Switch from injections to gel?

[MattFlo]

I've been doing my own injections for 5 years all the way from my very first shot. The past few months I've been finding it difficult to do my shot. I get a lot of anxiety and my hands start to shake which makes it hard to hold the needle still and sometimes causes a little bit of pain. I haven't gone through a vein in awhile but I usually feel more pain in my right thigh then my left thigh. I like that I only have to do my shot once a week and then I can forget about it but I do still have the high and low mood with the cycle. I've been thinking about switching to the gel and have looked up information and youtube videos about it. It seems like more of a hassle to have to apply it everyday and let it dry, also I hear that moods can be more stable because of the daily dose. Anyone move from gel to injections? Any noticeable mood changes or any issues surrounding Gel Vs Injection?

[Dani]

MattFlo,

I am a Pharmacist and the only experience I have with Testosterone gel is for elder cis-men.

Yes it is messy and if someone female lays against you at the gel site, they will also get a dose of Testosterone, but much smaller than you. If you apply gel with bare hands, the same goes for anyone you touch without washing your hands.

On the other hand, many older men do use Testosterone gel without significant problems. If injections are not for you, then gel is a safe effective way of getting Testosterone. Expect all the normal side effects, such as body hair growth, acne, aggressive behavior and on and on.

One final thought, maybe your technique for self injections needs a little more training or use medium needle for drawing up the injection and then switch to a smaller needle for injections into your muscle.

What ever you chose to do, I wish you the best.

[MattFlo]

Maybe my technique does need a little more training, but I've been doing it the way I was taught by the nurse from the first time. Also I do draw with a bigger needle and then I switch to 22g for injection.

[FTMax]

I started on gel and switched to injections. I noticed no difference whatsoever in my mood, changes, etc. Gel wasn't covered by my insurance at the time and was very expensive. Having done both now, I find shots much more convenient for my lifestyle.

If your insurance covers it, why not give it a shot? The good thing about gel is it's a daily dose, so you could stop whenever you want if it isn't working well for you and switch back to shots or investigate other options.

[lionheart]

I was in the same situation as you, I had been on injections for a year and all of the sudden I couldn't do my shot anymore. I've been on gel for probably about 6 months now and I personally haven't noticed any significant mood changes.

It certainly has its drawbacks, but I think every form of T has some kind of downside. I kind of have to arrange my schedule around applying the gel, because I can't really shower or sweat excessively after putting it on. Of course there's also the risk of accidentally passing it on to someone else, but I feel like people usually exaggerate that part a little bit. If you have a girlfriend or something who's touching you after you put on gel, I highly doubt the amount of testosterone that could potentially be transferring onto her is enough to make a difference. It can definitely be a hassle, but it certainly beats stabbing yourself imo.

[kings joker]

Is it possible to switch to sub-Q injections? Personally IM really freaked me out despite being ok with needles (i'm covered in tattoos), so I went for the Sub-Q injections and find that I don't get so anxious about it. Something about injecting into a hard thick good muscle vs a fatty tissue that I don't like anyway was less of an issue for me. Sometimes just a small phycological switch like that is all you need.

Alternatively, something I very rarely hear on this board is the pill version of T. I know it exists but have never encountered someone who actually takes it. Does anyone have some insight on this?

[MattFlo]

I'm not sure sub-Q would make a difference. Still stabbing myself with a needle. I haven't heard of an oral pill form of T. That would be interesting to hear about. but I've been looking into the pellet that is implanted under your skin and needs to be changed every 3-6 months. I'm positive my insurance won't cover that and it's probably super expensive so I don't know how realistic I can be about having that procedure done. About the gel, I don't have pets and I do have a GF but I see her once a week when she comes to visit, she stays overnight and we sleep together. She also uses my towel. So If I do switch to gel I'd have to make sure to have done the application + the two hours or whatnot your supposed to wait afterwards before she gets to me and the following morning I guess I can apply it and just have her not touch me or I can do it at night when she goes home perhaps? But that's the only issue I foresee having with the gel.

[Dani]

The oral testosterone product is called JATENZO. It is not yet approved for the US market.

[kings joker]

The oral testosterone product is called JATENZO. It is not yet approved for the US market.

ah really? Thats so lame.

[Alexthecat]

I've given myself IM shots and subQ shots and the subQ are much easier to do and you don't go as deep.

[kings joker]

I've given myself IM shots and subQ shots and the subQ are much easier to do and you don't go as deep.

This is kinda what I was tryning to get at. The needle is 1" not 1.5" and it goes into a very fleshy squishy part of the body instead.

[lionheart]

I'm not sure sub-Q would make a difference. Still stabbing myself with a needle. I haven't heard of an oral pill form of T. That would be interesting to hear about. but I've been looking into the pellet that is implanted under your skin and needs to be changed every 3-6 months. I'm positive my insurance won't cover that and it's probably super expensive so I don't know how realistic I can be about having that procedure done. About the gel, I don't have pets and I do have a GF but I see her once a week when she comes to visit, she stays overnight and we sleep together. She also uses my towel. So If I do switch to gel I'd have to make sure to have done the application + the two hours or whatnot your supposed to wait afterwards before she gets to me and the following morning I guess I can apply it and just have her not touch me or I can do it at night when she goes home perhaps? But that's the only issue I foresee having with the gel.

Yeah, I did subq shots and I still had issues with it. I can only imagine how scary IM is. From what I've heard, the T pill isn't completely safe and I think you'd have trouble finding a doctor who'll prescribe it anyways. As far as the gel goes though, it really shouldn't take more than half an hour or so to fully dry so I really wouldn't worry about that too much. You are supposed to apply it around the same time every day though, so keep that in mind too.

I've actually been interested in the pellet as well. I've only heard of a couple people who do it and I really don't know a whole lot about it, but it honestly seems like one of the less inconvenient methods of T. I might ask my endo about it next time I see her.