IV bruising and Heroin

[roger123456]

I just started shooting up about 3 weeks ago.  However, I am currently in withdrawal and I am trying to kick the habit.  I havent shot up in like 3-4 days and I have bruising on both my forearms and yellow streaks as well that run along the vein.  It is mildly sore but not too bad.  I also had a low grade fever the last couple of days as well. I feel like **** and have fever but have just been chalking that up to the WD, could it be some sort of infection? Should I be conceren that this is something major?

Thanks!

[zeraa]

if someone is a recovering H user for a couple months now. he used to inject. can a bruise along the vein appear if hes not doing it?? really concerned..

[addiction777]

If u were using the same needle every time and was that dull , I think it's cotton fever , it doesn't hurt to get checked out ! And believe it or not getting out for a drive , with someone else driving of course seems to help me, my dad would take me for long 2 hour drives and just talk about normal stuff really helped with getting my mind off all the garbage! I too snorted for awhile till it wasn't enough and went to shooting for cost effentcy , it's important u deal with this problem now before it takes over for years to come! Hang in there the withdrawals with be over soon and u can put all this behind u !!!

[EvolverU]

Sounds like you might have had a case of cotton fever. Keep an eye on that temp, though. I had many an infection back in the day before I knew how to 'take care of myself' (HA!) - in that particular way.
Are you drinking plenty of water? That'll help. Also, Immodium and some Clonidine (if you can get it). What are your symptoms like now? If you're 4 days in you should be coming down the other side of that slope now. Stick with it! You're doing great. I'm so glad you're here, my friend.

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with all of the above posts.

I personally don't think it would hurt to get checked out.  It sounds like more of a localized infection from injecting, but I would prefer you err on the side of caution and go get it checked.  You may need antibiotics.

Best of luck on your recovery, stick around, you will get great info and support here!

[roger123456]

Fever started about 2 days ago, which was probably 24hrs after my last injection..  My temp is currently normal at the moment and has been all morning.

[EvolverU]

How long have you had the fever, dude?

[roger123456]

Yes I have been abusing opiates for about 3 years.  From Lortabs to Roxys to OC to Heroin. But I always used to just snort and swore to never shoot.  It was when I went back to snort some and it didnt do anything and that made me stop and try and kick this, didnt want to shoot up everyday.

I do not have any red lines that I can see, nor is it hot or raised or anything.  My forearms are yellow running by the vein.  I just started shooting so I was not very good at it and missed and pulled out many times befor i would finally land in the vein. Plus the needle got pretty dull towards the end.  So it could just be bruising or I punctured the vein inside the arm or something.  The fever is about 100.00 or so.  I have been through MANY withdrawals before but this is the first time I ever got fever, and couple that with the yellow/purple bruising on forearm, and thats where my concern is coming from.  Thanks for all the help!!!!

[EvolverU]

Sorry, should have read Roger..my bad..

[EvolverU]

Geez Robert, I'm extremely pleased to hear that you're kicking. I don't have to tell you the consequences that you can incur shooting up. (Sounds like you've accrued two of them already: a habit and and quite possibly an infection..)
Do you have an abscess anywhere around an injection site? If you see a red line going up your arm, or if it's red, hot and tender you probably have Cellulitis and should go directly to an ER. This is not something to wait on because you'll need antibiotics. How long have you had the fever and what is it? The yellowing might just be bruising from puncturing the vein and not getting a clean hit.

May I ask if you had a habit before you were IV'ing? (The reason I ask is your habit shouldn't be that bad after three weeks.) So, I'm here to tell you - (as a person who IV'd for almost 30 yrs.) - that now is the time to stop, my friend. You CAN do this. It'll just take a few days of feeling like crap. That's OK though. It's a small price to pay for your life back and for a narrow escape. Please, stick with this. Stay on the site, if you need it. Lean on us. We're here. Wishing you Strength & Clarity.

[roger123456]

Thanks for the response.  I have been using H for a couple of years now but only started shooting it like 3 weeks ago.  I think it was the thought of me getting to that point that made me want to quit.  I always swore I would never shoot up, but obviously that didnt happen.  Hopefully I can kick this for good.

So you dont think i should see a doctor or anything?  

[addiction777]

I have abused needles a total of 6 years, brushing is normal if u had infection in the injection areas it would have puffed up a big lump, I have had something called cotton fever from shooting but it happens hours after shooting , and would go away after a half a day, WD from shooting h like I had was very intense and could be causing fever ! Right now I'm on 8 days free from methadone , my uppermost is on fire and my legs don't stay still! I know exactly what your going through but seems your abuse was short lived and this is the perfect time to put an end to it! For me it took getting arrested for selling drugs to pay for my habits, I losed both my 2 young boys and am getting devorced now as we'll currently on house arrest , don't let this habit ruin your life like it did mine! the pain ***** but once your finished u will be on track to a better life!