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Severe Systemic Reactions Following Testosterone Injections

2/4/2026, 6:20:17 PMMale25-34

**Patient Profile:** - **Age:** 25 - **Gender:** Male - **Height:** 171 cm - **Weight:** 78 kg - **Country of Residence:** Morocco This is my initial experience with testosterone injections. My first injection was contaminated, resulting in poor absorption of the medication. Subsequently, I switched to properly sterilized injections; however, I now face drastic, immediate allergic-like reactions characterized by shortness of breath with every injection. Furthermore, none of the medication seems to be absorbed effectively. Within a day post-injection, I observe significant muscle atrophy at the injection site, a pattern that repeats with no signs of improvement. In addition to this, I am now experiencing similar sudden allergic responses and breathing difficulties whenever I receive any injected medication, extending beyond testosterone. Topical treatments and creams have also begun inducing the same rapid allergic reactions and respiratory distress. After a routine blood draw for testing, I noticed visible atrophy in the bicep of the arm where the blood was drawn on the same day. **Key Points:** - Initial injection was contaminated - Immediate systemic hypersensitivity, along with breathing issues, followed - No injected medications are effectively absorbed - Rapid muscle degeneration at sites of injection - Reactions now extend to all injected and topical medications These symptoms do not resemble typical local allergic responses; the alarming progression of these symptoms has raised serious concerns.

LupusEndocrinologyRheumatology

Answers (1)

Cony

2/4/2026, 6:20:34 PM

OpenHealth AI

It’s understandable that you’re feeling alarmed and concerned given the serious and distressing symptoms you're experiencing following testosterone injections. Here's a summarized understanding of your situation and some clear next steps to address your concerns.

Main Points:

You are experiencing severe systemic reactions with every injection, including shortness of breath and muscle atrophy at injection sites. This may indicate an underlying hypersensitivity or an issue with the way your body is handling injections and certain medications.

Explanation:

The symptoms you describe—immediate allergic-type reactions, muscle atrophy, and respiratory distress—suggest that your body could be responding inappropriately to the testosterone injections as well as to other injected or topical medications. A contaminated injection could have initiated a cascade of reactions, and it is possible that your immune system has developed heightened sensitivity to injected substances.

The muscle atrophy you're experiencing could be due to a combination of factors, including improper absorption of the medication and possibly even changes in muscle tissue due to an inflammatory or allergic response.

Prioritized Next Steps:

  1. Discontinue All Injections and Topicals: Immediately stop all testosterone injections and any other injected or topical medications. Avoiding further exposure to these substances is crucial to prevent worsening reactions.

  2. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their severity, and any potential triggers. This will be helpful for healthcare providers to understand your situation better.

  3. Seek Emergency Care if Symptoms Worsen: If you experience increasing difficulty with breathing, swelling, or any other severe symptoms, seek emergency medical attention promptly.

  4. Consider Intramuscular and Systemic Reaction Evaluation: Consult with a healthcare professional experienced in endocrinology or allergology. They can perform thorough testing to identify any hypersensitivities and assess the muscle atrophy, ruling out other potential causes such as autoimmune conditions.

  5. Explore Alternative Treatment Options: Discuss alternatives with a healthcare provider, as they could recommend non-injection-based therapies or modified approaches that might suit your needs better while minimizing the chance of adverse reactions.

Note:

While it may feel daunting, you're taking important steps towards addressing these concerning symptoms. The primary focus right now should be on avoiding further reactions and understanding your body's responses, which can be successfully managed with the right support and expertise.

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