Opioids Question about needle length and size

[Paulymorphone]

Hi, I have very deep veins and it's very difficult for me to IV anything, so occasionally i IM. I usually use a 25G 5/8" needle connected to a 3ml syringe. I couldn't find any specific thread about this so I made a new one. What's the ideal length and gauge for IM use, and what is the ideal length and gauge for IV?

I also came accross some butterfly with 12" tube used for setting up IV's, maybe I could get a vein with one of those? I don;t know. They are 25G 3/4" needles and you can attach a syringe to the end of the 12" tube. What would be the best way to use it?

Thanks for the help =)

 

[misspharmacyashley]

Generally you want to use the smallest needle gauge and length possible that you can hit yourself with, otherwise you'll end up with horrific track marks. I wouldn't advise using instruments used to draw blood for general IV use. You're going to tear your veins apart. I use 30G 1/2'' 1cc insulin syringes. Do you have access to any place that will sell you regular insulin syringes? That would be ideal. Something you may want to do to help raise your veins is take a hot shower or some quick push-ups.

I'm not really sure about anything with IM use.. someone else will have to answer that or you can search through some threads using the search bar.

Also, check out this thread. It maybe helpful. There is a vein map that will probably help you out a lot.