Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I gave myself my first at home shot yesterday, and it only took me about 10 minutes. I was nervous two weeks ago when I got the supplies, and I was a little nervous throughout the day yesterday but when it came time to do the shot, I only backed off from it once; I got it on the second try. Overall it was pretty successful, it didn't bleed much and it's not sore other than a very slight ache today.

I've never been afraid of needles (one of my few gems of good luck!) but there's something different between receiving a shot and doing it yourself, and I thought I'd sit there with the needle in my hands for a long time before I managed to work up the nerve but it was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be! I was weirdly calm while I was doing it and afterwards I just kinda sat there like "I'm done already?"

But what's really weird about me; I'm actually looking forward to doing the next one! Despite the slight pain, the feeling of needles isn't really unpleasant to me at all. I'm just curious to know; is there anybody else who's had similar experiences or am I just really strange?

Currently I actually have needle anxiety about my shot, so in that respect im different, but after my first shot I was definitely excited for my second bc it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected

I do my shots every Monday and look forward to it greatly - every week :)

Enjoy the excitement while it lasts...the euphoria wears off after about a hundred injections.  :)

No that's how I felt myself. I got a bit squeamish when the nurse gave me the first shot but it felt like a pencil poking my skin. I sat there like "That's it?" Because I was expecting more pain. True, doing the shot yourself is different and I did hesitate the first time but I knew that I needed this so that eradicated any needle phobia that I had.

I'm pretty much the same, except I gave it to myself with no hesitation the first and second time -- first one at the nurse's office, second by myself (I'm only 15 days on T, total). But I've never had a phobia of needles, so we're not exactly in the same boat, but close! The minute I got the first shot, I was excited for the next.  :laugh:

Sounds similar to my experience!  I am 3 months in, and I greatly look forward to shot day.  I figure it may wear off at some point, but right now, it's the highlight of my week!

I had to inject testosterone for quite a while before I switched to estradiol patches (long story), and eventually I found a routine that was comfortable.

I'm right-handed, so I found it easier to inject into my right thigh. I could do it in the left thigh, but had a couple of stingers there. I tried to avoid the exact same location, but in general it was an inch or two below my crotch and a couple of inches from the top of my thigh toward the outside. I raised my leg, resting my foot on something, until I could squeeze my thigh easily and extend some flesh for the injection. When the syringe was ready and I'd sterilized the location, I'd squeeze my thigh and aim the syringe. At first I tried kind of popping it in, like throwing a dart. That was okay, but when I got used to it, I started to more deliberately insert the needle so it would go in straighter. Holding the syringe steady while withdrawing the plunger to check for blood is important to avoid pain.

Using that technique I rarely felt more than a tiny prick from the needle. Maybe 1 out of 10 times it hits a nerve or something, and then you can grit your teeth and press on or start over. One time only when I withdrew the needle a fountain of blood squirted briefly out, but my doctor said I'd probably nicked a vein and not to worry about it.

I know it's kind of scary at first to inject yourself, but it does get easier soon enough. It's not as painful as epilating!

This is a good link: http://www.med.umich.edu/cancer/files/subcutaneous_injection_guide.pdf

I hope that helps.

I've had no issues giving myself my shot.
No hesitation and no needle fears.
I did do my first shot on my own, my doctor actually encourages it. Which I think is good.
I do mine every other week. Nice to be able to take a break in between. :D

Never had a big problem with needles, but not sure I could do it myself! (only time will tell) glad you did so well for yourself!