Question about injecting

[JesseO]

I am DONE injecting myself.

I did my shot on Wednesday and it didn't go well at all. I finally got the needle in, and I noticed a tiny bit of blood (I think, maybe??? it's all a blur now) came up but I already felt like puking/passing out and just injected and pulled out. My shot didn't bleed at all for the first time. I felt so absolutely sick to my stomach (which hasn't happened before) and pretty much had to call my girlfriend to bring me juice and get my ass out of the bathroom. She said I looked like death when she saw me. My leg has hurt more than it ever has before right around the injection site. It's sore if I bend my leg or move it too much. I also had a weird leg spasm today, but it could have been my just getting over worried after reading about embolisms or whatever they are called.

I know that you guys aren't doctors BUT pretty much my question.....if I seriously messed up, I'd probably be dead by now already, right?? It's been two days. I know it's not good if I injected into a vein....but I don't even know if I did. Maybe I just like swiped one? Do you guys think I should stop worrying?? Is there anything I should be looking out for? I am really nervous because obviously my doctor isn't open until Monday. I've been super stressed at work and didn't even think about calling them yesterday or today. I asked my doctor about all the things that could go wrong with injecting and she said that it's pretty darn hard to really injure yourself when injecting....but I am not sure. I'm just scared/nervous about this.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[quinn]

Your doctor's right, it's pretty hard to make too big of a mess of it. I've had the same thing happen to me several times and I'm fine (and some of those times there was a moderate amount of blood). The worst that'll happen is your leg will ache for a few days, and you'll probably be needle-shy for a while. Maybe you can ask your girlfriend if she'll do your injections for you, so you don't have to go to the doctor for it every time.

[J.T.]

Not a doctor, as you stated... but I've been injecting for three years and only had three unusual injections.  One, hit a nerve and my leg jerked.  That was weird.  Two, had a lot of blood gush out once.  That was weird, and a little scary, but I survived obviously.  Three, ended up with a lump/sore leg for about a week.  It went away.

You'll know if you inject into a vein 'cause you are supposed to aspirate.  And, it'll go directly into your blood stream and you'll die .  So, you're still alive!

Would your girlfriend be willing to inject?  It may help with your anxiety.

[Randi]

I have to say that I have had pretty good fortune with it. I can't do it fast and quick but if I go slow and get relaxed I am ok. A couple of times I got a little blood and had to try it again but it was over with soon enough. If you were going to have a reaction to your meds you would have already been there so you should be ok. I have had muscle spasms while injecting-that will cause cuts within the muscle tissue and that will bleed some and make your leg sore. I always just pulled out carefully and tried again somewhere else-that is after I calmed down from getting distressed. Just be careful with it and you should be fine. Like Quinn said- if you are having a difficult time doing it yourself get someone else to help you. And if you get alot of blood when you pull back on the plunger do not inject!!! pull back out and either start again or give up till you can get help.

Randi

[JesseO]

Thanks for the responses. I am probably just being over anxious about this. It is just scary!!!! I actually posted a facebook status about this and my friend knows a nurse who would be willing to help me with my shots. *sigh of relief*

[dmx]

I had something similar happen a few months ago.

I was so sure I was injecting into a vein, I started hyperventilating, getting dizzy, seeing stars, feeling nauseous and the blood had drained from my face (it was greenish-white in color). It turned out to be a full-blown panic attack, not symptoms of injecting intravenously.

The only way I am able to do my shots now is through dissociation.

[austin86]

I have been on T for over a year and my first shot was by far my most painful, it had me limping for a couple days. Every since then it's been smooth sailing. Now, occasionally I will get a little sore after a shot but nothing comparable to my very first injection. Also, my pharmacist that supplies my T recommended injecting four inches from the last spot you injected from every time.

[Electric Wizard]

I've only done about 6 shots so far, and they all went pretty well after the needle was in me. The first few times, I sat there for like an hour holding the needle and willing myself to stab it into my leg. It was the psychological barrier that was preventing it. I almost considered letting my girlfriend do it for me, but I felt like being in control would make me feel better. Now I think I've mastered the process, and it's easy. It just took me a bit of practice. Thinking about it too much also caused more problems than it should have. You only feel anything in the skin, which is only a small part of the length of the needle. After that, the nerves become much less dense. I found it easier to put the needle in slowly for some reason. I was told that it would hurt less if it was fast, but I notice no difference. I guess it's all about finding what's right for you, but having a nurse do it for you is good