Long time lurker, made acc just for this, though itll get plenty of use-I've got a pressing question involving veins/arteries. Sorry for length, I know detail is important in getting a fitting answer though
Would it be extremely abnormal to feel a pulse in the larger veins in the upper arm on the outside?
And
would these exert barely noticeable pressure when a needle seems registered? It feels noticeably weaker than the pulse above the major arteries (ulnar, radial, brachial)
If there is air contact (bubbles don't always come out, but user attempts to avoid injecting) with incoming blood from a vein, won't it oxygenate itself? taking the same color as an arterial flow?
Background: User has been speedballing recently with a combination of
approx. .15g meth w. .3g black tar, has had 1-1.5 yrs IV heroin dependence, recently introduced meth.
Once started to inject into an artery before, around top of arm between elbow& crook, saw flash, didn't think of pressure,didn't associate the obvious effort to keep blood flowing in til pain(idiot) luckily user
pushed SLOOOW got 2 units/70(U-100) before pain hit- immediately stopped, pulled out,,
light but apparent swelling w. pain/tingling/numbness~2 hours. After this incident user has been ridiculously paranoid, Has since poked arteries, could tell from bleeding after exit/pressure/RARELY COLOR.
-But many times assumed it was a vein despite having
felt a slight pressure (needle seems to be getting pushed out, this is barely noticeable),
dark blood,cautiously injected, slight localized pain in vessel (normal in user's veins w. this dosage.) And experiences very slight
swelling/red patches in arm/hand after injection that hasn't happened before accidental artery push. Has happened in both arms, sites have visible
blue veins, and light pulse, never bleed much after pulling out, about a drop.(Thanks to heeded advice doesn't inject into ANY pressure unless desperate& careful, and then only in slight pressure in "veins" described. User reports he feels effects of dose withing 1-2 minutes, although very slow injecting doesn't achieve much of a rush.
.
-User has anxiety disorder, previous panic attck disorder, and little confidence, not to mention he doesn't want to lose his fucking hand. Would it be wrong to assume that these are from either
histamine reactions? or some
psychosomatic reaction? due to the extreme nervousness/ excitement when he's afraid he's in an artery? (All in his head, body reacts?) also just thought he could be
pressing against pressure in an artery under the vein while staying in the vein? Definitely would justify advised caution.
-Happened with
brand new 28G 1/2"s, so discounted dull/old rigs(f*ck AZ) as cause
Doesn't tie, just loses his register after releasing so he can inject.
-Anyways,
in half in hour all symptoms leave, arms/hands sometimes seem swollen a little longer. Also assuming heart rate is elevated from stress, same with BP, which is also raised from possible earlier doses.
Sorry again for length. tried summarizing Qs and highlighting most important details. Also apologize for any errors, including location.
It is too late to call at the moment but does anyone know what the minimum age is to become a part of a needle exchange? I assume it is 18(if so, that means im coo to partake), but if its 21(I could see it being that age in this area), I must wait a min. 
