My new doc switched me over to testosterone cypionate, and although it has really made me feel better, I get a reaction when I inject it. That was why I switched to patches a few years ago. Within seconds of the injection, my trachea starts to tickle and it feels like the early stages of an asthma attack. I really don't want to give up the injections. I wondered if anyone who uses injectable T uses another form. This one doesn't mention the carrier, but its thick and I'm sure there is one. I don't want doses, just some names of different kinds of T others are taking to bring up with my Dr.

sam1234

Hey Sam,

I am on the same thing you are. It's suspended in some kind of oil - the internet lists it as cottonseed oil, though I am not sure if this is the same across all brands (name brand vs. generic) or if it varies.

I believe there's also a much less prescribed testosterone enanthate. I am not sure how exactly it is different, but it is a separate thing from cypionate.

sam,

Sometimes people are allergic to the oil the T is suspended in.  It could be suspended in cottonseed or sesame seed.  I started with the cotton seed and was itchy everyone all over my body.  I changed to sesame seed to see if there was a difference (there wasn't for me, but there may be for you!)

I now take an over the counter antihistamine so combat the itchiness, which is fine.  I wonder if you took an antihistamine before the shot (or for a couple of days prior to it), you would be ok.  At first I had to take it every day, now it is only a couple of times a week.

It has something to do wit possible nicking and injecting into a vein. Cant remember the name of it but its common among bodybuilders who use testosterone derivates as well. Nothing drastic or life threatening. Just make sure you're shooting deep enough. If possible, see if your doctor can switch you over to Enanthate. Highly doubt it though as I don't believe it is a U.S. product (unless you aren't in the US). There is a bunch of other esthered testosterone out there, but whether or not your doctor prescribes it to you is going to be a case of availability and how often you are ok with pinning

Jeez, Sam, it's always something, isn't it?

You should definitely check in with your doc about this. It does sound like an allergic reaction to the carrier (either cottonseed or sesame oil), and it should be easy for your doc to switch you to the other one. Cypionate can be suspended in either -- it just depends on the manufacturer.

It's not something you should try to manage with antihistamines -- over time, with repeated exposure, people can become sensitized and potentially go into anaphylactic shock. Not a fun date.

But my understanding is that it's practically unheard-of for someone to be allergic to both oils, so the switch is a simple one. Ya don't gotta start over. 

If you go to a compounding pharmacy and explain your reaction, they can make the oil be one that you don't react to.

INAD but it sounds like an allergic reaction to the oil it's suspended in.  You can try T that uses a different suspension oil to see if that makes a difference. 

Thanks all. When I started with injections long ago, the carrier was sesame oil. I discussed this with my new doc and he said he would try to find one without a carrier. I don't see one listed, but that doesn't always mean its not there.

Anaphylaxis is the thing that worries me the most. The first time around, I let it go for a long time because I was scared of losing my T. My doc is fairly young, but works with most of the trans community where I live, so he has a pretty good handle on it and is willing to work with his patients.

I still had a vial of benadryl my Dr. from years ago prescribed just in case, and when I felt the reaction starting, i injected a dose of that and the reaction was under control in minutes. I agree with Tysilio that using the benadryl and staying with what I have is probably not a good idea. Having had a full blown anaphylactic reaction to an antibiotic once in the hospital, I know that seconds count, and its not worth the risk when there might be other options. I do like the injections though. With the patches, they would sometimes fold depending on my position, so the absorption was not reliable.

TransSasha, I use a 1 1/2 inch needle and always pull back before injecting, so I know I'm not in a vessel. Muscle tissue is highly vascular though, so its hard not to go near a vessel and you wouldn't know you had if no blood came back when you pulled back on the syringe.

Guess I'll call my doc and see about trying another carrier or type of testosterone. I know its not the T causing the problem since the patches never caused a problem.

sam1234

Quote from: sam1234 on April 13, 2015, 12:36:36 AM
Thanks all. When I started with injections long ago, the carrier was sesame oil. I discussed this with my new doc and he said he would try to find one without a carrier. I don't see one listed, but that doesn't always mean its not there.

Anaphylaxis is the thing that worries me the most. The first time around, I let it go for a long time because I was scared of losing my T. My doc is fairly young, but works with most of the trans community where I live, so he has a pretty good handle on it and is willing to work with his patients.

I still had a vial of benadryl my Dr. from years ago prescribed just in case, and when I felt the reaction starting, i injected a dose of that and the reaction was under control in minutes. I agree with Tysilio that using the benadryl and staying with what I have is probably not a good idea. Having had a full blown anaphylactic reaction to an antibiotic once in the hospital, I know that seconds count, and its not worth the risk when there might be other options. I do like the injections though. With the patches, they would sometimes fold depending on my position, so the absorption was not reliable.

TransSasha, I use a 1 1/2 inch needle and always pull back before injecting, so I know I'm not in a vessel. Muscle tissue is highly vascular though, so its hard not to go near a vessel and you wouldn't know you had if no blood came back when you pulled back on the syringe.

Guess I'll call my doc and see about trying another carrier or type of testosterone. I know its not the T causing the problem since the patches never caused a problem.

sam1234

hmm could you possibly go more into detail about how it feels when its occurring? and yeah I absolutely hate estro patches. I remember those things creating creases, collecting like a ring of dirt around the edge when it was time to take them off  pinning in general is alot easier once you get over the initial fear. you almost wonder why you were scared to begin with

I also take cypo depo injections. Mine is in sesame seed oil which is causing me redness/swelling and itchy. However, I've been told this will initially go away after awhile....it's not that bad it can just be irritating at times :/

Definitely sounds like a reaction to the oil used for suspension.  My doctor and pharmacist both told me upon prescription to call them if there is any kind of allergic reaction so they can switch the oil.  Mine is sesame oil and I've had no problems, but they can switch to cottonseed.  Some people do better with one oil over the other.