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Harm Reduction Lumpy Forearm Vein

nearjat

nearjat

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Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
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where the trees are sappy
Hey guys, I'm an IV heroin user and I've recently started properly rotating sites instead of abusing the crook of my elbows all the time haha. There's not a ton of arm options or me but these somewhat juicy veins that run from the insides of my wrists all the way to the crook (the same vein as the crook actually) have mostly been treating my nicely despite not being colored differently from my normal skin. But I'm beginning to notice that it's kind of "lumpy", like it in some spots it's low and skinny feeling and others its almost swollen (obvious reasons). Did I fuck anything up? I think I did. I'm not getting any bad symptoms or anything but it does make it less of a breeze to hit. Maybe if I leave them alone for a while it'll go back to normal but I want to make sure it's not serious.

Also, I just learned that you are technically supposed to release the tourniquet before pushing the plunger, I've been plunging-releasing-pulling out. Is this dangerous? Related to my above inquiry?

Thanks!
 
Ideally you shouldn't need a tourniquet at all. But yes, you are supposed to release the tourniquet first, as it can be dangerous to inject with it still on.

Histamine releases can cause "lumps" around the injection site, which should eventually return to normal as time goes on.

If you need help finding different veins, I would suggest you go to the IV/injection complications mega thread, and check out the vein map pictures. Try to identify some veins on yourself and follow them up your arm, etc. - eventually you'll see where most of them are.
Not all veins will be ideal to use for various reasons, especially if some roll, others may be too thin or too deep for comfortably easy access.

Lumps can be caused from missing a shot too, which should be apparent as you're injecting. Sometimes it may be hard to know, especially if a histamine reaction occurs.

A general rule of thumb is that if you're not in pain, and there's no significant discoloration - you should be OK. Pain is a very good indicator of the presence of an infection, or mere inflammation as a result of the injection process or other factors listed above.
 
After time, as one continues to inject, there will also be a slow/gradual build-up of scar tissue. It is possible that this can cause a "lumpy" feel when the vein is felt.

In this case I would just take a break, switch to a safer ROA if possible. Possibly just cut back on the overall # of times one is injecting.

However, if you're specifically talking about a recent injection site that you used within the last hour or so, I would definitely bet it's a histamine reaction. Sometimes it's easy to miss a unit or two, depending on the technique, needle gauge, etc.
 
I find that even when I carefully register the veins on the outside of my forearms, they tend to not be "perfect" injections and leave me with a bruise and a bit of a swollen or ballooned type vein in that spot. I quit using those veins because of it - i have found that the best one's climb up the inside of your bicep.
 
you're putting unneeded pressure in your vein, making the likely hood of bursting it that little bit more.

i can feel the contours of my muscle/tendons that run across my forearm, always coincided with them for me when running my fingers along those veins.
 
i have very terrible veins to begin with, so sometimes if miss even about 2 or 3 units i'll get this bump in my arm. as captain.heroin said, if there's no pain you should be straight. i've already experienced three/four missed shot scares (one for sure determined as histamine reactions and the rest i'm pretty sure were only missed shots by a couple of units since i have horrrrrible veins), but none of them ahve been paniful but i coudl still regsiter and shoot my shot there so i wasn't too concerned. if you're ever in doubt if you're in a vein or not, re-register.
 
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