Deadlift585's picture
Deadlift585
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Infection/possible contamination?

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Have a vial of Test E 250. Always sterilize the rubber stopper and the skin, use different heads to draw and inject. Haven't had any issues with this vial since I started it, except for this most recent pin.

Went through my normal sterilization routine (hand washing, alcohol, opening a new syringe when ready to pin, etc), BUT, when I went to pin (going in the thigh), I wasn't paying attention and pinned my rectus femoris, close the insertion, instead of the lateralis. Long story short, ended up going to ER for antibiotics. I know that pinning the rectus was dumb, and I don't have an explanation other than I just wasn't paying attention.

So here's my question--what's the likelihood of a vial getting contaminated between uses? I keep it in a kit with my swabs and syringes when not in use, and as I said, haven't had any issues with it before. Should I chuck it?

Thanks.

WINNING's picture

I had this same problem once. I pinned my quad, in the wrong spot and it blew up three days later. I can deal with regular pip, but this was excruciating progressively worse day by day pain!. The second day it was bad but bearable, by the fourth day I couldn't bend my leg. It was hot and red to the touch and super swollen! I stayed in the hospital 11 days. They had to Aspirate the infection with a needle from my leg and send it to culture to determine what antibiotics to use on me. Long story short this was a legit trt lab so I'm sure, it wasn't made in someone's basement, it was most likely sterile. It could have been the location of my pinning or possibly left over baby powder that I could have pushed into my body, that wasn't wiped thoroughly with the alcohol pad. If it pinned correctly the first time with no problem, most likey it's not the gear! In essence I ended up throwing away my bottle and just bought new gear from someone else, I was to scared to try that shit again! It's not the gear I'm sure your bottle is fine but throw it out for mental clarity! I wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy!

giardap's picture

The rubber absolutely gets contaminated after every use, in between use or what have you.
Dont forget, you are puncturing it with little holes, so yes contamination can be there. But, iso prop swabs will almost guarantee to cleanse the rubber. Same for your skin.
If you honestly, used say 70/80% iso prop alc and on both skin and bottle top then very unlikely to be contaminated.
Dont forget what is inside the oil is also anti bacterial etc.

So that leaves your location of choice, unused by the med community because of the pain it causes.

So, if it was a real infection, the problem was you by missing something when cleansing, if not then it was location of choice just hurting you very badly and dr. taking no hostages just in case

Deadlift585's picture

Do you think it would be smart to just throw the vial out?

giardap's picture

Yes, it would, but I wouldn't

RawGonza22's picture

Keep in mind, for example, hardcore intravaneous drug users are most often very unsanitary, jabbing themselves over and over trying to hit, miss after miss with dirty arms, contamianted needles, and flthy paraphenilia utensils using unsterile, injecting uncooked and contaminated dope with garbage and most often or at worst case they just end up with a small absess or boil on or under their skin that goes away in time, lol, it gets that bad. I'm not overexagerating. I'm not sure if this is a good anology but these absesses usually come from jabbing their own filthy skin bacteria underneath their skin into their bloodstream ending up with Osteomilitus, rare but happens. You might be worrying yourself a bit and if you want peace of mind just toss the vial. But you might be overlooking it, and just hit a very sensitive spot; but the right thing to do or your going to obsess in worry is to just toss the vial bud.

Deadlift585's picture

That's true. I've never had a really bad reaction, so it scared me bad. I'll probably just trash it and get some new stuff. Thanks for the info.

RawGonza22's picture

Was it an infection? What did the doc say? I think that you hit a sensitive spot and gave yourself a massive Charlie horse

Deadlift585's picture

Doc thought it was cellulitis. Never had a fever, but it got red very quickly, like the size of my hand with fingers spread out, warm, and swollen.

RawGonza22's picture

I believe cellulitis comes from a skin bacteria but I may be wrong. Reason why surgeons scrub their hands for 5 minutes before surgery. I don't know. Peace of mind bro, that's all that matters. Or everytime you think of or handle that vial ur going to lose a peace of mind

Deadlift585's picture

I use at least 70% alcohol. I could have messed up while sterilizing, but not likely.

I appreciate your input!

Dr.BroScience's picture

Wasn't paying attention when you pin???????

Head slap, face palm.

Deadlift585's picture

Yup, got in a rush.

CBBurrr's picture

I really doubt you contaminated the vial between injections. Quads can be tricky, if you land in between muscles it can be irritating and painful.
It's still only 25 or 30 bucks for a vial of test. When in doubt throw it out

Deadlift585's picture

That's what I was thinking. I know I messed the pinning up, but when it started getting hot and red I couldn't wait to see what would happen. Having a buddy send me some new stuff next week.

johnmarshall12's picture

I agree with Sam; throw it out. It's not worth thinking about. Even if it's not the vial; just move on to another new one!

Sam I Am's picture

If you weren't paying attention to the pin maybe you messed up your sterilization...
When in doubt throw it out.

Owes a Review × 1
Deadlift585's picture

That's a possibility, but I'm typically very good about that. I was thinking that I should throw it out--don't want to risk another infection. Thanks.

Makwa's picture

Pinning in the wrong spot will not cause an infection. Sounds to me like you are trying fix some pip with antibiotics. What made you think it was an infection.?

RawGonza22's picture

Oh man. Tender muscle man. I know that shit hurt bad. Dont see how anything got contaminates before, during, or after. Doc said nothing to worry about. Cellulitis is a much bigger Infection. Don't think it was infected; just a ruthless Charley Horse type of injury sounds like.

Deadlift585's picture

Redness that went from zero to the size of my hand in a day, swelling. Hot to the touch too.

I've had cellulitis before, so I probably just jumped right to antibiotics as a precautionary response.

TBH, I've never had really bad PIP, so I guess I'm not experienced with the more severe responses. I've not had any fever or other symptoms, but I wasn't willing to risk it and see if it got better.

EDIT: Also, the ER doc palpated the area and didn't feel anything she was concerned about. I've never hit the rectus before, and in the back of my mind I was thinking it was just bad PIP, but again, not willing to risk it, you know?

RawGonza22's picture

I googled the terms and got a quick lesson of the major leg muscles. That Rectus Femoris seems like it's a smaller, significantly tender muscle. I don't pin quads. Hell no. I could imagine that must hurt like hell. Hope ur better soon bro

Bearded_muscle's picture

I pin quads regularly. I’ve used up to 3 ml but recommend 2 or less... For some reason my right quad I can pin the side but my left I have to pin the top. If I try to hit to top of my right, or the side of my left, I hit nerves every time. Fuckin biology.

pickle's picture

quads have slowly become my favorite spot. can hit the same quad twice in one day with different spots. high and outside for bigger shots (3ml). And can do lower and more towards the middle for smaller shots 1ml or less, typically throw my pre workout in that spot if shoulders need a break.

ever try the tear drop?

Bearded_muscle's picture

Not yet but it’s on my list when I grow the balls for it. May start with a slin pin and go from there.

pickle's picture

Let me know how it goes. Im not finding much online in regards to proper location. There are some major arteries in that area but it looks like they are much deeper or behind the knee. Hard to tell from google images.

333's picture

Seriously I'm honestly the same way with my left and right quad that's crazy

Bearded_muscle's picture

Haha I’m glad someone else gets it. I feel sorry for the guys who can’t hit quads at all. Great site with good blood flow.