So hip hip hurray--had my very first estrogen injection yesterday. Went back to the doctor's office to have one of the nurses show me how to do it myself in the future. But surprise! She gave me the shot in my arm--when I told her I thought estradiol valerate (i.e. injected estrogen) was only done in butt or thigh, she said my arms muscles were big enough. Lucky me...
Anyway, I've had no problem since the shot and have in fact felt fantastic--most likely psychosomatic. But hey I'll take it!
But my question for the assembled masses is this: is it OK to do the shots in the arm? All the websites say butt or thigh, but don't say why. Thanks!
Hi Dianai, welcome to Susan's. HRT shots can be done in any muscle. I look forward to seeing you around the site. Good luck and Hugs
Mariah
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Welcome to the forum Diana.
I imagine it should be OK - I used to have my injections in the backside so I don't know any different. If you are really concerned you should talk with the doctor so there are clearer instructions for the nurse. If she is doing it wrong she needs to know.
Congrats on starting HRT!
It should be ok but I would check with the doctor.
Congratulations on HRT and welcome to Susan's place.
When I inject I feel it 12 to 18 hours later and it keeps getting better for a day then feels great for 4 more days then I start to feel the E going down.
Thank you all for the speedy replies. This place is great :). It's been about 48 hours since the injection and I've noticed "waves" of feeling peaceful and locked in with the world around me...quite probably psychosomatic, but wonderful all the same. There's a long road ahead for sure-- just so very glad to finally be on it with a certain destination in mind!
Just wanted to close the loop on this discussion topic. I had absolutely zero negative effects from having the estrogen injected into my arm. But I do have an interesting observation, based on contrasting how I felt a couple days after the arm injection vs. a couple days after my second injection, which was into the large muscle in my upper thigh.
After the first injection, I had some pretty amazing waves of happiness, almost giddy really for about 3-4 days. That quickly flattened out and by day 12, I didn't feel anything. In fact, I was actually down (of course no way to tell for sure whether that was linked to the medication or all the other stuff in my life).
After the second injection, the rather dramatic "ups" didn't happen. Instead there's been a more steady and somehow deeper feeling of calmness and being just "right".
I am not a doctor and cannot clearly discern why there's been a difference. But I suspect it has to do with location of the shots. Perhaps the shot in the arm moved through my system much faster--probably too fast actually--than the shot in my upper thigh. All I know for sure is that since starting HRT, it feels like a hundred pounds has been lifted off my shoulders :)
I've getting my shots in the arm for 18 months now with no adverse effects. The arm should be fine :)
Congrats!
Intramuscular injections can be done on the arm(deltoid), ventrogluteal(near hip & trochanter), vastus lateralis(thigh), and dorsogluteal(butt). It's not uncommon for them to use or rotate different sites depending on your muscle size or body frame :)
One more congratulations. I alternate my butt cheeks - I also perform the injections myself. I do use the thigh from time when I feel lazy.
I just started with injections one week ago. And injections are sooooo much better than patches, gel or pills.
But which is the best place to self inject regarding pain and complications? My doc do not wanted to subscribe injections to me because she said it is too painful. I did not felt pain during the first two injections in my upper outside butt.
I've been injecting every 5 days into my buttocks for more than one year. No pain. No problems. :) Injected into arm, I read that effects are faster and fade quicker as well, so makes sense.