Concerns over presumably bad [or not] gear

[DespondentWojak]

Since it's relevant, I want to point out before anything else that I am on a drug called ustekinumab, which makes it way easier for me to get infections of any sort, but out of hundreds of injections over the years I've never once missed the mark and had sides.

My inquiry is in regards to some older gear I have lying around, 4-5 years. It's from a previously reputable source that is no longer in operation and I don't care about a slight drop of potency. I used their stuff for several years without issue on any front, and from the same batch before I took a break for a while. The gear is not discolored or crystalized with no floaters. I used it once maybe 6 months ago and did get a fever from it leading me to believe it was contaminated somehow despite being sealed still. At the same time, I was not taking into consideration being more meticulous than normal due to recently being put on a new medication. Upon closer inspection after opening another fresh vial, I saw that it was moist inside the cap, making me think there was something wrong with the seal itself, and in turn that all of these vials are no good because another yielded the same result--they were not like this the last time I was regularly using them. They are/were stored in an area of about 70 degrees year round and sealed in a bag.

I know there is a lot of info out there about crashed/crystalized gear and the like, and I've dealt with that before. However, as it feels terribly wasteful to dumpster about a dozen vials, I was hoping someone with more expertise could offer their ops on whether or not I should cut my losses and trash all these other vials because they're likely contaminated, or if it's more likely I made a mistake on my draw/injection.

 

[BigNoOne]

The stopper may have deteriorated or “dried out” and may not be sealing the top. If oil is getting out then air and other stuff may be getting in. If the BA evaporated, it won’t be bacteriostatic anymore.

Things to consider. You need to feel comfortable with your decision. I doubt anyone’s going to give you the g2g on that though.

 

[DespondentWojak]

The stopper may have deteriorated or “dried out” and may not be sealing the top. If oil is getting out then air and other stuff may be getting in. If the BA evaporated, it won’t be bacteriostatic anymore.

Things to consider. You need to feel comfortable with your decision. I doubt anyone’s going to give you the g2g on that though.

Thanks for the reply. To a degree I don't expect much in the terms of responses at all. I'm certainly not looking for a go ahead from randos online; rather I just want general information as I openly admit to not knowing much about the process or how/if there is a reasonable way to rectify it time/cost wise. If there is no other info provided, then I can only give my best guess, which is exactly what you said above. In the future I wonder if I should be vacuum-sealing all not soon-to-be-used gear.

 

[Trainedbytylerlofthouse19]

Don't do it man abscess waiting to happen.. Gears cheap enough to get some more and your paying for peace of mind..

I even included pics to further put you off the idea..

 

[Astartes]

As cheap as gear is, I don’t get why people chance it. Particularly in your position.

Three Recommendations:
1) Start brewing your own.
2) Store powders over 3 years not oils
3) Get 4-5 different antibiotics on hand.

 

[Ghoul]

Your body isn't a trash can.

 

[Sampei]

Thanks for the reply. To a degree I don't expect much in the terms of responses at all. I'm certainly not looking for a go ahead from randos online; rather I just want general information as I openly admit to not knowing much about the process or how/if there is a reasonable way to rectify it time/cost wise. If there is no other info provided, then I can only give my best guess, which is exactly what you said above. In the future I wonder if I should be vacuum-sealing all not soon-to-be-used gear.

Just refilter into new sterile vials problem solved

 

[DespondentWojak]

As cheap as gear is, I don’t get why people chance it. Particularly in your position.

Three Recommendations:
1) Start brewing your own.
2) Store powders over 3 years not oils
3) Get 4-5 different antibiotics on hand.

Fair response, but because $400+ in gear isn't cheap for me, and typically lasts an entire year. Plus, my regular guy is on hiatus and it's always a hassle trying a new vendor's gear and seeing how I react to it. Storing my own antibiotics is a good idea however, since i typically just have prednisone on hand.

If it needs to be trashed then so be it, but if it can be saved then I can gain new knowledge in the process of also saving money. I figured there was no harm in asking because the worst that happens is people call me an idiot for even considering a way to save it. It may be time to learn more about homebrewing anyway.

Just refilter into new sterile vials problem solved

Going to actually try this, thanks, but only after I've got antibiotics on hand.

Don't do it man abscess waiting to happen.. Gears cheap enough to get some more and your paying for peace of mind..
View attachment 303199View attachment 303200
I even included pics to further put you off the idea..
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That looks awful man, did you delay treatment on this?

 

[TurboJet]

Who's the vendor? Others may have some stashed too that they can check and see if it's had the same issue. I'd trash it tho man not worth it especially since you're on a Immunosuppression drug. Just my two cents.

 

[Sampei]

Fair response, but because $400+ in gear isn't cheap for me, and typically lasts an entire year. Plus, my regular guy is on hiatus and it's always a hassle trying a new vendor's gear and seeing how I react to it. Storing my own antibiotics is a good idea however, since i typically just have prednisone on hand.

If it needs to be trashed then so be it, but if it can be saved then I can gain new knowledge in the process of also saving money. I figured there was no harm in asking because the worst that happens is people call me an idiot for even considering a way to save it. It may be time to learn more about homebrewing anyway.


Going to actually try this, thanks, but only after I've got antibiotics on hand.




That looks awful man, did you delay treatment on this?

If you refilter it will be sterile no antibiotics needed but if it makes you happy yeah have those on hand

 

[Astartes]

If you refilter it will be sterile no antibiotics needed but if it makes you happy yeah have those on hand

If you refilled add .5% BA

 

[Astartes]

because $400+ in gear isn't cheap for me, and typically lasts an entire year.

I get what you are saying here, but compared to a $10,000 hospital bill and 1year off lifting…. No brainer. Isn’t worth the gamble.

Particularly if you’re immune depressed…. It is an easy decision.

You can filter. I suggested above to add BA for a bit of assurance. That said, brewing your own is cheaper and safer by far.

Given your condition. You need to think long and hard on it. Then again I am risk adverse.

If I get a package held at a post I office. It’s dead to me. If it gets delivered eventually, great… but $2k of supply isn’t worth the risk of $100k legal fees and federal charges resulting in prison time.

Lot of guys risk it. To me… it’s just money.

 

[Ghoul]

I still urge you to not do this, If moisture got in through a compromised seal. your oil could be loaded with endotoxins that can make you sick and are unable to be filtered out. But since I recognize you're going to do what you will, to do this most safely, here's what. I recommend.

You should use a hydrophobic filter, which will resist water, keeping it out of the solution while sterilizing. I believe this should be the correct type:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNKB9CMV

 

[iris]

I get what you are saying here, but compared to a $10,000 hospital bill and 1year off lifting…. No brainer. Isn’t worth the gamble.

Particularly if you’re immune depressed…. It is an easy decision.

You can filter. I suggested above to add BA for a bit of assurance. That said, brewing your own is cheaper and safer by far.

Given your condition. You need to think long and hard on it. Then again I am risk adverse.

If I get a package held at a post I office. It’s dead to me. If it gets delivered eventually, great… but $2k of supply isn’t worth the risk of $100k legal fees and federal charges resulting in prison time.

Lot of guys risk it. To me… it’s just money.

Could the way the vials were stored have caused some of the damage, or would it have happened regardless, maybe because the vials were of low quality?

 

[Ghoul]

Could the way the vials were stored have caused some of the damage, or would it have happened regardless, maybe because the vials were of low quality?

Storage would make a difference. Heat, light, airflow would all contribute to the rubber drying out. The more poorly they're made, the faster the degradation.

A top of the line stopper could last 20 years despite those conditions.

 

[iris]

Storage would make a difference. Heat, light, airflow would all contribute to the rubber drying out. The more poorly they're made, the faster the degradation.

A top of the line stopper could last 20 years despite those conditions.

Well, I remember Narta writing about this; I don't remember how long he said, but it must have been longer than 4 years.
You also replied on another thread about it.

In any case, for someone taking medication that compromises their immune system, the very thought of looking at these vials and trying a rescue op, I am like: what is that Darwin thing that the gentleman I have just mentioned often refers to?.....

 

[Ghoul]

Well, I remember Narta writing about this; I don't remember how long he said, but it must have been longer than 4 years.
You also replied on another thread about it.

In any case, for someone taking medication that compromises their immune system, the very thought of looking at these vials and trying a rescue op, I am like: what is that Darwin thing that the gentleman I have just mentioned often refers to?.....

After reading far more about a topic I would've been safely isolated from if the internet didn't exist, I also know some of the liquid may not be something as "naturally" dangerous as water saturated with bacteria.

It could some of the 30+ chemicals like plastisizers and mold releasers and anti-oxidants all used to make manufacturing those bromobutyl stoppers easier, separating out over time and dripping into the gear.

It's all as vile as it sounds, and the equivalent of dipping your syringe into a vat of the chemical soup being mixed to make a truck tire.

 

[iris]

Don't do it man abscess waiting to happen.. Gears cheap enough to get some more and your paying for peace of mind..
View attachment 303199View attachment 303200
I even included pics to further put you off the idea..
View attachment 303201

Holy mackerel, Mr Lofthouse, how the hell did this happen?
Who was the chef that made the soup that gave you these boo boos?

Must have been so sore.
Lots of antibiotics, I imagine