Needle Gauge and Availability

[CursedFireDean]

What gauge needle do you use to draw up and/or inject your T? And do you sometimes have  trouble getting those needles?

My doctor recently prescribed me with different needles, shorter ones (thank goodness), but the pharmacy was confused because she didn't write the gauge on the prescription. Since the T I was getting said for intramuscular use only (even though I'm actually injecting subq), the pharmacy wanted to give me longer, thicker needles, but were asking me which needles would be okay. They kept asking me questions like I should know the answer, when really I don't, I'm new to this, I haven't been injecting for very long. Their biggest concern was giving me needles that could draw up the T but were still close to my prescription (and that they had in stock of course.) From quick internet research, they should have been able to give me shorter needles than they did, but who knows, maybe they didn't have them in the pharmacy. (I was supposed to get 5/8" needles but ended up with 1")
So if anyone here has worked in a pharmacy before, do you also know if it is common for pharmacies to not have some needle sizes?

[Arch]

I have never worked in a pharmacy, but I can tell you about my experiences. I was told to sink the needle in one and a quarter inches, so I always get needles that are one and a half inches long, 22s or 23s. Some guys use 25s, but I find it hard to inject in my butt with such small needles.

Unfortunately, I was given one-inch needles last time, and I'm running out of the longer ones. I specifically asked the guy if they had given me one and a half, and he checked and said yes. I think he was looking at the drawing needles. I guess I'll have to figure something out. Now I'm kind of wondering how far other people drive in the needle. Maybe I can manage with one inch.

I use an 18 or 20 for drawing, btw.

For a long time, I used a 22 for both drawing and injecting.

[youngbuck]

I use 25 gauge, 1" needles to inject. I've often seen them referred to as insulin needles, so they're not at all hard to find in my experience. I think they're pretty comfortable and painless, all things considered -- I can't wrap my head around how some dudes use 1.5" needles, because ouuuuuch. I do use 22G or 18G needles to draw my up my T, though, since it's much easier to do with those larger sizes.

Also, as far as I'm aware, 5/8" needles are usually intended for subcutaneous injections. I know there are guys who roll that way with their shots, but 1" and above is generally what you need for intramuscular delivery.

[Frank]

I use two different needles because the syringes prescribed to me already come with a needle. It's very thick and painful though, so I use it to draw and use a 21G 1.5 inch needle to inject.

[SWNID]

My doctor prescribe me 25G1" for both drawing and injecting. I bought all mine online and bought whatever I wanted.

[Bimmer Guy]

Dean,

I draw with 25 gauge, but then inject with a 18 gauge (18GX1-1/2LL).  I do SubQ, so they are injected on a 45 degree angle.  I like the size and length.

[CursedFireDean]

I should probably clarify that I'm doing SubQ injections.

To the guys who draw up with the 25 gauge, how the heck do you manage it?? I just did that today and it took me FOREVER, and I think I've still got air in there after several minutes. So much harder than the 22 I had before.

Brett, do you bruise when you inject at an angle? I was instructed to always go in at 90 degrees, but when they gave me the inch and a half needles I was worried about hitting muscle even if I didn't go in all the way, so I went at an angle and that's the only time I've gotten a NASTY bruise.

[Tysilio]

I do IM injections with the 25 ga., 1" insulin needles, and I've never had a problem. Drawing up the T takes a little longer, but it just takes patience. It helps to inject a bit more air into the vial, to create more pressure. The extra time is worth it to me, since it means I can use the smaller needles and not have to fuss with switching them.

For IM or subQ injections, a little air in the syringe doesn't do any harm.

[CursedFireDean]

I do IM injections with the 25 ga., 1" insulin needles, and I've never had a problem. Drawing up the T takes a little longer, but it just takes patience. It helps to inject a bit more air into the vial, to create more pressure. The extra time is worth it to me, since it means I can use the smaller needles and not have to fuss with switching them.

For IM or subQ injections, a little air in the syringe doesn't do any harm.

Thanks for the suggestion for injecting more air into the vial! My friend who does insulin injections just told me the same advice. I will definitely do that next week.

Also, the Target close to my house was able to give me some of the needles I needed without a prescription. They could only give me 10 without a prescription, but that's enough for me to get a new prescription to drop off with them. I still won't get my T vials there because it's one of the most expensive places according to goodrx, but I will definitely get my needles there since they carry them. So now I have some 5/8" needles that'll be much better for injecting subq.

[Randi]

I use a 1 1/2" 22 gauge needle and syringe

Specifically a BD-309593

The needle is removable and use a 1" 18 ga needle to draw from the vial.

BD-305195

Then I replace the original needle.

They can be found online much cheaper than my local pharmacy.  I buy boxes of 100.

Randi

[CursedFireDean]

I use a 1 1/2" 22 gauge needle and syringe

Specifically a BD-309593

The needle is removable and use a 1" 18 ga needle to draw from the vial.

BD-305195

Then I replace the original needle.

They can be found online much cheaper than my local pharmacy.  I buy boxes of 100.

Randi

I used to use those needles, personally prefer what I have now.
Where do you buy them online? That would be much easier than going to the pharmacy all the time and sometimes compromising.

[KamTheMan]

I use the same 22g needle to draw and inject. I'm not 100% sure on the length, but I think it's an inch, 1 1/2 max. I'm not gonna bother adding another step to the routine by switching needles. Using the same one works perfectly. These are apparently the standard needles/syringes the pharmacy I used keeps in stock.

[Randi]

If you Google the BD number you will find many suppliers.

http://bit.ly/1ySe26C

I used to use those needles, personally prefer what I have now.
Where do you buy them online? That would be much easier than going to the pharmacy all the time and sometimes compromising.

[arimoose]

25
Make sure you warm it up and it does draw slow, but better when it's warmer. A little air bubble does no harm at all. Some say the air cushion it gives helps keep it from leaking back out, not sure on that but air in your muscles just gently dissipates. No problem.

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

[Bimmer Guy]

I should probably clarify that I'm doing SubQ injections.

To the guys who draw up with the 25 gauge, how the heck do you manage it?? I just did that today and it took me FOREVER, and I think I've still got air in there after several minutes. So much harder than the 22 I had before.

Brett, do you bruise when you inject at an angle? I was instructed to always go in at 90 degrees, but when they gave me the inch and a half needles I was worried about hitting muscle even if I didn't go in all the way, so I went at an angle and that's the only time I've gotten a NASTY bruise.

Dean, I have no problem drawing it up.  I saw Tysilio say something about putting in air.  That is what I do, so I assume this makes it easier?

My approach is to push air into the vial, draw up the T.  Switch needles.  Pinch stomach skin.  Push in needle at a 45 degree angle, let go of pinch and then inject.  Slides in smooth as silk.  If I keep it pinched while I am pushing down the plunger, some seeps back out.  Never had a bruise.  The drawing up takes the most time.  I would feel uncomfortable doing the 90 degree angle.  I push the entire 1.5 inch needle in.

I have never seen anyone give themselves a shot before (T, insulin, etc), so I have no idea what is the most common.  I only do what my doc taught me.

[Bimmer Guy]

Dean,

I draw with 25 gauge, but then inject with a 18 gauge (18GX1-1/2LL).  I do SubQ, so they are injected on a 45 degree angle.  I like the size and length.

I should probably clarify that I'm doing SubQ injections.

To the guys who draw up with the 25 gauge, how the heck do you manage it?? I just did that today and it took me FOREVER, and I think I've still got air in there after several minutes. So much harder than the 22 I had before.

Brett, do you bruise when you inject at an angle? I was instructed to always go in at 90 degrees, but when they gave me the inch and a half needles I was worried about hitting muscle even if I didn't go in all the way, so I went at an angle and that's the only time I've gotten a NASTY bruise.

I'm such a dufus.  I always get the sizes backwards.  I draw up with 18 (1.5 inch) and inject Subq with the 25 (5/8 inch).  Sorry, for the confusion, Dean!

[CursedFireDean]

I'm such a dufus.  I always get the sizes backwards.  I draw up with 18 (1.5 inch) and inject Subq with the 25 (5/8 inch).  Sorry, for the confusion, Dean!

I figured you got it backwards, haha! It's confusing that small numbers are big needles.

[JoanneB]

The higher the number the smaller the hole is. I use a 1 1/2" 24 gauge needle for my IM shot of E in my thigh. Here in NJ you need a script for needles. My doc recently prescribed 22 gauge. It is bigger and scarier looking down the barrel. Hurts more too.

A sub-q shot needs a shorter needle to help not overshoot the fatty later. Otherwise it's an IM shot. A smaller needle (bigger number) hurts less going in, but for oil based shots harder to suck in and slower to shoot out. The more time you spend pushing, the more you shake, the more you tear up your insides which also hurts.

If you can buy a few at a time, experiment a little

[Bimmer Guy]

Guys, I am having such a hard time with this switching needles deal.  After I draw up with my 18 gauge I have a hard time pulling off the needle and then a hard time getting the 25 gauge safety needle (subq), to press down/secure onto the syringe.  I often get some T on my fingertips.

Until today, I was only using "half dose" (4 weeks total on this).  Well, I got my T levels for the first time and I was only 4 points above a normal female's range (are we allowed to talk T levels specifics on here?  It is not the same as dosages.).  Anyway, I must not be getting enough T.

I was ready to move up to 3/4 dose anyway (and did today), but the above just doesn't make sense.  Some guys are numbers are in male range at the amount of T I was taking.

Does anyone else have a problem with both removing the draw up needle (after you draw) AND with pushing on the injecting subq needle?

Is there a trick to this?

Thanks in advance.

[JoanneB]

Guys, I am having such a hard time with this switching needles deal.  After I draw up with my 18 gauge I have a hard time pulling off the needle and then a hard time getting the 25 gauge safety needle (subq), to press down/secure onto the syringe.  I often get some T on my fingertips.

Until today, I was only using "half dose" (4 weeks total on this).  Well, I got my T levels for the first time and I was only 4 points above a normal female's range (are we allowed to talk T levels specifics on here?  It is not the same as dosages.).  Anyway, I must not be getting enough T.

I was ready to move up to 3/4 dose anyway (and did today), but the above just doesn't make sense.  Some guys are numbers are in male range at the amount of T I was taking.

Does anyone else have a problem with both removing the draw up needle (after you draw) AND with pushing on the injecting subq needle?

Is there a trick to this?

Thanks in advance.

Are you putting the safety sheath back on before the swap and leaving the new, smaller gauge, needles sheath on when you re-install it?

Most syringes use Luer-Lock connectors which really are like a 1/4 turn twist to screw them down into place. The sheaths are pull off / push on. I initially had a hard time keeping my instinct to screw stuff under control and would try to unscrew the sheath and make a mess of things.

No matter how hard you try, a little of the thick oil based solution will always be inside the drawing needle. When you pop it off a little will dribble out the fitting in time. But before you take it off be sure to hold the needle up and suck some air in to get all that is trapped in the tube. Just be sure to get all the air out after the new needle is installed. Letting it sit for a bit after drawing helps break up the bubbles formed by the vacuum when you draw. (BTW - You are shooting in air before you start, right?)

If the med is cold/cool it is harder to draw. Warmer is thinner. But hot is not good. Read the info sheet for maximum storage temperature as too how much can warm it up to. A handy tip for the winter months around my house with the thermostat set to 65