Draw VS Inject ("T")

[JasonG86]

Hey guys I have a quick question for those of you that self administar your T...Do you draw and inject with the same needle or do you draw with one needle and inject with a different one? I have heard of guys doing it both ways. I was told I didn't have to change needles before I inject unless I thought the needle was dull for any reason. Is it different for you guys?!?

[Brendon]

I switch needles between drawing and injecting. I also do my shots slowly, so it feels weird enough having to push it through the skin with a needle that hasn't been dulled at all. I guess I just don't see any reason to potentially make it worse by using a duller needle. 

[JasonG86]

yeah I do my shots slow to cause if not it burns like a mofo lol....and I use 1 inch needles rather than 1 1/2 because I'm not the biggest guy in the world so I don't have as much fat to get through before hitting the muscle...just wasn't sure about the whole alternating needles part of the whole deal. 

[Silver]

Used to have separate tips for drawing. Now I just use the same needle. I don't think it really makes much of a difference.

[xAndrewx]

I just use the same needle

[Jigsaw]

This got me thinking about the process so I had to ask my g/f who works in the medical field.  She told me that the only reasons she knows of to switch are 1) easier to get the T with the bigger needle and 2) even though you use alcohol swab to clean the top of the T bottle switching out the needle helps cut down on the chances of infection even more.

[AC]

Always switch mine, because I've found the few times I haven't it's been somewhat harder to break through the skin. YMMV though.

Interesting thing I found on tumblr though, re needles degrading after use:

[Clay]

Interesting thing I found on tumblr though, re needles degrading after use:

[...snip...]

oh thanks.... sissy me will never be able to use the same one now although i mostly saw people do just that.

[Nygeel]

My pharmacy doesn't have just needles so I only use one. I think they didn't have anything wider than a 22g.

[Aussie Jay]

I'm in the medical field myself and I generally use a different needle on myself and my patients for 2 reasons a) reduce chances of infection as stated above and b) if you have to draw your T up through a rubber stopper on the top of the vial that can blunt the needle and therefore ouchy!!

Personal preference I think, but we have specific 18g rounded blunt drawing up needles I use here in Aus, which as stated makes it a lot easier to draw up the T and then inject with a 21g or 22g 1" needle...

[Silver]

Well I can confirm that it hurts more to use the same needle. Not significantly, but it's there.

[LordKAT]

18 gauge to draw, 22 gauge to inject

[Jigsaw]

AC, those images are enough to make me continue using two needles.  Luckily being part of the shot clinic in Minneapolis I don't have to pay for needles, but if I did I think I would have to get a second job even.  I am a wimp when it comes to pain I know is coming.  Right now shots don't hurt, but seeing that tip curve on the needle.....owwwie

[meh]

I use the same needle now. I used to use an 18g to draw and a 22g to inject, but now I just use the 22g. Feels the same to me.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

draw with an 18, inject with a 25g 1"

[Adio]

I draw up with an 18 g and inject with a 21 g, 1".  I'm (almost) an RN and there's no way I would use the same needle for drawing up and injecting my patients.  Like the others have said, infection and pain are the two biggest reasons for switching needles.  Plus, T is fairly thick and drawing up with a tiny needle is difficult.  Unless you like your shot to be time consuming, I'd use a different needle.

[Nikolai_S]

I draw and inject with the same needle, between 21 to 23 gauge. I have considered switching, but I don't exactly have money for the extra needles that would require. It's mostly a matter of the time it takes to draw the testosterone, and that doesn't make a difference to me. I just put on music for the whole process and let myself relax into the ritual of it.

[FinnBear]

I used 18 to draw and 22 to inject. I'm in the medical field and I was just always taught to switch needles so it's a habit for me though after seeing that photo from tumbler I'll always switch now.

[JasonG86]

yeah i'm in the medical field as well and got different opinions from different nurses so I thought I would come here and ask my "brothers"  Thanks guys for your input and after seeing the tumbler picture I'm gunna have to seriously hype myself up to give myself my shot with the same needle this week lol(only because I'm low on needles until pay day lol)....thanks again

[Logan1986]

i use two, 18 to draw 22 to inject