First self-shot today and treament question

[vmons01]

After 5 months of going to the doc every week for shots I decided to try it myself. Using a 23-guage needle into my glute I didn't even feel a pinch. Crap, it was way easier and a lot less painful doing it myself. Honestly didn't feel a thing.

Total Test started at 195 when I started treatment 5.5 months ago.

- Doc started my treatment off at 100 mg/week Test Cyp (to keep from shocking body and aromatizing).
- After 1st 4 weeks, TT went to 630 and E2 at 20. Doc increased dosage to 120 mg Test Cyp per week
- After next 3 months, my TT still at 630 and my E2 creeped up to 59. Doc increased my Test Cyp to 130 mg/week and had me take 1/2 mg Arim twice a week.
- After next 6 weeks, TT is at 622 and E2 is down to 9.3, doc increased Test Cyp to 140 mg/week and wants me to cut Arim dosage in half to 1/4 mg twice a week to level off the aromatization with the expectation that I'd be off the Arim totaly in a couple of months.

1st Question - Does this regimen sound normal? Why is my TT remaining stable with increasing Test dosages?
2nd Question - This is dumb, but when you give yourself an injection, how do you store the bottle of Test you just pocked? The little cap it came with doesn't really go back on??

[steroid.com 1]

Congrats on self injecting; now you see how easy it is!

I like you Doc by the way; this one gets it

1st Question - Does this regimen sound normal? Why is my TT remaining stable with increasing Test dosages?
A: Yes, it's a normal and practical protocol, as noted, your Doc gets it. TT is stable because it's how you body is metabolizing and responded to the testosterone. There really isn't a one for one relationship between dosage and serum levels...we're all different in that regard.

2nd Question - This is dumb, but when you give yourself an injection, how do you store the bottle of Test you just pocked? The little cap it came with doesn't really go back on??
A: Just put it in your drug cabinet. Make sure to use alcohol in the top of the vial before you insert the needle.

[Trific]

"2nd Question - This is dumb, but when you give yourself an injection, how do you store the bottle of Test you just pocked? The little cap it came with doesn't really go back on?? "

It sounds to me like maybe you took off all of the metal holding the rubber onto the vial...one is suppose to only take the center of the metal off, so that you can poke the needle through the rubber to retrieve the test.
If I have that correct, if you think you can keep the remaining test sterile you might see if you can buy an empty sterile vial to transfer it to. Possibly from a pharmacy or I think the site sponsor ar-r has them.

[Trific]

Here's a video showing how to withdraw medication from a vial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y7RF4xctnE

[kelkel]

Agree with GD, your doc basically understands things. That's refreshing! Hang around here and read some of the horror stories and you'll agree.

You should consider a different pin for injections. 23 ga is a harpoon. Look into at least 25 ga and use the 23's to load with. Over the years you'll be poking a lot of holes so minimize the damage to the muscle. Also learn to rotate sites. Take a look at spotinjections . com for instructional videos.

When it comes to getting off of adex changing your protocol to twice per week injections would be a big benefit. Meaning splitting your dosage in half and injection every 3.5 days or so. Less injected = less spike in E2. Run it by your doctor as well. It takes time to get dialed in. Hang in there!

Just saw it's your first post. Welcome to the site!

Kel

[HRTstudent]

Sounds like your doc knows what he is doing from the very limited info you gave us.

But yikes at 23g lol... I wouldn't want to stick that sumbitch in my quad! Damnit! lol

I did 25's in the glute, but 29g in the quad and delt were easier and just as good. My favorite was delts because its painless and really easy to get at. I would definitely recommend rotating sites to avoid the chance of scar tissue.

[harley121]

Can someone guide me as to how to do an IM on my own into my glute? I have been doing IM injections for a year- quads, delts, etc. No prob, aspirating, etc. I am just having a difficult time w/ the full jab, aspirating w/ out moving the needle too much to cause unnecessary damage at the inj. site, With a glute injection, I like to put the foot on the side Im getting injected on if someone does it for me in the glute up on a step just to make sure to relieve any and all tensing, etc. Is there a video or pictures/ tips. As mentioned, Im great w/ any type of injection, how to do it, etc. Just actually doing it successfully, with coordination, etc. in either one of my glutes solo is not working for me

[kelkel]

Harley look at spot injections . com

kel

[ctenosaura]

You should consider a different pin for injections. 23 ga is a harpoon.
Kel

Geez! My doctor prescribed 23G x 1 syringes. So far no pain, but when I reorder I'll get 25 gauge. It takes forever for the t-cyp to pull into the syringe with a 23. Is it harder with 25g?

[steroid.com 1]

I inject with a 29g...absolutely painless!

[Black]

I inject with a 29g...absolutely painless!

What length on needle on that 29g? I'm guessing 1/2" slin?

I'm just wondering because I remember reading awhile ago about people doing IM and/or subq test injections with insulin syringes.