Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So I've been on t for a month now. I took my third shot yesterday. My first two shots went very well no pain or anything. The first shot was done by a nurse, second by myself, and the third by myself as well. After a few hours I had a bit of pain at the injection site of my third shot. I also got an itchy spot around the area but not at the injection site it was pretty close though. Today, the itchy spot disappeared somewhat, but another itchy spot developed even closer to the injection site. Also the injection site is  a little more painful (it is painful when I press against it). The three shots that I've taken were all done on my right thigh at the same area. So each shot have been pretty close to eachother. Right at the injection site there is a bit of stiffness, it feels a little hard and it is warm. I am not sure because it could be because I use a rather thick blanket that is very warm or because it might be an infection. Frankly, it is freaking me out. I am afraid I did something wrong and the t didnt get absorbed correctly or an infection developed, or could be my body rejected it even though the first two shots went perfectly well. Could be that the site is sore or bruising. I dont know. I just want to know if this is common or is something wrong.

((Also my muscles feel a little achy.))

I would say it could be common.
I don't really have itching, except the bandaid sometimes makes me itch.
For me, sometimes the muscle does feel sore after a shot and sometimes not. usually for me it depends on how much the needle moved while inside my leg or where it went in my leg at. even though I try to put it in the same place each time, it is always different.

When in doubt, call your doctor. When dealing with medication, it's best not to risk it.

But anyway, as far as the pain goes, my leg is always a little sore about a day after injecting, it typically lasts for two or three days, but this seems to be normal. After all, we are jabbing needles into our muscles, and muscles don't like being jabbed by needles. Depending on where exactly the needle went through, it's very possible that you could have some bruising - if you went through or knicked a vein, it's certainly not uncommon. Did you bleed when you removed the needle?

I do have a question for you though. When you inject, after you pull out the needle, do you rub the injection site? It's recommended that you do, doing this keeps the T from staying in one spot and helps it disperse. I've forgotten to do it a few times myself, and it's hurt longer, felt hard, and was very warm, just like you described.

But like I said, if you're worried, there is nothing wrong with giving your doctor a jingle, I'm sure they'll be able to help you figure this out. Good luck, dear!

Yes I did bleed, but it usually does when I remove the needle. Not a lot of course but it bleeds a bit. No, I never rub it. I didnt know I had to.

You're right I should, though hopefully it is nothing serious. Thanks for your input.

As far as blood goes, a few drops is normal, so that's not an issue. You just didn't mention it, so I thought that I'd ask.

Technically, you don't really 'have' to, it's just more uncomfortable when you don't - it's not like it's gonna kill you, but yeah.

Not a problem :)

Well it is the second day since the shot and it seems a little less painful and the injection site looks a little yellow/discolored like almost a bruise I suppose. So it could be bruising?

mine are always sore after and my muscle always feels achey a day or two after.

Quote from: anibioman on December 13, 2012, 01:11:27 PM
mine are always sore after and my muscle always feels achey a day or two after.

Still? I hate to think about that being the case indefinitely. :-\

Aching can happen, but I've been on T for 3 months now (about 10 shots) and only the first two caused aching. Rubbing the area after taking a shot can help, but the best way to avoid it entirely is to be active. Using the muscle seems to disperse the liquid much better. Go on a walk, run, ride... whatever will exercise that muscle.
Alternatively, just relax more. I get everything ready and then take 5 minutes to get into a relaxing position and REALLY think about the muscle. Once, I forgot to switch to the smaller needle, and stayed relaxed even with the pain from stabbing myself with a larger needle.

Quote from: utouto on December 14, 2012, 01:14:07 AM
Once, I forgot to switch to the smaller needle, and stayed relaxed even with the pain from stabbing myself with a larger needle.

This completely reminded me,
I don't know what sized needle you're using,
But you could ask your doctor (Or even your pharmacy) about getting a smaller size.
The smaller the needle, the less pain, though it will take longer to inject that way.

Quote from: GentlemanRDP on December 14, 2012, 10:08:13 AM
This completely reminded me,
I don't know what sized needle you're using,
But you could ask your doctor (Or even your pharmacy) about getting a smaller size.
The smaller the needle, the less pain, though it will take longer to inject that way.

I inject with a 25 -- it takes a good thirty seconds or more to inject it. I draw out with a 23, and wow did that hurt when I injected using the 23. :(

I draw with 18 and inject with 22. I can't imagine using smaller - it takes forever as is - and I did forget once and inject with the 18 and it was quite painful.