Am I the only one who injects at an angle?

[conformer]

I keep seeing pictures and videos of people who inject their hormones into their thigh just vertically. . at a 90 degree angle I believe. But my endo's nurse taught me to inject kinda at a 45 degree angle (I think that's how to describe it), a little below the skin. .



Just curious if any one else injects this way.

[Joeyboo~ :3]

It's funny because when my nurse was teaching me how to inject the only time she repeated her self was when she told me to always inject at a 90 degree angle, and not diagonally.
I felt like I was getting scolded even thought I haven't even injected myself yet.

btw I like how hairy you made the legs, haha.

[supremecatoverlord]

Last time I injected at an angle, I bled all over the place, even after I aspirated, so I don't do that anymore. it was rather frightening. It's just my own personal decision though, I guess.

[Adio]

Are you using a SC (subcutaneous) route or an IM (intramuscular) route?  Most do their injections IM, but a few doctors have their patients go SC.  Did the nurse instruct you to pinch up the skin or stretch it out?  Did they mention aspirating (pulling back to check for blood)?

If you were told to inject SC or to pinch up the skin, then yes it should be at a 45 degree angle.  If you were told to inject IM, to stretch out the skin, and/or to aspirate, then it should be at a 90 degree angle.  Either way, it should be going into your leg further than what you're showing. 

[poptart]

Probably because you're doing a subcutaneous injection.

For an intramuscular shot, you inject at a 90 degree angle. Any source online will tell you this.

[conformer]

btw I like how hairy you made the legs, haha.

Aren't they cute? xD

Are you using a SC (subcutaneous) route or an IM (intramuscular) route?  Most do their injections IM, but a few doctors have their patients go SC.  Did the nurse instruct you to pinch up the skin or stretch it out?  Did they mention aspirating (pulling back to check for blood)?

If you were told to inject SC or to pinch up the skin, then yes it should be at a 45 degree angle.  If you were told to inject IM, to stretch out the skin, and/or to aspirate, then it should be at a 90 degree angle.  Either way, it should be going into your leg further than what you're showing. 

I'm using subcutaneous and she mentioned pinching up the skin. I think she mentioned something along the lines of aspirating isn't necessary. Not completely sure though. I never aspirate though . . (is this bad?)

[Adio]

I'm using subcutaneous and she mentioned pinching up the skin. I think she mentioned something along the lines of aspirating isn't necessary. Not completely sure though. I never aspirate though . . (is this bad?)

Then yes, you should be injecting at a 45 degree angle.  Do NOT aspirate when injecting SC.  Here's a good resource on injecting SC:

http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-give-a-subcutaneous-injection.html

Technically you can inject at either a 90 degree or 45 degree angle with SC.  If you have very little to pinch up, then 45 is best.  If you have a lot to pinch up, 90 is best.  Do want your doctor/nurse explained to you.  The reason you haven't seen most guys inject like you is because the IM route is much, much more common.

[conformer]

Then yes, you should be injecting at a 45 degree angle.  Do NOT aspirate when injecting SC.  Here's a good resource on injecting SC:

http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-give-a-subcutaneous-injection.html

Technically you can inject at either a 90 degree or 45 degree angle with SC.  If you have very little to pinch up, then 45 is best.  If you have a lot to pinch up, 90 is best.  Do want your doctor/nurse explained to you.  The reason you haven't seen most guys inject like you is because the IM route is much, much more common.

Thank you for the link/info, I like knowing exactly why I have to do something lol.

And my T prescription says IM on the box, but I asked the nurse about it and she said that's only so insurance would cover it. She went on to say that IM is the old way of injections and subcu is better. Is this true? I mean wouldn't everyone do subcu if it were better lol?

[Adio]

Thank you for the link/info, I like knowing exactly why I have to do something lol.

And my T prescription says IM on the box, but I asked the nurse about it and she said that's only so insurance would cover it. She went on to say that IM is the old way of injections and subcu is better. Is this true? I mean wouldn't everyone do subcu if it were better lol?

No problem.  I think some are switching to SC because it's "easier" or "less painful".

[Henri]

I've been reading this and I have a quick question (don't mean to thread-jack, just thought it didn't really need a new thread). I am supposed to be giving myself IM injections for T, and when a nurse explained it to me she said that kind of pinching up the skin on the thigh where you're doing the shot was a way to make it hurt less putting the needle in. Are you not supposed to squeeze the area like that? After the needle is in I let go (it is a 1" needle). Will doing that make it not work right or something? Should I be spreading the skin apart instead, or nothing at all?

[poptart]

I've been reading this and I have a quick question (don't mean to thread-jack, just thought it didn't really need a new thread). I am supposed to be giving myself IM injections for T, and when a nurse explained it to me she said that kind of pinching up the skin on the thigh where you're doing the shot was a way to make it hurt less putting the needle in. Are you not supposed to squeeze the area like that? After the needle is in I let go (it is a 1" needle). Will doing that make it not work right or something? Should I be spreading the skin apart instead, or nothing at all?

Just do whatever hurts less for you. I don't see why holding the skin a certain way would affect whether or not the shot works, because you're injecting into the muscle either way. I also pinch the skin up because the nurse instructed me to, and it works for me.

[Henri]

Just do whatever hurts less for you. I don't see why holding the skin a certain way would affect whether or not the shot works, because you're injecting into the muscle either way. I also pinch the skin up because the nurse instructed me to, and it works for me.

All right, thanks! Just making sure it is okay to do. I've only been on T for about four days so it's too early for me to know if it is "working," and it's good to know I didn't end up doing something wrong injecting it, lol.