Residual lumps under skin w/ sub-q injections?

[Rambler]

For the last 9 weeks I have been administering with subcutaneous estradiol valerate injections, there is always a little lump under the skin until the liquid absorbs. At first it only took about a week or so before I couldn't feel a lump anymore but now it takes upwards of two weeks for the lump to subside. I always switch the side I inject on week to week and my doctor told me to wait for my blood test in a few weeks to see how my levels look before making any changes. Has anyone experienced these prolonged lumps after sub-q injections?

I'm also wondering if it could be some temporary hardening of the tissue in the region after absorption? A week old injection definitely feels different than a fresh one. I can feel the liquid beneath the skin moving if it's new and after a few days it just starts to feel as if it is settled and the tissue beneath the skin feels sort of tough afterwards.is there anything I can do to help it absorb?

[Dani]

A subcutaneous injection should not measure over 1 milliliter. Deep intramuscular injections can go as high as 5 milliliters. Injection sites should be rotated to avoid scar tissue buildup. You should rotate between arms and thighs, right and left and try not to hit the same spot in a couple of months.

I generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.

I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.

[KayXo]

I generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.

I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.

I agree. This is one of the reasons I never injected estradiol valerate subcutaneously, always intramuscularly. Never had such issues unless, by mistake (i.e. inexperienced nurse), it wasn't injected deep enough. 

[JillianC]

I've had those bumps from the start (5 months hrt).  I just figured it was how it was supposed to be.  I just had my blood tests and my levels are on target.  The bumps haven't negatively affected me besides looking bumping and bruising  in the area.

[Rambler]

A subcutaneous injection should not measure over 1 milliliter. Deep intramuscular injections can go as high as 5 milliliters. Injection sites should be rotated to avoid scar tissue buildup. You should rotate between arms and thighs, right and left and try not to hit the same spot in a couple of months.

I generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.

I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.

I inject less than .5 ml at a time. This sub-q route was prescribed by my doctor, I couldn't do IM if I wanted to with the length/gauge of needle I have. I haven't been told to switch spots that often, just week to week and I was only instructed to inject in my abdomen but I'll ask about other locations but I was warned against sub-q in the thighs because of the wealth of blood vessels.

[Barb99]

I've been doing sub-q for over a year, also under .5ml. I do get the lumps but they go down to nothing after 5-6 days. I change my injection location switching left and right every week. I rather like the method, it's painless and easy and my levels always come back at the 600 mark.