Anyone doing their own "T" injectons?
 

Been on testosterone therapy for a few months and got tired of going to the Dr for injections, being declined for the patch, dealing with messy creams, etc. I decided to start doing my own injections.

I inject on the upper/outer thigh. First few injections were great, no pain, just had to deal with shoving a big-a$$ needle into my leg.

However, the last few times I have hit veins and I'm only averaging a 25% success rate at a first try injection. Now I am freaked a bit. Hurts like a mofo hitting a vein and a big mess to boot.

Anyone else self-injecting? I've read up, watch videos, etc and cannot figure out why it's so hit and miss.

This sucks....

Oh, and to ward off the smart-a$$ replies, Mr. Winky is just fine and is not the reason I started :--)

Do you believe you're hitting a vein because you are aspirating blood into the syringe before injecting or because you're bleeding when you've removed the needle?

I'm not sure you should be shooting up the juice...prolly get some chest size and a squared off jaw line, a compulsion to wear white tank tops and loose your temper. Seriously though. I really don't think self injection is the way to go here....I could be wrong.

I get the same results (with much less pain) by posting on the DOG, CHEST, BUTT, and MUSIC threads!

:)

I can feel the needle hit it, then quite a bit of blood comes out. I don't get as far as injecting.

By the way, this is all under Dr prescription. Lots of guys self-inject. This is not steroids

Yeah, me too, well, the chest and butt threads :)

Wow Baz, You are a man of varied interests. Hmmm?

Cheers Rich

What size syringe and what gauge/ length needle are you using?

3ml, 22G, 1.5" Looks bigger, though :--)

To be perfectly honest I think that you are a freakin nutcase. Leave the injections to doctors and nurses!:eek:

A 22gauge for an IM injection seems awfully large. I can see why it hurts. You don't need to go very deep butI did not see any instructions regarding the depth of injection. Being in the muscle was all that was listed.
Ironic that the first google hit for injecting testosterone was the Live Strong website of the most famous injector. Lance Armstrong

If you can't aspirate blood, the tip of the needle is unlikely to be in a blood vessel.

I think you are endangering yourself. Either seek proper medical training in how to do the injections, or go with the 'messy' creams.

I did seek the proper training from the nurse, and backed it up with online stuff. Believe me, nurses have stuck be worse than I've stuck myself, just not as often :)

I've been giving my daughter insulin injections, albeit not intramuscular and not as deep.

My 10 year old daughter has gladly offered to assist me!! Yikes...

does this shot go into muscle or fat?

my coworker stabs himself with insulin all the time. doesnt look that difficult. is this different?

DIYing this..how does the doc control your dosage? cant you add a few to boost levels, and kick ass at the gym?

Vash, you crack me up...always thinking outside the box :)

Insulin needles are a tiny guage and 5/8" long or so and go into the fat. I think I could put two insulin needles inside mine and I have to go in at least an inch. It's actually a trip to do. Slight resistance as the needle goes thru the skin, thru the buttery fat and into the muscle. Im on a fixed dose per week and get blood checked.

I'm on TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy). I inject, too, because the creams are a real pain. Those who have not been down this road won't understand this, of course.

Now, to help you out: Your needle is too big. I suppose 22 gauge was recommended by your doc because that's what they use in the office. The folks at your family doctors office have been trained to give injections quickly. When you do them on yourself you can slow down and use a smaller needle.

Try going with 23 or even 25 gauge. 1.5" is good.

Check out this website:

http://www.spotinjections.com

Find a place you can inject comfortably. Everyone is different.

If you have questions about TRT treatment in general, PM me and I can send you a link to a very helpful forum.

Best regards,
M

Thanks Techno. I think I'll look into the smaller gauge needles. Like I said, the first few times were event-less. Just recently I've been having issues. Maybe I'll do a sanity check with the nurse. Appreciate your offer.

thanks!!

i get it now. the fluid is more viscous than insulin i guess, right? ouch.

i would faint..hehe.

Sure it is.

Why? I was diagnosed with really low levels. I'm not trying to turn into the Hulk

With 7 posts and a quote, I'm guessing he's a spammer....

It's one injection about every two weeks, right? Seems like a lot of trouble to do it at home, dealing with all the stuff needed. Might actually be less trouble to go in and let the nurses do it, and also that way the lab can check your testosterone level so the doctor can figure out your ideal dosage. At this point they're just guessing what your ideal dosage is.

Yes, it's an IM injection. My doctor gave me the choice of letting them do it, or doing it myself at home. I let them do it. I just wish the nurse was like that cute nurse from MASH...

_

Wouldn't that jell they advertise on TV be a lot better? Don't remember the same, but it's where the older guys are carrying around letters & numbers. At least it's topical.

I self inject monthly. I use my quads as the injection site but don't really know if there is a contraindication for that...just easier than reaching around. I'm on it for osteoporosis among other things. I broke a lumbar vertebra last year due to that...not fun at all.

The creams can transfer to your loved ones if they touch the area that you applied it to. Not good for the wife and kids. Some times the patches can cause irritation and redness.

I inject in the upper buttocks, it takes a few times getting used to turning around and stabbing yourself there but much better than the thigh as far as discomfort of any kind. Once a week and alternate sides. Have never had an issue.

If you are diagnosed with low T and go the route of Hormone Replacement therapy as long as you are monitored on your levels regularly you will see a huge improvement in your attitude, mental acuity and physical well being and even the love life...

Thanks Slider. Yep, mood and attitude were main drivers behind me getting checked.

I can actually feel myself sliding back into the hole if I miss an injection.

Anyway, did one on the upper thigh last night. Went perfect.

You mean on top? Quads. That's what I do but for some reason my Doc said to use the glute. They also never gave me an option for monthly inj's but did say it might not last a month and the level would drop off suddenly. I would not mind 2x per month but dunno if the dose would be just half or maybe a different formulation. Gotta check on that.

I'm doing 1ml per week. Every too weeks caused a dropoff..

Yeah, top/side of the thigh. Basically grab the leg with my thumb and index/middle fingers with my thumb pointing across at my package.

Get your daughter a tranquilizer gun for Christmas. She can have fun hunting you down to give you your shot. Just a thought...

I have a couple friends that inject themselves. They both have seen great improvements in mental acuity and energy. Hope it works as well for you.

That's the way I do it too but not sure of the concentration of my stuff...better check that. You can feel the drop off ?

yup, cuz all Docs are know whats best :eek:

Did he tell you you have low T levels? And this was his solution?

BTW - Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group - its a steroid or should I say 'The Steroid".

Yes, was tested and had really low levels, I believe I was 120-140 or so.

Yeah, I misspoke about it not being steroids.

Yes...it is a steroid, but any steroid can be 'tweaked' by a pharm chemist to make them into the mega chemicals that some athletes abuse. Testosterone is a natural body product quite unlike the ones Bubba uses.

It's funny how if somebody says they are taking thyroid hormone all is good, but if you have low Test we get all kinds of judgements. "I'm not sure you should be doing that"....

Yes it's a steroid :eek: Mine is low because I had chemotherapy as a teenager. Any questions?

I have been for about 3 years.
if you have any personal Questions you want to ask just pm or email me
I doubt there is anything you could ask that I can't answer

You are quite right. The word 'steroid' has become synonymous with the hyper-anabolic steroids that some athletes abuse. For that matter all natural hormones with the possible exception of insulin, are technically steroids..which was part of your point I think. They are all derivatives of the cholesterol molecule.