Adverse Reaction to Progesterone Shots

[SlyD]

Has anyone had strange reactions to the progesterone/sesame oil shots?  I went through IVF with the transfer taking place the week of May 24.  I started my daily 2cc that week.  After approx. 10 days, I started to have soreness and skin numbness on the outside of my thighs (in the "saddlebag" area).  It almost feels like a sunburn, but there is no rash or discoloration on the skin.  However, there is a section on each thigh where I have no feelings.  I can't feel a toothpick poking me.  My pregnancy test was positive on 6/7/04 (yeah).  However, last week I had bleeding and the doctor thinks I lost one of the original two embryos. I still have one yolk sac left; therefore, the doctor does not want me to stop taking the progesterone shots yet.  He said if I do, that I would probably lose the second one.  Has anyone experienced a similar reaction to the progesterone shots?  Thanks for your time.

[nanakay]

sorry i don't really know anything about progesterone shots but have you talked to your doc about what is going on? is he/she worried about it.

well i wish you the best and hope the baby hangs on.
~nanci

[wenders]

Maybe you could take the same dosage in pill form? Or the suppositories?

[SlyD]

Hi all,
I have mentioned this to my doc.  He thought perhaps it was the sesame oil, so he switched me to progesterone mixed with olive oil instead.  The pain is not as bad with this, but I definitely still have the pain and numbness.  I said to the doc, "Well this go away once we stop the shots, right?".  He said he didn't know. He told me this the same time that I found out that I lost one of the embryos.  It was not a good day. :-(  
Thanks for writing back....my next u/s is tomorrow.  I'll be 6.5 wks.  Let's hope he can see the heartbeat!
Thanks again for your support!

[tresmathews]

please keep us posted and let us know how things are going.

[SlyD]

Just wanted to let you know that I had my u/s today and we saw the heartbeat!  The little bambino is 2.8cm.  We're excited and my husband wants to start telling the world. But I still think it's too early and we should wait a few more weeks.  Thanks to all for your well wishes.

[tresmathews]

YAy congrats. I am so happy for you.

[lovinmom]

Congrats on finding your sweet little one.  I am trying to get pregnant.  I had a D&C 1 1/2 yr. ago and haven't conceived at all during all this time.  I am thinking maybe I need progesterone.  All my blood work says that I am fine.  I am curious about your situation.  Did your blood work say that you needed progesterone?  What is the sesame and olive oil mixed with progesterone?  Is this some natural way to use progesterone?  Is progesterone a new way to help a pregnancy along?  Thanks so much for answering my questions.

[SlyD]

I've tried for five years to get pg.  We did all the fertility stuff: clomid, insemination, etc.  We had an unsuccessful IVF attempt two years ago.  We decided to try it one last time before we got too old (I'm 38).  This IVF worked (so far; keep your fingers crossed).  I have to take progesterone and estrogen because my eggs were not naturally released by the ovary.  When nature expells the egg out of the ovary, your body will start to make more estrogen and progresterone.  Since this didn't happen in my case (the eggs were surgically removed), I have to take the hormones and continue to do so until the placenta takes over (which is around 12 weeks).  Yes, I'm using the progesterone in olive oil.  I now have tough "ridges" underneath the skin at the location of the shots.  They hurt when I touch them; especially when I roll over while sleeping!  The shots are really starting to depress me because they are causing so much adverse reactions.  However, I understand why I need to continue getting them; if I don't, the doctor said I would lose the baby.  Today I'm 7.5wks.  Every tightness or pain down there makes me nervous.  I've read so many messages on this webpage where miscarriages have happened at 7, 8, 9, 10 weeks!  
Good luck to you!  

[lovinmom]

Thank you for the info.  I hope that all goes well with your pregnancy.  Keep us posted.  Prayers sent to you!  (-:

[sashakitty]

Hello,
I've been informed by my doctor that the shots when not given correctly cause nerve damage. They should only be given in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock.
Good luck!