Heroin Would a missed shot cause me to fill sick if not showing any major signs of infection?

[aspiringchemist]

Ok so I attempted an IV injection of black tar heroin and methamphetamine about 24 hours ago; it contained roughly 0.25g heroin and 150mg methamphetamine. I filtered and swabbed the site with alcohol before injecting. General cleanliness was practiced, fresh needle etc.

I attempted to hit the large vein running up the center of the forearm, a new site for me, after seeing it listed on a diagram of safe injection sites. I’m relatively new to regular IV use; I’ve done it on and off, sporadically, over the decades, but in the last month I’ve began using heroin via IV in a feeble attempt to get away from a smoked fentanyl addiction of 1.5-2g/ day going on a year now, and in an overall probably stupid plan/idea to switch to IV heroin, then walk myself off by smoking dope as I’ve been wholeheartedly unable to stop fent by any means. This is a last ditch effort and although it obviously works to alleviate physiological symptoms, it is merely a replacement at this point, one which is proving to be potentially more harmful… the only solace in it is that after a few days off fentanyl, I can theoretically induce suboxone following my last use of heroin by 12-24 hours as opposed to 72-96. Having experienced severe precipitated withdrawal during fentanyl withdrawal by taking suboxone after 24 hours, I’m unwilling to go through that again, and simultaneously cannot picture going further into cold turkey fent withdrawal.

Anyway, I registered the shot. Blood rushed in, dark red and a large amount. I even registered midway through the shot. It did not burn or sting like I’ve read missed shots are supposed to, especially with meth, which in retrospect I think is kinda strange. Well it kinda if stung at first, prompting me to re-register, at which point I injected the whole shot, which was a half cc (think that’s correct terminology?).

Almost immediately it swelled into a lump just under the injection site, like the size of two quarters in diameter maybe. Within the hour it was bruising heavily with a noticeably mound At the site. I immediately did a hot compress for about an hour on and off, followed by a hot shower and elevation a few hours later.

Within a few hours there was a somewhat circular area surrounding the site, approximately 5” in diameter, reddish brown in color, potentially a bruise but looks kinda different than my usual track bruises. It hasn’t really changed much in the past 24 hours. It shocked me how big it was. Sorry I have a hard time getting to the point…

Currently, about 24 hours later, it doesn’t appear infected, unless this discoloration isn’t a bruise but early signs of infection. It is not warm to the touch and hasn’t really changed since it presented. However, I feel that vertigo, sliding feeling associated with having a fever whenever I move or turn my head. I cannot verify that I have a fever because I’m at work for another 3 hours. I don’t have any other symptoms of systemic illness but this vertigo feeling, that perhaps I just associate with having a fever, is really strong. I feel kind of off and out of it.

Is it possible to be having symptoms like this from an infection if the site isn’t showing clear signs of infection? Would they present this quickly?

Is it worth going to urgent care before clear signs of infection is present, other than a 5” in diameter reddish/brown, potential bruise being present? I should add, it hurts quite a bit when I push on it but not anywhere near the pain of active infections I’ve had in the past. It’s certainly not that “drop you to the ground” pain I associate with bacterial infections.

Thanks for any feedback. Tried to provide enough information.

 

[jose ribas da silva]

Unless something enters your bloodstream directly, an infection would usually start locally, with signs you’re likely to notice. If that happens, the important thing is to recognize it and intervene as early as possible

 

[notsmokeymcpot42088]

I admit to not reading the whole thing yet but is something like cotton fever a possibility? (not usually caused by cottons I hear but tapwater(?) ---- no reading the post that would pass in a few hours usually.

Hmm I am not sure on this one I was always pretty lucky

 

[aspiringchemist]

I admit to not reading the whole thing yet but is something like cotton fever a possibility? (not usually caused by cottons I hear but tapwater(?) ---- no reading the post that would pass in a few hours usually.

Hmm I am not sure on this one I was always pretty lucky

What are the symptoms of cotton fever. I know I’m kinda spun and have a hard time being succinct in my posting lol; also wanted to preemptively answer all the usual questions haha

 

[notsmokeymcpot42088]

Fever, sweats, shakes --- kind of feels like dopesick while high??

Never went in for it or anything, always rode it out so I can't say forsure beyond my perception of what happened

 

[RUC4]

@aspiringchemist -
have you been medically assessed since posting? if you're still dizzy or feeling unwell, please get urgent in-person medical care today. don't wait for the area to become hot, more painful, or obviously infected.

we can't tell from a forum whether this is bruising, tissue injury, an infection, or something else, and it's not safe to assume cotton fever. tell the clinician what you injected, when, and how the swelling and other symptoms developed.

if you have confusion, trouble breathing, fainting, or rapidly worsening symptoms, call emergency services. don't drive yourself while dizzy or impaired.

 

[RUC4]

I admit to not reading the whole thing yet but is something like cotton fever a possibility? (not usually caused by cottons I hear but tapwater(?) ---- no reading the post that would pass in a few hours usually.

Hmm I am not sure on this one I was always pretty lucky

i've had cotton fever a few times. one time was so bad i took a hot shower with my hoodie and jeans on because i was so cold. it passes in about an hour, but it's awful.

 

[notsmokeymcpot42088]

i've had cotton fever a few times. one time was so bad i took a hot shower with my hoodie and jeans on because i was so cold. it passes in about an hour, but it's awful.

Yes!

That is my main takeaway ----- the duration of what the OP is experiencing seems longer than cotton fever in any of my experiences; but the description seems to match fairly well.

(we arent doctors or anything lol)

 

[RUC4]

Yes!

That is my main takeaway ----- the duration of what the OP is experiencing seems longer than cotton fever in any of my experiences; but the description seems to match fairly well.

(we arent doctors or anything lol)

yeah agreed. my cotton fever always lasted about an hour. and by the next shot, i was ok..but still a bit shaky.