Shot pain.

[Sydney_NYC]

I've been getting injections once a month, so hopefully they will stop hurting after a while. Do you do yours in the same spot each fortnight?

I'm wondering whether it could possibly be because there is so much time between the needles in the same leg.

It's just a pain in the neck as well, not physically, but because I work 8 hour shifts several times a week, and then night fill at Coles as well some days, so not being able to walk properly is a massive drag. As well as that, it's really hard to stay stealth in a work place when you limp three days a month due to a   mysterious needle..

I alternate thighs that I inject into and use the same general area, but not exact same spot. The part you feel after injection is in the muscle itself, not the skin.

[Tripdistrans]

If the injections are by chance hitting the same spot, would that cause extra pain? 

[LordKAT]

Possibly. I think after years of shots, you will likely hit the same spot twice at some time.

[DeanJulian]

Sounds really bad  is the exact site of injection moved around slightly each time, or do you get the injection into exactly the same spot? I've heard that it can hurt if you have the injection in the same spot every time, but I'm no expert.

[Eva]

Maybe try having them in the butt??? I donno I do one every five days to myself in the leg and it can be hard at times to stick myself but it never ever hurts much at all   Maybe your having a reaction to the oil or something else in the shot???

[Sydney_NYC]

I was told to not use the exact same spot every time (to prevent scar tissue), but to use the same general area. Eventually after years of injecting you will eventually, but that's OK.

[Tripdistrans]

@Dean,
I'm fairly sure its in roughly the same area, but I can't say for sure how close to the last spot he does it, I think he just does it wherever.

@Dean,
I actually hadn't considered that it could be a reaction to the oil.


@Sydney,
I wish there was some way to keep track of where he's stickin' it in, but the needles just don't scar.

[Rachel]

The injection needle I use is 18 gauge and 1.5 inches long. I was taught to inject into the outer thigh muscle and to alternate legs and spot on the muscle. Also, I was taught to pinch the muscle and inject below where I am pinching an inch or two.

I hit a nerve one time as I was slowly pushing the needle in and the muscle twitched. I continued pushing the needle in and then (checked to make sure I am not in a vein) slowly depressed the plunger.

I think allowing the oil to disburse in the muscle a while is key for me.

I had to repeat injection training 3 times because I fainted. Now I am use to it and have no issue. My daughter will be going to nursing school in the fall and I asked her if she wanted to learn how to do the injection and then let her do it but she said no. I will ask again tomorrow.

[Tripdistrans]

The injection needle I use is 18 gauge and 1.5 inches long. I was taught to inject into the outer thigh muscle and to alternate legs and spot on the muscle. Also, I was taught to pinch the muscle and inject below where I am pinching an inch or two.

I hit a nerve one time as I was slowly pushing the needle in and the muscle twitched. I continued pushing the needle in and then (checked to make sure I am not in a vein) slowly depressed the plunger.

I think allowing the oil to disburse in the muscle a while is key for me.

I had to repeat injection training 3 times because I fainted. Now I am use to it and have no issue. My daughter will be going to nursing school in the fall and I asked her if she wanted to learn how to do the injection and then let her do it but she said no. I will ask again tomorrow.

Is there any chance that if the doctor doesn't just ram the needle straight into my leg it won't be as bad?

I really wish that I could just get a nurse to do it, or do it myself. My God Mother (who I haven't seen since Pre-T) is a nurse, and I would love for her to do it from home instead, but I doubt that's ever going to be an option.

Does anyone know if once you're 18 in Australia you can self inject/get a nurse to do it from home?

[LordKAT]

18 gauge is a pretty big needle for injection, I use a 22 gauge and I think many others use 22 or even 25. It does hurt less when you go in slow, I think.

[Tripdistrans]

I just did a quick google. The injections I'm on come prepared, and apparently they are 18g.

[LordKAT]

That would explain part of the pain, that is one huge needle for giving a shot.

[Sydney_NYC]

@Sydney,
I wish there was some way to keep track of where he's stickin' it in, but the needles just don't scar.

I can see the last 2 or 3 if I don't have a tan. They look like hair follicle but just a tad darker.

I just did a quick google. The injections I'm on come prepared, and apparently they are 18g.

Geez, no wonder they hurt. I use either a 21, 22, and 23 gauge (depending on what's available).  22 gauge is my preferred size. 23 gauge is very small and is a little more difficult to withdraw from the vile and 21 has a little discomfort injecting comparing to 22/23 gauge. (Mine don't come prepared.) You can probably change the needles on the syringe depending on the type of syringe. Some people withdraw with an 18 gauge, switch needles and inject with a 22/23 gauge needle.

[Tysilio]

18 ga. is a huge needle. Even if they come prepared, if it's a standard syringe and the needle can be removed, it should be possible to switch it for a smaller one.

I inject into my thigh with a 25 ga., 1" insulin needle. It works fine, and there's seldom any pain at all.

[Tripdistrans]

Welp, seems like I'll be asking my doc for a smaller needle.

[DeanJulian]

Yeah, 18g is really big!

[Rachel]

Sorry, I made a mistake. 18 gauge is the syringe needle used to fill the syringe and 22 gauge is the injection needle. I switch needles to inject.

Sorry for the confusion.

[LordKAT]

That sounds more like the usual situation.