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Heroin Vein swelling and hardening after multiple injections? Is this normal?

nikkimau5

Greenlighter
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
6
I've read threads similar to this, but most of them are posted by users of black tar heroin, and I've never used it. Basically I've just done what I could find. Anyways, I started out using a new needle every time, but recently I've used the same one about 7 times in a row, give or take. Pretty much 90% of the time I've hit the same vein in the bend of my arm. Now there's somewhat of a welt on the inside. It doesn't hurt whatsoever. It isn't even noticeable. There's no reddening, bruising, major swelling. It just feels like there's a small gumball lodged in my vein...

I don't plan on using that same vein for a while. I've heard that it will go away over time. But I still have questions. For one, I heard that it could burst, and cause a LOT of pain. Is this true? Can I prevent this from happening simply by not using that vein for a while? Also, if it does just go away, how long does it usually take? I've only been shooting in it for about 2 or 3 weeks. At first it was a little sore but that would usually go away within a couple hours.

And is there a better way to find a vein? That's the only one I can hit every time. The other ones are visible, but are so small. I've had someone shoot me up in my hand once, but it was sore for a few days and I'd rather just avoid it if possible.
 
sounds kinda like an abcess...i have one on my elbow crook vein currently and it hurts when i bend my arm all the way down and theres redness surrounding the "bump"..mine was caused by using the same needle over 30 times and missing a shot of suboxone...since it had gotten so dull and re used it hardly could register correctly anymore. ive found that putting a hot compress on it helps a lot..sooner the betterr.
 
i had the exact same thing happen to me back when i was shooting dope like, every day...all the time. i asked my counselor what he thought it was & he was a former addict, he said it was more than likely just an abcess; they suck, they can be scary if you don't know wtf is going on lol but it will go away eventually. if you're still shooting, my advice to you would be to use a diff vein as long as you can, im not gonna sit here & tell you not to do dope cos who am i to judge, and its your life, just be safe, always make sure you're in the vein, and never share!! ever ever ever! lol im sure you're gonna be just fine, it took mine around a month or so to go away.
 
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