I've been sitting here for half an hour trying to work up the nerve to jab myself in the leg with a monster needle.  I've done it several times before.  I don't know why I'm having so much trouble this time.  I'm going to take a break, get some sleep, and try when I'm fresh this afternoon.  If that doesn't work, I may try begging some smaller needles from the pharmacy and see if that helps. 

What size needles are you guys using?  I was given 22 gauge 1.5in needles. (So the package says.  They look bigger to me.)   My mind just does not want to accept that something that big doesn't really hurt, even though I know it doesn't. *sigh*

Ah, the human preservation instinct is funny isn't it?
Can't say I'm looking forward to having that same problem, but I do expect it.

The difficulty with shots is that most of the tinctures are rather thick due to agents like the oil used to suspend the hormones.

And a too small needle will mean that you spend an inordinate amount of time with the needle in the injection site in order to inject the entire dosage.

Nothing like injectible hormones though, for my money, and nothing like them for "helping" one get past his or her fear of punctures. LOL!! I feel for ya, Jamie.

In two years you'll laugh at this post.

N~

I bounce the needle up and down directly over the injection site.

1...

2...

and puncture on 3.

I do this about 10 times before I can work up the courage to actually commit on 3. 

I use 23G to inject.
Myles

QuoteI was given 22 gauge 1.5in needles

same.

instead of trying to stab it into your leg like  a dart, try putting the tip of the needle on your thigh and slowly pressing harder until it breaks the skin.

22 guage 1 1/2" long. I just press it to my skin...get the angle right and close my eyes and hold my breath and just push the sucker in.

I hate doing it too.

Ouch, Jamie. I think I'm coming up on month 11 altogether of T shots, and I still can't get used to them. Just did the most recent one about half an hour ago, actually. I usually prepare the shot, then take a shower, then do it directly after drying off... thanks to other guys for helping me find this method. But I always find myself sitting with the syringe in hand for a minute or two prior to the actual shot, terrified... then jab the thing in. I hate shots with a passion, but I keep reminding myself what will happen if I don't do them. That's typically sufficient motivation to go through with it.

My needles are 1 inch, 25 gauge. They're probably too short considering how thick and muscular my thighs are, but I don't care... the 1 1/2 inch ones give me the willies. I've been using the z-tracking method since Mister suggested it, and it's curbed the majority of fluid leakage I had been experiencing with the smaller needles. I can't imagine using a 22 gauge... I use an 18 for drawing the stuff in and it looks like a medieval torture device. You might check with you doctor on perhaps switching to a smaller gauge and/or needle length; I started off with 1 1/2 inch needles, and just the switch to the 1 inch eased my anxiety tremendously. As per the gauge, it's a tad tough to push the plunger in on the syringe due to the viscosity of the T, but I've never had a big enough problem to cause me to go to a larger gauge.

SD

i am currently off of T because of this problem. >_<  i wish i could help, but all i can say is that i DEFINITELY know how you feel!

I'm using 27 gauge 1/2 inch needles.. I'm doing subcutaneous injections, idk why but that's what my doctor wanted me to do. Maybe some of you guys who don't like using big needles could ask about that?

You guys have all scared the sh*t out of me now. I'm due to be starting T in about 7-8wk. It's possible i'll be running down to the GP everytime it's due, begging her to do it for me lol

Me and needles... we dont get on.

Chamillion - How often do you do your injections?  Is it the same week to 2 weeks as for IM?

JonJon - Really the injections don't hurt.  It's just the psychological reaction to the idea of sticking the needle in your leg (or bum) that is hard to get past.  As Miniar said, it's the self-preservation instinct that makes it hard.  The first time I did it, I was so surprised at the absence of pain, that for a second my brain wouldn't accept that the needle was actually in my leg, and without thinking I gave it a little wiggle to see if it really was.    Now that hurt. 

I went down to the pharmacy, and though they said they would have to contact my doctor before they could give me a new set of needles, they were kind enough to give me one 23 gauge 1" needle so I could get this week's shot out of the way.  So, I'm finally back on the program. 

Does anyone know off hand if it would do me any harm to go back to my regular schedule next week, even though I did my shot a day late this week?  It's so much easier to remember "Tuesday T-day". 

Quote from: Chamillion on May 21, 2009, 03:44:22 AM
I'm using 27 gauge 1/2 inch needles.. I'm doing subcutaneous injections, idk why but that's what my doctor wanted me to do. Maybe some of you guys who don't like using big needles could ask about that?

K, that is getting too big. 27 guage? Are you seeing a Vet? That is like a tranquilizer horse dart.

Quote from: Lori on May 21, 2009, 04:47:36 AM
K, that is getting too big. 27 guage? Are you seeing a Vet? That is like a tranquilizer horse dart.

I thought the larger the number the smaller the gauge? 

Quote from: Jamie-o on May 21, 2009, 04:50:17 AM
I thought the larger the number the smaller the gauge? 

Correct. Large number, small needle. My 14g vertical labret confirms this .

Quote from: jonjon on May 21, 2009, 04:27:55 AM
You guys have all scared the sh*t out of me now. I'm due to be starting T in about 7-8wk. It's possible i'll be running down to the GP everytime it's due, begging her to do it for me lol

Me and needles... we dont get on.

Not everyone's got an issue with it, jonjon.  The first one took me about ten minutes, now it's just a routine, painless thing I do after my wednesday am showers. *shrug*

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Post Merge: May 21, 2009, 09:51:12 AM

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Quote
Does anyone know off hand if it would do me any harm to go back to my regular schedule next week, even though I did my shot a day late this week?  It's so much easier to remember "Tuesday T-day". 

no problem.  just don't make a habit of doing shots every 6 days rather than 7 or you'll run out of t before you can get a refill.

Quote from: Jamie-o on May 21, 2009, 04:42:10 AM
Chamillion - How often do you do your injections?  Is it the same week to 2 weeks as for IM?

Yup, I do mine weekly.

Lori - my needles are tiny! 27 gauge is actually smaller

I could never inject myself. Its not that it hurts because it doesn't one bit it was the whole stabbing myself. This is a small reason why I am on the Gel as I couldn't do it. Fine when someone does it for me I just couldn't bring myself to do it. *sigh*

Its mind over matter.

Trouble is my mind won.

Jay

QuoteI've been using the z-tracking method since Mister suggested it, and it's curbed the majority of fluid leakage I had been experiencing with the smaller needles.

Sweet!  Glad it's working out for you

I hate needles too...here's my tips to lessen or eliminate any potential pain.

1.  Make sure the alcohol you wiped your injection area with has completely dried before injecting (don't blow on it..it defeats the purpose of wiping it down).  Residual wet alcohol can cause the injection to sting.

2.  Make sure the muscle you are injecting is relaxed.  Tense muscles will cause pain and can squeeze serum back out.

3.  Don't force yourself to inject..you'll tense up.  There's no shame in hesitating, it's an unnatural act.  I've waited as long as 5 minutes before gathering the courage.

4.  Do something that relaxes you before or during your injection.  I like to listen to a favorite calming song.  You may prefer thrash metal, dunno.

5.  Remind yourself that the injections are virtually painless.  Of course we already know that but sometimes saying it out loud can help reinforce the fact.

6.  Smaller needles create less anxiety about the injection even though the pain is more about being tense than needle size.  Ask your doctor what the smallest size needle you can use is and request that.  Doctors sometimes forget the 'anxiety' factor of self injection so they prescribe standard sizes. 

Hope this helps and sorry about invading your man space here on the FtM side