Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just wondered what type of T (gel,shot,patch,cream) you are on and how often you use it? You don't have to answer of course and if you aren't yet what type are you wanting to be on? I'm terrified of needles but am hoping for injections because I hear they work best. I know a few of my friends say they do there's every other week but would monthly work as well?

Side Note: Just found out I'll be on insurance in January so hopefully by this time next year will be able to start *happy dance* :D

I'll be doing shots next month when I get it. Monthly would probably only work with Sustanon/Nebido. I'm pretty sure you can't get those in the US (assuming you are in the US.) Injections seem quite common due to their price.

Yeah, I am in the US so I guess it will be every two weeks for me. I'm nervous but I know it will be worth it. Thanks for letting me know :)

Sustanon, half dose, fortnightly.

Testosterone Cypionate in the thigh bi-weekly.  I numb the area with ice first on my doctor's advice and that seems to help.

Wow, thanks for the fast answers guys. Guess it seem shots are the most common.
Kvall wow... I don't think I could do a shot once a week, you're brave.
Squirrel, that's a good idea. I wouldn't have thought of that, maybe that will help me a little once I'm able to start
Ryan, thanks for the info man. I know Silver mentioned that it might not be possible to use that in the US.
Looks like I have a lot of reading up to do, I didn't realize there are different types of T there is just for the shots.

injecting cypionate here, every other week.  I'd be curious to hear if anyone's injecting any of the other less common testosterone esters like enanthate, propionate, isocaproate, decanoate, or phenylproionate, or a blend like sustanon 250.  I've been thinking about asking my doc to switch me to a blend, just for kicks...

edit: just noticed you're taking sustanon, Ryan...any complaints?  do you feel like the changes came on more quickly/slowly than what's normal for other guys taking cypionate?

I inject testosterone cypionate weekly. I'm on about a half dose I think I was on the "normal" dose at first and my body really took to it so my t levels sky rocketed.

I'm on Sustanon 250 - a blend of 4 different esthers, I think. Been a while since I checked on exactly what was in there!

I intially was on a three-week shot cycle and changes were incredibly slow and it didn't get rid of my periods, so my doctor changed it to every 14 days, which works for me and changes have been faster.

Quote from: Quicksand on August 04, 2010, 04:05:25 PM
edit: just noticed you're taking sustanon, Ryan...any complaints?  do you feel like the changes came on more quickly/slowly than what's normal for other guys taking cypionate?

I don't think we have Cypionate over in the UK so I can't really give an answer.

My voice first dropped at 7 weeks, then 8, and 11 and has been slowly getting deeper since if that gives you any idea. That's the only way I really measure my progress against others.

Cyp, "normal" dose, every 10 days. Was on bi weekly shots but I had way too many ups and downs at the ends of my shot cycle.

I have sort of a needle fetish so it doesn't bother me in the least.

Bi-weekly shots of testosterone cypionate

full dose of Sustanon 250 every 2 weeks. I'm happy with the changes, slow and steady.

Weekly Sub-Q shot of cypionate.

Nebido, every 13 weeks, and I've been on that for over a year now - maybe a year and a half. Before that I was on Sustanon 250 every 4 weeks (I think - it's a long time ago now!)

Cypionate injections every week. I take it weekly mostly due to my being bipolar and the ups and downs caused with the hormone increase and decrease between shots. Originally I was on biweekly shots. Weekly I don't notice much of a rise or fall emotionally.

I do recommend finding a friend who may be willing to let you watch or even give them their shot. It will help the confidence a lot in doing it alone. I was lucky to have a trans guy staying in town for about a month for his chest surgery where I live. We met up because he needed someone to help take care of him and get him to and from his surgery safely. I ended up having to help him with his injections because of the physical issue with being able to put a needle in his own ass after having chest surgery lol.

I'm also thinner so I am able to get away with using shorter needles, I use 1 inch instead of the 1 1/2 ones recommended to me by my endo and other transmen. Although my doctor is aware I do this and we discussed rather or not it would work for me to use the shorter needle. I also only do my shot in my backside, doing it in my thigh actually gave me some weird reactions (almost like allergic reactions) so I can't do it there anymore. As I build up muscle in my arms I plan to switch to doing the shots in my biceps with an even shorter needle, which is another thing I discussed with my endo before considering as an actual plan. It would be an easier place to reach and also doesn't hurt as much (in my opinion, I have tried it a couple times to see how well it would work out for me).

So there's a bit of advice for you. It also seems to have a lot to do with the person, I had results very quickly. No period, facial hair began growing and weight distribution had changed before I hit 3 months and before I was even put on a full dose. According to my endo with her clients my results happening so fast was a new experience for her. Then again so were my emotional problems and the strange reaction to injections in my thighs lol. I put that poor doctor through hell.

Thanks guys
Cowboi: I've never heard of anyone being able to do shots in their bicep, sounds like it would be easier and probably more comfortable. I have a friend or two that would probably let me and since i'm terrified of needles awkwardly enough my mother and my friend offered to help me with my shots in my thigh if I am able and cannot make myself do it the first few times. I know I've seen some guys who can easily have changed their first few shots while some of my friends are almost a year on T with fewer results so I think you're right that it has to do with the person.

Recommended that any shot with more than .5 ml of solution use a larger muscle than the bicep such as thigh or butt.

I do weekly IM injections of testosterone cypionate, injected into the thigh.  I do know one guy who has a friend do his in the arm, but he's a really big guy.  His arms are probably as big as my thighs, which I'm sure makes a difference.

I did go through a brief period of needle phobia, and there were a couple things that helped me get over it.  First of all, I realized that my fear was partially grounded in worry about hitting a blood vessel or damaging a nerve, so I took some time to study diagrams of the anatomy of the human leg.  I also take a moment before the injection to explore the contours of my thigh muscle, so that I make sure I am injecting into the large part of the muscle, and not slipping between the bands of muscle.  (I have slightly misshapen legs, which makes the usual dividing lines inaccurate for me.  I've injected between the muscle bands, and I can tell you it hurts.)

The other thing I did that made a huge difference, was to insist on the 2-needle method, rather than the one needle method that my doctor initially prescribed.  I.E., he initially had me both drawing the T and injecting it with a 1 1/2" 22g needle.  Now I draw the T with an 18 or 20g needle, and inject it with a 1" 25g needle.  I know of some people who have gone as small as 27g.  Although, interestingly enough, the smaller needle is actually a little more painful, it's so much less psychologically intimidating that I found it much easier to overcome any trepidation.

Strangely enough, these days I actually look forward to giving myself a shot.  There's something very satisfying about "manning up" and doing it. (Pun intended.  :D )

Been on Sustanon 250 for about five years now which i have injected once every three weeks. Im now changing to Nebido in hopes to level out the ups and downs i've been experiecing since having a hysto.

edit: Thought i'd mention.. that i was told that Sustanon works out at roughly £2.50 an injection where-as Nebido comes in at a considerably heftier £76 per injection!! Crazy stuff!

Daily gel.


Jay

Yeah my shots are only .5ml so that may be why my endo agreed to it. Basically she said it doesn't really matter WHERE you do it so long as it is into muscle, but the amount would obviously come into play first so definitely talk to your doctor before you try anything different from the usual (backside and thighs).

My doctor told me strictly never to inject into the thigh. I actually have no idea why. I alternate arse cheeks :)

Quote from: sneakersjay on August 07, 2010, 11:02:40 AM
Daily gel.

How is that working for you Jay? It had been one of the things I was considering talking to my doctor about instead once I get the go ahead to start T