• 💊 OTHER DRUGS 💊 Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Notable Threads 1 Notable Threads 2
    Dangerous Combos Addiction Support
    Emergency Services Benzo Guide v.1
    Addiction Stories Scary Case Studies
    Biology, Pharmacology & Drugs 101
  • Select Your Topic Then Scroll Down
    Alcohol Bupe Benzos
    Cocaine Heroin Opioids
    RCs Stimulants Misc
    Harm Reduction All Topics Gabapentinoids
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums

Heroin infection from iv use?

Lechium

Lechium

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 24, 2006
Messages
329
So I did something stupid and used a rig far too many times while waiting to get some fresh ones. On one of my injection sites I have a small redish bump. Its not big just looks like a pimple coming in. There isnt any head of pus or anything. I had an itch there one morning which made me notice it. I had a few antibiotics left (enough for 3.5 days of takin two a day) that I took hoping it will clear it up. It never got bigger but I ran out of the antibiotics yesterday and it was itching a little bit this morning when I woke up but isnt anymore.

Has anyone had anything like this before? Should I go to a doc or just wait it out? I havent done any iv drugs in almost 2 weeks now. This red bump appeared probably a day or two after my last injection. On my other arm I have a spot I poked but didnt inject into (didnt hit vein) and there is also a red spot that appeared but it looks more like a zit that doesnt have any pus its just kinda shiny- im thinking maybe just a bruise or scar from using such a dull needle? What im mostly worried about though is the red bump that was itching a little.

im trying to wait it out, at least until the track marks fade more and arent that visible as I dont want my docs finding out about my iv use.

Also does anyone know what the policies at hospitals are as far as confidentiality? I mean if I do go get it checked out at like a hospital in the next town that I normally dont go to then will the main hospital I go to find out about it?

im probably just stressing out over nothing but I do have a weakened immune system because I take immunosupressors for a condition I have. I guess I really just freaked myself out looking online and reading about sepsis and shit and wanted to hear ur thoughts. Thanks.
 
It's possible it is infected. Is it hot to the touch?

You shouldn't worry about the hospital. It's all confidential.. if there is something wrong, you need to tell them the truth or they can't help you. That's what doctors are there for.. to help you.
 
If the red bump doesn't get smaller within a week, go to the hospital.
It's good that you know what you did is stupid... I hope you'll never use a needle twice again...
Do you have antibiotic creams? If you do use them
 
Using antibiotics in this manner is foolish and one of the reasons that they are becoming less effective and fewer in number. Don't re-use syringes either.
Do what Mr. S says in regards to doctors.
 
Its not hot to the touch-same temp as the rest if skin. I will take a picture whenever I get home. It doesnt look serious but it has been about a week or more and its still there-mqybe my body is just taking a longer time fighting it?
 
bukweat said:
Using antibiotics in this manner is foolish and one of the reasons that they are becoming less effective and fewer in number. Don't re-use syringes either.
Click to expand...

^THIS!
For the love of all things holy, people - please use antibiotics as directed...or we'll be reduced back to praying for cures.
And i hear that shit is no better than placebo.
 
spacejunk said:
^THIS!
For the love of all things holy, people - please use antibiotics as directed...or we'll be reduced back to praying for cures.
And i hear that shit is no better than placebo.
Click to expand...

If we used antibiotics as directed we'd already be super susceptible. Whenever I had to go to the doctor, they prescribe antibiotics like candy. Every visit, even if it didn't involve the possibility of infection.
 
The point is to finish the course, not take half of it.
Yes, they may be overprescribed - but taking less than the full course help create resistant strains.
When in doubt, don't start a course of antibiotics at all.
 
i understand that you guys aren't doctors and thank you for your replies. i definitely regret using the antibiotics like i did and i would have let them run their course but i stopped early because i believe they were really jacking up my liver (i was having sum bad pain) so i stopped taking them (the meds im on arent good for the liver either so i already have liver panels done for that and i hear antibiotics are basically the worst kind of med you can take as far as liver damage).

Looking at the sites i do think it may be a bit infected but there really isnt a distinct "white head" on the bumps. i wouldn't even think they are infected but there is an obvious degree of redness compared to my other track mark which is just brown now and seems to be healing better. I took some pics but i am not sure where i can upload them.
It hasnt itched much anymore or gotten any worse but it has been like 2 weeks now so i would want to go get it checked out just to be on the safe side, however i have a few concerns about going:

1) if i pay out of pocket i don't know how much it will cost (and it can cost anywhere from 150 bucks to thousands of dollars depending on the treatment and what not and most clinics do not quote you a price.
2) I do have insurance HOWEVER i am afraid of using it. this is because i have tricare (at the moment tricare standard but it should be prime soon). Tricare is insurance given to the military. I am not active duty anymore- i am a vet so technically civilian and its not like im gonna get in trouble by the military. BUT i do receive benefits from the VA (health coverage, educational benefits, and monthly payments for service related disabilities) and i am afraid that if i go to the clinic and use my insurance they will obviously let tricare know why i was seen (because they are going to have to pay the bill) and tricare may or may not let the VA but if they do then the VA may take away my benefits from me because of drug use.

I been using natural antiseptics on it (tea tree oil mainly) hoping that will help. I really want to get it checked out though but have this big dilemma about doing it for the reason listed. i also am studying to go into a health care career so i dont want to compromise my chances of getting a job (for example if i go to a certain hospital and get checked out they will have a record of me using iv drugs and then i feel like i wont be able to apply to work there). the main reason is my issue with the VA finding out...
 
I would NOT fuck around with any sort of infection/abscess.

I have had 8 abscesses in my life and one of them I left too long and I became septic. I ended up emergency surgery and 8 days in the hospital on IV vancomycin.

The surgeon said that I almost lost my arm and he was surprised I was able to wait as long as I did with how bad of an infection it was. And it all started out as a tiny little bump.


Don't be foolish people.. go get medical help. Its better safe than sorry. I should post a few pics of the gnarly ass abscesses I have had sometime
 
yeah, one min they're just a tiny little boil then in two days they are a big purple softball sized mass under your arm. crazy shit man. I have had so many drained.. and for all but one I was awake and was able to see how many CC's of fluid came out.. shits wild. Human body is amazing.
 
Well guys I finally manned up and went to the clinic. I paid out of pocket. The doc was very cool and understanding. He said he doesn't think its an actual infection just more of an irritation probably from whatever the H was cut with. He gave me a steroid cream to rub on it and hopefully that takes care of it. I have a lot of weight lifted now this was causing so much anxiety...still kinda worried that maybe he misdiagnosed it and it does end up being something bad but for now i can definitely take a breather. Definitely learned a lot from this experience!
 
Lechium said:
Well guys I finally manned up and went to the clinic. I paid out of pocket. The doc was very cool and understanding. He said he doesn't think its an actual infection just more of an irritation probably from whatever the H was cut with. He gave me a steroid cream to rub on it and hopefully that takes care of it. I have a lot of weight lifted now this was causing so much anxiety...still kinda worried that maybe he misdiagnosed it and it does end up being something bad but for now i can definitely take a breather. Definitely learned a lot from this experience!
Click to expand...

That's good. Keep an eye on it, that's all.

Also, make sure to be as sterile as possible in the future when IV'ing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top