Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone,

My time to start T is getting pretty close now :) I'm hoping to be on Nebido, but have concerns over it being such a big jab. I'm sure it's fear of the unknown and I still want to choose Nebido over other forms of T so just curious how it is for others.

For those of you on Nebido (not sustanon) what would you give the jab out of 10 for pain? 0 being not at all painful.

Also, have you found the jabs got easier/you got used to them over time?

Thanks :D

Matt

Firstly congrats on being so close to starting T! I bet you're getting excited now. I'm not on T yet, but I've heard nebido is better to be warm as it hurts less when it's injected. I don't think it's dreadfully painful from what I've heard. It's painful, but there's worse pains but that's like anything. I've also heard the injection site can be a bit sore afterwards. It will be fine, it takes a couple of minutes for it to be injected so try and take your mind elsewhere. It'll be alright. Hopefully somebody will come and give a better explanation, take what I said with a pinch of salt. I just wanted to wish you luck and congrats again!

Hi Matt, congrats.  :)

I am on Nebido, had 3 shots already. I can tell you that you it does not hurt much. Maybe 5/10 but try to relax the muscle,leg. If you are standing and they are injecting your right gluteal muscle, cheek, then transfer your weight on your left foot so the right muscle is relaxed. The jabs are the same every time but you know what to expect and you get used to them I guess, I don't know, maybe someone with more experience can tell us more :-)

My GP does the shots using a big needle (I try not to look at the needle lol) and it takes probably 10 - 15 seconds.

It does sting a little afterwards, when you walk but the joy and happiness of getting your shot will overwhelm any pain. And maybe you will have pain in your face from all that grinning  ;D

Thanks guys, yes I can't believe it's getting so close now. Should get the go ahead in a week's time :)

Jason, 5/10 for pain sounds higher than I would have hoped for, but you say your shots are done over 10-15 seconds. Do you know that the instructions say it should be administered over 1-2 minutes? That should make it less painful.

I've heard from one guy who said they had theirs done once by the nurse that was teaching other nurses how to do IM injections (so knew her stuff) and that she did it over 5 mins and it was pain free. So maybe say something to the person doing your jabs (like politely tell them to read the instructions! :) )

Also, as Joe says (thanks Joe!) warming the vial it supposed to help, do you do that?

My question here is just to hear from a few people as to how they find it and to get an idea how likely mine is going to be. I've heard many say it's really painful, others not so bad and maybe only one or two say it didn't hurt. Just wondering what the likely odds are :D

Thanks

Overall Joe, how are you finding it? You must have some good changes coming in now? Any problems with any side effects? Or hot flushes? I'm not looking forward to hot flushes, I've a taste of them already and it's not pleasant!!!

Woohoo - congrats!  ;D

I have mine administered by a senior nurse at my GP's practice, and she has 22 patients who get this shot on a regular basis.

Of those 22, only one has it administered in his thigh. The rest of us have it in the gluteal muscle. She says that those who've tried the thigh find it more painful (because you flex & relax your thigh a lot when you walk) but the one guy who takes it in the thigh has personal reasons for doing so. In my experience, the easiest way to receive your shot is to lie face-down on the bed and relax completely whilst it is administered. Make sure you swap sides for each injection (i.e. if it's in the right cheek this time, have it in the left cheek next time).

As for pain, the needle itself isn't really that painful (maybe 1/10), but a lot of patients (including myself) report that soon after administration, the injection site feels like you've been stung by a bee (an immediate 4 or 5/10). For me, this lasts for the entire day of the injection, but it's pretty much gone by the following morning. Like a bee sting, the pain comes and goes in waves; sometimes I don't feel anything, sometimes it gets pretty darn 'ow' (yes, it's gone to a solid 8 or 9 for very, very brief periods - just like a bee sting does). But it only lasts for one day and I'm fine by the following morning.

Then for about a week afterwards, the injection site feels somewhat bruised. It doesn't hurt unless you bump it, so just be cautious and you'll be fine.

After that, it just carries on doing the job you want it to do. No pain... lots of gain. ;D

As Joe said, you should warm the vial before it's injected. The best way to do this is to hold it against your person for about an hour before your appointment. You could do this in a pocket or something... but to be perfectly honest, I stick it down the centre of my chest because it's one of my ways of getting good use out of what's there. ;)

Oh, and try to get your GP to prescribe you more than one vial at a time, so that you can take two to each appointment (but only warm one of them up). This is because the nurse needs to aspirate the needle to make sure she hasn't hit a vein, and if she has hit a vein she must abandon the injection. That's when it'd be handy to whip out a second vial, otherwise you'd have to wait for another prescription and appointment to try again. ;)

One more thing: make sure you sit in Reception for about 5 minutes after the shot has been administered. This is because there's a (very small) risk of oil embolism, which would give you immediate but treatable breathing problems, so you need to stay put until the risk has passed. If it's going to happen at all, it'll either happen whilst the shot is being administered or immediately afterwards, so waiting for 5 minutes will help you make sure you're safe.

Quote from: FTMDiaries on October 21, 2013, 07:16:14 AM
Woohoo - congrats!  ;D

I have mine administered by a senior nurse at my GP's practice, and she has 22 patients who get this shot on a regular basis.

Of those 22, only one has it administered in his thigh. The rest of us have it in the gluteal muscle. She says that those who've tried the thigh find it more painful (because you flex & relax your thigh a lot when you walk) but the one guy who takes it in the thigh has personal reasons for doing so. In my experience, the easiest way to receive your shot is to lie face-down on the bed and relax completely whilst it is administered. Make sure you swap sides for each injection (i.e. if it's in the right cheek this time, have it in the left cheek next time).

As for pain, the needle itself isn't really that painful (maybe 1/10), but a lot of patients (including myself) report that soon after administration, the injection site feels like you've been stung by a bee (an immediate 4 or 5/10). For me, this lasts for the entire day of the injection, but it's pretty much gone by the following morning. Like a bee sting, the pain comes and goes in waves; sometimes I don't feel anything, sometimes it gets pretty darn 'ow' (yes, it's gone to a solid 8 or 9 for very, very brief periods - just like a bee sting does). But it only lasts for one day and I'm fine by the following morning.

Then for about a week afterwards, the injection site feels somewhat bruised. It doesn't hurt unless you bump it, so just be cautious and you'll be fine.

After that, it just carries on doing the job you want it to do. No pain... lots of gain. ;D

As Joe said, you should warm the vial before it's injected. The best way to do this is to hold it against your person for about an hour before your appointment. You could do this in a pocket or something... but to be perfectly honest, I stick it down the centre of my chest because it's one of my ways of getting good use out of what's there. ;)

Oh, and try to get your GP to prescribe you more than one vial at a time, so that you can take two to each appointment (but only warm one of them up). This is because the nurse needs to aspirate the needle to make sure she hasn't hit a vein, and if she has hit a vein she must abandon the injection. That's when it'd be handy to whip out a second vial, otherwise you'd have to wait for another prescription and appointment to try again. ;)

One more thing: make sure you sit in Reception for about 5 minutes after the shot has been administered. This is because there's a (very small) risk of oil embolism, which would give you immediate but treatable breathing problems, so you need to stay put until the risk has passed. If it's going to happen at all, it'll either happen whilst the shot is being administered or immediately afterwards, so waiting for 5 minutes will help you make sure you're safe.

Ah thanks for all the info, that's really helpful, and has put my mind at rest somewhat :)

Sooooooooo excited :)

Oh another question I have for those on Nebido, would you be able to do strenuous exercise the same day as your jab?

As in will your bum be too sore to be jumping around? I kind of imagine it might help it settle if you can do it. I've also not heard of those with strenuous jobs struggling with work.

Just worried I'll end up having to miss training sometimes due to the jab.

Thanks

Quote from: Mattfromengland on October 21, 2013, 05:37:02 AM
Overall Joe, how are you finding it? You must have some good changes coming in now? Any problems with any side effects? Or hot flushes? I'm not looking forward to hot flushes, I've a taste of them already and it's not pleasant!!!

Sorry for the confusion. I'm not on T yet (I wish I was!), I was passing on what I've heard about Nebido. I'm glad people have been able to give you a more detailed response. I hope it all goes well

Quote from: Joe. on October 21, 2013, 08:00:34 AM
Sorry for the confusion. I'm not on T yet (I wish I was!), I was passing on what I've heard about Nebido. I'm glad people have been able to give you a more detailed response. I hope it all goes well

Ooh sorry my confusion that post was supposed to be addressed to Jason, just got the names muddled.

Hope you get to start T soon though!!! :)

Haha no worries. Thanks!

Quote from: Mattfromengland on October 21, 2013, 07:43:51 AM
Oh another question I have for those on Nebido, would you be able to do strenuous exercise the same day as your jab?

There are no rules that say you can't exercise on the day of your jab, so all I can say is start off gently and see how it goes for you. I tend to do a lot of recumbent cycling and I find it difficult to do that on the day of my jab (because the injection site presses against the bike) but that's just me being a wuss. ;)

Quote from: FTMDiaries on October 21, 2013, 08:16:11 AM
There are no rules that say you can't exercise on the day of your jab, so all I can say is start off gently and see how it goes for you. I tend to do a lot of recumbent cycling and I find it difficult to do that on the day of my jab (because the injection site presses against the bike) but that's just me being a wuss. ;)

Great thanks :)

Quote from: Mattfromengland on October 21, 2013, 05:37:02 AM
Overall Joe, how are you finding it? You must have some good changes coming in now? Any problems with any side effects? Or hot flushes? I'm not looking forward to hot flushes, I've a taste of them already and it's not pleasant!!!

Yeah, I'm happy.  My voice has lowered, facial hair not as much as I'd like but it's ok for now I guess (chin and moustache area only), body hair especially on thighs,arms and abdomen (already had hairy legs), monthly stopped 1 and half month ago (quite relieved about that), libido increase, basically the usual things you expect to happen.
Side effects , well, my shoulders are covered with acne,first was my back, face not so much but still oily. Haven't experienced hot flushes or at least haven't been aware of them lol. I have the heating on all the time lol. But I do get easily angry for stupid things and reasons, seems like my fuse has shortened. But then I realize that T is doing it and I calm down.

Quote from: Mattfromengland on October 21, 2013, 05:34:56 AM
Thanks guys, yes I can't believe it's getting so close now. Should get the go ahead in a week's time :)

Jason, 5/10 for pain sounds higher than I would have hoped for, but you say your shots are done over 10-15 seconds. Do you know that the instructions say it should be administered over 1-2 minutes? That should make it less painful.

I've heard from one guy who said they had theirs done once by the nurse that was teaching other nurses how to do IM injections (so knew her stuff) and that she did it over 5 mins and it was pain free. So maybe say something to the person doing your jabs (like politely tell them to read the instructions! :) )

Also, as Joe says (thanks Joe!) warming the vial it supposed to help, do you do that?

My question here is just to hear from a few people as to how they find it and to get an idea how likely mine is going to be. I've heard many say it's really painful, others not so bad and maybe only one or two say it didn't hurt. Just wondering what the likely odds are :D

Thanks

Next time I'll try to warm the vial before I go in. I know it should be longer , maybe it was longer than 15 sec without me realizing but it certainly wasn't a minute. To be honest I'd tolerate that pain any time ;D

I am on Reandron which I'm pretty sure is the Australian version of Nebido.

My doctor administers it in two separate needles, one in each cheek.

It does not hurt much at all. My butt muscles kinda contract when it gets jabbed in but that's just a pressure point type reaction.

For a couple of days afterwards it feels a tiny bit sore similar to as if I had done a workout using those muscles.

It doesn't matter what's in the syringe; injections are injections so specific stuff going in doesn't actually matter.  The process is where any potential pain lies, not what's actually in the contents of the syringe.

I self inject in the thigh with my leg hanging.  It means there's no muscle tensing which is possible with gluteal injections and also makes it a lot easier to inject by myself.  Also, with lateral thigh injections you don't need to aspirate (though it doesn't do any harm to check) so there's no real risk of wasting a shot by hitting a vein.

Personally I rank the pain at 1/10.  1 only because I feel something happening but doesn't hurt at all for me.  It's virtually painless.  I have fairly big thighs though so that might help. 

I cycle nearly every day near and train 6 days a week.  I've never had problems with a heavy training session the day of a shot.  Although I self inject and can leave it until after I'm done with physical activity if I like.  Sometimes it just works out better to do it in the morning and it makes no difference for me.

Quote from: xander on October 21, 2013, 09:52:06 PM
I am on Reandron which I'm pretty sure is the Australian version of Nebido.

My doctor administers it in two separate needles, one in each cheek.

It does not hurt much at all. My butt muscles kinda contract when it gets jabbed in but that's just a pressure point type reaction.

For a couple of days afterwards it feels a tiny bit sore similar to as if I had done a workout using those muscles.

Thanks Xander, yes Reandron is the same as Nebido. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to split the dose though to do with absorption rates. If it's working for you though that's fine and that's gotta be better than all that liquid going into one spot :)

Quote from: Jack_M on October 21, 2013, 10:56:02 PM
It doesn't matter what's in the syringe; injections are injections so specific stuff going in doesn't actually matter.  The process is where any potential pain lies, not what's actually in the contents of the syringe.

I self inject in the thigh with my leg hanging.  It means there's no muscle tensing which is possible with gluteal injections and also makes it a lot easier to inject by myself.  Also, with lateral thigh injections you don't need to aspirate (though it doesn't do any harm to check) so there's no real risk of wasting a shot by hitting a vein.

Personally I rank the pain at 1/10.  1 only because I feel something happening but doesn't hurt at all for me.  It's virtually painless.  I have fairly big thighs though so that might help. 

I cycle nearly every day near and train 6 days a week.  I've never had problems with a heavy training session the day of a shot.  Although I self inject and can leave it until after I'm done with physical activity if I like.  Sometimes it just works out better to do it in the morning and it makes no difference for me.

Hey thanks Jack, but there is a big difference. It's not to do with what's in the syringe but the volume of liquid. Nebido lasts roughly 12 weeks and that's a huge amount of fluid to go into a muscle, which the muscle understandably is most likely going to object to to some degree. That's where the pain comes in.

It is the amount of fluid also that means it's not advisable to inject into your thigh as the muscle isn't big enough to hold that amount of fluid.

If I was on Sustanon I wouldn't be so concerned and would also enjoy the fact you can self inject etc. But I don't want the peaks and troughs and overall been advised that Nebido can have less side effects etc and has less problems with Polycythemia etc. So I defo want to opt for Nebido if I can, I'm just concerned about the size of the jab!!! :/


Removed dosage

Hi friends  :police:

Let's try to remember to keep in mind the Site Terms of Service and rules to live by (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html) when posting

Quote8. The discussion of hormone replacement therapy(HRT) and it's medications are permitted, with the following limitations:
A. You may not advocate for or against a specific medication or combinations of medication for personal gain. This is strictly prohibited.
B. You may not discuss the means to acquire HRT medications without a prescription. The discussion of self medication without a doctors supervision is prohibited.
C. The discussion of recommended or actual dosages is strongly discouraged to prevent information obtained on this site from being used to self medicate.
We can not in good conscience condone the self administering of these medications. Not only may self medication be illegal, but HRT medications can cause serious health problems, and many have the potential for life-threatening side effects that can only be detected and prevented with proper medical supervision.

Thank you

Amy

Quote from: Mattfromengland on October 22, 2013, 04:36:13 AM
Hey thanks Jack, but there is a big difference. It's not to do with what's in the syringe but the volume of liquid. Nebido lasts roughly 12 weeks and that's a huge amount of fluid to go into a muscle, which the muscle understandably is most likely going to object to to some degree. That's where the pain comes in.

It is the amount of fluid also that means it's not advisable to inject into your thigh as the muscle isn't big enough to hold that amount of fluid.

If I was on Sustanon I wouldn't be so concerned and would also enjoy the fact you can self inject etc. But I don't want the peaks and troughs and overall been advised that Nebido can have less side effects etc and has less problems with Polycythemia etc. So I defo want to opt for Nebido if I can, I'm just concerned about the size of the jab!!! :/


Removed dosage

It actually doesn't make a difference, that's the thing. With regards to pain, what goes in doesn't matter.  Once it's in, it's in, that's it. And plenty do get nebido in their thigh, it is a choice. Your butt may be a bigger muscle but thigh can take it, think of it logically, it's not THAT much liquid!  What I'm saying is it makes no difference pain wise, injections are same. Although for thigh injections, it can be a smaller needle as it doesn't need to go as deep. It's not a big jab really, it's typical. People inject Nebido with lower gage needles than I do, I use 23G 1 inch needles and go all the way, but some use 1.5" and stop short. And one person I know gets it with a 25G in thigh.

The muscle doesn't object. So don't worry about extra pain because you have liquid in your muscle. Any pain after injection us purely from the injection process itself.

Quote from: Jack_M on October 22, 2013, 12:10:06 PM
It actually doesn't make a difference, that's the thing. With regards to pain, what goes in doesn't matter.  Once it's in, it's in, that's it. And plenty do get nebido in their thigh, it is a choice. Your butt may be a bigger muscle but thigh can take it, think of it logically, it's not THAT much liquid!  What I'm saying is it makes no difference pain wise, injections are same. Although for thigh injections, it can be a smaller needle as it doesn't need to go as deep. It's not a big jab really, it's typical. People inject Nebido with lower gage needles than I do, I use 23G 1 inch needles and go all the way, but some use 1.5" and stop short. And one person I know gets it with a 25G in thigh.

The muscle doesn't object. So don't worry about extra pain because you have liquid in your muscle. Any pain after injection us purely from the injection process itself.

I hope you're right, but not convinced :) it's about 4x the amount of liquid.

I'm sure a lot of the pain is from bad technique and I'm not sure I trust the nurses at my surgery (they've managed to make a simple blood test hurt and bruise badly) but we'll see. I think right now it's fear of the unknown and soon it won't be unknown :) :) :)

I aggree with Jack. It's true that the liquid is 4× more but it just takes longer to inject, especially Nebido. Trust me, I was on Testosteron Depo for almost a year, and now I'm on Nebido and it doesn't hurt more than the "little" shots. The pain is about 3-4/10 which is the same with depo. So don't worry and congrats for getting on T!


Edited for dosage

Pain-wise, 1-2/10 maybe. It's really not that bad. Just don't think about it.

Ok thanks guys for the replies. I appreciate them! Been trying not to think about it but as it's getting closer I've started doing so more again.

I will man up!!!!!!!!

FWIW I've been on it for 4 years and I find it is always the last half of the injection that is usually accompanied by a stinging pain about 4/10. I also find that some injections are painless and I might just have minor pain like any injection (flu shot etc) afterwards or I may feel nothing. Sometimes it is achy for the day or 2 afterwards and sometimes it is fine and I won't know unless I hit the injection point by accident or something similar. There are days where every time I sit wrong in the car etc I feel a bit of minor pain. It's really dependant on the injection technique, how relaxed my leg was, if I'd worked out that day or the day before etc.

My advice - lay down and try relax the leg, this usually makes for a good result for me. You're probably not gonna feel like a workout and as someone already said you're generally supposed to wait 24hrs after most injections prior to exercising. The pain is like a stinging, burning sensation in the butt cheek. I always warm the vial in my hands prior to administration as it makes it easier for the person injecting me. And I've found afterwards (some may frown on this) that I like to rub the area a little and walk around for a few mins.

Don't think of the pain bro - think of the reward. The changes and the affirmation of finally going through the puberty we missed :) Although I will admit puberty in my late 20's/30s is a little different to being 14/15 haha!!!  :D

Quote from: Aussie Jay on October 23, 2013, 05:30:11 AM
FWIW I've been on it for 4 years and I find it is always the last half of the injection that is usually accompanied by a stinging pain about 4/10. I also find that some injections are painless and I might just have minor pain like any injection (flu shot etc) afterwards or I may feel nothing. Sometimes it is achy for the day or 2 afterwards and sometimes it is fine and I won't know unless I hit the injection point by accident or something similar. There are days where every time I sit wrong in the car etc I feel a bit of minor pain. It's really dependant on the injection technique, how relaxed my leg was, if I'd worked out that day or the day before etc.

My advice - lay down and try relax the leg, this usually makes for a good result for me. You're probably not gonna feel like a workout and as someone already said you're generally supposed to wait 24hrs after most injections prior to exercising. The pain is like a stinging, burning sensation in the butt cheek. I always warm the vial in my hands prior to administration as it makes it easier for the person injecting me. And I've found afterwards (some may frown on this) that I like to rub the area a little and walk around for a few mins.

Don't think of the pain bro - think of the reward. The changes and the affirmation of finally going through the puberty we missed :) Although I will admit puberty in my late 20's/30s is a little different to being 14/15 haha!!!  :D

Ah thanks Jay! :)

When you say it depends on whether you've worked out that day or the day before, does working out before make it worse or better?

Thanks.