For the last 9 weeks I have been administering with subcutaneous estradiol valerate injections, there is always a little lump under the skin until the liquid absorbs. At first it only took about a week or so before I couldn't feel a lump anymore but now it takes upwards of two weeks for the lump to subside. I always switch the side I inject on week to week and my doctor told me to wait for my blood test in a few weeks to see how my levels look before making any changes. Has anyone experienced these prolonged lumps after sub-q injections?
I'm also wondering if it could be some temporary hardening of the tissue in the region after absorption? A week old injection definitely feels different than a fresh one. I can feel the liquid beneath the skin moving if it's new and after a few days it just starts to feel as if it is settled and the tissue beneath the skin feels sort of tough afterwards.is there anything I can do to help it absorb?
A subcutaneous injection should not measure over 1 milliliter. Deep intramuscular injections can go as high as 5 milliliters. Injection sites should be rotated to avoid scar tissue buildup. You should rotate between arms and thighs, right and left and try not to hit the same spot in a couple of months.
I generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.
I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.
Quote from: Dani on August 16, 2017, 08:42:26 PMI generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.
I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.
I agree. This is one of the reasons I never injected estradiol valerate subcutaneously, always intramuscularly. Never had such issues unless, by mistake (i.e. inexperienced nurse), it wasn't injected deep enough.
I've had those bumps from the start (5 months hrt). I just figured it was how it was supposed to be. I just had my blood tests and my levels are on target. The bumps haven't negatively affected me besides looking bumping and bruising in the area.
Quote from: Dani on August 16, 2017, 08:42:26 PM
A subcutaneous injection should not measure over 1 milliliter. Deep intramuscular injections can go as high as 5 milliliters. Injection sites should be rotated to avoid scar tissue buildup. You should rotate between arms and thighs, right and left and try not to hit the same spot in a couple of months.
I generally do not recommend subcutaneous injections for a thick, viscous liquid, regardless of the volume, for the exact reasons you mentioned, a thick lump staying under the skin for a week or two.
I think what you are experiencing is to be expected. I suggest learning to inject deep intramuscular for your estradiol valerate.
I inject less than .5 ml at a time. This sub-q route was prescribed by my doctor, I couldn't do IM if I wanted to with the length/gauge of needle I have. I haven't been told to switch spots that often, just week to week and I was only instructed to inject in my abdomen but I'll ask about other locations but I was warned against sub-q in the thighs because of the wealth of blood vessels.
I've been doing sub-q for over a year, also under .5ml. I do get the lumps but they go down to nothing after 5-6 days. I change my injection location switching left and right every week. I rather like the method, it's painless and easy and my levels always come back at the 600 mark.