Injection pain

[jaybig]

I have this gear that every time I run it I have a lot of pain afterwards it's a 400 mg. Test and I do 800 mg. In one shot. Am I doing too big of a shot at once should I split it up??

 

[Milton]

If theres pain, yes, split it up into 2 shots, perhaps warm the test before pinning.
Gently massaging or applying warmth to the area can relax the muscle, which can make the injection less painful and reduce soreness.

 

[casanovaaa]

Yes, injecting 800 mg of 400 mg/ml testosterone in a single shot is likely the main reason you're experiencing significant pain afterward. Here's why and what you can do about it:

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Why the Pain?​

1. High Volume of Oil:
   • An 800 mg dose of 400 mg/ml testosterone means you're injecting 2 ml of oil in one sitting. For many people, this volume can cause post-injection pain (PIP), especially in smaller muscle groups.
2. High Concentration:
   • High-concentration testosterone (400 mg/ml) can irritate the muscle tissue due to the solvents and carriers used in its preparation (e.g., benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate). These are often more aggressive in higher concentrations.
3. Injection Technique:
   • Injecting too quickly, using a needle that’s too small, or failing to rotate injection sites can also exacerbate pain.

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What You Can Do​

1. Split the Dose​

• Recommended:Divide the 800 mg dose into two 400 mg injections (1 ml each) taken 3–4 days apart. For example:
  • Monday: 400 mg (1 ml)
  • Thursday: 400 mg (1 ml)
• This reduces the volume per injection and provides more stable blood levels of testosterone, minimizing side effects.

2. Rotate Injection Sites​

• Use larger muscle groups like the glutes, thighs (vastus lateralis), or delts.
• Alternate between sites to give each muscle time to recover.

3. Warm and Slow the Injection​

• Warm the vial slightly before injecting by holding it under warm water for a minute. This lowers the viscosity of the oil, making it easier to inject.
• Inject slowly over 30–60 seconds to reduce tissue trauma.

4. Use a Proper Needle​

• For intramuscular injections:
  • Needle size: 23–25 gauge, 1–1.5 inches long (depending on muscle and body fat).
• A larger gauge (e.g., 21–22) for drawing and a smaller one (23–25) for injecting can reduce pain.

5. Massage the Area​

• Gently massage the injection site post-injection to help disperse the oil and reduce soreness.

6. Consider Diluting the Gear​

• If the high concentration continues to cause issues, you could mix the testosterone with sterile oil (e.g., grapeseed oil) to dilute it. Consult someone experienced, like a compounding pharmacist, for guidance.

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Additional Considerations​

• Injection Schedule: Even splitting the dose into three smaller injections per week (e.g., 266 mg, ~0.66 ml per shot) can provide even more stable hormone levels.
• Potential Allergic Reaction: If the pain persists despite splitting and technique changes, you might be reacting to a carrier oil or solvent in the product. Switching brands or formulations might help.

By splitting your dose and optimizing your technique, you should experience significantly less post-injection pain.