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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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IV Meth User, Wrist, Elbow Swollen, Shoulder Pain, Red Line From Wrist To Elbow. History Of Blood Clots. Serious?

i have a friend who is afraid to go to the er or clinic because she is a iv meth user im trying to help her figure out what might be the problem or what she may do at home to make sure it doesnt get any worse she has a swollen and lumpy area right above her right wrist where she usually uses as well under her right arm. she woke up this morning with her elbow slightly swollen but in pain like she hit it on something and badly brused it but there are no signs of bruising anywhere at the elbow she tried to keep hot packs on it throughout the day but it has gotten more swollen and painful and now she says she can feel the pain in her bicep area and right shoulder theire is a red line that is light in color from her wrist to right above her elbow that does seem to be getter darker and longer as today has gone on and it is running up and down on the vein that she used as well as decent size lump at the site on her inner underarm if you where holding your arm out and turned it s that the underarm was facing up . what should dhe do is it serious and what might it be . she refuses to go to the doctors because of her use and marks on her arm she says she doesnt want to be treated differently as she just started doing this i guess about a few months ago never did it before that she says . also she thinks its important to let you know she has a history of blood clots but has not had issues that she knows of or been on the warafrin since feb 13
Thu, 26 Sep 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM

It is very common in Intra Venous Drug users to develop inflammation of affected veins. She is having redness, bruising, pain in elbow, swelling on wrist and these are symptoms of inflammation. This is caused thrombophlebitis and it results in severe inflammation of veins and with time there is risk to spread the infection to whole upper limb. Hot packs will only deteriorate the condition.
Best thing is to apply cold packs or ice packs over affected parts so that the symptoms decrease.
You can apply Thrombophobe cream over affected part for quick relief of symptoms and burning.
Visit a doctor and ask for good analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug for quick relief of pain.

I would advise you to request your friend to quit the drugs as with time they will only cause harm. Severe thrombophlebitis can increase risk of embolism.

Hope this helps your friend, thanks
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IV Meth User, Wrist, Elbow Swollen, Shoulder Pain, Red Line From Wrist To Elbow. History Of Blood Clots. Serious?

Hello Welcome to HCM It is very common in Intra Venous Drug users to develop inflammation of affected veins. She is having redness, bruising, pain in elbow, swelling on wrist and these are symptoms of inflammation. This is caused thrombophlebitis and it results in severe inflammation of veins and with time there is risk to spread the infection to whole upper limb. Hot packs will only deteriorate the condition. Best thing is to apply cold packs or ice packs over affected parts so that the symptoms decrease. You can apply Thrombophobe cream over affected part for quick relief of symptoms and burning. Visit a doctor and ask for good analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug for quick relief of pain. I would advise you to request your friend to quit the drugs as with time they will only cause harm. Severe thrombophlebitis can increase risk of embolism. Hope this helps your friend, thanks