Injections 101:
*** The #1 thing is to BE SAFE. Infection is always possible if you do not
follow strict sanitary guidelines.***
Injection FAQ:
*Where can I get pins?
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*What size needle do I need?
The smaller the gauge the larger the needle.
22 or 23 Gauge, 1.5 Inch is ideal for injections into the glutes.
25 Gauge, 1.0 inch is ideal for injections into the quads and can be used for
all spot injections.
25 Gauge, 5/8 inch is often used for tricep/bicep/delts
*Will it hurt much?
It hurts about as much as a good pinch, but that is all. After the first couple
of times you poke, you get used to it.
*For drawing from a vial:
***ALWAYS wash hands before injecting***
Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab before the needle enters - do this
every time you pull the bottle out from storage (do not blow on the top of the
vial. Let the alcohol evaporate)
Pull back on the syringe approximately as much as you are going to fill it (i.e.
- if you are going to draw one cc then first load one cc of air) poke the needle
into the vial.
Inject the air into the bottle so that you have created a vacuum effect and
drawing will be easier
*Pull back on the plunger until the desired amount is achieved (you may do this
with the bottle upside down so that you can 'flick' the syringe to get the
bubbles to settle while you are still in penetration.
*Once you have the amount you are looking for you will either (A). be ready to
switch needles or (B). you may leave the needle on for pulling from another vial
if you are going to mix
*So (A). you will pull back on the plunger once you are out of the vial to get
the remaining liquid out from the drawing needle's base
*Poking the needle in to the vial dulls it. At this point you may want to switch
to a fresh (sharp) needle.
You have now drawn from the vial.
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*Injecting:
***Be careful not to touch the needle to ANYTHING. Think about it, you are
injecting deep in to your body. Any foreign particles will be transferred deep
in your tissue and you risk a nasty infection.
*Get all bubbles out of the needle - flick it until they rise to the top and
then push them through the needle - make sure you get them completely out of the
needle as well - don't worry about the liquid dripping down the needle and don't
even wipe it as it makes for great lubrication.
*In the injection spot - for glute you will look down on the 'cheek' and imagine
splitting it into 4 quadrants, you would inject into the upper most outer
quadrant. For the leg, if you were sitting down you will inject into the outer
part of the leg (but more on top, not on the side) where you have the most
'meat'
*Clean the site with alcohol and you are ready to inject
*Quickly pierce the skin and steadily push the needle into the muscle. Push in
smoothly until you have but a couple millimeters left of the needle (you never
inject all the way in as you want to make sure some is still visible in case the
needle should break off and you need to retrieve it)
*Aspirate the syringe - pull back slightly on the plunger - you will see one of
two things. (A). You will see a couple small air bubbles that when you stop
applying pressure upward on the plunger will readily go back into the muscle or
(B). Droplets of blood. (A) being the obviously favorable one. If there is blood
you must pull out, switch needles and start over.
*If all is well you may begin injecting. Push in slowly - you will come to find
that you can 'listen' to your body and it will let you know how much it is
willing to receive at once - when I inject myself I apply consistent pressure to
the plunger but I go in only as fast or slow as my muscle wants to at that time.
Going too fast will potentially result in an abscess. When you have completed
this, wait a few seconds and then pull out and take your alcohol swab and firmly
press down and massage the site to make sure everything stays in the muscle and
the massage will also prevent soreness in the morning. You may bleed just a
little bit, so it helps to tape the alcohol soaked cotton ball to your injection
site.
Miscellaneous Tips:
*If you are self-injecting, it helps to stretch out first. If you are poking
yourself on the right cheek, use your right hand to poke, and support (under)
the needle with your left hand. It is not the easiest thing to do, but it can be
done.
*When beginning, limit injections to 3 CC's at a time for glutes, 2 CC's for
thighs and 1 - 1.5 CC's for all other spot injections
*Rotate injection spots. This will keep your receptors fresh. So right glute,
right delt, right leg, left leg, left delt left glute - this will give you ample
time off in between. Make sure you dont hit an injection spot more than once per wk - you are using 6
sites so you should be fine
Rotating injection sites will also keep you from building scar tissue
*Injections are great after a shower so the muscle is relaxed and it also helps
to roll the syringe in your hand or run under hot water to heat the liquid to
make it easier on you.
***ALWAYS wash hands before injecting
Be safe!
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