I have a rash, I think it's the injection

[Adabelle]

So I've been on Estradiol Valerate for about 5 months or so. Giving myself a shot each week in my leg as the doctor showed me. So I've given myself quite a few shots now and it's gone really well.

Recently though my pharmacy ran out of the generic estradiol valerate (which was this super thick oily stuff) and I had to buy some from a compounding pharmacy. The new estradiol valerate says on the package "Estradiol Valerate in Cottonseed Oil".

So I've given myself 4 shots with the new stuff now. With this new stuff I develop a very painful knot (or lump) in my muscle after giving the shot. It lasts pretty much the whole week. At first I thought it as an anomaly, but it's happened each of the last 4 times I've used this new stuff. I'm using the same technique as before, nothing new there.

Well, this week I've noticed that I have this rash developing on my inner thigh, and little pin sized dots running down my leg too (on the inside). It looks like a rash, but it's not raised, it doesn't itch. It's just little dots and redness. I went to the walk-in clinic and the doctor was at a bit of a loss, but he thought there's a chance it's a systemic reaction to the injection.

Has anyone heard of this or had any similar issues? Could it be the injection that's causing it, or maybe I have some other unknown allergy or problem?

[Sandy]

It sounds like you may be having an allergic reaction.  If you didn't have any problem previously, I would suspect that it is the cottonseed oil used as a suspension.

Usually sesame oil is used to suspend the estradiol valerate, at least that is what is used in the brand that I use, called Delestrogen.

You can switch back to the other brand and see if the reaction goes away.

Additionally, make sure that you are very careful to clean the injection site.  I assume you know that already since you have not shown any reaction previously.  But it is possible to get an injection site infection if the area is not properly swabbed.

Also, I'm assuming that nothing else has changed in your life like different soap or shampoo that you might be using.

I've only used the Delestrogen and have not had that type of reaction before.  I've been doing injections for the last 4+ years.

That's about all I have to offer.

-Sandy

[Forever21Chic]

  Yeah it's probably the cottonseed oil you're having a reaction to. I had a rash develop on my ankle because i'm allergic to sesame oil so my doc ordered it from another manufacturer that uses castor oil instead.

[Adabelle]

I'm trying to get the castor oil version, hopefully my pharmacy can get it in. In the meantime I'm back to the oral estradiol and waiting to see if this rash goes away.

[Adabelle]

Well the rash seems to be going down slowly. Also, I finally was able to get some of the estradiol valerate that's suspended in castor oil. After giving myself that shot 24 hours ago there is no lump or knot at all and no pain. I think I must be allergic to the cottonseed oil. It's so weird. Too bad because the cottonseed oil is cheaper. Oh well, hopefully I can keep getting this.