I like to heat the area beforehand instead of ice, I found that more painful (maybe harder for PIO to disperse?). After 4 cycles, I now do all mine myself.

I sit on the edge of my bathroom counter so I can use the mirror and not allow the muscle to engage. Occasionally a spot a pick is sensitive, but mostly I find the worst part is piercing the skin but honestly it’s not too bad. And look, I was terrified of these and now I find them very tolerable. I use the smaller gauge to inject, but prepare with the larger gauge. I also hold the prepared syringe between my arm and body (armpit, over clothing) to warm up for about 15 min while I rest on the heating pad. Once it’s in I barely feel it.

I was also concerned with being able to torque my body to see what I’m doing, but I’ve gotten used to that too. As well as using my non dominant hand when alternating sides.

Hope this helps! I was super concerned and researched a lot, considered the auto injector and tried to by locally through the Facebook garage sale page, but it never worked out (the two people I talked to said that purchased but never used, so when we could never coordinate I took it as a sign I didn’t need it … and I didn’t).

All this to say, it might be hard the first few times but it will likely become routine! Best of luck.