Cycle Complications for Newbs.

[01dragonslayer]

When I go to donate blood they ask about steroid use. Am I possibly harming someone else?​

The primary concerns for steroid users giving blood are infectious disease transmission. Given that users self-administer injections there is a concern about knowledge of proper needle handling and use. People with HIV / AIDS or Hepatitis should not give blood.

Reference

I got sick while on cycle. What do?​

Assuming it's not just "Test Flu", you have two choices. Cruise on a low dose or PCT. Of course a lot of factors play in with if you got sick near the beginning, in the middle, or near the end. In the beginning most will opt to cruise instead of "PCT-ing" so early. In the middle most will opt to cruise instead of "PCT-ing" and cutting the cycle so short. Near the end can be tricky. Most still choose to cruise and potentially extend the cycle longer than originally intended, but if it's really close to the end some may choose just to go ahead and PCT. Obviously this all depends on the severity of your illness. Also if it's something that you'll get over within a week, most will just continue their dosages as normal.

I'm getting unbearable back / shin / calf / etc. pumps. What can I do?​

The first line of action should be:

• Taurine (3-10g pre-workout, you may also add 3-5g AM/PM depending on when you workout)
• Magnesium (200-500mg pre-workout, you may also add 200-500mg AM/PM depending on when you workout)
• Potassium (200-300mg pre-workout, you may also add 200-500mg AM/PM depending on when you workout)
• Upping your water intake (1-2 gallons ED)

If none of this helps, anecdotally, Cialis (10-15mg ED) has been known to help.

Injecting​

My Injection Spot Is Red, Itchy, Or Sore?​

Answer: Get to a doctor for some antibiotics if it is red, itchy, or hot. If it is simply sore and/or swollen it is probably going to be okay see: Post Injection Pain (PIP). If in doubt, get some antibiotics; a common thing to tell your doctor is that you injected B12.

Is It Normal To Bleed After An Injection?”​

Answer: Yes, it is common to occasionally nick a vein close to the surface of the injection site, which will cause blood to leak from the surface. The amount of blood which can seep from an injection site can be anywhere from a drop or two, to a very light stream which slowly flows down that body part. Even in the event a larger vein is hit when doing an injection, this type of bleeding is relatively easy to stop and will not pose any harm to the individual.

Is Aspirating Required?​

Answer: Many AAS users do not aspirate when injecting. It is considered a bit of an out-dated methodology, but it never hurts to do it.

According to the CDC:

Aspiration - Aspiration is the process of pulling back on the plunger of the syringe prior to injection to ensure that the medication is not injected into a blood vessel. Although this practice is advocated by some experts, the procedure is not required because no large blood vessels exist at the recommended injection sites."

STTI International Nursing Research Congress Vancouver, July 2009:

"Aspiration is not indicated for SC injections."
"Aspiration is not indicated for IM injections."

Organizations which state aspiration is not necessary:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• Department of Health Services (DHS)
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• U.K. Department of Health (DoH)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

References located at the bottom of the page.

Does Injecting Build Up Scar Tissue?​

Answer: Yes, repeated Intramuscular injections can cause the muscle to build up scar tissue. Generally there is no inflammation or inclusion in the tissue. In an effort to minimize scar tissue build up, users will rotate through many injection sites. If you're interested, here is a case study of a woman in an extreme case, it includes stained muscle biopsies

How Do I Open Ampules?​

Answer: Ampules can be aided in opening by scoring (some ampules come pre-scored). Scoring is a process in which in a fine line is ground away around the neck of the ampule. Scoring makes it much easier to snap the top of the ampule off without breaking the vial and spilling the oil. Normally, a scoring tool is used for this process, although sometimes knives or other objects can be used.

An amp opener can be used, which is the fastest and the least time consuming methods.

If you don't have an ampule opener. Grasp the ampule between thumb and forefinger of one hand. Move liquid from the neck to the body of the ampule by tapping (thumping) the ampule sharply. Using gauze pad (or similar), grasp stem (the part above the neck) with other hand. Break stem away from you and discard safely. This is a very helpful video that shows the process

Lastly, the tape-method can be employed, as well. The tape method involves taping the entire vial all the way up to the neck line. Several layers of tape should surround the vial, so that it is properly secured. The point of taping the vial is two-fold. One purpose is to prevent the contents of the ampule from spilling, should the ampule break somewhere other than the neckline. The other purpose is to reinforce the ampule, so that it is more likely to break at the neckline. One can combine both the tape method and the scoring, which is the best way to ensure that the oil contained in the ampule will not be spilled.

Can I Re-Use Syringes?​

Answer: Absolutely not. You should never take a needle which has entered the body and re-insert it back into a steroid product, as this can result in bacteria build-up and cause potential future infections.

How Fast Should I Inject?

Answer: As a general rule, 30 seconds per mL/cc.

Is It Dangerous To Inject Small Air Bubbles?”​

Answer: No, a small amount of air will do no harm. Air bubbles injected into muscle tissue is of no concern. Even if the individual were to thread a vein and inject the entire contents of the syringe into the vein, the small air bubbles contained within it would be the least of that person’s worries. In reality, several cc’s of air would have to be injected directly into a vein all at once, in order to cause cardiac arrest. Even injecting 2-3 cc’s of air directly into a muscle would be largely inconsequential. Of course, such an action is not recommended, but you get the point.