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Opioids Advantages of using a small gauge needle?

D

DroneLore

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
923
So I've been using 31G short tip needles, because my veins are still easily accessible. And every other IV user I've met has always commented on how awesome my veins are. Lol, def one of the stranger compliments I've ever gotten.

Anyway, the big vein in my elbow on my right arm is starting to get a LITTLE harder to hit (actually been using a tourniquet the past couple times, before I didn't even need one), but the small veins on my other arm are even harder to get, and I missed a shot last time I tried to hit one of them and it really sucked. Would there be any benefit to using a bigger needle?
 
bigger needles, clog less. I like 30g or 29g.


But with 31g you get way less tracks %)

What you really need to be doing is rotating injection sites.
 
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I can't say i ever needed a tourniquet.

You reduce the damage to your veins with a smaller needle, also reduce chances of scarring etc.

Try a 29 guage and see if that helps any. A lower gauge will register with more ease, i don't recommending going below 28 though.
 
Honestly I probably don't NEED it but I like to see a nice bulging vein so I don't feel like I'm stabbing in the dark, so to speak.
 
I've never had to tie myself off either, but I work out a lot, have proper diet and take the best care for my body possible, always use sterile rigs, perfect injection practice, micron filter, BS saline/water, etc.

I hope you are too!
 
Modnote: the following post is completely correct, just wanted to clarify it's regarding pros/cons for a larger gauge needle.
Benefit:
Easier to register
Faster Push
Less likely to clog

Disadvantages:
More painful
Scars worse
More likely to slip out of smaller veins and/or collapse them.
 
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Can I get BS water at walgreens / CVS? I don't micron filter, I know I should though. I might experiment with a bigger needle to see if it affects the rush at all, but before I do that I still need to try using less solution (I always use at least thirty units). I think 31G is the best option for me right now, I didn't even think about the track marks, but I like the idea of having as inconspicuous tracks as I can.
 
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Really? That has not been my experience but maybe my doctor isn't aware of this. You can also get clean water for injection in glass ampoules at your local needle exchange.
 
Thanks for the link, I've read that thread before though. I guess since my friends who shoot up are so nonchalant about injection technique, it's sort of rubbed off on me. The main rule I stick to is never share needles*, that one is pretty damn obvious though. I try to always wipe with alcohol before and after but sometimes I forget the before part. I will start boiling my water though.

*And never to use a solution that someone else's dirty needle has been in, stuff like that. I saw one dud shoot up someone else, then fill the rig with water and squirt it in his mouth. When I said, "That was just in his arm man!" he responded, "Don't waste drugs." At least I'm not THAT careless!
 
DroneLore said:
Thanks for the link, I've read that thread before though. I guess since my friends who shoot up are so nonchalant about injection technique, it's sort of rubbed off on me. The main rule I stick to is never share needles*, that one is pretty damn obvious though. I try to always wipe with alcohol before and after but sometimes I forget the before part. I will start boiling my water though.

*And never to use a solution that someone else's dirty needle has been in, stuff like that. I saw one dud shoot up someone else, then fill the rig with water and squirt it in his mouth. When I said, "That was just in his arm man!" he responded, "Don't waste drugs." At least I'm not THAT careless!
Click to expand...

If you have that common sense, then you should know you must micron. It is way more important to alcohol swab before, but after is also critical. probably one of the most important things you can do is micron, plus use brand new rigs and do everything sterile. It adds like 3 minutes to the prep, and will save your life.
 
on the topic of needle gauges,
I find 30-31g are best suited for the wrist and hand. They'll work on the upper arm, but I prefer 28 gauges for those bigger veins.
 
Tricomb, you say you use saline water, what if I normally use tap water and I would like to make it saline for better health problems

how many salt i can add to the water to make it a good level of salinity?
 
OP, you said you were using a 31 gauge with the little 5/16" 8mm tips? Not the half inch 12.7mm? (you said short tips) Because those are really tiny. They are good for wrist and hand veins, and ones that are very high up on the surface. However, if you're going to start hitting bigger veins that are much deeper, you're going to need a half inch tip to reach them. I always just used the half inch tips no matter where I was injecting, and I would just change the angle I would go in with to compensate for different veins. Because I have almost no fat on my hands, I would have to go in almost parallel to my skin, and just pierce the surface. Same thing for parts of my wrist.
 
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My veins arent visible on the surface. I have think irish flesh and I basically had to poke around until I was lucky enough to find a good spot to inject. Now I dont even have to tie off and can hit my veins on the first try usually. I use 29g 1/2 inch needle. Always worked like a charm for me.
 
Benzopiates said:
Tricomb, you say you use saline water, what if I normally use tap water and I would like to make it saline for better health problems

how many salt i can add to the water to make it a good level of salinity?
Click to expand...

cold tap water is fine. I use saline just as a mater of preference. The main advantage saline has is that it's safer for people who get a lot of injections a day, like infusions, PICC lines, PCA pump, etc.
 
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