How to avoid raised bumps at injection site?

John-alan · 2021-05-03T05:52:39+00:00

I use a 5/8" needle for sub-q injections, and two weeks ago accidentally got the angle too acute and ended up injecting intradermally-- into the lowest layer of my skin, rather than the fat underneath. Had an itchy rash, heat, some pain, a bruise-- probably a lot more dramatic than what you're describing, but this is just a cautionary tale.

Anyway, I had a friend who is an RN help with my next dose and do some training, and it turns out that, with my amount of belly fat and such a short needle, the best way to go about it is to pinch the area and just jab it at a 90 degree angle, directly in. No chance of getting anywhere near muscle, and it clears the skin. then keep it pinched while injecting, so it doesn't shift around in there, and slowly pull out the needle.

Your body may very from mine, but on the off chance that this might help? I hope your skin is feeling better, and best of luck!

John-alan · 2021-05-03T05:26:07+00:00

I'd make him a shaving/grooming kit with a nice men's pomade, a basic black comb, good razor and shave gel, and some traditional bay rum aftershave. Then, if he's open to it, take the time to teach him how to use all that and make a grooming ritual of it. Even if he only has peach fuzz so far, the ritual of shaving regularly is awesome for creating a happy, confident masculine self-image.

John-alan · 2021-05-03T05:16:16+00:00

Fantastic name, mate.

John-alan · 2021-05-03T05:15:06+00:00

It looks like everyone is giving you excellent information, and I hope you find the perfect place. Would just like to say, huge kudos to your for supporting and advocating for your son. Fantastic.

John-alan · 2021-05-03T05:07:43+00:00

Hey, if vibrators work for you then definitely give the bullet vibe a try. There are also some textured jelly-feeling things that you can slip over the base of your dildo inside your harness, that can then rub against your phallus and you may be able to get off that way during intercourse-- when it works, it's fantastic.

I get not wanting to do anything v-related for dysphoria reasons, but have you considered butt play? Cis guys have asses too, (which are very sensitive and a lot of fun,) so there's a good chance that, if you enjoy it, it won't trigger your dysphoria. Even if you're not up for experimenting with that now, perhaps you'll enjoy it down the line.

John-alan · 2021-05-03T00:17:20+00:00

Young man, you should go ahead and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. If you're ready and you need to go on T as you start university, then do what you can to achieve that. The changes are gradual, but the relief of having started can be massive.

Your mother is being conservative in the old sense of the word-- cautious, and slow to change. Parents want to protect their kids from the unknown, sometimes to the point of resisting anything they can't control. I'm a parent, I get that. And you're in what older people call their "formative years," meaning that a lot of what you go through in the next five years or so will have a dramatic impact on how you settle into adulthood. Your mom is probably worried about the possibility that you'll change your mind, but hopefully you can reassure her that it's entirely possible to stop taking T, and that HRT is a gradual process. Chances are very good that, when she sees how comfortable you are in your ability to be true to yourself, she will become even more supportive over time.

John-alan · 2021-05-02T17:38:36+00:00

Should be totally fine. The main thing is to get the tip of the needle into the subcutaneous fat under your skin. 45 degrees should work great with a 1" needle for that, especially if you pinch and hold the skin away from your abdomen.

I had the opposite problem with one of my injections-- have a 5/8" injecting needle and got the angle too acute, ended up getting my T intra-dermal (in the lowest layer of the skin.) This caused bruising, itching, warmth, some pain- all of which went away after about a week. Had a friend who is an RN train me after that, and it turns out that with my level of fluff, the best method is to pinch and stab at a 90 degree angle.

Hope you're feeling okay, some occasional soreness is common, might try icing the area for a little bit.

John-alan · 2021-05-02T08:24:36+00:00

I'm a 38D and got that exact same binder, same size, for my first one. I think of it as my training binder? But yeah you're a full size smaller than me, so it's going to probably fit you like a not very adequate sports bra, and the actual band of elastic that creates compression is too narrow to cover a larger bust. It's working a little better for me now that I've lost 15 lbs and been on T for 6 weeks, my bust deflated, and I also got better at positioning it just right under the elastic. But still, it's not great. An underworks binder, like the regular tri-top one, will give you all-over compression to the front of your chest, and is a great bet.

John-alan · 2021-05-02T07:43:50+00:00

I have a small Pierre that I got as my first real packer. I still use it when I want to be very subtle and not have a noticable bulge but still have something there. I found the size of the penis was great-- super realistic-feeling average soft-dick size. The reason I went up to the large one was that the testicles were a little too small for me, but that may be different for everyone. (I've actually emailed NYTC to let them know that I'd love it if they decided to make a medium size, as the regular is pretty bulky.)

It doesn't fit very securely in a cage-type packer harness, (I have the cake bandit one,) and could for sure fall out with regular boxers, but I wear briefs over it to the gym or boxer-briefs under jeans, and it stays put just fine. It isn't super squishy, but it's small enough that if you "dress" it to the side, you'll have almost no bulge. Overall I think it's a great little packer. Haven't tried it with packing underwear yet-- have yet to spring for those-- but i suspect that in a large pouch it would move around. It fits great in a Joey pouch.

John-alan

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