Problems registering (IV) lately...

[SonOF]

I have typically always used my inner elbow on both arms when IVing, and had no problems registering. Lately however, these two spots seem to be a little tender (the area is hard, slightly swollen), and it is nearly impossible to register there. Obviously I thought the simple solution would be to give my "go-to" spots a rest and IV elsewhere, but I simply can't register anywhere else. I have tried the tops of my hands and feet with no success, and my wrists and forearms cause major bruising and also don't register well either. In general, my veins aren't very visible, so I often have to try an area and hope for the best.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to improving my rate of registering either in the original area or elsewhere? Is it typically easier to register with lower or higher gauge needles (I have used from 28-31)? I used to prep, register and shot rather quickly with no issues and a great high. Now it's a major process filled with semi-hits, bruising, swelling, and cursing. I feel like I am wasting so much time, effort and drug that I'm tempted to go back to snorting the stuff so at least everything is getting into my body.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[brutus]

When you start running out of veins to hit when you're IV'ing, I think it's time to take a nice long break, possibly even quit.

 

[Shrinko]

SonOF...I've been going through that same problem lately, I used to have that " 2 spots on each of my arms " but that has gone rock bottom and I cant even feel like i've got a vein anymore, I've tried almost every possible spot in my arm, wrists, feet, and now I've got 2 swelled, bruised and fucked arms, and all that happened in less than 2 months, I've always been a snorter, and now as we speak I've switched into sniffing mode cuz I cant take it wasting my shit on bruises and it gets with everytime u dunt register ..give it a break like Wiggi said, and who knows maybe quit like I'm trying my best to ..

 

[sixpartseven]

The likely scenario in your hands and wrist is that your veins are rolling. Its really difficult to keep them still enough to get the needle in.

Skip to the bottom if you dont want to read me babbling.

I feel your pain on the issue with your arms. Its odd with me. My right arm, I can shoot in it 10 times a day for 3 days in a row (exaggeration) and 4 days later, youd never notice. Its quick, painless, and effortless. Now, my left arm is a whole different story. The needle hurts going in. It seems like I have to force the needle in harder than I do with my right, and afterwards, I am guaranteed to have about an inch in diameter area of swelling, even if I didnt miss a single unit of the shot.

What I have found, is that no matter how fucked up my left arm gets, I can always find the vein if I stick the needle in the exact same spot as before. Its like my vein is always there. It never moves around on me. It hurts like a mother fucker going through the area of swelling, but I can trust that I will hit the vein.

Of course, this is what happens when I IV now, and it is caused by my past IV use. Before I got on suboxone a year ago, I never had these problems. In fact, my left arm was easier to shoot in than my right was back then.

I dont know where all this is going, but believe it or not, what I was trying to say in all that is that those spots are still usable. Try moving up or down an inch or two from the area that you normally shoot into, so you can give it a rest. Also, try to be as efficient as possible, i.e. dont stick yourself more than once or twice per shot, preferably only once. Obviously, this will reduce damage to the vein, and the skin and muscle above it.

I dont know if Ive told you anything you dont already know. This post sort of turned in to one long ramble about the mysteries of my veins, rather than focusing on the topic at hand: your veins.

If you dont want to read all that, Ill sum it up:

If youre having trouble at totally different injection sites, try using the same injection sites, only move up or down an inch or two to give the original injection site time to heal.

 

[SonOF]

When you start running out of veins to hit when you're IV'ing, I think it's time to take a nice long break, possibly even quit.

If you read my post, I didn't say I was "running out of veins," I just said that I always use two, and they aren't particularly easy to get to at the moment. The other veins in my body are perfectly fine and viable, I just never use them because they are hard to see.

 

[Shrinko]

Question : I've got a bad ass lump in my right middle arm and its been there for a week, its hard as a rock and it hurts like a motherfucker..I cant stretch my hand freely, but I can do it if i want with a little pain ..now the really weird thing about it is that when I didn't register back then, the same day or after, it didn't look what it looks now, its fucking weird, its the 1st time i have this ..I'm panicking ..my friends tell me its okay, it'll be better, but I've read somewhere that in some cases it can get really bad and u start getting white stuff out of it n all, please guys tell me, when am I supposed to really freak out, and what are the signs that its really bad ? Isn't it enough that when I roll my fingers over it, IT FEELS LIKE A ROCK..Thanx

 

[brutus]

If you read my post, I didn't say I was "running out of veins," I just said that I always use two, and they aren't particularly easy to get to at the moment. The other veins in my body are perfectly fine and viable, I just never use them because they are hard to see.

No need to be a dick man, I was just giving what I thought was the best advice. I'll make sure to never reply to any of your posts/threads again in hopes of helping you.

 

[sixpartseven]

Question : I've got a bad ass lump in my right middle arm and its been there for a week, its hard as a rock and it hurts like a motherfucker..I cant stretch my hand freely, but I can do it if i want with a little pain ..now the really weird thing about it is that when I didn't register back then, the same day or after, it didn't look what it looks now, its fucking weird, its the 1st time i have this ..I'm panicking ..my friends tell me its okay, it'll be better, but I've read somewhere that in some cases it can get really bad and u start getting white stuff out of it n all, please guys tell me, when am I supposed to really freak out, and what are the signs that its really bad ? Isn't it enough that when I roll my fingers over it, IT FEELS LIKE A ROCK..Thanx

All signs point to abscess. Give it one or two more days MAXIMUM to see if it starts to heal. If it doesnt, you need to go to the hospital and get it drained or risk a serious infection that could lead to the loss of your arm. Dont mess around with abscess', they can be very serious.

Also, may I ask why you used to not register? You register now, correct? I hope so.

No need to be a dick man, I was just giving what I thought was the best advice. I'll make sure to never reply to any of your posts/threads again in hopes of helping you.

Dude, chill. Its pretty obvious he wasnt being a dick, he was just replying to your post, which was actually commenting on something he was not talking about, just like he said. I know its hard to convey tone of voice over the internet, but dont be so quick to assume someone is being an asshole.

Relax.

 

[Darth-_Vidar]

Try the vien on your wrist directly behind your thumb when you lay your hand flat on a table. You may have to flex and tie off the first time to find it but it is a fat vien, I've been hitting there for like 10 years with no problem.

 

[Spacedementia897]

do some aerobic excerises and pump your arms with wieghts or something and make sure you're warm. I use my bicep veins after my crook of elbow gets used too much. Tie off well as well

 

[BlueEclipse]

do some exrecise get the blood pumping, if you smoke ya might wanna cut back or at least not try to smoke so soon to the time u are going to IV (i dont kno why but my friend is a heavy cig smoker and its always harder for him to register his blood always seems much darker and thicker then mine i dont smoke at all) maybe take a asprin it thins your blood a little. drink lots of water stay well hydrated. staying warm if your somewhere that is cold when your cold your blood slows down. Maybe u just need to move up to a 27g needle.

 

[sixpartseven]

do some exrecise get the blood pumping, if you smoke ya might wanna cut back or at least not try to smoke so soon to the time u are going to IV (i dont kno why but my friend is a heavy cig smoker and its always harder for him to register his blood always seems much darker and thicker then mine i dont smoke at all) maybe take a asprin it thins your blood a little. drink lots of water stay well hydrated. staying warm if your somewhere that is cold when your cold your blood slows down. Maybe u just need to move up to a 27g needle.

Dehydration. Tell your friend to drink some H2O.

 

[phr]

Woah, hold on a sec... Weren't you just contemplating starting to IV like 4 months ago? I guess you started...


It's easier to register with larger gauges. That's one of the reasons people prefer 27G's. You could also try bringing the veins up. You could use a tourniquet, take a hot shower, lift a little before the shot, lay flat on a bed and let your arm hang down the side, pre-flag etc. You get the point.


I wouldn't recommend hitting the same spot. Ever. (until it's completely healed) Well, unless you're into scar tissue, thrombosis, collapsing veins, etc.


PS: If you were the guy considering IV, how do you like it compared to intranasal? Just curious.

 

[ccm]

Dude, chill. Its pretty obvious he wasnt being a dick, he was just replying to your post, which was actually commenting on something he was not talking about, just like he said. I know its hard to convey tone of voice over the internet, but dont be so quick to assume someone is being an asshole.

Relax.

^What he said. Deep cleansing breaths. In....out....

 

[SonOF]

Try the vien on your wrist directly behind your thumb when you lay your hand flat on a table. You may have to flex and tie off the first time to find it but it is a fat vien, I've been hitting there for like 10 years with no problem.

Twice I have tried to hit in my hands and the results weren't pretty. Once was near where you mentioned, and the other time below my palm on the inside of the hand, down by the wrist. Both times my hand went numb for close half an hour. the area swelled up and it was quite painful. What did I hit? A nerve? Muscle? My hand misses were the worst experiences of any of misses I have had, by far. That is why I am a bit nervous poking around that area.

 

[SonOF]

PS: If you were the guy considering IV, how do you like it compared to intranasal? Just curious.

IV is far better, but the process itself is a goddamn hassle and a half (hence this post). so it goes...

 

[SonOF]

Is it possible to be registered (in the vein) but not able to draw any blood back into the rig? Often times I will be able to see a vein, poke the needle in, hear/feel the two pops (one for the needle puncturing the skin, one for puncturing the vein), see a bit of blood come into the rig, but when I pull back on the plunger, nothing..the only time I was really able to pull lots of blood back into the plunger was when I hit those two spots on my inner elbows that I mentioned (which need a break)....So is it possible to be well-registered and not be able to draw blood back into the vein? This is my major problem...I will see a vein, seem to hit it, then draw back, and no blood...sometimes I slowly pull the the syringe away from the vein while also pulling the plunger. find the perfect spot and get some blood...but typically it's the first scenario I mentioned; find vein, push needle in, seem to feel the needle in the vein, pull back...nothing...become frustrated, begin process again elsewhere...

 

[HYDRO_CHRONIC]

to help the problem start doing bicep curls ,and buy a hand squezzing devive that you GRIP and squeze ..this will make your veins start to expand from oxygen being forced in them ,and from the added muscle pushing them out

and yea there are alot of spots to try andalso try tie'ng off tie off around the bicep ,i found if i tie off high o the arm i dont have to release the tie when i shoot,but when i tie close to the injection spot the vein bulges more but will hurt like hell

 

[SonOF]

After some searching and reading other posts, I realized that a lot of my problem may have had to do with the angle I was injecting at. I have since lowered that angle and have been having more success.

and thanks for all the suggestions, everybody.

 

[I'm__Broken__]

Yes, it sounds like you have been going into the vein but pushing straight through the other side - this would account for the "bit of blood" coming into the syringe but then not being able to draw back any more blood. the angle makes all the difference.