Blood with shallow shoulder injection

Justin Chile Farrar · Sep 4, 2016

Did a shallow injection into my shoulder with a 25ga 5/8" needle, and a lot of blood came out instantly after. Looked like it had some oil in it too. Is there a need to re-inject or am I good? Not sure because the injection was so shallow.

Nelson Vergel · Sep 4, 2016

Too shallow. Use 1/2 inch like most of us here.

masfield · Sep 4, 2016

Nelson: for my upcoming meds, dr saya suggested 1" #20 for the draw, then use a 5/8" #28. I'm going to be injecting into my shoulder, as you know, and I have *very* little muscle there (or anywhere, for that matter). Think I should drop down to 1//2"? That does seem to be the standard preferred length.

Also: is it okay for me to use the same needle I use for T with Nandro?

Nelson Vergel · Sep 4, 2016

If you have skinny delts you probably would do better injecting in upper glutes with a 1/2 inch 25 to 27 gauge.

masfield · Sep 4, 2016

I'm trying to inject as far as from my CIDP-addled legs as I can, which i think means the shoulder. The times I did T in my glutes, my legs went entirely fuzzy and nearly numb for a few days. Hoping shoulder injections won't result in the same thing. we shall see.
but, as re the shoulder, i am worried about hitting bone. any other upper body spots i should check out?
btw thanks for the pix. they help a bunch.

Dr Justin Saya MD · Sep 4, 2016

There is practically no difference between 1/2" (4/8 inch) and 5/8" (only 1/8 of an inch difference). However, if there is VERY little muscle but the deltoid is still the preferred injection location (as for you linter as you are a special case), then the entire 5/8" wouldn't have to be inserted (insert 1/2 to 3/4 of needle).