Pain in arm a couple days after IV use

[RainyDayz]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to IV use and usually have had someone around to assist with a shot because I basically suck at it - but the other day I was able to hit myself with what I thought was a successful hit. A couple days later, despite having done a number of shots on both arms over the past couple weeks, I'm having some unusual pain on the same arm where I did the hit - I'm no seeing any real bruising per se, but my arm has just been pretty sore overall and it actually goes from my elbow area (where I did the shot) all the way down my forearm to the wrist area. My left arm feels fine despite having hit there several times as well (albeit with help).

Is this general soreness/pain normal or something I should be concerned about? It's almost like a pain right under the skin that I can feel but the fact that it seems to cover a decent portion of my arm has me a little concerned. It's not unbearable, more of a general soreness and tingling that stays pretty constant.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[effie]

Hi there, welcome to BDD and BL

Did you have any pain at the time of doing the shot? Did it register okay and was there any resistance to injecting? It is possible that you had a partial hit/partial miss - so some went into the vein and some into the surrounding tissue, although usually when this happens you would notice some stinging and/or a lump at the injection site. It's also possible you caused some trauma when you injected. Whereabouts exactly was the shot? If there is a nerve nearby you may have irritated it - that can cause pain over the whole arm. Is there any numbness, weakness or paraesthesia (unusual sensation such as pins and needles)?

Are there any signs of infection - redness, heat, swelling? If so you need to get it checked out ASAP.

Were you using a new needle? Needles get blunt after only one or two shots so even if you miss you need to load the shot into a fresh needle really.

An arterial shot can cause a lot of pain, but usually there would also be pain at the time of doing it. Make sure you are absolutely clear on how to identify a vein from an artery. Pulsatile is the main thing to look out for that would indicate an artery, and veins have a very distinctive feel - slightly bouncy - so it's good to get familiar with this, as often some of the best veins can be felt but not seen very well. Colour of blood is not a good indicator, but if blood is bright red then it's a sign you should abandon the shot and try somewhere else.

Take a look at the IV complications megathread - good description of IV technique as well as info on the various complications of IV use.

If you are struggling to shoot up then make sure you give yourself the best chance of being successful and not causing complications - be well hydrated, warm (run hour arms under hot water or take a bath) so you are vasodilated, exercise can help. Fresh needle, good technique and rotating sites are also

If you are concerned then you really need to get it seen by a doctor - we can't tell if it is okay or not online. Sometimes arms can feel a bit tender after a shot and it doesn't mean anything, but it could also mean there is a problem and you don't want to leave something untreated as it could get a lot worse. If you are particularly worried about infection or nerve irritation then it is vital to get it seen ASAP.

I am going to move this to Other Drugs as they are the experts at IV complications

BDD > OD

 

[RainyDayz]

Thanks a lot for all the info. I've been doing more research since my post and came across a lot of the same stuff already as well. Basically I'm pretty sure the shot registered immediately, but I did another one very shortly afterwards that I'm pretty sure did not. I don't remember any real pain at the time but it's gotten worse since. Other than the normal red spot from the injection area, I don't see any particular bruise or lumps. It feels more like under the skin and it does kind of have a bit of a numbness to it....but not real extreme. I use new needles every time.

I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse will definitely see a doctor. Thanks again.

 

[livetheopiatedream]

if the pain goes down istead of up from the injection site u may have hit an artery [blood would b brighter red and the artery esspecially in the crook of my arms at least is RIGHT next to the vein, albeit a little deeper, so try going shallow to avoid this] artery carries the drug down into ur arm, where it interferes with all kinds of shit, so id say if the pain doesnt go away for a week or so maybe less depending on how bad u think it is, see a doctor! do some research on hittin an artery and what the side effects are so u can compare them to what youve had lately. otherwise, if the pain is mainly localized in the injection site, did you double check midway thru the shot to see if ur still in the vein? might have missed part of it by slipping out after u registered originally. that could cause a little pain but likely u will be fine, ive never had any issues but then its a luck of the draw thing for sure. sometimes if i stick the needle into a tendon or something by accident, inject near my wrists or a tender spot, even one needle poke will cause pain for a few days, feels like a bruise or sumthin.
hope u feel better