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Heroin IV shot missed/reaction?

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ilikewater

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
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Let me first start off by saying I am not exactly new to shooting up. I have done so at least a couple hundred times.. Out of those I've missed about 4 times, maybe 5. I remember this because everytime I panic, it has always been with pills.

I always clean the area before injecting (wash and alcohol swab), sterilize my spoon, use clean water, and apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and keep it covered for at least half an hour..

The other day I bought some heroin, first time in a couple years.
I hadn't shot up in a few months, because the pharmacy won't sell rigs to me anymore.
So I got a clean rig from a friend and shot the H. I did a test shot first with very little (because I had some really strong stuff a while back, didn't want to OD) it wasn't strong enough so I did another. This time I registered, everything seemed fine, pulled out, applied pressure to stop bleeding then about 10 minutes later I noticed a bump, where the needle was, had appeared (looked like an abcess, but how could it be so soon?). I thought it was a missed shot so I applied warmth for a while and it was gone within an hour or so.

I tried again, in my right arm, where my vein is easier to hit. A similar experience, puffed up but strange pattern. Tried again in my right arm, same as before, fine until a couple minutes then an abcess looking thing (like a mosquito bite) appeared. Applied warmth both times and they disappeared.

So, I tried for a final time tonight in my right arm using all precautions to make sure I didn't miss. Steadied both my arms on a flat surface, the needle didn't move, I registered and checked once in the middle to make sure, then at the end of my shot I drew up some blood to make sure that I was still in my vein (though I didn't re-inject the blood..). Pulled the needle out, looked to see, everything was fine, applied pressure with clean clean tissue. 5 minutes later I look and there is a raised(or pufffed) spot (sort of a line where the needle was in my skin).
There was no way I missed this time (I felt the rush and everything), and because of my past experiences missing they don't even look like a misses to me (usually a quarter/half dollar size puffs up like the liquid is there and I see and feel it when it's happening or at least when I pull the needle out).

Sorry this is so long, but I have searched here and other places and found nothing like what I'm describing.
I was hoping somebody could have some insight as to what the heck is happening?
Or what I am doing wrong.
If you have any idea I would be grateful.
 
Histamine release from the heroin, its pretty standard. You didnt miss. Benadryl before/when you shoot heroin should help you with this.

Same dope every shot right? Is it itchy too? Burn a little? Hives?
 
Same dope... But it didn't burn, or itch. Not sure what hives are so probably not. And the round bump thing, didn't seem to match up to the histamine release descriptions I've read?
 
I dont know, redness would be hives, does the bump sort of look like a bee sting? Shot a lot of powder dope and it sounds like it, could be wrong but I'm pretty sure I've experienced this many times. Whatever it is, you didnt miss if you registered 3 times in the midst of a hit.
 
I don't think I've ever been stung by a bee, maybe... If I was this one time then yes it looked kind of like that, but it doesn't explain the other weird bump. It's just weird because I never experienced this before. Thank you though
 
Pretty sure fredPA has it. Allergic reaction to the dope or cleaning fluid at the injection site. Bee stings look a lot like mosquito bites by the way.
 
Is it anything to be worried about? Do you think I should take an antihistamine(or need I take anything at all)?
I'm not used to having allergies hah

And thank you
 
You could take an antihistamine if it is bothering you, otherwise I'd just let it be. Wait didn't you say it went away? Anyways just monitor the site for infection.

As this is wrapped up I'll close it but if you have any other questions or concerns just drop me a PM.
 
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