Tips To Make Injections Less Painful

[RetiredMod]

Just thought I'd post some tips I've gotten in the past to reduce pains associated with injections. If you guys have any opinions on the ones I list or more to add feel free.

1) Heat up the oil prior to injection
2) Take an Ibprofen 1 hour prior to injection
3) Throw heat on the injection site after the injection
4) Massage injection site after the injection
5) ALWAYS use a fresh needle
6) Push the pin in slowly
7) Throw ice on the injection site after the injection (this one is questionable, I've gotten a variety of opinions on this matter, to me it makes sense because it increases bloodflow to the area which will help the oil dispurse I would think).

[BigWilly]

# 6 is questionable also...

To each his own on this one...maybe change this to read: "make STEADY injections, minimal movement w/ needle once penetrated."

BTW, good post bro.

[gofer]

Sounds great, I'd add
-Jacuzzi shortly after( get the blood flowin thru relaxed muscles)

-Lift soon after esp to the area injected ie: shot the tricep work the arms or chest/back
- I'd disagree with 7 , I think that wound decrease the blood flow, it may releive pain for the momment but create longer term pain.
I just simply like to get the juices flowin.

[Chrism]

When using long-acting esters, the majority of the pain is from excessive BA in the solution. But when using short esters, there is nothing you can do about the pain. The hormone crystalizes while inside the body, causing irritation. But this is just my take on the pain situation.

[gofer]

Originally posted by BigWilly
# 6 is questionable also...

To each his own on this one...maybe change this to read: "make STEADY injections, minimal movement w/ needle once penetrated."

BTW, good post bro.
good point, STEADY, at first I just jammed it in there , now I go a bit slower to detect if I hit a nerve or somethin.

[RetiredMod]

True, I guess that one was a bit biased. For me I am really against quick pokes because if you do it slowly and you hit something that you weren't supposed to hit (i.e. nerve, vein, etc) you can sort of feel it and pull out before much damage is done. If you do it quickly you won't have any time to respond. That's just my reasoning though...if anyone cares to explain the reasoning behind injecting quickly please share.

Oh also by injecting in this post I mean poking, I sort of screwed up my terminology and I'm too lazy to change it. One thing I forgot to add was to slowly apply steady pressure to the syringe, try to keep it so you inject about 1cc every minute or so. You can do it more quickly, but I've found the more slowly I go often the less painful. Also don't be afraid to take a break while injection if it starts to hurt, let it sit for a minute until the pain goes away and then start up again (don't pull out though).

[gofer]

Originally posted by Chrism
When using long-acting esters, the majority of the pain is from excessive BA in the solution. But when using short esters, there is nothing you can do about the pain. The hormone crystalizes while inside the body, causing irritation. But this is just my take on the pain situation.
another great point!
cool post Mcbain

[gofer]

Originally posted by McBain
. One thing I forgot to add was to slowly apply steady pressure to the syringe, try to keep it so you inject about 1cc every minute or so. You can do it more quickly, but I've found the more slowly I go often the less painful. Also don't be afraid to take a break while injection if it starts to hurt, let it sit for a minute until the pain goes away and then start up again (don't pull out though).
yeah I like this..
damn like 8 posts in 8 minuters lol!

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by gofer
Sounds great, I'd add
-Jacuzzi shortly after( get the blood flowin thru relaxed muscles)

-Lift soon after esp to the area injected ie: shot the tricep work the arms or chest/back
- I'd disagree with 7 , I think that wound decrease the blood flow, it may releive pain for the momment but create longer term pain.
I just simply like to get the juices flowin.

But ice increases bloodflow to a given area, it also reduces inflammation. The reasoning behind the increase in bloodflow is that the body tries to attain homeostasis and therefore rushes blood (which is warm) to the area that is cold to warm it up. Hence why lots of physical therapists recommend the usage of ice with ligament/tendon injuries (as ligaments and tendons have limited bloodflow supply and this is one of the main reasons they take so long to heal). If you do heat & ice together I bet this would be the way to go.

[Voodoo]

I've found that having sex directly after REALLY helps.

[gofer]

Originally posted by McBain
But ice increases bloodflow to a given area, it also reduces inflammation. The reasoning behind the increase in bloodflow is that the body tries to attain homeostasis and therefore rushes blood (which is warm) to the area that is cold to warm it up. Hence why lots of physical therapists recommend the usage of ice with ligament/tendon injuries (as ligaments and tendons have limited bloodflow supply and this is one of the main reasons they take so long to heal). If you do heat & ice together I bet this would be the way to go.

yeah I think your probably right, I allways assumed ice DECREASED the blood flow, but that is an assumption. BOTH would probably be a great idea. Ice would be useful in inflammation as I've seen with injurys( but yo I thot that was due to DECREASING bloodflow??)

[gofer]

Originally posted by Voodoo
I've found that having sex directly after REALLY helps.
I've found having sex PRIOR really helps cuz then I'm all relaxed. And then after to get the juices flowin.

[RetiredMod]

Why not have sex before, during and after injection just to be on the safe side ;)

[Big Ted]

well for the number 6, when i enter the pin slowly the pain really increases, but you are right about the nerve think and etc.
but once my friend did an injection(like a dart) which i didnt feel at all, i thought he was keepin it for hisself.:P i vote for "Having sex before the injection :))"

[RetiredMod]

Putting it in like a dart might not hurt as much going in but the potential for danger is great imo. At least from what I've read, I've never tried to put it in like a dart (by that I mean quickly), too scared too.

[Chikara]

Doctors / nurses etc are taught to give IM injections in a dart like manner to reduce pain. Obviously they are not doing it to themselves. If you are injecting in a low risk area the chances of hitting a nerve are rare. Do not be misguided that you can feel you way around nerves or blood vessels or that penetrating slowly decreases risk of injury.

[IME]

Here's a response to #7. Putting ice on an area does not increase blood. In fact, it does exactly the opposite. Thing of chemistry, when molecules get colder, they slow down. Same thing with blood flow and ice. Ice will numb the area. My thinking would be you want as much circulation to area as possible. So massage, heat, and a quick warmup of the muscle before and after injection would help that. Ice is basically used to decrease inflammation. If you notice the injection starting to swell more than usual after the injection (not a good sign), then ice would be a welcome addition, IMO.

BTW, don't keep ice on the same area for longer than 20 minutes!!WHY??? Because, after 20 minutes your body initiates the hunting's response (sp?). Basically, the area begins to heat up and you start to loose the effects of the ice.

Good thread McBain, thanx for the tips.

[Reptile063]

I'll have to take some of those tips into consideration on my next shot. I started my first cycle sunday and shot into my quads, and dayum does it hurt. I was thinking along the same line as IME as far as putting ice on a wound. I always thought when you had swelling, you put ice on it to reduce the swelling and then after it goes down apply heat to encourage circulation to the area. But then again I could be wrong. I know my leg hurts like a bitch right now and I'm starting to put heat on it and it's beginning to feel better, but the swelling hasn't gone down much.

[IME]

Originally posted by Reptile063
I'll have to take some of those tips into consideration on my next shot. I started my first cycle sunday and shot into my quads, and dayum does it hurt. I was thinking along the same line as IME as far as putting ice on a wound. I always thought when you had swelling, you put ice on it to reduce the swelling and then after it goes down apply heat to encourage circulation to the area. But then again I could be wrong. I know my leg hurts like a bitch right now and I'm starting to put heat on it and it's beginning to feel better, but the swelling hasn't gone down much.
Yah, that's a wound though....we're just talking about an injection site here. I really wouldn't consider that a wound, IMO.

[IamaSexyBeast]

IME plz check pms bro

[CROWLER]

I must be shooting the wrong stuff. :)

I have never thought the shots hurt much. Then again I have only shot a few different ASs, maybe I have never done the ones that hurt.

Or maybe its because the largest I have used is a 21 gage needle when I ran out of 23s.

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by CROWLER
I must be shooting the wrong stuff. :)

I have never thought the shots hurt much. Then again I have only shot a few different ASs, maybe I have never done the ones that hurt.

Or maybe its because the largest I have used is a 21 gage needle when I ran out of 23s.
It's not the poking that hurts, it's the oil. Test prop can hurt like a bitch :D

[CROWLER]

Originally posted by McBain
It's not the poking that hurts, it's the oil. Test prop can hurt like a bitch :D

Ahhhhhhh now I understand. Thanks.

[Voodoo]

Originally posted by McBain
It's not the poking that hurts, it's the oil. Test prop can hurt like a bitch :D

What are you guy talking about? I love Prop....my favorite of all AS. I don't think it hurts at all.

[LanTHEman]

use the Z method and a ice cube for pain free injections

[RetiredMod]

I wasn't aware the Z method decreases pain, I thought it just made it so no oil wold leak out. The Z method is sort of hard to do if you do self-injections.

[IME]

Originally posted by IamaSexyBeast
IME plz check pms bro
I did bro.....I tried replying but yours was full.

[Manteca]

I find massaging site makes it more painful, if fI just leave it alone it will be the least sore overall. I think the biggest thing I have noticed as far as comfort goes is pushing the needle through the skin quickly then slowing down once in the muscle, and injecting oil very slowly, it take about a minute to inject 2cc, it just feels better.

[RetiredMod]

bumping for marrzie

[Dajuice]

Is Transdermal - Steroids possible in the future? Doctors say that they are working on Diabetics to use transdermal for Insulin instead of needles. So far the results are positive and might be the future of Transdermal. This will be a positive aspect in bodybuilding industry.

[dadaruh]

Originally posted by Dajuice
Is Transdermal - Steroids possible in the future? Doctors say that they are working on Diabetics to use transdermal for Insulin instead of needles. So far the results are positive and might be the future of Transdermal. This will be a positive aspect in bodybuilding industry.

that is goddam right mate..

instead,when injecting, i barely understand whether the pain comes from the oil or from the damaged veins?

[RetiredMod]

I highly doubt transdermals will ever replace shots..and even if they could find an effective enough delivery system, the sterility of the application could be in question, especially if buying off the black market. But let's stick to the topic at hand, if you want to discuss transdermals make a new thread.

[d piece]

Also, since steroids are considerably more potent than PHs, couldn't it increase the risk of "infecting" anyone you come in heavy contact with, such as a girlfriend or wife?
Plus, transdermals are 70% effective in delivery where IM injections are 100%, right? Well who wants to spend extra money making up that 30%?

[sean2413]

I've found that having sex directly after REALLY helps............



It actually does. it seems like the muscles are way more relaxed

[RealJustinSide]

Hey a doctor friend of mine told me to keep pins in the freezer. It works I sometimes dont even know if the pin is in or not.

[StillWorkin]

Originally posted by RealJustinSide
Hey a doctor friend of mine told me to keep pins in the freezer. It works I sometimes dont even know if the pin is in or not.

Has anyone else tried this??

[T-4]

Stillworkin:

I know this is a little late to add, but I'm new to the boards, the freezer works the best, inch and a half 21 gauge I love, and I let my solutions get to room temp from the fridge...

[IronEMT]

this has probably been beat to death, but i guess the more opinions the better.

i am an EMT and have always been taught to use the "dart" method like someone said before. It makes the whole process go a little faster/smoother, and i believe there is less pain felt this way. also..there is plenty of control when doing it right. its not as though your throwing the syringe from across the room...

if your worried about veins and whatnot, its not going to matter if you go slow or fast, your going to hit something either way, so the only way to tell is to pull the plunger out just a bit to see if you get blood in your solution, if you do, just pull out and stick again :)

[BuggerOff]

I'm a noobie, but I'm guessing the glutes are the "safest" place to inject as far as veins and nerves go?

[dumanhieu2]

there already are transdermal steroids. testrogel is one of them. I guess it would be benificial because it releases the test of a period of time, but most transdermal steroids are very low dose, so it would be a waste of time.

[Driver]

I totally new here too but I'm a diabetic. I know the needles aren't as long but I personally find the slow and steady method the best way in which to avoid the most pain.

[Hardcorelifter]

Ive also heard that putting the needles into the freezer is better.

[GM54]

im no expert but #7 that has to do with ice...it closes your veins and causes less blow flow..dont believe me? go outside when its 40 degrees with no shirt on...look at your forearms...you wont be able to see one vein

[CaptainEquipois]

Also another thing for painful shots (surprised no one's mentioned this yet..) B-12 , just mix it with whatever you're injecting, esp. stuff like fina, prop and winny.

[grb2000]

I used to be a paramedic in my early 20's, so I've applied the same techniques that I learned while I was going to school and during my time.

I use a dart like method, have never hit a nerve or blood vessel, and use nothing less than 1.5" in the big muscles and 1" in the smaller. I've found that smaller needles tend to give more pain afterwards and the deeper you inject the less pain I've experienced.

Also, I've never felt pain from the shot because I slap the area that I'm going to hit, so, some of the skin is desensitized...this is how you do it on horses. The only pain I've ever experienced has been a day or two later and it's always been from water soluble products; suspension, winny, etc....

Just my own experience.

GRB2000