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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

A question about an IV drug use miss

K

KeithRichardsWanna

Greenlighter
Joined
Aug 28, 2013
Messages
9
I'm an IDU and I noticed yesterday that I had pain in the bend of my right arm, which seemed to be worse today. It also appears that that area of my arm is somewhat swollen. However I do not have any redness or any visible abnormalities (aside from the swelling). I'm just now applying an ice pack to it. This concerns me; is this cause for alarm or could this go away with some more time? Also, if antibiotics are needed which would be most effective? Cipro? Augmentin? Any help would be appreciated.
 
Sure would be helpful to know what you were injecting.
(i dunno what IDU is)
 
if you miss a pill shot you need to keep a close eye one your trouble area. Could be problematic. Might go away. Might get worse. Don't panic, just keep an eye on it. If you think you need to see a doctor/ER, do just that.
 
And not to preach, but dont bang oxy. Oral BA is almost perfect. You really arent doing anything by banging it, except possibly satisfying a common needle infatuation.
 
Okay, so right now it's just swollen and painful to the touch. But as I posted initially there's nothing visible but the swelling. Speculating, what does that sound like?
 
nsauce said:
And not to preach, but dont bang oxy. Oral BA is almost perfect. You really arent doing anything by banging it, except possibly satisfying a common needle infatuation.
Click to expand...

That’s not all the way true.

To the OP just watch it...

If you begin to ooze puss or anything you need to go to a doctor...
 
There's no real open wound for it to ooze any pus. It's just swollen and painful to the touch. It really doesn't even hurt unless I touch it. I found some Amoxicillan/Augmentin, would that help at all? Would someone please give me some positive reply. I really don't want to go to the doctor and be found out by my family. Generally how long could the swelling stay with me? I'm really gonna try and ride it out if at all possible.
 
KeithRichardsWanna said:
There's no real open wound for it to ooze any pus. It's just swollen and painful to the touch. It really doesn't even hurt unless I touch it. I found some Amoxicillan/Augmentin, would that help at all? Would someone please give me some positive reply. I really don't want to go to the doctor and be found out by my family. Generally how long could the swelling stay with me? I'm really gonna try and ride it out if at all possible.
Click to expand...

Your family won’t know if you go to the doctor, he can’t tell them... Would you rather be scared or lose an arm?

Don’t freelance use an antibiotic... There is no reason to yet if at all.

Just apply a heating pad not an ice pad to calm the swelling...
 
Thanks, Jay, I'll try the heat. But my family is really nosy, if I were to be admitted to a hospital they would find out. Also on the first day I noticed the pain I was out with my dad working (i.e. swinging a heavy hammer, driving big nails) so I'm sure that didn't help. I was reading a forum on Odiophile and a woman seemed to have a very similar problem that went away after a week, right now this is just day two. Any further advice would help me.
 
If they find out, sue the hospital... That is the next piece of advice...

They can be as nosey as ever, the doctor can’t tell them if you don’t want them to know.
 
Seems like the swelling has increased, is that cause for concern or could things get worse before they get better? As I mentioned, this is just the 2/3 day now.
 
Go to the doctor. The only way your parents will find out is if you sign a release for the doctor to tell them. If you want to not have permanant damage to your muscle, and the possibility of getting an infection in your blood I would suggest a doctor. Don't use the antibiotics...you may need them down the road.

I would also suggest using filtered water, micron filter...and a clean needle everytime.
 
Say the doctor has to lance and drain the area, can this be done as an outpatient procedure or will I have to be admitted to the hospital for such a procedure?
 
missmeyet? said:
You should use ice for a fresh injury to reduce the inflammation, not heat.
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This.

Draw a circle around it with a sharpie. If it grows or it is hot, then you need to go to the hospital.

Depending on the location and severity they will either use an 18g needle or actually incise to drain, then definitely put you on oral antibiotics and possibly a couple IV rounds.

I'm sure there are some cases where you need to stay a day or so, but I once had a bad abscess and was given take home IV antibiotics with a cannula in my arm. But mine was bad.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, Venrak, for your help, I appreciate it. I had a couple of other questions that I was curious about. For instance how long can an area where there is a miss stay swollen? Which is more effective in reducing swelling, a cold pack or a hot pack? What antibiotics are the most effective for such a situation, Cipro? Augmentin? Bactrim? Is massaging and elevating my arm helpful? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Healing time can really vary. If it was a SC injection (most misses are) you`ll just have to look for the signs of infection I mentioned (growth and heat radiation). If it is not hot and does not appear to be growing you`re probably okay.

If it was IM, you can have an abscess in the muscle and not really notice until it`s pretty far in. I doubt you did that, though.

I can`t recommend an antibiotic, even a broad-spectrum, as we don`t know what kind of infection you may have.

Apply topical antibiotic cream.

My thinking is that you don`t want to apply ice to it too much as it will reduce the blood flow to the area and increase localized infection.

I may be wrong. Missmeyet might have better insight than I in this situation.
 
Heat is the best option. Those saying cold; acute means within a few hours. This is obviously not from today. Heat will increase circulation and healing. Cold will just grind healing to a halt, but will calm inflammation a bit.
 
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