Injecting - Veins that roll

[Esmerelda]

Swie is wondering if anyone has any techniques for hitting those veins that roll out of the way.

She tries to rotate between as many sites as possible, but has a lot of rolley veins! She'd have over 20 sites if she could just hit the rolley ones, but as it is she only has about 10-12. The one she really wishes she could get is that one that runs down the thumb-side of her forearm, but it just jumps out of the way all the time .

She doesn't normally need to tie off, but one thing she tried was using a tourniquet right near the site, to hold the vein still. But when she clicked the tourniquet loose, it was so close to the site that it made the pin jump out of the vein.

There's probably no good answer, but I thought I might as well ask in case anyone's cracked it.

[harrygoldfarp]

Jab it in quickly

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Useless reply
	one possible way of doing it

[votrevelly]

Spike it sharply and swiftly but fluently. Get a friend to (very lightly) apply some support to the vein either side. Alternatively try and use any fingers SWIY has free to lightly pinch the site. The technique has to be just right.

[pinksox]

The best technique for hitting "rollish" vein is to apply gentle downward(away from the heart)traction on the vein. Saying it were a hand vein, SWIY should have a friend place a clean thumb, not near the direct injection site(more the the knuckles, a bit above), but just below--just enough to hold the skin taught and with enough pressure to keep the vein straight. Depending on the injection location/angle, etc SWIY can sometime use this technique themselves.

SWIm has encountered lotsa rolling veins in her career and this technique is one that must be mastered and will make any swimmers life much easier. Just remember not to contaminate a clean site with a not-so-clean finger.

Alternatively, a bit larger gauge needle and "pinning the vein between the pointer and middle finger can keep it from rolling much as well. Again, don't contaminate the direct site. Also wiping clean fingers beforehand and the entire site immediately after would be most prudent.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good advice on technique

[dyingtomorrow]

What SWIM does is try and trace their source, and hit them below where they pop up and start rolling.

The other thing that has worked in the past for SWIM is to try and pinch or hold the vein in place, and make sure you have a fresh, sharp needle. That technique still has a high failure rate though (at least in SWIM's experience).

[dkmonk]

Use sharp needle, go in more directly less at an angle, go in swift in one fluid motion

[Esmerelda]

Thanks for the advice guys. Swie's been junkless and in wds for the last 5 days so hasn't been posting. Having someone else to hold the vein makes it much easier, yes, but often Swie is alone. The other advice is really useful though - Swie will be sure to try it when she uses again.

[mickey_bee]

aye although good ol harry got negative rep for his post, I agree with him completely.

The best way swim's found to get a rolley vein is to get a fresh 30 gauge and slip it in in one firm, quick movement. Not necessarily rushing it, but if it's sharp and pushed in confidently, it should be fine unless it's a pretty small vein.
In swim's experience anyway.

[xxdan123xx]

hit em from the side. seems to work when swiy must use dull needles as well. Instead of placing the needle on the vein put it next to it and go almost across although obviously at somewhat of an angle.

[BumpBump]

swim agrees with a few comments, going from the side works if the needle is blunt. But practice more with the tourniquet, release it slowly. Swim will probably get slated for saying this but if swies has a low volume of liquid plunge before releasing and then release imediatley after.

[xxdan123xx]

Agrees and sorry but swim always shoots before releasing the tourniquet. Needle usually moves whilst removing it

[m.swinehart81]

Swim definitely shoots before releasing tourniquet. Veins always move on him. Can never get shot in if he lets it out. Its been that way for swim even when his veins were good...

[Esmerelda]

Swie has always been extremely particular about caring for her veins and never leaves the tourniquet on when shooting. Although she thinks that it's probably not too bad if using a small volume and shooting it slowly.

Going from the side definitely helps actually. Also the jab it in quick technique. She can't seem to help doing everything slowly and carefully but it's so true that they stay in place quicker if you hit them fast!