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Harm Reduction Missed vein - extreme pain

glycerine

Greenlighter
Joined
Oct 22, 2013
Messages
5
Hi guys,

Yesterday it felt like a missed a tiny bit of a ritalin shot in the crook of my elbow (I think I went through the vein and too deep as I wasn't using a tourniquet, and just guessing - stupid :() . It didn't hurt at the time but a few hours later, up until this morning where I post this it, it is extremely painful to touch the area and due to the location it actually hurts when I fully extend my arm.

The whole area is some what swollen and a tiny bit bruised.

Does anybody have any experience with this? And is there anything I can do that would alleviate the symptoms? Unfortunately a doctor or ER are not an option cos I am broke.

I'm a little bit extremely anxious.

Thanks for reading.

Ian
 
A little bit more info - feels like there is a small hard lump just under the skin in the centre, and the surrounding tissue is a bit swollen and extremely tender.

If I don't get any more advice I'm going to just monitor it and open it improves over the next 24 hours. If it starts to deteriorate I guess I'll have to head over to the public hospital (thank God this country as free health care). The thing is my family has premium private health insurance but I don't want to have to inform my mother about this.
 
You probably pierced your muscle. This has happened to me several times and it always hurt if I tried to extend my arm. The pain ought to go away within a few days but the bruise may take upwards of a week. As long as it doesn't get worse, I wouldn't worry.
 
You probably pierced your muscle. This has happened to me several times and it always hurt if I tried to extend my arm. The pain ought to go away within a few days but the bruise may take upwards of a week. As long as it doesn't get worse, I wouldn't worry.

I think it's just a missed shot since there is a hard lump there. Closely monitor it and if it begins to get worse instead of better it might be an abscess and you will have to go to the hospital to get it treated. Pills are dangerous to IV since the majority of the pill is inactive binders/fillers so when you miss a shot of that you may have some of those particles under your skin which is never good. Invest in micron filters if you are regularly IVing your drugs.
 
Thanks guys. I think there might be a very slight reduction in pain but no significant changes yet.

What would the first signs of an abscess be?
 
Thanks guys. I think there might be a very slight reduction in pain but no significant changes yet.

What would the first signs of an abscess be?

Redness, a hot sensation under your skin, etc. Most normal missed shots go away almost entirely in 24 hours. If it is not getting any better, or especially starts to get worse, it may be infected and you need to see a doctor.
 
I think it's just a missed shot since there is a hard lump there. Closely monitor it and if it begins to get worse instead of better it might be an abscess and you will have to go to the hospital to get it treated. Pills are dangerous to IV since the majority of the pill is inactive binders/fillers so when you miss a shot of that you may have some of those particles under your skin which is never good. Invest in micron filters if you are regularly IVing your drugs.

Out of curiosity, how much do people pay for micron filters in the US? I get one for $2 with a set of water ampoules, they're great. Would've have shot pills any other way to be honest (and I can thank BL for that!)
 
2 days later. Swelling has slightly decreased. Still tender to touch but far less painful before. Hard lump still remains? Physically not much has changed. Am I still okay to wait it out? No noticeable discolouration apart from the small bruise.
 
Out of curiosity, how much do people pay for micron filters in the US? I get one for $2 with a set of water ampoules, they're great. Would've have shot pills any other way to be honest (and I can thank BL for that!)

They are not available at any exchanges in the US so people here get them online.
 
Swelling has gone. Pain has nearly completely gone (only hurts if I press it with slight force). Now there is just a small firm lump. Is that still normal?

Thanks
 
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