Got T Prescription - Needle/Injecting Questions!

[Henri]

Hey guys I have a question, I just picked up my script for T and needles (which is exciting beyond belief, it hasn't kicked in yet). There was a message on my phone that had a lady from the doctor's office saying that the results from my blood work were great and I could start. Originally my doctor had said that they would call to schedule an appointment after so that I could learn how to inject the T, but she didn't say anything about that. Is it necessary to go to the doctor to have them show you how to do it, or if I felt I had a good grasp on how to do the injection could I do it myself?

Also, my original prescription for needles said that I should get a 1ml syringe with 1 1/2 inches. Due to them not having that I had to go with a 3ml syringe with only 1 inch. Should that work for injecting? Originally I planned on doing injections into my butt region but I am not sure the needle is long enough for that. What do you guys think?

[Robert Scott]

I personally inject with 1 inch needles.

I never had my doctor show me how to inject -- but my wife is a nurse so she taught me.   I also live in Minneapolis and we have the shot clinic where they will give you the injection and/or teach you

[Nygeel]

The gauge of the needles matter. I'd say call the doctor and tell them you were never told how to inject.

[Felix]

Youtube videos help. Also there's a useful instructions handout on this page - http://www.forge-forward.org/handouts/

also, try going to google and typing "injection site:susans.org" to see previous threads on this topic.

I had my clinic show me over and over and I still did a better job myself. I wouldn't inject in your butt until you've had more practice. You should start with your thigh.

I use 1 and a half inch needles, 22guage for injecting and 18guage for drawing the T from the vial. Make sure your muscle is relaxed.

[Henri]

Thank you guys for the help! Rob, you actually reminded me that my dad's girlfriend is a nurse and she happened to be over at the house tonight, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to ask her how to inject. She walked me through it and I feel a lot more prepared now!

And yeah, YouTube has also proven to be helpful. There seems to be a lot of thigh injections for the most part so that was helpful, I think I would much rather inject there than my butt.

The thing I actually realized earlier which I am really glad I did was that the pharmacy only gave me a 1mL vial of T, when I was supposed to get a 10mL. Apparently insurance won't cover it. Ah well, it was worth a shot. Next time I will send the prescription to Stroheckers, probably. I'm glad I caught that before opening the vial though, because now instead of having to call the doctor for a new prescription I can just exchange it and pay out of pocket. I have a 22 gauge needle for both drawing and injecting, so it might take a while to get it out of the vial, but I'll see if I can pick up 18g for drawing when I go to exchange the T (and possibly also get 1 1/2" instead of just 1") So I should be starting T tomorrow... I am so stoked for this!!! And it is a four day weekend from school, haha. This will be awesome!!

Again guys, thanks a bunch! I'll let you know how it goes

[supremecatoverlord]

Congrats, Henry.

[Felix]

Yay.

[Henri]

As an update, I just did my first shot! I was a bit nervous but it went very well. I put the needle pretty much all the way in (1") and aspirated, no blood, so it was hassle-free. I had a moment of anxiety looking at the needle point before I put it in but then I just kind of pushed it aside and stuck it in. And afterwards I rewarded my successful T injection with a victory cup of tea

The part I am just a bit concerned with is if I got it into the muscle. I am fairly sure I did, because the needle was pretty much all the way in and when I took it out it didn't look like any T got out. Would I have known if I had not made it to the muscle but just got it in the fat? My thighs are not that fatty or anything, I think they fall around average for someone pre-T. I imagine if I had not gotten it into the muscle there would be signs and I would know. Right?

[Hayzer12]

I have used 1 inch - 1.5 inch..

I like 1.5 inches better. I have also used gauges from 20-25... don't go smaller than 25. And the amount of mL doesn't matter as long as its over the amount that you have to eject. Usually I get a 3mL syringe.

[Superrad]

The part I am just a bit concerned with is if I got it into the muscle. I am fairly sure I did, because the needle was pretty much all the way in and when I took it out it didn't look like any T got out. Would I have known if I had not made it to the muscle but just got it in the fat?

This is one of those things that makes me glad I was shown how to do the injections. c: To check if you're in a muscle or not draw back the plunger a little bit and if you see an air bubble come up the needle you're good. The air means it's muscle and not a blood vessel. If the needle was almost all the way in I doubt it was muscle.

[Henri]

Ah yes, then I think I must have made it into the muscle. I aspirated and there was no blood, and I don't really remember but I think there was a bit of air or something, so that's good. It's my second day and I don't feel any changes yet (except for a slight soreness in my arms like I've worked out a bit, but that could just be wishful thinking). Hopefully by the end of the week I'll notice a few signs as to it working, heh. But I do feel a lot happier overall, I'm so glad I made it to this step!