SO Confused - Missed IV Shot, Apply heat or ice ?

[BackSeatSuicide]

I have been reading this forum and a couple others, and everytime this subject is brought up, people seem to be split on which one works best. So can someone please give me the right answer. Preferably those who have experience ? I just missed a shot in my left forearm of some MS Contin (that was filtered and clean, as well as my equipment and injection site, i am OCD about that stuff). Right now I am alternating between the two. 30min of heat, then 20min Ice, and so on and so forth. This is what I did the last time (that being the first time ever, this being the 2nd time ever) i missed with a shot of MS Contin, and by morning, all that was left was some tenderness, that was it. So should i just go with this, or does someone have a more definitive answer. I know at the plasma center, when i went there once, they infiltrated the vein, and it swell up like a balloon, and they had me keep ice on it for like an hour or so. But I need an answer ASAP Please. like i said, right now i am alternating between the two, ever 20-30min.

 

[Jabberwocky]

personally i've only dealt with missed shots by using hot water/compresses over the injection site for periods of time like you're using in the beginning stages (few hours);not just hot water/compress exclusively, just never used a cold compress initially. the heat does help the drug absorb subcutaneously quicker but isn't a sure fire preventative for any other problems that may occur. the cold compress will definitely help with the tenderness and possible bruising the next day.

if it develops further than just a tender sore spot seek out medical assistance asap. mscontins, with their wax matrix, are amongst some of the riskier pills to be IVing given that some gel up within solution. shooting a waxy, viscous solution isn't going to be doing your body any good.

how'd you manage your first missed shot?

 

[effie]

BSS, did you follow any of the advice you were given in Other Drugs about not heating a pill, using sterile water and a micron filter? If not, you're at higher risk for an abscess developing. Keep a really close eye on it, as disposition says. The signs of infection are redness, heat, swelling and tenderness. All of those, or a few of those but getting worse, mean you should definitely get it checked out. Draw round any redness that develops so you can see if it spreads.

Hot compress is better than cold. Last thing you want to do is to impair blood flow to the area (which a cold compress will do).

Edit: You posted about this here, in OD. Cross posting isn't encouraged on BL, and there's probably a lot more expertise in that forum (plus you've got a couple of answers now) so I'm going to close this. Shoot me a pm if you have any queries.