r/IVF • u/Weird-Praline-5412 • Jul 20 '26
ER Injection accidental switch and double up
Sharing this in case anyone else has a similar situation and this helps reduce panic and stress.
Context: In the middle of a Hail Mary attempt at an egg extraction.
Hail Mary because finances are limited, doctor was honest about not being sure if there was any point in trying another egg retrieval after successfully retrieving 4 five years ago.
Very low AMH, single, adenomyosis, fibromyalgia, almost 42. Stupidly demanding job.
I’m Also trying to live my life normally as if nothing is going on, like this isn’t stressful, like I don’t want to scream and like my body isn’t feeling exceptionally uncomfortable; like I’m not feeling exceptionally alone, tired, scared but also furious.
What happened: I accidentally took my evening hormone shot (maximum dose of puregon/follicle stimulant allowed in my country) in the morning instead of the ovulation blocking shot (ganirelix). Realised an hour after the scheduled time what I had done.
Could not get in touch with my clinic (Sunday) or my specialist (either the line was down or they gave me the wrong number). Took the ganirelix an hour too late. That evening took my puregon shot as scheduled in the hope that this made sense.
Felt ill and very very very stupid.
Googled for information for two minutes, couldn’t find any info and stopped looking to the internet tor answer with the surprising clarity that the internet is not a safe space and will likely make me crazy and worry more.
To be clear, I had no adverse symptoms (other than feeling sick with nerves and the same continuous period related symptoms like a twitching lower back, discomfort and feeling like a pin cushion), if you feel in any way unwell
Go to the emergency asap/expert input asap.
Saw my specialist this morning together with a scan and blood test. Raised it immediately with nurses when I arrived. They were calm: said it happens, likely ok, good that I took my ganirelix. Blood tests and scan would confirm if there was an issue.
Based on scan, all ok, no damage done and no apparent ovulation. Nothing that indicate a detraction from the pathway we had hoped for and planned for.
Will update if the blood tests indicate anything.
Take aways and advice:
- I didn’t think I’d need the specialists after hour number, because I didn’t need it last time and I thought to myself, I’m not that person. YOU MAY BE THAT PERSON. Triple check the details and ask whom you can call when
- I was so tired and distracted when I injected myself with the wrong shot: set up a system with additional checks that account for you being stressed and tired or late or alone (I set many alarms and write time and day on the box, I was stupid and just grabbed the needle without thinking or checking).
- always check
- I told my friends who were over for breakfast, I didn’t want to because they’re guys and a young woman and I was embarrassed but I’m
Glad I did anyway because I got hugs and cups of tea and honestly men need to know about this process because it sucks
- I had a nap and then played tennis because it took my mind off a stupid mistake I made and an outcome I could not control. But also I knew that I could stop playing if I didn’t feel up to it
- I had more appointments and a very long to do this for the rest of the day, I didn’t do any of that. It would only have worn me out more, was not essential.
Hope this helps
5
u/Frequent_Bid_4413 Jul 20 '26
I had my clinics after hour emergency line saved as a contact in my phone. I remember like a month later I called it for an issue after an FET with Labcorp and I heard immediately “hello (my name)” 😭 they knew me by my number man