This has probably been covered, but is my shot site infected?

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I've had post shot soreness going on for a month or so, probably due to the muscle getting denser so it gets more angry about being stabbed. It gets sore then goes away. But I did my shot yesterday, and now my leg hurts so bad I can't bend it, a few inches down from the injection site is swollen and hot to the touch. Could I have an infection? Would it necessarily be bad to wait a couple days to get it checked out? I say that because my name change is on Thursday, and I'm sick of dealing with ahole doctors when I go to the ER who know I'm trans and I can't afford the $50 copay to see my doctor.

[Aegir]

It sounds like you need a doctor. You shouldn't be debilitatingly sore x.x

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I also have a slight fever...

[Meepit]

Fevers aren't good . Definitely a sign of an infection or something your immune system's trying to get rid of. It's not good to have a fever for too long either so if it lasts for much longer you might wanna get that checked for sure.

[Arch]

If it were my leg, I'd be hella worried, name change or not. If you put off going to the ER, at least think about calling Ask A Nurse or some such service.

Do you alternate legs, and do you keep your leg in a relaxed state when you inject? A lot of guys bend the knee (so the muscle's not relaxed), and I've heard that the pain can be nasty. But hot and swollen...plus a bit of a fever...that sounds potentially serious.

Get real medical advice--that's my advice.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

went to the er. learned my lesson about lying and saying i'm cisgendered. but anyhow. he said i hit a blood vessel and it leaked into my leg, causing the pain and swelling. got stabbed with another needle, to check for pus. It's not infected. Crutches and drugs. At least it wasn't serious. He said in the future, if I don't see red around the swelling and stuff, it's probably just this, not cellulitis.

I don't understand how I hit a blood vessel though. Cause I always aspirate.

[pebbles]

went to the er. learned my lesson about lying and saying i'm cisgendered. but anyhow. he said i hit a blood vessel and it leaked into my leg, causing the pain and swelling. got stabbed with another needle, to check for pus. It's not infected. Crutches and drugs. At least it wasn't serious. He said in the future, if I don't see red around the swelling and stuff, it's probably just this, not cellulitis.

I don't understand how I hit a blood vessel though. Cause I always aspirate.

It's entirely possible you pierced the blood vessel and impaled through it. but the needle tip stopped moving deeper down thus it only started bleeding once you removed the needle. same reason why you don't pull out the object if your impaled on something.

[Carson]

you can hit a blood vessel but not inject into it, like if you hit it on the way through but end up injecting just past it or next to it.

[Arch]

Zombies, I'm sure it sucks to have to go to the ER, where people don't know you, instead of a regular doctor who does. I'm just relieved that this wasn't more serious, and I'm glad you're going to be okay.