Vein pains...

[brown_chunx]

Swim's recently been injecting heroin about 4-5 times a day for the last three weeks, using the same vein (in the bend of his left arm) because it's so damn easy to get to. Last night, after taking a shot, the injection site became numb and started hurting when the feeling came back.

Today, it felt real sore, and any time swim stretches his arm out straight it hurts. He used it again and when the needle went in their was a very sharp stinging pain, it became even more sore afterwards, but was used a couple more times. He injected three caps again (usually enough to give a little euphoria), only he was having trouble getting blood, even though he knew he was in. Eventually, he pulled up blood and pushed in, but it burned like he had missed his vein, only he hadn't. Plus, it didn't even do anything for him.

Is it possible that this vein has collapsed, and that the dope was being wasted? There's only about 3/4" of vein he uses, so there's marks ALL over it. So swim was just wondering what it was like to have a vein collapse. It's still sore and still hurts like fu.k every time he stretches out his arm.

And also, swim would like to know the proper way to cook his dope, to get the most out of it. This is the process he goes by:
-dump out caps
-drip water around the pile and then on top of it
-stir with paper clip, then cook while stirring (he just started using this stirring method)
-wait till small bubbles form and most of the floating particles are gone (there's usually still quite a few in there though)
-suck through small cotton ball, leaving spoon covered with (bitter tasting) particles

Are these particles dope, or just adulterants? Should swim let it boil just a little (small bubbles) or a lot (big bubbles), or does to much boiling evaporate too much dope? Swim just started IVing about three weeks ago, and it doesn't do much more for him than if he snorted it, so he thought he might not be cooking right. So if anyone could give swim a step by step on it, that would be great. He mostly just needs to know how much he should boil it. Thanks.
(sorry for the long ass post)

[robertone]

Swim isn't using H --never will too-- and isn't an medical expert, but Swim advises Swib too look for medical attention as fast Swib can! Swim suspect that Swib's vein is serious inflamated and might loose his limb if he doesn't look for proper care!!!

[brown_chunx]

holy shit man... Swim should be good till the morning though, right?

[boylizard]

Might as well go to the ER man - this is SWIYs body he is playing with. It's the only one SWIY gets - do it for those that love you if nothing else. Please keep us updated - SWIM doesn't want to be left worrying.

[brown_chunx]

well it's 15 to 4(am) and I just woke up because it's hurting more. It's fu.ked up, because Swim used his right arm once (for the first time) and had the same sharp pain, so both of his arms have it now. It's really starting to hurt, but swim'll have to wait it out till the morning i think.

[boylizard]

are you sure you didnt get some dirty dope?

[boylizard]

whoops, i meant SWIY, not you. laughable... like anyone on these forums does drugs... what a joke...

[robertone]

By God, both arms already. Don't hesitate, go to the infermary directly! We all want to see Swib back at this forum.

[brown_chunx]

really... no... same dope swim always uses. (well, probably not exactly) Swim actually fell asleep on his arm, so that when he woke up it was all numb and asleep, so swim freaked the fu.k out, but then the feeling came back, so it's alright. Swim can't be losing both his arms though... a leg wouldn't be missed as much, but both his arms!? That would suck... Swim would have to start shooting into his numbs..

[boylizard]

either way, swim definitely suggests talking to a doctor, at least at the ER. IV drug use is nothing to toy with, especially when something like this happens.

[Forthesevenlakes]

SWIY really should see a doctor. SWIM has a friend who recently lost use of his right hand due to an improper injection technique. Thankfully the loss of function was only temporary, but IV use carries with it alot of risks, and SWIY doesn't want to risk losing his arms just from wanting to get high. Due to doctor-patient confidentiality, SWIY shouldnt be in any legal trouble from seeing a doctor, and SWIM would like to see SWIYou be alright!

[brown_chunx]

I don't know... the pain has died down now.. a lot. swim talked to a few people and they said that sometimes when using a needle the injection site will just get sore for a couple days. even a buddy who had it happen when a nurse gave her a shot. nothing looks bad on the outside, and the pain almost totally went away.

swim just used a really small vein on his right arm, and partially missed, so it's hurting, but that's just from the (small) blister. Swim doesn't want to end up losing his arm(s) and kick himself for not seeing a doc. But since the pains going away, swim should be alright, wouldn't swiy guys think?

[Nicaine]

Originally Posted by brown_chunx

swim just used a really small vein on his right arm, and partially missed, so it's hurting, but that's just from the (small) blister. Swim doesn't want to end up losing his arm(s) and kick himself for not seeing a doc. But since the pains going away, swim should be alright, wouldn't swiy guys think?

If the pain is going away *and* the spot looks OK appearance-wise, it's probably gonna be fine. But either/or, SWIM would go to the ER and get it checked out.

P.S. stimulant users usually learn not to mess around where the heart/circulatory system are concerned, it would be good for more H users to figure this out (too many out there with untreated problems in that department).

[brown_chunx]

swim would really like to know about the cooking question.

[meep]

Stay focused Swiy! Go and see that Doctor.

[brown_chunx]

yeah... swim should do that.. maybe tommorow.

[tone3721]

Maybe, swiy should stop using heroin, and stop self inflicting pain on himself. Very dangerous, what swiy is doing. One bad batch and swiy is dead as a door nail. The only purpose of heroin, is pain relief. An ailment swit doubts swiy has, even if swiy did their are much better compounds available today to treat such ailments. Sticking needles in yourself to get high, is playing with death, much like russian roullette. Swiy doesnt want to die does he? Seems swiy would have many underlying issues, to do this to himself.

Sounds like somebody needs, a good ol fashion psychedelic session!

[boylizard]

Originally Posted by tone3721

Maybe, swiy should stop using heroin, and stop self inflicting pain on himself. Very dangerous, what swiy is doing. One bad batch and swiy is dead as a door nail. The only purpose of heroin, is pain relief. An ailment swit doubts swiy has, even if swiy did their are much better compounds available today to treat such ailments. Sticking needles in yourself to get high, is playing with death, much like russian roullette. Swiy doesnt want to die does he? Seems swiy would have many underlying issues, to do this to himself.

Sounds like somebody needs, a good ol fashion psychedelic session!

Heroin has another purpose - an allegedly intense high. Granted, not the most intelligent, but drugs will be drugs - used practically and recreationally (often haphazardly)

[tone3721]

Swit doesnt consider catching a buzz very purposeful. Drugs are tools, used in healing, ie:medicine. This purpose is abuse, the potential for heroin to be abused is too high. Swit has yet to meet a "casual" user, intraveneously. What someone who isnt you needs, is therapy! The only recreational drug worthwhile, in swits opinion is pot, but by definition pot could be considered to not be a drug, since it is also a food source. Psychedelics, are very powerful tools, but thats a whole nother subject. In swits opinion, self realization, is very purposeful. Thats just swits 2 cents tho.

[Nicaine]

Originally Posted by tone3721

Swit doesnt consider catching a buzz very purposeful. Drugs are tools, used in healing, ie:medicine. This purpose is abuse, the potential for heroin to be abused is too high. Swit has yet to meet a "casual" user, intraveneously.

Although it's basically a matter of pedantry, it might be worth pointing out that an addict's use of heroin is anything but "abuse" -- the substance is desperately needed for the user's physical body and brain to function normally. In other words, once addiction occurs, heroin is one of the few viable treatments for the disease of opiate withdrawal.

Of course time + abstinence is the only long-term cure, but in the meantime the H addict will suffer a horrendous physical illness, one that occasionally even kills. It's no wonder that the majority end up choosing the short-term but *MUCH* less agonizing cure.

Just fwiw...

[roquet]

Originally Posted by Nicaine

the H addict will suffer a horrendous physical illness, one that occasionally even kills.

Sorry if this is off-topic, but isn't it a myth that heroin withdrawal can kill?

I know chronic alcoholics who stop drinking suddenly sometimes gets fits which can be fatal. In a detox medication is given to prevent that. But cold turkey's never killed anyone, has it?

I have no personal experience of withdrawing from opiates, but I've heard the experience is often exaggerated. Apparently it's like a bad flu, which I know can be horrible, with hot and cold sweats, delerium, etc. And knowing that a shot of something would get rid of it immediately would make going that route increadibly tempting. But bad flu, nasty as it is, isn't *that* bad. Could that H addict be exaggerating the withdrawal experience to get the sympathy vote?

[Alicia]

Originally Posted by roquet

Sorry if this is off-topic, but isn't it a myth that heroin withdrawal can kill?

No, but it can be very unbearable being sic with it during the physical withdrawal. However if someone's immune system is compromised then it could be different a story. In general it wont kill ya.

[brown_chunx]

swim's rather scared now... but he's visiting the doc in the morning, whether he can get an appointment or not. Is it possible to hit a nerve in the bend of your arm?

[tone3721]

Swit is not a doctor, but he supposes it could be possible. Seek, an examination immediately, then ask yourself why you are doing this to yourself, give yourself plenty of time to reflect. Trust swit, you dont want to be a junkie, swit has known literally hundreds of junkies. Just about everyone he met wishes they could turn back the clock. Dont be one of them, empower yourself now to overcome this vice...or curiosity, or whatever this behavior results from for swiy. No MD will recommend this, but, swit recommends a good strong dose of LSD. Most of the time, these types of behavior represent an inner conflict, LSD is great for exploring the inner self, and getting to the root of these problems psychologically, which is usually where the root leads to.....your mind! If LSD, isnt something swiy, is experienced with, or comfortable with by yourself.....seek a shaman! If that wont work, discuss it with the MD. Swit is quite sure hell discuss it with swiy anyway. Shamans do exist, there is always a peyote church. If swiy is interested in this option, pm swit, he will send you in the right direction, of how to contact said churches.

[boylizard]

Originally Posted by tone3721

Swit is not a doctor, but he supposes it could be possible. Seek, an examination immediately, then ask yourself why you are doing this to yourself, give yourself plenty of time to reflect. Trust swit, you dont want to be a junkie, swit has known literally hundreds of junkies. Just about everyone he met wishes they could turn back the clock. Dont be one of them, empower yourself now to overcome this vice...or curiosity, or whatever this behavior results from for swiy. No MD will recommend this, but, swit recommends a good strong dose of LSD. Most of the time, these types of behavior represent an inner conflict, LSD is great for exploring the inner self, and getting to the root of these problems psychologically, which is usually where the root leads to.....your mind! If LSD, isnt something swiy, is experienced with, or comfortable with by yourself.....seek a shaman! If that wont work, discuss it with the MD. Swit is quite sure hell discuss it with swiy anyway. Shamans do exist, there is always a peyote church. If swiy is interested in this option, pm swit, he will send you in the right direction, of how to contact said churches.

Much agreed - SWIM is one for the 'to each his own' philosophy, but in SWIbs opinion, this isn't worth it. Wean off the heroin, and dose swiyself up with lsd, peyote, mushrooms, salvia... take your pick, but don't do it during the withdrawal and make sure your set and setting are good.