SWIMs first post and it's to a thread that appears to be over 5 years old... sorry if this aint proper forum etiquette. Anyway, SWIM wanted to answer a few questions posed here. a little relevant background first: SWIM has done IV fentanyl for about 8 months (Duragesic Gel patches, 75 and 100mcg/hr, actavis mfg.), and the occasional "on the roof of SWIM's mouth" Sandoz 100mcg patches. Only the former can be IV'd somewhat easily - the Sandoz ones dont have gel.
Redd_loves_OC asked a few questions:
Now, does it always burn for you repeat fentanyl IV'ers?
~~~It doesnt burn at all (provided SWIY doesnt miss) when SWIY just uses water, SWIM imagines it could burn moderately to like hell as the solution is made more acidic (or basic). SWIM doesnt advise using acids on gel patches simply because it's not needed.
Does alcohol make it worse or the acids?
~~The little bit of alcohol in the patch doesnt hurt (again, provided SWIY doesnt miss). It should be mixed with water; its too gelatenous to draw up w/o it. See above re: acids.
Or nothing burns unless you miss?
~~ Correct. in SWIM's experience, misses hurt like hell no matter what SWIM is injecting, so simply put, dont miss. SWIY should never miss more than a few units at most. If you are missing, reposition. If you fill the needle with so much blood that you cant tell if you register, then you're pretty much f**ked unless you can tell by syringe volume (jackback or register produces no air bubbles). in SWIM's opinion, its' better to squirt it in your mouth than SC or IM a crapload of blood and drugs.
And for those whom have done this repeatedly, would you recommend the buzz/pain management of IV over other ROA's?
SWIM is a new member but is fairly sure ROA stand for route of administration. If SWIY is looking for pain management, and the safe(r) way to go, then wear the patches the way they are intended to be worn. SWIM cant do this because swim sweats horribly; even duct tape wont hold them on.
If SWIY is looking for a buzz, and has exhausted all other opiates, then IV may be the way to go. IV Fent should be reserved for 3 types of people: anesthesiologists, heavy IV opiate users, and the suicidal. SWIM is the second category. Officially, SWIM always recommends that all medications be taken in the manner and quantity in which they are prescribed by the person to whom the are prescribed; it may be a violation of federal law to do otherwise. Unofficially, IV fentanyl doesnt produce much buzz, certainly not the whack on the head that IV hydromorphone does, or the warm blanket that heroin does. The buzz in SWIM's opinion isnt even as good as a high dose (200-300mg) of insufflated oxycodone, however heroin is completely illegal at SWIM's location, hydromorphone leads to insane tolerance and is $$$$, ditto oxycodone.
inally, for harm reduction sake, I am about to attempt very small amounts of a watson 100mcg patch. Any last bits of advice?
Do *very* small amounts and use clean,new works, sterilize your water and skin, safe shooting techniques in general. Specifically, DO NOT mix fentanyl with ANYTHING else at first (even tylenol), and DO NOT try to chase that first hit with more if it aint good enough for you. ALWAYS have someone who will do CPR or call emergency services for you if you stop breathing.
SWIM has never had the watson patches so all of the above could be moot for them (except wearing them as intended).
