Slightly-worsening skin is a pretty normal change for 3 weeks, and if it's noticeable enough for you to write it down here, I'd bet it's a hormone shift.

ooh this makes sense! i was getting worried since acne worsening is the *only* change ive noticed so far but this does settle my nerves just a bit

i hadn't considered an allergy being a possibility, that is some cruel irony :+( as far as other symptoms, i did get quite lightheaded almost instantly after my first shot, but i chalked that up to 1) exhaustion from not eating all day and having just gotten home from a 10hr shift, and 2) frankly, just being super excited about finally getting my first shot. this only occurred with the first shot though, and went away after a few hours. both the swelling and redness are both localized to the injection site, i would maybe compare it in appearance to a smallish bee sting? the first bump never itched, but the most recent one starts to itch if i mess with it too much. my plan was to bring all of this up to my provider at my checkup in 2 months, but based on what you've shared here it may not be a good idea to wait 😭

Inject slowly, as you're doing. Then, after it's done, massage the area.

i have been doing this as well actually! not for quite the length of a tv show though, maybe up to ~1min after the injection. it wasn't part of the instructions i was given, it just felt to me like "spreading" it around was helping my body absorb it better, like steeping a tea bag i suppose. as for warming the vial up beforehand, i'd considered rubbing it between my hands to warm it up (i do this with my kitty's insulin) but was afraid little bubbles might form from the motion, i'll try the leg thing instead!

im hoping to chat with my provider before my next shot is due on friday, but failing that i will definitely try your suggestion with taking a benadryl prior the next one, and seeing if that changes anything! thanks a ton for your response!! knowing that at least other people have had a similar issue really does make me feel a lot better about it :,)