The problems that many people encounter when injecting steroids is during the preparation process. Cleaning the area is not just for cosmetic reasons, it is to prevent infection getting in through the armor that we call skin. Bacteria is so small that to give it a hole as big as a needle puncture is like throwing a sausage down the Channel Tunnel.

The following points are laid out for your own safety and will highlight the importance of getting the injection procedures absolutely spot on. The problems that can arise through over abuse of using steroids can be dealt with and avoided through sensible choice and care previous to the jab; the problems that can start if you get it wrong at this stage can be very painful and more damaging than the steroid is supposed to be.

The variations on selection of steroids to use are quite vast. Using orals alone would still work line, but you are cutting down your options a lot by not using jabs.

1. NEVER share injecting equipment or multi dose bottles with the same pullout pin. If you do share, use completely seperate new pins and plungers.
2. Use a clean needle each and EVERY time you inject; in fact use two! If you scrape the point on the bottom of the vial and/or puncture the resealable seal it will also blunt the pin. If you jab yourself with any of these pins from any method your arse cheeks will snap together so fast you will either break the lingers off your mates hand or break the standing jump record in one.
3. TRY NOT to draw up then inject with the same pin as they blunt easily on the glass ampoule. lt’s a good idea to draw up with a large needle like a green before swapping your pin to inject. Again you will know when you have blunted the needle; it will feel like you have been trying to put it in with a piece of drain piping!
4. When injecting oil based gear, WARM IT UP first as it becomes easier to inject when warm – dunk it in your tea for a few seconds or put it under your armpit -
5. There is NO REAL NEED to inject the pin right up to the hilt- about 3/4 of the needle will be enough. Many people do but pins can break. It’s no fun digging around in your thigh with a pair of pliers.
6. ONLY inject into muscles which are well developed. Just because someone in the gym tells you he linds it best injecting into his delts or traps this might not suit you as he may be much larger than yourself.
7. MAKE SURE your injection site is properly clean (soap and hot water) alcohol swabs are not ideal as the only method of cleaning a site and repeated use will lead to the development of scar tissue.
8. SITE ROTATION will reduce the development of scar tissue and forming a sterile abscess. Other areas can be used such as the upper outer thigh and the shoulders as the third choice. If you choose to inject into the thigh remember that YOU MUST NEVER jab on the inside near the groin – you could die if you hit the main artery that runs up just inside of the inner right thigh. This is called the er, “main drain”. Pop it and you literally have minutes left. The gear, and everything else, will not seem all that important – not at all!
9. DO NOT mix water and oil based in the same syringe – period!
10. ALWAYS dispose of your injecting equipment safely by placing your equipment in a sharps container then retum it to your needle exchange or at least some place where YOU KNOW the kids cannot get at them. If you bin yours at home, better to FORCE the plastic sleeve on a bit harder (be careful not to pierce the end onto your hand) and then snap the end off. The pin and plunger cannot be used at all then.
11. The SCIATIC nerve is the largest and thickest nerve of the human body that is the principal continuation of all the roots of the solar plexus. It emerges from the spinal oord in the lumbar portion of the spine and runs down through the buttocks and the back of the thigh; somewhat above the back of the knee it divides into the tibial and the common peroneal nerve, both of which serve the lower leg and foot You will hit this if you inject to close to the lower spine and if you do you could cause temporary paralysis. Don’t panic because it would retum – not long alter you hit the earth again!
12. NOT a standard written rule, but more sense really to use a “green topped” 21G 1-1/2 pin when injecting oil based steroids as the flow is that much easier and comfortable. Imagine trying to force water from a live inch water pipe into one four inches smaller – the force would be greater and therefore (in the case of the needle) much more painful.
13. INJECT SLOWLY and carefully. This will help to avoid muscle tears and bruising. In some cases, depending on what product you are using, you may find that the plunger is hard to push in. This will most probably be that the steroid is in a alcohol base which will literally roughen the smooth sides of the syringe making it hard if not impossible to inject. It is always a good idea to try the plunger first BEFORE you jab yourself. Pressing the plunger under pressure whilst in the muscle could cause severe bruising and much pain.
14. A STRAIGHT STAB into the jab area is the quickest and painless way. Hesitating could make a few more holes on your arse that need not be there. The one that you have PLUS the one that you are making will be suflicient.
15. You must NEVER inject oil into a vein. It could be fatal – period!
16. ALWAYS try and use a medi-swab to clean the injection sight before an alter you jab yourself. If you usually jab after training, get a shower first The sweat can be very infective even to such a small hole. It is best that you use ALL precautionary options open to you.
17. A good tip is to store your pins in the freezer compartment before using. This DOES actually stop them stinging as we all know they can.

Abscesses

This type of infected swelling which is usually found as a ball size lump, of varying sizes and usually quite painful. They are caused by several methods. One of the main ones is not injecting deep enough into the muscle. This problem occurs when fluid gets just under the skin where it cannot disperse and subsequently becomes infected. Another can occur when the area has not been swabbed or cleaned properly. Not having an alcoholic swab is no excuse – soap and water are excellent substitutes and could prevent a nasty lump or swelling appearing that could lead to surgery in the end.

However, do not panic if there is a little bruising from time to time. This can happen quite often especially when the needle is not injected straight in for instance or it may have been wobbled that little bit tearing slightly at the tissue. A good salt bath (don’t for get to add the water) will ease it a great deal and a little massage will also help the blood flow which will assist healing.