Harm Reduction Injection Complications FAQ and Mega Thread

[Natural]

Really strange reaction from IV. Need help.

I just shot one bag of heroin (tar), but couldn't find my normal vein I use, so I noticed a big one popping up on the top of my hand, registered and shot. As soon as I finished, my hand felt like it was on fire and now it's swelling up and my index finger and thumb feel stiff. Any ideas?

 

[Unknown]

Hit an artery or missed. If it doesnt feel better soon, see a doctor ASAP

 

[v4lium]

You most likely missed, veins in the hand and wrist are especially hard to hit compared to veins on the forearm/crook of the elbow/bicep. The pain will go away, though if your hand goes numb completely see a doc.

 

[Lost and Confused]

Was the blood a brighter color than usual, frothy, or shoot into the barrel with high velocity?
Pay very close attention to it...an artery shot could end up with losing fingers/hand.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I'll leave this open for a few hours, and then will eventually merge into the IV complications megathread.

I just want the OP to say he's either better, or going to the ER. Sounds like a miss or an artery shot, but more likely a miss.

 

[TheDankaholic]

Head to the ER, Im an RN at an ER and have done this EXACT same thing myself. Registered and plunged without paying attention to the blood color cause I wa sin a hurry. Hand swelled up like crazy, arm broke out in hives, & my hand felt like fire instead of a nice rush flowing through it.

I had ended up hitting an artery and it is seriously no joke. Especially with tar (which is what I was shooting when I did it too) Honestly it can be fine on it's own but you can honestly just as easy lose a hand this way. Artery shots are no joke. I learned my lesson when I did this, and hopefully you will to without having to lose a limb.

95% sure you hit an artery my friend. Especially since they are MUCH easier to hit in the hands. Go to the ER please. You will thank me later.

 

[phr]

Hit an artery or missed. If it doesnt feel better soon, see a doctor ASAP

Yup. Without further information we can't really tell which it was.

I'll leave this open for a few hours, and then will eventually merge into the IV complications megathread.

Yes, the iv complications thread is where this belongs and where more information can be found.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

Yes, the iv complications thread is where this belongs and where more information can be found.

K, well the OP seems to be either at the ER or sleeping or something, so I'll merge this and leave the link there for a day or two.

I hope he's ok...

 

[cire113]

How come 90% of the time i IV when i try get into my veins there is a loud pop sound......? like super loud

 

[Captain.Heroin]

How come 90% of the time i IV when i try get into my veins there is a loud pop sound......? like super loud

A loud pop sound? Um...that's no good? I have no idea. When I IV, it's typically silent.

What's the pop sound coming from, the needle?

Could it be clogged, and the vaccuum is pulling in blood which makes whatever's clogging it pop out of it?

I really have no idea man, sorry.

What are you IVing (primarily - which does the pop) and what kind of needle are you using, and how much water are you using?

 

[cire113]

The pop sound happens whenever i stick the needle in me ... it doesnt happen every time but id say 75% of the time i IV i hear a pop from the needle going through my skin...

Using 29 1/2 gauge insulin needle... but the sound is from the actually needle penetrating my skin or vein.....

I think im just gonna quit IV i cant even fucking do it i give up and its not worth all the pain and misery of missed shots and sore arms... probably for the better

 

[Captain.Heroin]

The pop sound happens whenever i stick the needle in me ... it doesnt happen every time but id say 75% of the time i IV i hear a pop from the needle going through my skin...

Using 29 1/2 gauge insulin needle... but the sound is from the actually needle penetrating my skin or vein.....

I think im just gonna quit IV i cant even fucking do it i give up and its not worth all the pain and misery of missed shots and sore arms... probably for the better

Huh.

Well, someone else may have to answer your question as I have no idea. Sorry about that.

I too have used 1/2" 29G insulin needles (3/10 CC to be exact), and they were smooth, and I don't remember them "popping".

I think it is for the better to only IV with skilled hands helping you - then it is a lot easier to not miss a shot at all. I don't like IVing without a pair of helping hands.

 

[flhx]

Still cant register

I posted a few days ago about not being able to register and Capt H told me what to do and so I ordered some new rigs.

Well I got them today and thinking all would be well I copped and ran home to my new rigs.

The problem is still the same. I cannot register. I think I'm in a vein as when I pull out blood flows out but never registers. I got Terumo 29gx1/2 1cc rigs.

I did get one small register in a vein I never used before but the skin bubbled up like the vein was clogged or something I guess it was a miss but doesn't hurt.

This is getting very wasteful and frustrating. I don't get it. I need some help or suggestions or is this just a lost cause?

Do you think there is a problem with my veins or my technique?

Also when I did go in I got a bunch of small hives on my arm around the injection area seemed like a allergic reaction???

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I posted a few days ago about not being able to register and Capt H told me what to do and so I ordered some new rigs.

Well I got them today and thinking all would be well I copped and ran home to my new rigs.

The problem is still the same. I cannot register. I think I'm in a vein as when I pull out blood flows out but never registers. I got Terumo 29gx1/2 1cc rigs.

I did get one small register in a vein I never used before but the skin bubbled up like the vein was clogged or something I guess it was a miss but doesn't hurt.

This is getting very wasteful and frustrating. I don't get it. I need some help or suggestions or is this just a lost cause?

Do you think there is a problem with my veins or my technique?

Also when I did go in I got a bunch of small hives on my arm around the injection area seemed like a allergic reaction???

It might be that your veins need to heal for a few days, or it could be that you were in the vein, and then slipped out. Are you injecting by yourself? Try having an experienced friend help you out. That can really make a difference.

Also, are you using a tourniquet? If so, you shouldn't need to. And, if you do, you need to release the tourniquet before injecting.

If you have a bunch of small hives around the area you injected, it might be something in the dope that's causing that. I'm not sure, to be honest.

 

[Respectable junkie]

Also when I did go in I got a bunch of small hives on my arm around the injection area seemed like a allergic reaction???

That sounds similar to a 'citric rash'. Is it like a stinging nettle rash? If you are in the US and are lucky enough to not need citric acid to break down your heroin then im not sure. Must be some sort of irritant in the gear.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

That sounds similar to a 'citric rash'. Is it like a stinging nettle rash? If you are in the US and are lucky enough to not need citric acid to break down your heroin then im not sure. Must be some sort of irritant in the gear.

I've seen someone shoot H then their injection site swelled up huge - they made the shot, but it swelled up due to a contaminant (which was likely an allergen) - but within 10 minutes, it went all the way back down. It was the weirdest thing I had ever seen - needless to say the rest of that bag was snorted.

 

[flhx]

It might be that your veins need to heal for a few days, or it could be that you were in the vein, and then slipped out. Are you injecting by yourself? Try having an experienced friend help you out. That can really make a difference.

Also, are you using a tourniquet? If so, you shouldn't need to. And, if you do, you need to release the tourniquet before injecting.

If you have a bunch of small hives around the area you injected, it might be something in the dope that's causing that. I'm not sure, to be honest.

I havent Iv'd in a at least a week. I thought that would be enough.

I am doing it by myself. Don't have anyone who can help.

I wasn't using a tourniquet when I first started but now I do sometimes if I am trying to find a new place to hit.

What I find very concerning is that when I pull out I get a good flow of blood from the exit point. So I think I get the vein but no register. I am really baffled by this.

I really miss that rush and whiffing it just isn't the same but i am tired of sticking myself over and over and missing.

thanks for the reply.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I havent Iv'd in a at least a week. I thought that would be enough.

I am doing it by myself. Don't have anyone who can help.

I wasn't using a tourniquet when I first started but now I do sometimes if I am trying to find a new place to hit.

What I find very concerning is that when I pull out I get a good flow of blood from the exit point. So I think I get the vein but no register. I am really baffled by this.

I really miss that rush and whiffing it just isn't the same but i am tired of sticking myself over and over and missing.

thanks for the reply.

So you pull the plunger back, and when it's just air, you pull the needle out to find a lot of blood pours out?

If you were using a clean needle, my only advice is if you're trying to shoot dope - use a filter. There might be some insoluble particles getting clogged in the needle, preventing blood from registering in the syringe.

If you do use a tourniquet, just make sure you release it before injecting. Ideally, you won't need one.

If you have no one to help, is it possible you can find someone who can help you? Or not likely?

 

[flhx]

That sounds similar to a 'citric rash'. Is it like a stinging nettle rash? If you are in the US and are lucky enough to not need citric acid to break down your heroin then im not sure. Must be some sort of irritant in the gear.

The rash was a nickle size whelt at the entrance site and a few much smaller whelts around the injection site.

I just use water for the mix. I use a new stick each time.

 

[flhx]

So you pull the plunger back, and when it's just air, you pull the needle out to find a lot of blood pours out?

If you were using a clean needle, my only advice is if you're trying to shoot dope - use a filter. There might be some insoluble particles getting clogged in the needle, preventing blood from registering in the syringe.

If you do use a tourniquet, just make sure you release it before injecting. Ideally, you won't need one.

If you have no one to help, is it possible you can find someone who can help you? Or not likely?

Yes thats what happens and with these new syringes when I pull back to register and I get air the plunger gets pulled back like there is some sort of suction.

I was thinking the same thing about the needle so I shot the mix back into the spoon and re-filtered. I shot the mixture out pretty hard to make sure the needle was clean. i have now tried 4 new sticks. It must be my technique. If I was to go through the vein would there be a big bruise? Is there anyway to tell if I go through?

I won't be able to get help. Everyone else I know whiffs it except for one chick I know and she is kindy dirty!!