How long until you did your shots alone?

[Chamillion]

I'm just wondering how long everyone waited until they did their shots alone at their own home. I ask because I went to the doctor last week who gave me my first prescription for T (yay!), she injected me with a numbing medication or something like that just to show how it's supposed to be done, then gave me the syringe and expected me to be able to just do it. I did okay but I still don't feel very comfortable. She then asked if I wanted to do my first shot there and I said yeah, so I'm going in on May 8 with my T to get it but then after that she expects me to just do it at my own home by myself and I'm not sure I'm really ready to do that. I jus want some input from you guys.. how long did you all wait?

[Mister]

I did them all alone.  Recently, having switched doctors, I had to do a shot in the office to show I was doing it properly.  Y'know-- just in case my beard was a fluke.

[Ender]

I started out doing my own shots.  I live about 7 hours from my doctor, so it was a matter of practicality.  I got my T prescription at my first endo appointment, but I didn't have baseline blood tests taken yet--so I couldn't have my first shot at the office and had to wait until I got the OK to start (took about a week).  The nurse showed me how to inject during the appointment, but I didn't actually stick anything in--just practiced loading up a syringe with saline while she went over the importance of aspirating, etc.

[V M]

Dang, thought you were talkin' 'bout whiskey  But seriously, I've helped my diabetic friends with their shots. I'm sure I could handle it

[myles]

The first one I did in front of her in her office, to make sure I was doing it right. After I read the 25 simple steps to self injecting (ha ha). Since then have done the rest at home every week. In the end I guess I have done all of them on my own the first one just in front of her.
Myles

[kestin]

The first 2 or 3 shots were done by a nurse, and at the same time they were walking me through doing them. Originally, I just learnt how to draw the T with the syringe and then in later times I did the actual injection too. After 2 or 3 with a nurse present they said I was fine to do it on my own.

[Chamillion]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't know so many people did the shots alone so soon.. my therapist made it sound like people usually go to the doctor for the first few shots. I guess I'm just nervous

[Mister]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't know so many people did the shots alone so soon.. my therapist made it sound like people usually go to the doctor for the first few shots. I guess I'm just nervous

There are some folks who go for months.  There are some people who never learn how to do their own shots.

[Luc]

Did my first in front of the dr after she demonstrated, just to make sure I knew how to do it right. However, I really wish someone else would do it for me. Over 9 months of self-injecting, and I still hate it. Sometimes, though, you just have to suck it up and be a man. 

SD

[Christo]

first time my doc did it 4 me. second time the nurse showed me how 2 do it. pc of cake. 

[Vancha]

I think I'd definitely need to learn to do my own shots... What if I wanted to travel or something, for an extended length of time?  Scratch that, I know I'm going to be traveling, and probably going to a bunch of crazy places where I can't go to a doctor's office and have them do everything for me... I think it would just be important for me to learn.  I think, though, that if you are uncomfortable with it, voice it!  I'm sure they'll be glad to assist you, and let you take your time.

[tekla]

Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.

[V M]

I had a fear of needles for years until I started helping others. Learning to give injections and hook up I.V. units and having injections and IVs pretty well got me over it. I'm actually thinking about becoming a nurse

[kestin]

Its only been the last two or so shots that my hands don't shake when I hold the needle XD now its starting to feel natural to do it.

[Dennis]

There are some folks who go for months.  There are some people who never learn how to do their own shots.

I never have. The dr's office is on the way to work, so I stop in once a week and visit with the nurses. If I went on a long trip, I'd learn, but I usually just go on a two week vacation every year and I double up the shot before I go. I'm not sure they'd teach me if it meant I didn't bring my dog in to visit with them every week

But for me, it's covered. Doc makes a whole $9 off the medical plan that I would have to pay into anyway, and I pay nothing.

Dennis

[Flameboy]

Nope, I've never done my own shots either - my doctor doesn't want me to, so (apart from the first one which the doctor did) all my shots have been done by the practice nurse. I was on 4 weekly and then 3 weekly shots, so it was never a major hassle really - the surgery is 5 minutes away from home, and I work flexi time so I can go in late if I need to. I'm now on Nebido, which is every 12 weeks, so it's even less hassle to go!

[J.T.]

Went to the doctor three times to "learn" but was injecting myself on the second one.

[Arch]

I've had half a dozen biweekly shots at the doctor's office--it's a walk-in situation (that is, no appointment needed), and the injection fee is laughably small--but I plan to learn how to self-inject this summer.

[Jamie-o]

I was shown in the office how to do it, given my prescription, and then I went home and did the first shot myself.  It took me a few minutes to psyche myself up, but it was really a lot easier than I expected.  The first shot I hardly felt when it went in, but a few hours later it started aching, and continued to ache for a couple days.  The second one stung a bit when it went in, but didn't hurt later.  (I much prefer that scenario.)  Each time the anticipation was much worse than the actual shot.

[JonasCarminis]

i did it myself the first time in front of a nurse.  she just instructed me and i did it.  then i was at home after that.