I've been giving myself T shots weekly for the past 2 months and this has never happened.  I just finished my shot and a lot of blood started running out of the injection site.  I pulled back to make sure there wasn't any blood, there wasn't. Why would that happen?  Now I'm freaking out that I didn't pull back far enough and that I actually injected it into a vein...

I've had that happen once, try not to panic even as the blood pours... (I know this isn't helping)

apply pressure to the injection site with anything more or less clean (toilet paper works in a pinch, a gauze pad better)

because nothing happened after pulling back a little on the plunger, its not likely a vein/artery was punctured but watching mood the next day is my suggestion (just in case)

It sounds like you injected properly. Perhaps you might have gone through a vein and not necessarily injected into it. (Just a guess, I haven't done any injections myself so I have no experience to go on)

I had that happen once as well.  Like Osiris said, you may have gone through a vein, or just nicked an artery, or hit a capillary.  Unless the blood was squirting out in copious amounts I wouldn't worry too much, especilly since you did aspirate.

Correct,  You inserted thru a vein most likely on the way in.  It happens, best to eyeball the location and try to avoid that area.  Back when I injected that would happen about every 6-10 time.

Beni

Now you've made me nervous.   

This is a typical non-serious, non-problematic (other than a bit of blood) mistake made by rookies and the occasional veteran who rushes their shot.  You will not die, the T will still work.  Next time, eyeball your site.

Wow. My first impression unless there really was a lot of blood, is you may have hit a capillary that's a bit less teeny than most, near the surface?

I get varying amounts of blood but always tiny amounts. And I'm using #22 needles to inject. I guess I should not be surprised if this happens to me sometime just deal with it.

I use 23g.  Occasionally i get a single drop of blood.  I've probably injected through a vein once in the past year.

Does it feel any different when it goes through a vein?

Your piercing skin its going to bleed a bit..

It happens with most injections..

Jay

Hi
I bleed and inject people daily. Don't panic. It sounds as if you may have just nicked a capillary or vein. As a rule of thumb, use the smallest gauge needle you can to inject, and the largest you can too bleed.

For injecting something like T or E which are very fluid, I would use a 26-24 max. I had a flu shot with a 28g, I think a 23g is getting a bit big for i.m. purely my opinion, it hurts too much for me. I take blood from people with a 23g at a push, usually use a 20g. BTW the smaller the number the bigger the bore of the needle. Hence a 16g is used to take a blood transfusion (500ml) and a 20g for a blood sample (10ml).

If you do bleed post injection, take a cotten or gauze swab, place it in the area and apply firm pressure for a few to several minutes. If you develop bruising aleo vera ointment seems to help. If you develop a hematoma; basically a blood blister under the skin, don't panic. Aloe Vera again can help. Don't inject through it as you will bleed and it can be painfull. They tend to look worse than they feel.
You are unlikely to inject into an artery, they tend to be deeper than veins, at least in the limbs. If you do they may spurt! Again apply pressure and sit quietly, if concerned and the bleeding doesn't stop call an ambulance. This would be an incredibly rare event from an injection. However if you are doing a DIY type of project and slip with a power tool you may get, or see someone get into this situation. TIGHT torniquet and medical help ASAP. Loss of a lot of blood is very serious, but a little loss isn't. Generally, if in good health, you should only have an arterial bleed following a trauma. Car crash, shooting, child birth (rarely now I think, but it may be management), or other major accidents. (pun intended)

THESE ARE MY OPINION AND MY OPINION ONLY, THEY ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN IN ANY WAY AS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM ANY PROCEDURE.


Just my opinions
Cindy

Cindy, Testosterone is not very fluid.  It's very thick for an injection.

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Post Merge: September 03, 2009, 09:24:03 AM

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Quote from: Alex_C on September 03, 2009, 02:37:53 AM
Does it feel any different when it goes through a vein?

It stings or burns a bit more when sticking the needle through a vein- kind of like the sting from a papercut.  Nothing unbearable and it's typically back to normal a few minutes after injecting. 

Thanks Diabeetus. I swear, I'm gonna write "diabeetus" every time I have to write diabetes in my EMT and future paramedic training lol.

Yah Strohecker's sent me needles with #18's on 'em for drawing and #22's for injecting, I'm gonna ask for like #24's for injecting next order.

Quote from: Mister on September 03, 2009, 09:22:55 AM
Cindy, Testosterone is not very fluid.  It's very thick for an injection.

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Post Merge: September 03, 2009, 09:24:03 AM

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Thanks Mister! It is one I haven't injected But I hope some of the points are helpful to someone. At least put peoples mind at ease.

BTW if anyone is getting upset with the pain of sticking a needle in, try rubbing a bit of teething gel on the skin first. Kills the sting of the needle going in

Love
Cindy

like some already said, you went *through* a vein but injected to a muscle still, this is why if you pulled back properly you didn't see a blood but until after you removed the needle from yourself as the vein you went through was blocked bleeding by the needle.

Quote from: Myself on September 04, 2009, 03:50:43 AM
like some already said, you went *through* a vein but injected to a muscle still, this is why if you pulled back properly you didn't see a blood but until after you removed the needle from yourself as the vein you went through was blocked bleeding by the needle.

Pulling back or 'flagging' was declared as unnecessary years ago by the World Health Org. 

And Mister that makes me wonder ..... if pulling back isn't necessary.... when how's this supposed to work? Are you just supposed to know if you are accidentally shooting into a vein and then stop? Or does it just not happen in the proper injection sites?

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Post Merge: September 06, 2009, 01:50:30 PM

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OK so I just did my shot now, I seem to be over the sweating and shaky hands stage, the last two have been matter-of-fact, so this time I did the draw back and got an air bubble!?!? Maybe I'll just draw back GENTLY if I feel the need to do so, my theory is that the air got in where the needle screw into the syringe, lol. It's probably not necessary, a flu etc shot is an IM in the deltoid, they just poke it in and go, no draw back that I know of - I guess the pt. jumps if something crucial gets hit.