Bruising : watch for veins

[mRuss]

I did another 1L infusion this past weekend. Everything went just fine, got to a reasonable size.

After a few hours I thought I might have some bruising, probably from nicking a vein when inserting my catheter. When I checked the following morning, sure enough, there was a LOT of bruising. here is a photo from just before bedtime on day 2:

This can be quite distressing to see when it happens for the first time. Still, don't freak out. Your body can put this right within a week. Still it's a bit of a buzzkill if you want to show off to strangers.

[MasonBall]

I've thought about using a flashlight to shine through and make sure I don't hit anything I shouldn't, but I've been lucky so far

[mRuss]

I've generally been pretty lucky too. When you consider how many veins and capillaries are in this area, it's a wonder this doesn't happen more often.

This is only the third time for me bruising up quite this much. First time was the day after doing saline with an old friend in downtown Toronto. I freaked out and called him in a panic. He didn't need to talk me down, but he did. I'm still thankful for that.

[gijoejw]

99% of the time it’s a needle that’s too big or injected too shallow. One time I used a 14 gauge and man it flowed well but I didn’t know I hit a vein and when I pulled the catheter out… I had pulsing squirts of blood shooting out!

[mRuss]

I didn’t know I hit a vein and when I pulled the catheter out… I had pulsing squirts of blood shooting out!

That must have been a shock!

I use 20 gauge catheters, and I always insert them all the way, they're just over an inch long. I'm sure it was just bad luck.

[gijoejw]

It was a… oh my god moment as I sat there watching it pulse arterial blood out the side of my ball sac. So now I’m very careful. But I just injected yesterday…. Got bruising. First time in a long time even with a 18 gauge.

[Tx_IntactGuy]

I've experienced this problem a lot, I use short, 3/4" 30g needles, and I've got bad bruising almost every single time despite pinching the skin and pushing the needle all the way in. I'd use a flashlight too to try and find clear spots without veins or capillaries. Takes about a week to heal.

I haven't infused with CO2/N2O ever since I developed a permanent bruise on my shaft from one session I had. I might be done for good after that one, I really wasn't trying to create ugly permanent spots on my body.

[mRuss]

I had an idea a while back about giving myself a one-dot tattoo if i ever find "the perfect spot" to infuse. It wouldn't look like anything to anyone else. i wonder if anyone else has done this.