that your prog # goes up quickly! Thank goodness everything else is going okay! I'll be thinking of you!
ReplyDelete