Heya,

I wasnt sure what comm to put this in, but I figured itd be good to get other trans peoples thoughts on this so I put it here, but maybe its better suited to the chat comm? Anyway...

Im needing to get more supplies for injections, and am having some questions about both the needles/syringes, and about some info I found. Basically Im realizing I do things way different to how providers recommend and am a bit anxious... (Like, this whole post is probably just anxietyposting, idk)

So, the PP pdf on injections says that for subq (what I do) you should use a 23-25g needle. It also says that you should never draw up estrogen with these needles and you should use a larger needle for that. Im curious, why is that? Ive been using a 30g needle for both drawing and injecting. Have I been fucking up my medication (like only drawing up the carrier oil and not drawing up E or something)?

The PP pdf also says that you should inject at a 45° angle for subq. Ive been doing it at 90°. Is this an issue? Why do they want people to do it at 45°?

Ok those questions aside, Im needing to buy more syringes/needles. What Ive been using doesnt seem to be available anymore, and Im a bit anxious about using something different. I use E at 40mg/ml, and have been using BD needle/syringes marked for U-40 insulin, cause it makes measuring dosage super easy. But now all the BD syringes I find are for U-100. Is it a stupid idea to use such syringes? All the U-40 syringes that I find are marketed for pets, which makes me a little anxious about quality control and sterility. Should I be worried about that? Or should I just go for the U-100 BD syringes (they have an 8mm 31g needle, if thats relevant?)?

Thanks in advance for answers, Ive managed to overthink myself into an anxious corner and appreciate your alls advice.

  • lilypad [she/her, love/loves]
    ·
    11 months ago

    Heya, thank you! I wasnt so much talking about dosages, ive got that figured out (well, as much as i can given I dont have access to blood tests 😭), but rather to the process of injections. Drawing up with the 30g has been fine so far, i just got worried that it was somehow bad (idk, anxiety make brain not logic good).

    • rivvvver@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      ·
      11 months ago

      oki dw, sounds like youve been doing just fine then. btw, my partner injects at 90°, but ive also seen it done at 45°. i dont think it matters much as long as u use a needle short enough for subq and inject in the right locations. check out this video starting at about 2:10 for the process my partner uses (altho id say this person does it at 45°? hard to tell for sure).

      pls pls pls look into getting blood tests as soon as ur situation allows it. those are important to make sure ur regimen actually works for u, altho i do understand how it might not be possible for u at the moment.

      • lilypad [she/her, love/loves]
        ·
        11 months ago

        Yeah, ive been on diy for a year, but the medical system here is so fucked I cant get help. Im moving soon and will hopefully be able toget blood tests right off the bat. Ive been gauging my regimine by a few body indicators, which I know arent perfect or even good, but its what ive got.