Safe Injection Technique

[euphoria2002]

This seems like a no-brainer but.....
If there are some REALLY knowledgeable folks around here who care to offer some info on proper procedure, safety tips, where to aquire new supplies, etc..... this is the thread.

Got the idea after reading about Oxydose's unfortunate episode with the broken needle.

Euphoria2002

[trainwrecker]

Well if you have an exchange in your area you have no exuse not to just use each rig once. You will save your arms much wear by only using freshies. Seriously, if you only use freshies you can keep an IV habit going pretty much forever.

Always clean around the injection site with at least soap, alcohol is prefered(and come on, it's only a couple bucks for a huge bottle that will last forever.

Use butterflys if you have thin veins, or at least finer guage points.

Always tie off, but release the tie before injecting.

If you have problems finding veins you probably aren't staying properly hydrated; drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

If you still have problems bringing veins out you can use a heating pad or a warm wash cloth around your arm/leg.

Always try to be in a safe, comfortable area when you are fixing. I have done more damage to my arms by doing rush jobs..

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head... Happy injecting...

[Boudica]

That was an excellent post, Trainwreck. I'm gonna give ya some pts for this one, you deserve some.

[candy]

I agree trainwreck, great advice and exactly what I tell my clients.

Hydration is important and applying heat is a great way to bring veins to the surface.

You seemed to cover most everything, so I will leave it at that, except for one thing.....

Pills are not meant to be injected and can lead to not only scarred veins and abscesses, but can destroy lung tissue over time. No matter how fine your pill has been crushed, there is no way to absolutely have a particle free solution. Those tiny particles lodge in the small capillaries in the lungs and over time can lead to lung disease, embolism, and breathing problems.

I know those who use pills want the rush, but they are just not made to be injected.
It is something I really try to educate my clients on to prevent the problems associated with injecting pills.

Thanks again for adding your great info!

[tonyk]

I agree trainwreck, great advice and exactly what I tell my clients.

Hydration is important and applying heat is a great way to bring veins to the surface.

You seemed to cover most everything, so I will leave it at that, except for one thing.....

Pills are not meant to be injected and can lead to not only scarred veins and abscesses, but can destroy lung tissue over time. No matter how fine your pill has been crushed, there is no way to absolutely have a particle free solution. Those tiny particles lodge in the small capillaries in the lungs and over time can lead to lung disease, embolism, and breathing problems.

I know those who use pills want the rush, but they are just not made to be injected.
It is something I really try to educate my clients on to prevent the problems associated with injecting pills.

Thanks again for adding your great info!


Candy, That is a point I never see mentioned but I agree. I am a health care prof. & always was fearful of injecting any pills no matter what others advised. Took all my OC's PO as prescribed after looking it up in my PDR & reading the warning about the fillers in the pills & what could happen post injection. Glad to see you confirm. Is it OK to snort them tho?? Any damage from that? I was leary of that technique too. Thanks for advice. TonyK

[candy]

Candy, That is a point I never see mentioned but I agree. I am a health care prof. & always was fearful of injecting any pills no matter what others advised. Took all my OC's PO as prescribed after looking it up in my PDR & reading the warning about the fillers in the pills & what could happen post injection. Glad to see you confirm. Is it OK to snort them tho?? Any damage from that? I was leary of that technique too. Thanks for advice. TonyK


It does go the same for snorting. While the drug may be passed through the mucous membranes and absorbed, the rest is taken into the respiratory system.

Pills are meant to be swallowed and I myself never got into pills, but I have seen so many people affected by their use by injection and snorting.

It's difficult, we want that come on right away. Not waiting for the drug to be broken down and lost in the gut not getting the full extent of the drug and getting the high we want.

[bronyraur]

"safe injection technique" ---maybe it should read "less harmful injection technique"...


just my .02

and great advice EVERYONE.

[chemboy7]

Well if you have an exchange in your area you have no exuse not to just use each rig once. You will save your arms much wear by only using freshies. Seriously, if you only use freshies you can keep an IV habit going pretty much forever.

Always clean around the injection site with at least soap, alcohol is prefered(and come on, it's only a couple bucks for a huge bottle that will last forever.

Use butterflys if you have thin veins, or at least finer guage points.

Always tie off, but release the tie before injecting.

If you have problems finding veins you probably aren't staying properly hydrated; drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

If you still have problems bringing veins out you can use a heating pad or a warm wash cloth around your arm/leg.

Always try to be in a safe, comfortable area when you are fixing. I have done more damage to my arms by doing rush jobs..

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head... Happy injecting...

Damn skippy man, fine write up if I don't say so myself. Not bad for a needle-freak... hahahaha. Seriously though another good technique that I have used successfully on many occasions to get those veins a poppin' is to do some reps with weights, watch them bitches rise. It's beuatiful, much better than playing the pin cushion game. Other than that, I dunno... try to go at the vein at a 15*-20* angle and make sure your in your vein (pulling back the flash) before you fire. Maybe some micron or wheel filters (I don't care what other's do, shooting pills I always filter twice). Don't use ciggarette filters or pocket lint or any other questionable shit to filter your shot, don't re-wash old cottons. Always let those shots cool before you go slamming cause if it gels in your rig it'll gel in your veins too. Rotate your injection sites to save vein time. Hmm, can't think of anything else right now except once you start shooting your dope your probably gonna find it hard to do drugs any other way... I know I do.

[Boudica]

Well, Candy me dear, you've just successfully scared the livin' shite outta me. Perhaps now I know why they found nodules on my lungs last year during a cat scan of me kidney (it caught the bottom of my lungs, so the doc then ordered a full lung cat scan). I've got lupus, so the doc team and I just assumed that the lung and kidney shite were complications from the lupus, which has been spiriling outta control real, real fast for the last 2 yrs, with the last 6 mos. gettin' me outta denial about my life expectancy. It ain't good. I only iv a pill once in a while now, but me doc gives me liquid oxy, and the generic mallinkrap brand is ideal for iv because it has no sugars, etc. just pure liquid oxy. I get six bottles a month and go thru them in 2 weeks flat, because it works so damn good. Pain: bye bye and a little yay ta boot. But after reading your post,, I don't think I'll be doing anything with me pills other than puttin' them in me big irish mouth from now on. Thank you. You may have just increased me life expectancy by a goodly amount, which to me at this point is probably a few months. And that's more time I can hold me kids, smell the redwoods, and watch me flower garden grow. And that, me darlin', is a very big deal to me.

ps: where can one get butterflys and how does one use them on self. I've got tiny veins and hate the fuckin pin cushion show.

[tonyk]

Gee, Irish, I wouldn't know where a person could get butterfly needles. We use them at work sometimes & I guess they are ordered from an EMS supply catalog. You know, I bet if you searched on the web for EMS supply cats. you could find a supplier co. that would sell without any ID. Like I can order syringes & needles from some catalogs but have to have a script to get them here from a pharmacy. Wouldn't hurt to check.

[roxi*stardust]

It does go the same for snorting. While the drug may be passed through the mucous membranes and absorbed, the rest is taken into the respiratory system.

Pills are meant to be swallowed and I myself never got into pills, but I have seen so many people affected by their use by injection and snorting.

It's difficult, we want that come on right away. Not waiting for the drug to be broken down and lost in the gut not getting the full extent of the drug and getting the high we want.
Wow candy. So snorted pills actually do affect the lungs? Does snorting OC cause damage to the nasal passages and sinuses like coaine does? We were discussing this the other day with friends and my best guess is it can't be good. But I'm not a doctor or nurse.

[devilsdrug]

even the folks with saline inhalers i know have lots of trouble after yrs. of snortin oc

[euphoria2002]

It's possible. There was an article about health problems affecting many of the emergency workers who were on site at ground zero on and right after 9/11. Apparently, the impacts, explosions and fires created a whole slew of microfine particles. These particles are small enough that, when inhaled, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream where they cause all sorts of problems.

Perhaps some of the fillers and binder materials in OC pills are small enough to do the same thing. In the GI tract no problem? Intranasal, a different story. At least, that's my theory for the time being. Just a theory though.

Euphoria

[Curio]

something Shaunclo posted once I had never heard but is a great technique to make sure you're in a good vein and to help confirm with a good "flash"....

leave just a tiny bubble of air at the top of the syringe, kinda like how it looks when you first unwrap it with the little bit of gap between the rubber tip of the plunger and the top end of the syringe...so that when you enter the vein, there is almost a vacuum of sorts that will "pull" some blood down into that space so you can just watch for it, knowing if you got a "flash" then you're in without having to draw back at all unless you want to RE-confirm.

[Chemical_Boy]

Where do people get their wheel and micron filters? I know you can get them off of the internet, but that isn't an option for me (Wife: You have a package dear. Me: Oh I'll take that. Wife: What are those for? Me: blah blah blah. Wife: AAAAHHHHH!!! )

Are there any places you can get them locally, like pharmacies, head shops, etc?? And, if so, what do you ask for?

I have heard of filter syringes before. I think you can get them from pharmacies. . .Are they the same thing??

[roxi*stardust]

Where do people get their wheel and micron filters? I know you can get them off of the internet, but that isn't an option for me (Wife: You have a package dear. Me: Oh I'll take that. Wife: What are those for? Me: blah blah blah. Wife: AAAAHHHHH!!! )

Are there any places you can get them locally, like pharmacies, head shops, etc?? And, if so, what do you ask for?

I have heard of filter syringes before. I think you can get them from pharmacies. . .Are they the same thing??
In regards to filter syringes or needles, you maybe able to buy them at a Pharmacy. I worked in an Institutional Pharm for years and we dispensed them to alot of the nursing homes. They use them mainly for drawing up medication out of glass ampules. The idea is that very small particles of glass entered the medication when breaking open the amps. Worse that could happen is they say no. I would call around first. I have never seen wheel filters available any place but online. No headshops or anything. If you have a needle exchange program in your are you should def be able to get them there.

[chemboy7]

Where do people get their wheel and micron filters? I know you can get them off of the internet, but that isn't an option for me (Wife: You have a package dear. Me: Oh I'll take that. Wife: What are those for? Me: blah blah blah. Wife: AAAAHHHHH!!! )

Are there any places you can get them locally, like pharmacies, head shops, etc?? And, if so, what do you ask for?

I have heard of filter syringes before. I think you can get them from pharmacies. . .Are they the same thing??

Ever think about a PO box there Clone? Maybe not a bad idea if one has mailings to hide from their spouse.

[candy]

Yes, injecting pills is bad news and even snorting can lead to damage in the lungs. As far as Oxy's causing problems in the nasal passageways, I wouldn't think so. It's when those fine little particles get caught in the tiny capillaries when injected and I imagine if inhaled, could cause damage to lung tissue.

Some needle exchanges are now getting filters as well as other equipment. It just depends on the exchange, who does the ordering, funding..... beuracratic bullshit like that!

Irish...so sorry to hear about how your doing! There are many caring people on this site and many with issues of pain and pain management. Welcome here!

What else did I miss? Trying to cover all of it!

And I really do not know any tricks on extracting......Pills were never my thing. But there are others who know more about that and you can do a search.

[Woowoo]

Always clean around the injection site with at least soap, alcohol is prefered
Does anybody really do this, swabbing down the injection site with alcohol, like they would do at the hospital? I don't do that and I've never met a junky in my life who did.

[Curio]

Does anybody really do this, swabbing down the injection site with alcohol, like they would do at the hospital? I don't do that and I've never met a junky in my life who did.

95% of the time I use alcohol preps or alcohol w/ a cotton ball or swab

just a little precaution like that can save a person from a life-threatening infection or abscess...

I used to do it even when I was living on the streets up in Portland, OR shooting methamphetamines....got some weird looks in the dealer's houses, etc. of course....couple that safety issue along with my "normal" and clean-cut appearance often caused probs; ppl thought I was an undercover cop! For a long time it was hard to get my foot in the doors (dealer's house) as a result...also why copping on the street is nearly impossible, aside from being dangerous as I am also female.

[chemboy7]

Does anybody really do this, swabbing down the injection site with alcohol, like they would do at the hospital? I don't do that and I've never met a junky in my life who did.

How can you not, it's not like alcohol is expensive or anything. Sometimes I even give myself alittle cotton ball under a bandaid if it's a bleeder. I like to think of it more like I'm playing doctor with myself than getting off. Everyone's got their own ruitine though, I suppose.

[Woowoo]

How can you not
I'm not saying its a bad idea, it makes perfect sense. Who knows what creepy crawly microbe is lurking on your skin, and the metal will poke that sucker right into your bloodstream. It's just that I see it done so rarely in actual practice. I can only think of one person I knew who did the alcohol thing, and he wasn't a very big IV user, he just did dilaudids once in a great while when they came around, always 4mg at a time too, nothing super-intense. The people who I knew that did heroin every day, they never swabbed down--quite the opposite they would slap their arms with their grundgy hands!

Another bad habit -- when you flick the air out, a little droplet usually forms on the end of the needle, you know? I've run into plenty of people who are in the habit of licking that droplet off the needle, with their tongue. I'd like to know what the average medical professional thinks of the practice of needle-licking!! Is that just insane, or what??

In my experience I would say needle-lickers outnumber alcohol-swabbers 20 to 1. Of course here, online, we might be the minory of safety-minded needle users. After all, we all have our shit together enough to keep our computers online, that puts us in the upper percentile of junkies anyhow.

[HeidiW]

I always use alcohol swabs. I hate having cotton fever or god forbid something worse 'cause I was too lazy to properly draw up my dope.

[HeidiW]

95% of the time I use alcohol preps or alcohol w/ a cotton ball or swab

just a little precaution like that can save a person from a life-threatening infection or abscess...

I used to do it even when I was living on the streets up in Portland, OR shooting methamphetamines....got some weird looks in the dealer's houses, etc. of course....couple that safety issue along with my "normal" and clean-cut appearance often caused probs; ppl thought I was an undercover cop! For a long time it was hard to get my foot in the doors (dealer's house) as a result...also why copping on the street is nearly impossible, aside from being dangerous as I am also female.



Just cause we do dope don't mean we can't do it with a little bit of common sense. I always use swabs, I carry 'em with me.

Wow, I know it CT. People would see me in my Wranglers, black cowboy hat and boots, big-assed belt buckle and start patting me down for a wire. THAT kind of bullshit ALWAYS pissed me off. I can't help it I'm a 'normal' looking fiend. Who's to say what the mold is for a junky, anyway?
I've been ripped off more than once in Cleveland by motherfuckers thinking whatever they chose, even after I'd rolled up my sleeves and showed them my tracks.

[candy]

Just cause we do dope don't mean we can't do it with a little bit of common sense. I always use swabs, I carry 'em with me.

Wow, I know it CT. People would see me in my Wranglers, black cowboy hat and boots, big-assed belt buckle and start patting me down for a wire. THAT kind of bullshit ALWAYS pissed me off. I can't help it I'm a 'normal' looking fiend. Who's to say what the mold is for a junky, anyway?
I've been ripped off more than once in Cleveland by motherfuckers thinking whatever they chose, even after I'd rolled up my sleeves and showed them my tracks.


Absolutely Heidi, you said it best...use a little common sense and your more likely to develop problems along the way.

I actually think my being a normal looking fiend has been a life-saver for me and kept me out of trouble and jail!

[candy]

I'm not saying its a bad idea, it makes perfect sense. Who knows what creepy crawly microbe is lurking on your skin, and the metal will poke that sucker right into your bloodstream. It's just that I see it done so rarely in actual practice. I can only think of one person I knew who did the alcohol thing, and he wasn't a very big IV user, he just did dilaudids once in a great while when they came around, always 4mg at a time too, nothing super-intense. The people who I knew that did heroin every day, they never swabbed down--quite the opposite they would slap their arms with their grundgy hands!

Another bad habit -- when you flick the air out, a little droplet usually forms on the end of the needle, you know? I've run into plenty of people who are in the habit of licking that droplet off the needle, with their tongue. I'd like to know what the average medical professional thinks of the practice of needle-licking!! Is that just insane, or what??

In my experience I would say needle-lickers outnumber alcohol-swabbers 20 to 1. Of course here, online, we might be the minory of safety-minded needle users. After all, we all have our shit together enough to keep our computers online, that puts us in the upper percentile of junkies anyhow.

As a nurse who has worked skid row in downtown Los Angeles you would be surprised at what I have seen and just how little people really know about keeping clean or safe.

It's everything from washing your hands, keeping your equipment clean, throw out old cottons(no need to save them) they are a pool of bacteria, always use fresh clean rinse water, and clean the site and use a clean needle.

[euphoria2002]

Another bad habit -- when you flick the air out, a little droplet usually forms on the end of the needle, you know? I've run into plenty of people who are in the habit of licking that droplet off the needle, with their tongue. I'd like to know what the average medical professional thinks of the practice of needle-licking!! Is that just insane, or what??

In my experience I would say needle-lickers outnumber alcohol-swabbers 20 to 1. Of course here, online, we might be the minory of safety-minded needle users. After all, we all have our shit together enough to keep our computers online, that puts us in the upper percentile of junkies anyhow.

The reason why you're supposed to swab before injecting is Staph aureus. That's the main type of bacteria people have growing on their skin. Swabbing before injecting makes it less likely for the bacteria to be directly introduced into the bloodstream. It also helps reduce the chance of getting some kind of abcess. Anyone who wants to lick the needle to get that last little bit of goodness probably no longer cares about such things.

My own experience injecting (anabolics) has been pretty good. Pick a spot with NO veins (steroids remember?) swab and inject. Rotate injection sites, use fresh tips and you can go for years without any troubles.

Euphoria

[Woowoo]

Y'all be glad to know that last night I used alcohol and swabbed down before doing my business, for the first time in my life. Next thing you know you'll talk me out of using my cigarette filters.

[SalvationThroughDilaudid]

Use butterflys if you have thin veins, or at least finer guage points.



So that's why they always use butterflys on me when I get IVs. I was told by one of the nurses that I have veins the size of bridge cables.

I'm guessing there really is no "safe" IV technique, only a "less dangerous" IV technique. Every time I've had an IV it takes 20 minutes, 2 or 3 nurses, and a boatload of sanitation and hygiene shit. I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to be doing it yourself, there are other ways of getting it all in you at higher BA. But if you gotta have that rush, I'd think it's best to check up on medical texts that explain proper IV technique, or better yet befriend a nurse who knows how to do it, and ask them how (providing they won't try to squeal on you that is). Always best to learn something like that from professionals, or at least professional reading material.

[candy]

So that's why they always use butterflys on me when I get IVs. I was told by one of the nurses that I have veins the size of bridge cables.

I'm guessing there really is no "safe" IV technique, only a "less dangerous" IV technique. Every time I've had an IV it takes 20 minutes, 2 or 3 nurses, and a boatload of sanitation and hygiene shit. I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to be doing it yourself, there are other ways of getting it all in you at higher BA. But if you gotta have that rush, I'd think it's best to check up on medical texts that explain proper IV technique, or better yet befriend a nurse who knows how to do it, and ask them how (providing they won't try to squeal on you that is). Always best to learn something like that from professionals, or at least professional reading material.


There is absolutely a "safe" IV technique and it shouldn't take 20 minutes or 2 0r 3 nurses if you have veins like ropes or bridge cables. There is a reason that they clean the site. They are entering your body, which is in it's own sense a sterile environment and by cleaning the site, they lesson the risk of giving you an infection.
Is it a butterfly type needle for IV's or blood draws? Just curious.

There really is no reason anymore that anyone who uses IV injection techniques cannot be clean about it. Go into your local pharmacy, get a bottle of 99 cent alcohol, some cotton balls, wash your hands, and clean the site, use a new needle or at least one that is clean..... and you have a safe IV technique.

The only time, sterile conditions are needed is when they are entering more centralized veins or arteries(if needed). Because these sites are closer to the heart and major pathways to and from the heart, they are accessed with a sterile technique.

If you wash your hands before you eat or after you wipe your ass, there should be no reason you cannot take a few minutes or less to use a clean technique before your injection!

[roxi*stardust]

Anyone want to see some pictures of Staph infections of the skin? A 15 second alcohol swab could save you alot of problems.

[Chemical_Boy]

Anyone want to see some pictures of Staph infections of the skin? A 15 second alcohol swab could save you alot of problems.

I would kind of like to see some please.;)

[SalvationThroughDilaudid]

There is absolutely a "safe" IV technique and it shouldn't take 20 minutes or 2 0r 3 nurses if you have veins like ropes or bridge cables. There is a reason that they clean the site. They are entering your body, which is in it's own sense a sterile environment and by cleaning the site, they lesson the risk of giving you an infection.
Is it a butterfly type needle for IV's or blood draws? Just curious.

There really is no reason anymore that anyone who uses IV injection techniques cannot be clean about it. Go into your local pharmacy, get a bottle of 99 cent alcohol, some cotton balls, wash your hands, and clean the site, use a new needle or at least one that is clean..... and you have a safe IV technique.

The only time, sterile conditions are needed is when they are entering more centralized veins or arteries(if needed). Because these sites are closer to the heart and major pathways to and from the heart, they are accessed with a sterile technique.

If you wash your hands before you eat or after you wipe your ass, there should be no reason you cannot take a few minutes or less to use a clean technique before your injection!


Isn't there stufff on the pils? Like germsss and whatno? I ktatek you word for it, is saf, but I thougth maybe when you cruuuush up pills there might be baketeria on it tht dont filter out. :eek::eek::rolleyes::cool:

[roxi*stardust]

I would kind of like to see some please.;)
Are you serious? Because I would be glad to gross everyone out this morning with them.

[candy]

Roxi-----Ya know I have seen it all! Put them up!

[stormyskier]

Put them up, put them up!! RAH RAH!!!

[Woowoo]

Are you serious? Because I would be glad to gross everyone out this morning with them.
I vote for "no" but something tells me I'm gonna be tossin' my cookies here soon, regardless...

[candy]

What is even worse than seeing an abscess is smelling them before they even walk through the door!

And anyone who has worked with the homeless IDU's(Injection Drug Users) you know that a few can offend even the most experienced of us with their abscessed selves.

And when they reach that bad......Hell, you don't want to touch them let alone see one of them.

I have seen maggot invested wounds on really old junkies who were so fucked up they weren't even aware of it! Although I don't go too much into downtown or skid row as much anymore, when I did, you see wounds you never saw in any clinic or ER. This is where even Harm Reduction makes no difference!

Maybe folks like comatoes or some of our other EMT's/Paramedics have seen these wounds or know what I am talking about.

[RxQueen]

I have seen maggot invested wounds on really old junkies who were so fucked up they weren't even aware of it! Although I don't go too much into downtown or skid row as much anymore, when I did, you see wounds you never saw in any clinic or ER. This is where even Harm Reduction makes no difference!

Maybe folks like comatoes or some of our other EMT's/Paramedics have seen these wounds or know what I am talking about.


dayyum candy! i've never seen that on a human, but when i worked in dog rescue, we sometimes got dogs in with open wounds infested with maggots. ewww... smelly & gross. my stomach sure toughened up a lot working that job!

[MetalJake]

Does anybody really do this, swabbing down the injection site with alcohol, like they would do at the hospital? I don't do that and I've never met a junky in my life who did.

u use aim

[chinaski]

I was pretty amazed to find that there are diabetes websites out there that happily send boxes of rigs to california without a script (if you pay them, duh). Unfortunately I got a whole box of 'short' needles -- 5/16th-1cc rigs. I'm not even sure I can reach a vein with these fuckers! Anybody ever use these? Luckily I was trying out different types and got some 30 guage - 1/2 inch ones which will work fine. No more fucking rigs from nasty ass street urchins! New rig for every shot! Cool man...
BTW I wasn't sure if I should mention the website but if you PM me I can tell you. I think. Is that against the rules or something?

[tofunun]

i started using alcohol after i got an abscess and had a big gaping hole cut out of my arm. trust me, i do all I can to maintain whatever veins I have left, because let me tell ya, when the doctor was removing that abscess out of my arm, he was not kind about it, and for some reason I can only pinpoint as just being an asshole, he didn't give me any pain medication or lidocaine or anything til AFTER he cut out a fucking hole in my arm. I screamed and cried and I'll tell ya, I've had 2 kids, and having a chunk of abscessed skin cut out of you with no pain meds are on up there with spitting out kids as far as pain factor. Also, I'd like to point out that sometimes when you're sitting there poking and prodding and trying to find a vein, your rig will get filled up with blood. Although it goes against our nature to waste a hit, once it gets filled with blood so much you can't see a drawback register anymore, you need to just go ahead and either eat that shit or brown it, because it just makes it harder to see what you're doing, easier to clog up your rig...and think about it, if it clogs up your rig, what is doing to your veins? blood clots very fast, so basically when you shoot up all that blood back into your arm, you're basically shooting a blood clot in your body. But anyway, can't think of much else to say that hasn't already been said, so pz

[Boudica]

I was pretty amazed to find that there are diabetes websites out there that happily send boxes of rigs to california without a script (if you pay them, duh). Unfortunately I got a whole box of 'short' needles -- 5/16th-1cc rigs. I'm not even sure I can reach a vein with these fuckers! Anybody ever use these? Luckily I was trying out different types and got some 30 guage - 1/2 inch ones which will work fine. No more fucking rigs from nasty ass street urchins! New rig for every shot! Cool man...
BTW I wasn't sure if I should mention the website but if you PM me I can tell you. I think. Is that against the rules or something?


Yep, I've been buying them for years, but now use all that I've saved up to go to the local needle xchange once a month. Free rigs, good ones too, ties, dental cottons, swabs and cookers. My area is big on harm reduction and we also have the legal medical marijuana places, so I am grateful to live in an area that has these services available. You can order syringes from any site that carries diabetic supplies, or search on medical supplies and you'll get a bunch, as well. I'll pm you a place I've used for a long time that has a great selection and good prices. And I always keep swabs on hand. Hey, I am the cleanest person on earth and I still got an abcess from hell back in november on my BOOB! Imagine having to flip it out for my doc to check it out. Talking about wishing I had a hole to crawl in.....:o

PS: Find your local needle exchange and trade them short suckers in for the right ones. I found my exchange by looking in the "business"white pages in the phone book, and they are listed in the "N's" as "Needle exchange". It don't get much easier than that!

[D-Stabilized]

Damn skippy man, fine write up if I don't say so myself. Not bad for a needle-freak... hahahaha. Seriously though another good technique that I have used successfully on many occasions to get those veins a poppin' is to do some reps with weights, watch them bitches rise. It's beuatiful, much better than playing the pin cushion game. Other than that, I dunno... try to go at the vein at a 15*-20* angle and make sure your in your vein (pulling back the flash) before you fire. Maybe some micron or wheel filters (I don't care what other's do, shooting pills I always filter twice). Don't use ciggarette filters or pocket lint or any other questionable shit to filter your shot, don't re-wash old cottons. Always let those shots cool before you go slamming cause if it gels in your rig it'll gel in your veins too. Rotate your injection sites to save vein time. Hmm, can't think of anything else right now except once you start shooting your dope your probably gonna find it hard to do drugs any other way... I know I do.



What's the problem with using a bit of cigarette filter? Do they have fiberglass in em or something?
I use a piece about 3/16" square and roll it into a very tight ball then just place the beveled side of the point on it and draw. Seems to do an exceptional job of filtering - much better than cotton/q-tip since it's much denser after I roll it into a tight ball. My solution comes out almost completely clear. Just a bit difficult to draw through and takes repeated attempts to get all the liquid. Then again, I'm using 30ga points.
So am I screwing up big-time? :(

D-Stabilized

[RxQueen]

lots of people will say that there's fiberglass in cig filters. i'm fairly certain that there isn't, but maybe there was once, sometime in the past. but they still aren't the best thing to use.

first and most importantly, they're not sterile. who knows how many people (who might not wash their hands after they eat, shit, wipe their noses) have touched them between when they were manufactured and when they turned up in your cigarette pack? and how many of the carcinogens and weird chemicals that they put in our cigs can possibly leach into the filter material?

plus, i'm not sure what it is that they are made from, but i know someone here does. all i can remember right now is that it didn't sound like something i wanted touching the stuff that's going in my veins.

those are two of the reasons that i can think of right now... i'm sure there are more, but i'm too high to think much more. cotton can be rolled pretty tight, if that's how you like it. and it can be bought sterile and meant for medical uses. plus, if you feel that it's not filtering enough, you can always filter your hit twice (through 2 separate clean cottons). or even better, get a micron filter specially made for this purpose.


with that said, i'm closing this thread. it's a good one, but OLD. any other questions about safe injection techniques can have a brand new thread started.