IM 2x week and Damage to Muscle?

[Novice489]

I've read lots of statements like the one below about "muscle damage" from frequent IM injections. Does anyone have more information on the nature of this damage and the potential long term effects of frequent IM? Assume that injection sites are properly rotated and injections are done with proper technique.

"Think about it doing 1 intramuscular testosterone injection a week means your poking over 500 holes in your muscles each decade of your life" - John Crisler

"[SubQ] also avoids a life time of muscle damage." -Random Forum User

[Beethoven]

I have heard about scar tissue with repeated IM. Why don't you just do subq? It's much easier and you don't have to worry about it.

[Novice489]

I have heard about scar tissue with repeated IM. Why don't you just do subq? It's much easier and you don't have to worry about it.

Thanks for the reply Beethoven. Out of curiosity what are the negative effects of having scar tissue on the muscle?

I've tried SubQ but I tend to get red welts every 3rd injection or so. They're hot and a little tender but don't itch. Have you had any similar experiences with subq?

[hawk14dl]

Problems with scar tissue. . Could include difficult pinning, if you try to pin somewhere with scar tissue the needle won't go through. Could also (purely speculation) cause poor absorption.

I do subq. never had an issue like you've referenced. What size needle do you use and what locations do you have these problems?

[johnhenry]

I tried subq into belly fat and love handles but didn't like it much as I did get lumps from time to time and they took a while to go away (I don't have much fat) - but into the glutes is good. My wife does it - works well with no red lump issues. JH.

[Novice489]

Problems with scar tissue. . Could include difficult pinning, if you try to pin somewhere with scar tissue the needle won't go through. Could also (purely speculation) cause poor absorption.

I do subq. never had an issue like you've referenced. What size needle do you use and what locations do you have these problems?

26G 3/4" I mainly inject into the outer quads. Sometimes it goes fine sometimes I get bumps. I figured if it was an allergy to the carrier oil it would happen every shot right?

[Metalject]

If injecting twice a week causes a problem then I should be a disastrous mess. I'm not saying you should avoid rotating spots, but maybe this will calm your worry. I injected regularly for 10+yrs with far more days including an injection than not. Many periods were an injection ever other day and some periods of daily. There were of course periods of more than one injection per day every day but the brunt of that time span was eod or ed. During these periods of really heavy pinning I would introduce more injection locations than normal due to soreness. My primary spots were always glutes and delts, specifically the side head of the delt. Secondary spots included triceps and pecs and some biceps but biceps were my least favorite. I do not like quad injections and never did another after a year or so of steroid use .

The point being - I don't have any problems. I still inject testosterone 2x/wk IM and have for the last going on 5yrs. However, with my TRT I stick to only glutes and delts simply because it's the easiest.

Hope this makes you feel better.

[Beethoven]

26G 3/4" I mainly inject into the outer quads. Sometimes it goes fine sometimes I get bumps. I figured if it was an allergy to the carrier oil it would happen every shot right?

I use a 27 gauge. The way to avoid the lumps is inject very slow.

[bulldoghorn]

I believe there is always a potential of various problems and sides with pinning gear. Our bodies are very resilient, and there will be some that never show any problems, and some that have problems. At the end of the day, we all have to weigh the risk(worst case scenario from others experiences), and determine if we are willing to take those potential risks. My ego tells me the worst case scenario won't happen to me ;-)

[Beethoven]

I believe there is always a potential of various problems and sides with pinning gear. Our bodies are very resilient, and there will be some that never show any problems, and some that have problems. At the end of the day, we all have to weigh the risk(worst case scenario from others experiences), and determine if we are willing to take those potential risks. My ego tells me the worst case scenario won't happen to me ;-)

Yep, we always think it'll never happen to us. I always thought I was indestructible, then I grew older and realized I was just lucky.

[Novice489]

If injecting twice a week causes a problem then I should be a disastrous mess. I'm not saying you should avoid rotating spots, but maybe this will calm your worry. I injected regularly for 10+yrs with far more days including an injection than not. Many periods were an injection ever other day and some periods of daily. There were of course periods of more than one injection per day every day but the brunt of that time span was eod or ed. During these periods of really heavy pinning I would introduce more injection locations than normal due to soreness. My primary spots were always glutes and delts, specifically the side head of the delt. Secondary spots included triceps and pecs and some biceps but biceps were my least favorite. I do not like quad injections and never did another after a year or so of steroid use .

The point being - I don't have any problems. I still inject testosterone 2x/wk IM and have for the last going on 5yrs. However, with my TRT I stick to only glutes and delts simply because it's the easiest.

Hope this makes you feel better.

Thanks Metalject, you most certainly did calm my worry! I appreciate that your comment comes from years of experience jabbing yourself. Thanks for your advice.

[Novice489]

Yep, we always think it'll never happen to us. I always thought I was indestructible, then I grew older and realized I was just lucky.

I may try SubQ again in the future. How slow are we talking? 15 seconds for .25ml?

[Beethoven]

I may try SubQ again in the future. How slow are we talking? 15 seconds for .25ml?

Never timed it but yeah maybe 15 seconds. Just push a little, wait, a little more, wait then finish.

[hawk14dl]

Using a 27g will slow it down for you as well. I use 27g 1/2" and honestly will but 5/16 next time I think. No need to go that deep

[Beethoven]

Using a 27g will slow it down for you as well. I use 27g 1/2" and honestly will but 5/16 next time I think. No need to go that deep

I have those but it seems it would take forever and a day to load it.

[Lifted1]

ive only gotten a little lump once when i injected too fast subq. depending on bf% and location, its probably overkill going with 3/4" pins. 27 gauge 1/2" works well for glute area subq and 5/16" is great for stomach area.

[OingoBoingo]

I may try SubQ again in the future. How slow are we talking? 15 seconds for .25ml?

It might take me closer to 30 or 45 seconds to inject 0.25mL. I usually push for 5 seconds, and then rest for 5.

I also pin in my quads.

Also, more frequent injections means smaller loads...

[bullshark99]

I find a 5/8 25 G in the delt is about as easy as it gets. No need to load and change, just fill and pin.

[Beethoven]

It might take me closer to 30 or 45 seconds to inject 0.25mL. I usually push for 5 seconds, and then rest for 5.

I also pin in my quads.

Also, more frequent injections means smaller loads...

I think you're probably closer to it than my description. Lol. I'll have to time it tonight.

[Novice489]

Correction I was using a 3/8 not 3/4 inch 26g

[Lifted1]

3/8" is just a cvnt hair bigger than 5/16" so you're gtg. just inject slower.

[GSXRvi6]

I've been pinning my quads 2x per week for years. No issues so far.

[kelkel]

more frequent injections means smaller loads...

My normal Friday night line......

[PistolPete33]

I did Sub-Q for a few months but never felt the same as when I was doing IM and my numbers tested lower so I switched back to IM. I'm sure it's worse for your muscles being pinned that many times though.