Heroin Pulse in vein area?

[Hopiate333]

Hi guys! Names Hopiate and I just joined!

Ive just finished reading all the rules and regulations so, while I hope I'm not making any errors or angering any hardcore bluelighters, I believe this is the place for such a post. If I'm wrong, I apologize. Just let me know and I will rectify it Thnks

That being said, Ive been using heroin (subcutaneously and intranasally ONLY) for over 6 years now, whereas all my drug using compatriots have been IVing for years and years.

Dumb a decision as it was, I joined their ranks for the first time yesterday. Since then, Ive IV'd 3 times. Seemingly, they all went well, except the last one is a TINY bit swollen and a lil sore. When i put my hand on it to check, I noticed a pulse. Now im a lil freaked. Everything I read says that pulse means artery, and that hitting an artery means major trouble. Only, I just don't see how it can be?!

The spot i use is the most common to hit, I've been told, it's the large vein that crosses the crook of the arm (y'know, other side of the elbow). Not only was I told that the artery's there are too deep to hit, but I was also told that arterial blood was pressurized and pinkish rather than dark reddish brown, and when i did the hit, i saw neither. The blood was dark as hell and crept in the barrel slowly, not quick spurts like you would expect from an artery. So whats the story?

Why am I feeling a pulse in the crooks of BOTH arms? And would an artery have a pulse throughout the whole length of the artery? Or only in certain spots? Cause I can only feel it in the crook of the arm. Nowhere else on my arm can I feel a pulse till I get to my wrist where it normally is. So whats goin on? Am i just paranoid or something? Can I use this area? My friends are laughin at me and saying there veins and i shouldnt worry but they're very devil may care and not NEARLY as into harm reduction as i am. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as I am a lil bit spooked. Thnks guys

 

[shady4091]

How long ago was this? I believe that if you hit an artery you will notice immediate pain and swelling in your extremities. (Hands and fingers, not the site of administration).

I've never IV'd anything but biology tells me that arteries are deeper down than veins and are; for the most part, invisible through the skin (there are a few that are near the surface but I'm pretty sure they're not in your arms). If you're sure it was the blue line running through the crook of your arm that you hit, and the blood was dark, and you had no immediate pain or numbness than I'm pretty sure you hit the vein.

I feel obligated; however, to recommend that you go to the hospital to make sure. I can't imagine necrosis and loss of limb is very fun.

Oh, and I have a pulse there in both of my arms too. Everyone does lol.

 

[Alec.Baldwin]

Yo our posts should be merged! I had the same question (Arterial Speedball)! I hit myself right around where you're talking about and I'm now thinking it may have been an artery shot. I only got one reply and he seems to think it is NOT an artery (check out my post). I would love some more input though, if anyone is reading this!

Hopiate, how does your arm feel? Mine is a little sore right along where I think the artery would go, how does yours feel?

 

[shady4091]

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?t=425955

There you go guys. I just found that, and I stand corrected on a few of the things I said. I'm really not in much of a position to give advice on the matter anyway. Hope that helps.

 

[Znegative]

I just checked my arm, and the main vein that everyone shoots into IS right next to an artery, but there is definately a distance between the two so you should know which is which. Truthfully, not every' time you hit an artery does your arm swell up and your head explode. Sometimes you get lucky, that being said be more careful to feel out where your vein is, and how shallow of an angle you go in with your needle