I did it right in the middle of my "lap", and off the top and a little towards the outside of my thigh...does that make sense?

I figured that my stomach would be my next try, thinking that since there is absolutely no muscle there that maybe, just maybe it won't hurt so bad?

Well done. You're doing great!
I've just stuck myself with Beta and it hurt like hell into my thigh. I bruise so badly after them all that I'm running out of space.
I prefer belly and saddle. Belly was hard to put the needle into first time. Ended up resting the needle tip and breathing in deep. My belly rose to meet the needle as it were.
I've lost 30lbs recently. I wasn't fat before, but now there's not much to stick into.
I hope it continues to go well for you.

Amy,
I've done about a month and a half of C, and I find that my thigh is the worst place of all! I have more pain/reaction with it. I see nary a reaction from my belly as far as bruising/welts/etc. But my thigh will stay hot for 5 days, and be itchy and sore.

So you'll figure it all out in time, and avoid those places that aren't any fun!

My thighs have a huge muscle strip along the top front. I try to avoid that area. I lean off to the side wall and find MUCH more fat pat to shoot. You dont have to stick to the chart. I use upper outter thigh, and just outter thigh. I almost never use the top sides, and if I do, its manual at a 45 degree angle.

Sounds like you smacked the muscle. As time marches forward, you will learn your body, and where the best picks are for poking.

hang in there. Tummy days are great! no muscle, all fat! woo!

Yeah, figured I hit a muscle. My "recovering" sister thought so too...I find it so ironic that she did it on purpose every day and when she finally stops after years and years, then it's me that has to start "shooting" up daily! Hey, have I been Punked? (Sound familiar?)

I was just wondering today what was so special about the "designated" areas for the shots.... would it really matter if I alternated between 4 areas instead of 7? I am a "by the books" kind of gal too and tend not to deviate...but I'm feeling a bit snappy today and might just break a rule someday!

So far I found the thigh to be horrible, my inner left arm is still bruised from Monday, tummy was no big deal at all and neither was the hip. Today I tried my right arm...more on the bottom side and only see a light bruise. I am a bit gun shy to try the thigh again but I think I am going to go to the "outside" to be adventurous

Amy, be careful with the depth of your injections, after much trial and error (and bummers), I learned that I was going just a tiny bit too deep.

Forgive the question, it's strictly pragmatic: Are you very lean or do you have some "insulation"? I'll defer to advice of the lean ones, I'm well insulated and for the last two years, I stuck with the hip/butt and belly. The belly are the easiest for me.

Watch out on that outer thigh idea, it hurts!

Are you using the auto injector? or going manual? it makes a difference.

Injector rules
If you can pinch at LESS than an inch go for 4
If you can pinch an inch go for the 6
If you can pinch a fat inch with a nice pad go for 8
If you can pinch 2 or more inches go for 10

If you cannot bring up that inch, or keep smacking muscle in that area, you may have to shoot manually, and use a 45 Degree angle.

I go long periods of time without using my arms. They stay quite painful for a long time days/weeks after using them. I just do a double bum bum shot. Lots of real estate there.

I am 98% manual now. I only pick up the auto inflictor when the husband isnt home to help on bum bum days.

I dont stick to that chart. I stick to MY body, and where MY fat lives. There is NO fat on the front part of my thighs, only sore thighs if I poke them. I lean way off to the side, sometimes headed towards the back, cause that is where MY fat lives. On my hips/bum area, I use the full side wall. I dont just stick to that small area indicated on the chart. I go from the love handle all the way down to the upper thigh area. Tons of fat parts to pick on.

If you stick your thumb on your hip bone, swing your fingers around towards your bum, or pointed backwards. Spread out your fingers. That is a great fat area, with a solid fat pad to pick on. I go as far back as those finger will stretch, but wont go further. I have a friend who shoots her whole bum, upper, lower, middle and it scares me!

As time marches forward you will learn about your body and what works for you.

Hang in there.

I am using the Autoject, however when I was "learning" how to do that I asked the nurse about doing it manually too. She showed me how to do that, however I found that I am certainly not coordinated enough to do it that way since I proceeded to immediately poke my thumb and hand when I removed the cap off the needle! I think my tremors might give me some troubles doing it that way, however I will try again once I get a bit more comfortable.

When using the autoject, would it help if I "pinched" the skin(fat) before I hit the release - and then let go once the meds are pumping in?

They have a syringe grip. Call Shared Solutions and ask for yours. it slips over the needle/syringe body and provide nice wider wings at the top end to grab onto. It has saved me from having to use the auto inflictor several times. I have also found that once buried in my bum I can let go of the needle and it doesnt fall out. that gives me a chance to re grip.

There is plenty of time to learn both ways.