Pancragen injection site pain – any tricks to minimise it?

Posted by greg208 in Safety & Side Effects - 2 points, 5 comments.

I started a short course of Pancragen at the end of June after reading a few threads about its potential for supporting pancreatic function. I’m using the injectable form, one dose per day, for a 10‑day cycle. The first few injections left a hard, red lump at the site and a throbbing ache that lasted most of the day.

I tried rotating areas – thigh, arm, abdomen – and nothing made a big difference. I also switched from a 29‑g needle to a 25‑g and trimmed the needle length to 4 mm, but pain remained. I’ve started soaking the area in warm water and applying a light compression bandage, which eased the discomfort a little in the evenings, but I still feel the injection site for a good chunk of the day.

Anyone else notice similar post‑injection soreness? Do you have any simple tricks – like a topical numbing cream, a change in injection angle, or a specific timing of the dose relative to meals – that help reduce the pain or swelling? I’m keen to keep the protocol short but safe.

Comments

• brandon245: I can’t say it’s gone away for me either. When I started a daily injection of a peptide, I got a small hard lump and a throbbing ache that lingered for most of the day. I’d try a 25‑g needle and cut the length, but the soreness stayed ubuntu. One trick that helped was drawing the needle in at a 45‑degree angle and pulling it out slowly, giving the tissue a bit of time to absorb. I also started putting a thin lidocaine gel on the skin a few minutes before the shot and didn’t feel the same sting.
• amber464: Same thing for me, 45‑degree angle and a quick lidocaine gel before. I give it ten minutes, then pull out slowly. A light swab with isopropyl after helps keep the spot clear. Tried a 20‑g needle too, but the pain stayed about the same.
• hank_m: Tbh i’ve found that a 45‑degree angle plus a dab of lidocaine before the injection helps a lot, i also keep the site moist with aloe after. Pulling the needle out slowly really cuts the swelling, kept my last 10‑day cycle pretty smooth.
• greg208: Thanks, that makes sense. I’ll try the 45‑degree angle and a dab of lidocaine before each shot, plus aloe to keep the site moist and pull the needle out slowly. In my case I already use a 25‑g 4 mm needle – will that still be enough or should I switch to a longer one to accommodate the angle? Also, if the swelling is still present after the first injection, should I keep the aloe on overnight or re‑apply in the morning?
• greg208: Not gonna lie I’ve been hitting a lot of the same pain spots, so your 45‑degree angle and quick lidocaine gel before the shot sounds spot on. I only used 25‑g, 4 mm needles, so I’ll try the 20‑g you mentioned. What concentration of lidocaine gel were you using and how long did you leave it on? Also, did the isopropyl swab really help keep the area clear or was it just a feel‑good ritual? I'll give it a go next week and see if the soreness eases a bit.
• greg208: Thanks for the gel tip – tried that before the shot and it cut the sting noticeably. Still got the lump though, reckon the needle angle might help long-term. Any chance the 45-degree pull-out slows absorption enough to reduce the ache? Wondering if timing matters too – like doing it after a meal or something.

Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.