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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Injected Heroin On Arm, Burning Sensation, Numb Hands, Difficulty In Grasping Things. Recommendations?

I injected heroin into my left arm along the left side a few inches above my pinky finger. Immediately after it felt like fire, burning, pins and needles and my entire arm and hand swelled up for a short period of time. I think I hit an artery...the next morning I woke up and my hand was numb and I was unable to grasp anything. Three days later and I still cannot extend my fingers or flatten my wrist naturally. My fingers are numb, especially my thumb. What happened and what should I do?
Wed, 8 May 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM

You developed complaints of numbness, burning, and swelling of hand immediately after injecting heroin. Most likely due to inadvertent injection the vein or near by nerves got injured and resulted in thrombophlebitis or neuritis at affected area. You are not able to extend fingers and movement of hand is also difficult. I would advise you to visit a near by doctor for expert opinion. For pain and inflammation you can take any NSAID drug and apply Thrombophobe cream over affected part to decrease edema.
Also please try to quit heroin as it not only increases the risk of various disease of body systems but also cause huge loss of money. It can increase the risk of transmission of HIV or HBV by infected needles.
Please visit a Psychiatrist for expert opinion.

Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
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Injected Heroin On Arm, Burning Sensation, Numb Hands, Difficulty In Grasping Things. Recommendations?

Hello Welcome to HCM You developed complaints of numbness, burning, and swelling of hand immediately after injecting heroin. Most likely due to inadvertent injection the vein or near by nerves got injured and resulted in thrombophlebitis or neuritis at affected area. You are not able to extend fingers and movement of hand is also difficult. I would advise you to visit a near by doctor for expert opinion. For pain and inflammation you can take any NSAID drug and apply Thrombophobe cream over affected part to decrease edema. Also please try to quit heroin as it not only increases the risk of various disease of body systems but also cause huge loss of money. It can increase the risk of transmission of HIV or HBV by infected needles. Please visit a Psychiatrist for expert opinion. Thanks Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD