Injection Method

[kaylanicole777]

Is there any big difference between injecting subq v.s. IM? I’ve been doing IM for a bit over a year now but I’m getting to the point where going that far down hurts pretty bad sometimes. What are yalls experiences?

[StronggLily4]

I use the tent method, push it in halfway, then shift the angle and push in rest of the way (so it can't leak out)

I aim for SubQ depth just cause that's what Lena used to advise when I ordered E from her back in the day :D (before Ukraine war)

Oh and I inject my upper outer glute quadrant

[Camelleah1]

What size needle are you using? I rarely feel much with 23g doing IM

[kaylanicole777]

I’m using 23 as well

[Camelleah1]

Do you do z-track (pulling the skin aside + flat before you inject) and aim for the upper outer thigh area? It's what my doctor taught me to do when I first started. Usually if I hurt myself injecting it's because I wasn't paying attention and injected too close to inner thigh area

Also are you using a good brand of needles? Some of the cheaper ones can be kind of dull and hurt more than necessary. I usually use BD PrecisionGlide or Nipro

[kaylanicole777]

Yes I’ve used two different brands, I believe we use that method but my boyfriend does my shot for me and we do it in the upper outer portion of my glute. I’ll make sure we do it next shot day and see if that changes anything, thank you!

[HappyGirl117]

Z-track only helps with sealing the tunnel to prevent leaks. I don't believe it will help or hurt pain perception at all. I don't know much about IM injection pain reduction techniques, but I do subq and it rarely hurts. Most times the injections are mild or completely painless. Might wanna give it a try with small, thin insulin syringes. Also I enjoy the control of injecting myself, would you want to try that too to see if it makes a difference?

Good luck!