Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm just wondering how long everyone waited until they did their shots alone at their own home. I ask because I went to the doctor last week who gave me my first prescription for T (yay!), she injected me with a numbing medication or something like that just to show how it's supposed to be done, then gave me the syringe and expected me to be able to just do it. I did okay but I still don't feel very comfortable. She then asked if I wanted to do my first shot there and I said yeah, so I'm going in on May 8 with my T to get it but then after that she expects me to just do it at my own home by myself and I'm not sure I'm really ready to do that. I jus want some input from you guys.. how long did you all wait?

I did them all alone.  Recently, having switched doctors, I had to do a shot in the office to show I was doing it properly.  Y'know-- just in case my beard was a fluke.

I started out doing my own shots.  I live about 7 hours from my doctor, so it was a matter of practicality.  I got my T prescription at my first endo appointment, but I didn't have baseline blood tests taken yet--so I couldn't have my first shot at the office and had to wait until I got the OK to start (took about a week).  The nurse showed me how to inject during the appointment, but I didn't actually stick anything in--just practiced loading up a syringe with saline while she went over the importance of aspirating, etc.

Dang, thought you were talkin' 'bout whiskey  :laugh: But seriously, I've helped my diabetic friends with their shots. I'm sure I could handle it

The first one I did in front of her in her office, to make sure I was doing it right. After I read the 25 simple steps to self injecting (ha ha). Since then have done the rest at home every week. In the end I guess I have done all of them on my own the first one just in front of her.
Myles

The first 2 or 3 shots were done by a nurse, and at the same time they were walking me through doing them. Originally, I just learnt how to draw the T with the syringe and then in later times I did the actual injection too. After 2 or 3 with a nurse present they said I was fine to do it on my own.

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't know so many people did the shots alone so soon.. my therapist made it sound like people usually go to the doctor for the first few shots. I guess I'm just nervous

Quote from: Chamillion on April 28, 2009, 09:29:08 PM
Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't know so many people did the shots alone so soon.. my therapist made it sound like people usually go to the doctor for the first few shots. I guess I'm just nervous

There are some folks who go for months.  There are some people who never learn how to do their own shots.

Did my first in front of the dr after she demonstrated, just to make sure I knew how to do it right. However, I really wish someone else would do it for me. Over 9 months of self-injecting, and I still hate it. Sometimes, though, you just have to suck it up and be a man.  ;D

SD

first time my doc did it 4 me. second time the nurse showed me how 2 do it. pc of cake.  :D :D :D

I think I'd definitely need to learn to do my own shots... What if I wanted to travel or something, for an extended length of time?  Scratch that, I know I'm going to be traveling, and probably going to a bunch of crazy places where I can't go to a doctor's office and have them do everything for me... I think it would just be important for me to learn.  I think, though, that if you are uncomfortable with it, voice it!  I'm sure they'll be glad to assist you, and let you take your time.

Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.

I had a fear of needles for years until I started helping others. Learning to give injections and hook up I.V. units and having injections and IVs pretty well got me over it. I'm actually thinking about becoming a nurse

Its only been the last two or so shots that my hands don't shake when I hold the needle XD now its starting to feel natural to do it.

Quote from: Mister on April 28, 2009, 09:30:24 PM
There are some folks who go for months.  There are some people who never learn how to do their own shots.

I never have. The dr's office is on the way to work, so I stop in once a week and visit with the nurses. If I went on a long trip, I'd learn, but I usually just go on a two week vacation every year and I double up the shot before I go. I'm not sure they'd teach me if it meant I didn't bring my dog in to visit with them every week :)

But for me, it's covered. Doc makes a whole $9 off the medical plan that I would have to pay into anyway, and I pay nothing.

Dennis

Nope, I've never done my own shots either - my doctor doesn't want me to, so (apart from the first one which the doctor did) all my shots have been done by the practice nurse. I was on 4 weekly and then 3 weekly shots, so it was never a major hassle really - the surgery is 5 minutes away from home, and I work flexi time so I can go in late if I need to. I'm now on Nebido, which is every 12 weeks, so it's even less hassle to go!

:)

Went to the doctor three times to "learn" but was injecting myself on the second one.

I've had half a dozen biweekly shots at the doctor's office--it's a walk-in situation (that is, no appointment needed), and the injection fee is laughably small--but I plan to learn how to self-inject this summer.

I was shown in the office how to do it, given my prescription, and then I went home and did the first shot myself.  It took me a few minutes to psyche myself up, but it was really a lot easier than I expected.  The first shot I hardly felt when it went in, but a few hours later it started aching, and continued to ache for a couple days.  The second one stung a bit when it went in, but didn't hurt later.  (I much prefer that scenario.)  Each time the anticipation was much worse than the actual shot.

i did it myself the first time in front of a nurse.  she just instructed me and i did it.  then i was at home after that.

My ex used to do my shots for me.. then my friend. I only tried once and couldn't go through with it. So I changed to gel, much easier! :)

Jay

My boyfriend started T two and half months before me and watching him do the shots really helped my fears.  By the time I started I already knew how to draw and inject myself so I basically explained to my endocrinologist how to do it (since I'm over 2 hours away from him).  He let me do it at home.  I've done them all by myself.

I don't give myself time to get anxious.  I think if I actually thought about what I was doing, I'd FREAK OUT.  I just draw it and poke myself without giving myself time to get anxious.  I think that's the key.  I've always hated needles... to the point of passing out during injections in doctors' offices before.

Quote from: Josh on May 04, 2009, 03:09:59 AM
i did it myself the first time in front of a nurse.  she just instructed me and i did it.  then i was at home after that.

Me2

I was trained as a medic so .....it was pretty easy. Especially when I just have to hit a big ol' butt with E, instead of a vein like I did when trying to administer an I.V.

Is the T as thick as the E is? I usually warm it up before I inject.

yep.  pretty dang thick.  i suspect that theyre both suspended in the same oil.