Couple of Questions

[soadwes]

I have 2 questions...

I am going on a cruise in a month, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to get heroin on with me. I can't go a day without it, much less a week! Anyone have an idea on what to do? If I can't figure anything out, my only option might be to ween myself off of it over the next month. Which would be my absolute last prefered method.

Second question... Sometimes my girlfriend has problems getting the needle to register and can't shoot up, leaving blood in the needle. After that happens, she has a few minutes to try another vein before the blood coagulates, leaving the shot unusable. So what I do is shoot it up before that happens, since my veins are huge and easy to hit. Now to my question, is this a bad idea? I'm putting some of her blood in my system. As far as HIV and others like that, I'm not worried about that (we have unprotected sex, and have been tested (we are clean)). Is there something else I should know about that might be bad for me?

I hope these questions are in the right section, I'm new to the site as you might have noticed... All responses are greatly appreciated!

Wes

[exitwound]

Although I've never been on a cruise, I don't tend to think of them as super high security. I'd figure you could hide it any one of a billion ways....

Pack it into capsules and put it in an herbal supplement bottle, making sure you have a supply sufficient to get you through the cruise?

Wrap it in plastic and shove it up yer ass until you can get into your cabin if you're uber-paranoid?

I don't tend to think of cruises as having the kind of uber-security examinations as are experienced when boarding an air flight. I suspect the first suggestion would work just fine for you.

Of course, your rig and associated gear might be harder to explain, but you could always say you're a diabetic....

[soadwes]

The needles are the real problem as you said. I'm not too worried about the H itself. Maybe I can buy some when the ship boards in Mexico? I hear everything is over the counter pretty much, I'm sure rigs wouldnt be that hard to get... Anyone else have a suggestion? I assume there is an x ray machine for guns and such. I wonder what a rig looks like through the x ray. My bro is having a wedding on the cruise, so my whole family will be there. That would suck to get busted in front of everyone.

[mkchll]

The Cruise SWIM went on found the security to be very lax. But he brought Insulin (you can buy at any pharm without a script) and packed it in his luggage with the syringes just to be safe. And his H was kept on himself. He had no problems what so ever and was not even questioned about the Insulin and syringes as they did not search the bags, atleast not in front of the people boarding the ship. Before leaving the ship upon returning home he flushed the syringes because of customs. But it turned out customs just checked the ship and not the people. Good luck and enjoy the cruise.

[candy]

Hey Soadwes,
You did get some great suggestions regarding the cruise and taking aboard your H.....But, my concern is with injecting your girlfriends blood.
How long ago were you tested and were you tested for both HIV and Hep C. If it has been more than six months and she has had any risky behavior, I would test again. Remember with HIV there is a window period and the virus can lie undetected for many months. Current research is now saying that up to 9 months and possibly longer.
The window period is the time from your last risk;( ie, sharing needles, unprotected sex) up to 6 months after that last risk, without any risky behavior during that time, when the virus shows up in the blood.

Even if you two were tested, I would be tested again, for both HIV and Hep C.

Even if your girl tests neg for both, I would not inject her blood or even after her, even if you have rinsed the needle. I am sure you trust your girl, but we do take risks along with this lifestyle and although we don't intend to hurt anyone, sometimes we do desperate things in desperate times.

If it were me, I would get my own rig and make sure my partner had his own as well. If your concerned with her getting upset if you bring this up, throw it at her this way" I am looking out for the both of us!"

If you have any other questions feel free to post them in the forums or you can email me by PM or email. I am a nurse and HIV Counselor.

Good luck and go get tested. Better to be safe than sorry and if you and your girl continue to share, test every 6 months to a year. It will give the both of you peace of mind.

In the next day or two I will post in the Harm Reduction forum on Risk Reduction. You may want to take a look and read up on some ways to reduce your risks. Maybe something you and your girl can do together.

[soadwes]

Thanks for all the info candy... Other than HIV, Hep C (which my old roomate got, from sharing needles. I never shared with him, before or after he found out about it), and all other sexually transmitted diseases, are their any more risks? What are the chances we have the same blood type? If we don't, which i assume, would this be a problem? My girlfriend and i have been together for a long time, and i trust her not to have sex/share rigs with anyone else. I guess thats not a %100 guarantee she won't, but i have trust.

Back to the cruise... I've heard from others that the security is a joke. I'm kinda paronoid about it tho. I think if i bring insulin with the needles i shouldn't have a problem. I didn't know i could get it without a script! What do i ask for? Aren't there a few different types of insulin? And, in the small chance someone asks me, is there anything i should know about being diabetic they could ask about? All i know is when i buy needles, i say i need a 10 day supply of U-100 insulin needles. Probably overboard, but i can't go in there asking for some rigs. lol. On a side note, i like this forum, very helpful... Thanks everyone!

[candy]

Soadwes- Not sure what laws or regulations there are in other states, but here in California, I doubt anyone could get Insulin without a script. If you can get insulin, definately take it on board. They may ask you if you have any type of medical I.D. Most diabetics, especially when traveling, carry an I.D. of some sort. Maybe a bracelet, for example that tells whomever they are diabetic. But, since you don't have this, I will give you some tips to look at.

Diabetics can take up to 2 insulin shots per day, depending on the type of insulin they take. 3-4 shots can be taken, before meals and at bedtime, once again this is only with faster acting insulins.
Humalog is a very fast acting insulin and works within 15 mins. lasts up to 3-5 hours, fast acting or regular insulin works in 30 -45 mins. before eating and lasts up to 8 hours. Intermediate acting insulin can works in 3 hours, 6-12 it works best and can last up to 20-24 hours. These types are called NPH or Lente.

Most diabetics check their blood sugar 3 times daily and maybe more depending on different factors. It is done by a glucose monitor.
I think you will be fine with the syringes and the insulin, if you can get it. Maybe finding an empty insulin bottle and filling it with water, would work. Some insulins are cloudy in appearance, but I doubt anyone would know the difference. Make sure all your other equipment is packed away tight where no one can find it. I would take only what is necessary. Hell one can always find a spoon, especially aboard a ship.

Security may be laxed, but why take a chance. It would be a shitty way to start a vacation.

As far as testing goes, I would get one more test to be sure. Most clinics offer free testing and there are now tests that can give results within the hour. The rapid test or Orasure is one. You can get Hepatitis B from blood exporsure as well as during sex. This is common is anal sex where there is tearing. Avoid sex when your girl is menstruating(on her period). Of course there is Herpes, which can lie dormant for years and they say over 10 million adults have it and don't know. Hep C is really on the rise in Injection drug users and it can also lie dormant for years without symptoms. Unfortunately, Hep C is not killed off with bleach and all those who were bleaching to kill off the HIV virus were being infected by Hep C unknowingly. There is also the proper way to bleach needles and avoid contamination.

Make sure all your other equipment; water, spoon or cooker, cottons, etc. are clean and only used by yourself. Having your own equipment is best and try and avoid sharing, especially when the syringe is filled with blood. You can also cause other problems this way. If your girl is having trouble getting her veins to pop up, try a hot shower before injection, especially in the morning, when blood pressure and circulation is lower. Try swinging your arms in circles and some push ups can get veins to pop up. A warm compress or towel to the area may help. Women tend to have a harder time getting veins to show. This is due to the overall size of the veins and the decrease amount of muscle mass. I used to take a shower first thing in the a.m. to avoid missed shots. Technique is important too. Also using a tourniquet is best. If you don't have one, the leg of a pair of panty hose works great and maybe easier to find.

Hope this helps. If you do get ahold of some insulin, let me know and we can go over the type and how it works. Better safe than sorry.
Be well

[soadwes]

I could possibly buy needles in Mexico, and only bring the H. Lots of ideas from eveyrone, I'll go with what i think is the best and easiest one. I know sharing needles with my girlfriend opens us up to sharing diseases. I hope everyone that uses a needle knows that. That really wasn't my question. I mean that is a good answer, but not what i'm looking for. Let's say we both do not have any diseases, nor do either of us have sex/share needles with anyone else. Are there any other problems? Mainly putting her blood in mine... Maybe my body rejecting her blood because its a different type? Thats the question.

[pointed]

I am going on a cruise in a month, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to get heroin on with me. I can't go a day without it, much less a week! Anyone have an idea on what to do? If I can't figure anything out, my only option might be to ween myself off of it over the next month. Which would be my absolute last prefered method.

I would be damned careful about smuggling illegal drugs aboard a cruise liner. At the moment, I'm working as a sort of travel agent sans certificate (fill-in job while I go to school) and security can get REALLY tight. A cautionary tale...A guy of personal acquaintance took some weed on a cruise just this last August. He had very little and smoked most of it while he was aboard. He (evidently foolishly) threw out a roach in his cabin garbage can. The security nazis ended up bringing dogs on board at the time of disembarkation and he was not only busted for that roach, they got him for a roach so old that it was practically fossilized in his shaving kit. He didn't even realize he had it! It was a large pain in the ass for him and he got hit with a fine. Putting your dope in gel caps in a vitamin supplement bottle or something seems like a viable solution to me...But if I were you, I would use gel caps that had actually contained some kind of supplement, the more pungent smelling, the better. You do NOT want to smuggle your dope in with say, large amounts of coffee. That sort of thing does nothing but raise suspicion. You might consider purchasing a box of BC powder and replacing the otc analgesic packets with dope...Match the color, of course. Have your girlfriend carry it in her purse with a glass bottle of perfume...That just HAPPENED to break. (Break the bottle BEFORE you add the dope!! ;) )

Second question... Sometimes my girlfriend has problems getting the needle to register and can't shoot up, leaving blood in the needle. After that happens, she has a few minutes to try another vein before the blood coagulates, leaving the shot unusable. So what I do is shoot it up before that happens, since my veins are huge and easy to hit. Now to my question, is this a bad idea? I'm putting some of her blood in my system. As far as HIV and others like that, I'm not worried about that (we have unprotected sex, and have been tested (we are clean)). Is there something else I should know about that might be bad for me?

Injecting any semi-solid is a bad idea. In my observation, coagulated blood just isn't super liquid soluble unless you adjust the temperature. And even then, the dissolution process does not happen so quickly as it would need to do to make it a reallly healthy thing to inject. If I were you, I would just take my shot first. That would eliminate the risks. You do NOT want to chance clogging a blood vessel no matter how remote the likelihood.

Best,

Kate

[poppy]

"Sometimes my girlfriend has problems getting the needle to register and can't shoot up, leaving blood in the needle. After that happens, she has a few minutes to try another vein before the blood coagulates, leaving the shot unusable. So what I do is shoot it up before that happens, since my veins are huge and easy to hit. Now to my question, is this a bad idea? I'm putting some of her blood in my system"

Firstly could you explain to me what you mean by 'getting the needle to register'? [sorry if I'm being dim]
Secondly some years ago my boyfriend met an Australian couple who were here in the uk on holiday. Anyway to cut a long story short we ended up scoring for them and they had their hit at our house. We couldn't believe our eyes when they proceeded to prepare just one insulin syringe with gear and then injected from this same set of works one after the other. It certainly isn't the done thing in the circle of heroin users I know. Obviously whoever came second was injecting the others blood which to my mind can't be a good thing even if you put the infection issues aside.
I'm unclear whether you and your girlfriend use just one set of works like the couple I mentioned above or whether you start off with a set of works each and hit hers up as an extra to your own if she can't find a vein. If its the latter it must really piss her off when on top of the frustration of not getting her hit you are benefitting from her failure and getting a double dose.
As a female who has struggled with veins, over the years I have got better at keeping my hits from congealing and so giving me more time and therefore giving me more chance of successfully injecting it. Along with the advice Candy gives above for raising veins I find the following tips help to keep your hit from congealing:
[1]I never use 1ml insulin syringes. I find it much better to use a 2ml barrel with a detachable tip. The tips come in various sizes [some equally as small and thin as a 1ml]. This means that when the needle becomes blunt it can be easily replaced for a new sharp one. Also a clean tip allows you to see that flash of blood clearly which tells you you are in a vein. (Once you have got blood into your heroin mixture it changes colour from clear brown to a dense blacky brown which makes it hard to see when you hit that all important vein.)
[2]Never draw back too much blood unless you are sure you have hit a vein, the less blood the less chance of it congealing.
[3]I know that for optimum vein health it is recommended that the smallest quantity of liquid possible should be injected, however I find that if a few drops of water are added to the mixture every now and then [basically after you've got a drop of blood into the works but failed to inject it] it helps keep it liquid for longer giving you more time to find a viable vein.
[4]Finally patience. I have been known to struggle for an hour before getting my hit in [I don't recommend that anyone does this], my point is that the hit is still injectable after this length of time. Therefore it is possible to keep a hit from congealing if one is careful.
I hope this may help your girlfriend. Enjoy your cruise.Take Care
Laters Poppyx

[mkchll]

Two types of insulin Humalog and Humalin. Humalog is a very fast acting insulin and requries a script. But you can purchase Humalin over the counter in any pharmacy atleast here in MA. I believe it's the same in all fifty states that no script is required. If you're nervous buying it just write Humalin on a piece of paper and say it's for your grandma.

[candy]

If you have not had a reaction to her blood by this point, I would not worry. But, in saying that, I wouldn't make it a habit of injecting her blood either. If you continue to do this, I would look for symptoms such as a fever, higher than 101, respiratory distress, confusion. There is always that risk of injecting a clot. Even something small enough to pass through the needle can cause a clot and lodge in the smaller capillaries. It just is not a good idea and as Poppy said, it just is not something we seen done anymore. With diseases like Hep C and HIV, people are sharing less and less.

Go first as someone said, if you two are sharing the same needle. I would definately rinse in between and use clean water to inject with. If your buying your needles, you two should have enough to have your own. It sounded as if you may be doing her shot as so not to waste. Just not something you want to keep around for later. I know the temptation is there and I have cringed when I have had to waste, but it is certainly better than ending up in a bad situation. Especially for those who use alone.

There have been some great responses. I know how frustrating it can be to not be able to get a hit and that search for a vein, especially in the morning when one feels the worst, can be so frustrating. Try some of the suggestions that have been given for your girl. This way you can avoid having to make those decisions and you and your girl are both safe.

[sick_girl_64]

My husband went on a cruise to Mexico back in September and was more or less forced to go cold turkey due to circumstance. I would be hesitant about trying to smuggle any illegal drugs onto the cruise ship but that is just me. You may wish to read entries (http://www.junkylife.com/sickgirl/index.php/category/motorcycle-emptiness/) from the time he was away at my blog for more information. Good luck. sickgirl

[paperrabbit]

i went on a cruise last year and did not bring dope, but a bunch of pills with me. I had a couple bottles and a hell of a time trying to figure out how i'd hide them and all.... i just stuffed em in my toiletry bag in my suitcase and that was that - never searched or anything. I'd suggest just capping 'em and throw em in with some vitamins. But try to use it all before you get off the ship.
The cutoms security wasn't TOO thorough because there are so many people on the ship - but every time you get off and on you get x-rayed and whatnot, so once you get into your room, leave your stuff hidden safely with your clothing.

[hovadagod]

I always thought it's really dangerous to inject a different blood type than your own(ex. A+ O-...)...but what do I know....I never shot anything in my life.

[candy]

It would be, but I doubt that if he has not had a reaction yet, than either the amount is too small for a reaction or the reaction is so minor he doesn't know it or figures it for something else. In the hospital we watch for a rash, fever, confusion, difficulty breathing. He may have very slight reactions, or none at all.
I don't recommend it and I hope that they don't continue this practice.

[bogumil]

I havent read all replies, so sory, if i double post. But: Isnt it pretty possible that when you inject her blood into your system, that it clogs, because it reacts with your blood?

This is why you have to be tested for your blood-type and other factors first before you get a blood transfusion when you lost too much blood. In hospitals the blood-bags have a small extra bag on them where a small amount of the blood from the big bag is in. They take this little bag and mix it with some blood the took from the receiver before they give you the transfusion, to make sure your blood doesnt react with the other blood.

But maybe in such small amounts it isnt a problem ...

[candy]

Hey Bogumil,
Is this something new they are doing with blood transfusions? Not trying to sound sarcastic. It has been a few years since I worked in a Hospital, where I worked ER/Trauma, Peds and GI Lab, but I don't remember this type of practice with blood or before giving a blood transfusion. Of course if a patient is receiving blood, he will be crossed and typed prior to the blood transfusion. One can also donate their own blood prior to surgery and avoid getting someone else blood in the event a transfusion is needed.

In an emergency situation, where the blood type is not known yet and the patient needs blood right away. Type O blood is given. Those with Type O blood are known as universal donors and their blood can be transfused into anyone regardless of their blood type.

If someone has a reaction to a blood transfusion the only way of knowing this would be after they have had the transfusion. I just have not heard of a patients blood being mixed with a small amount of donor blood to check for a reaction. There is something called agglutination, which happens when the ABO or rh factor are incompatible and agglutination or clumping occurrs. I believe this happens when the patient is given the blood. I am not sure this is done by mixing the blood outside of the body. As I said, I have never seen this done. When blood is sent from the bloodbank to the patient, two nurses or a doc and nurse check the blood against the patients name band to make sure they have the right info. There are also a few other safe guards before the blood is given, but not the proceedure you mentioned in your post. This must be something new! Then again I am not sure how you could see the reaction. Agglutination is not the same as clotting of blood. Agglutination is usually seen as problems with the kidneys, respiratory problems, or cardiac.
Sometimes, patients are only given components of blood, such as packed red blood cells, or plasma, or platelets. Whole blood is usually given when someone has lost a significant amount of their blood vlolume and the risk of reaction is generally lower when whole blood is given. I have given blood before when I worked in the hospital

I would really like to know more about this. If you have any info on this please send it to me. As I said being out of the hospital setting for a few years, I may have missed some new technology. Seems like they come up with new things all the time.

While I am not sure why the guy who used the needle with the small amount of his girlfriends blood did not have a reaction, there could be several reasons for this. The amount of blood in the syringe may be a factor, he may be the same type as his girlfriend, or maybe he had a minor reaction he either ignored or thought it was something else. Things like fever, rash, and tachycardia(fast heartbeat) can be mistaken for something else. We don't know.
While I don't suggest he do it anymore, it sounds like he is doing OK.

[soadwes]

I do have seperate needles and gear from my girlfriends. I do my shot and if she messes up I would do hers to not waste it. I guess this is all around a bad idea. My first thought was we already have unprotected sex, what could happen that couldnt in bed? Sometimes i would wait to do my shot, so if she messed up, i would shoot hers up and give her mine to try again. We don't hang out with anyone else that shoots up, so its just us... I understand everyones concern, and i will rethink what i'm doing. As of now, i don't feel any kind of reaction to shooting up my girlfriends blood/heroin, except a nod. BTW, we call registering when you pull back the plunger and blood shoots into the needle. It is registered. I don't know how common that term is or if there is another for it, but thats what i learned. I lost internet connection because im moving so i wont be back on for awhile, unless i can get a hold of the internet at work privately like right now. Everyone be careful out there! And don't do what i do! lol.

[poppy]

Cheers for explaining the 'registering' term, its not one I've come accross but that dosen't mean anything! I'd more or less figured that's what it meant just wanted it confirmed. Talk to you when you get back on line.
Laters Poppyx

[caesee]

SWIM went on a cruise to Alaska last month. He brought herb, and rx pills with no problem. SWIM had some lorcet, that he put into a asprin bottle in his lugge, no prolbem. SWIM also had herb on him (it was a week cruise, SWIM has over an oz zip-sealed) in his pocket with no problem. The only problem he incoutred he was caught smoking on the deck, which he was lucky cause the 20 somehting kid that caught toked with him....:D