I've been on T for about 6 months now, so I'm no stranger to injections. I used to be really good with giving myself my shot though, with it only taking me 5- 10mins. Nowadays however it takes me at least 30mins. I've been growing increasingly worried about pain related to injections, probably because I had to get new needles and I had to get 21g 1 1/2 inch ones instead, but I'd previously been using 22g 1 inch needles. It's gotten to the point where I skipped my last shot because I was honestly too scared to do it. I don't think the needles are sharp enough, so I end up having to poke myself 4 - 5 times before it finally goes in. I really have no idea what to do about this - I think the best thing I can do is ask my pharmacy to order the right needles for me, but the more pressing issues is that it's shot day today.

Does anyone have any tips or advice about how I can calm down enough to do the shot, or make it less painful?
Thanks in advance! (:

My problem with my shots is not really the pain, but other things. If I try to go quick I hesitate and my vision gets blurry. I do it slow so I'm assured it happens correctly. Push through the pain because "well, it hurts a lot now, but once it breaks the skin it stops hurting for the most part."

I can relate to this, and am still having difficulties after almost 6 years of being on T.
The best thing I have found is to have my partner do it for me. I find myself putting the injection off perhaps even a week or so - so my testosterone levels were all kinds of f*&ked for a while there which wasn't helping anything with regards to anxiety.

So when I'm feeling a little anxious about my upcoming shot, I talk to my partner and ask if she's willing to do it. She's never said no, and has had the same injecting training as I have so she is aware of what to do.
Sometimes having a backup injecter, or simply having that option alleviates my anxiety.
A tip for the pain: hold your breath when the needle goes in and count. You'll focus more on the lack of oxygen and the numbers rather than the pain.

I've replied to a couple post's about this, as I was having the same trouble a few months ago. I'm 3 years on T, first 1 1/2 years I had Dr injections, then for the next 6 months I was literally fine with just "stabbing myself". I don't know what happened, but one day, I couldn't bring myself to just jab it in. I counted, breathed, and nothing. I came on here asking for advice, and got some GREAT advice, that I'm still using to this day. If I wasn't so lazy I'd go back to the threat and find the HERO who gave it to me.

Basically he/she told me to ease it in, slowly. Which when I first read it, sounded EFFIN crazy! I really was desperate for advice, so tried it, and it worked like a charm. I've been doing this the past 6 months, and have no problems at all, anymore. I usually turn on some music (or any background noise) sit on the toilet seat, find my injection site, place the needle point where I'm going to insert, and pull the skin tight with my fingers (about an inch in width, with the needle in the middle of my fingers), and ease it in until it's actually inside my skin. Then release my fingers (so I'm not spreading the skin tight anymore), take deep breaths, and push it in, until I can't see it anymore. It still kind of messes with me watching it slowly disappear inside my leg, but it's painless.
It's definitely different for everyone, but this has really saved my T injecting life. I hope you figure out what works for you.

Guys

One I have published before is get the lotion you use on babies teeth as they are teething, it is a good little pain killer. Rub it on the injection sit and take your time.

Never jab. Sounds gross but just push,

Hope it helps

Cindy

What works for me is deep breathing.  That way, I am keeping the muscle lose.  Idea being you can't take relaxing breaths and tighten the muscle at the same time.  By keeping the muscle lose, the needle goes in much easier and there is no muscle pain afterwards.  Actually learned this technique from a rekki master.