Hi everyone, I know this is off topic and not related to Sjogren's but I know you have all endured tons of needle sticks for bloodwork so maybe you have experienced something like this and can enlighten me.
I am a "hard stick", deep veins and they tend to roll. Anyway the first lady gave up after one stick and called in a second lady. She tried the left arm and failed so then she stuck the needle in the other arm. She missed the vein and started to move the needle around and I felt a strong electric shock type pain travel all the way down the left side of my right forearm and into my hand. I told her about it and she withdrew the needle and said she must have hit something. She gave up and went and got a different lady. This one finally got the draw from the left arm after trying my wrist and hand. When I mentioned that my right arm still hurt from the "shock", the lady said she muct have hit a nerve.
That was Thursday and it's now Sunday and my arm still hurts. It's like a shocking pain down the left side of my right forearm down through my hand everytime I try to use it and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Have you guys ever had something like this happen with a blood draw? If so how long did it take to heal and did it heal on it's own without a doc visit? Do you think she just hit a nerve? Any ideas? I've had tons of bloodwork and have never had anything like this happen. Oh lucky me. :)
Thanks guys,
quig
Quig,
I would guess she irritated the heck outta that nerve or even damaged it.
I sure hope you recover from this, but it might take some time.
Should you call a nuerologist and ask?
Hi Quiger :)
I've had someone stick a needle right through a vein once, resulting in a really spectacular bruise but I've never had anyone hit a nerve. If it's still sore Monday - I'd ask a doc to look at it I reckon. I don't know what can be done to calm nerves down - but there may be something.
I hope it feels better soon.
Take care - Scottie :)
Hi Quiger,
I am with Scottie and Janna. I think if it still hurts tomorrow, that u should call that doctor's office back up for an appt to see him and tell him what happened and make sure you are ok!
Take care :)
Hi Quiger
That sounds like a horrendous exprience. I hope the soreness is getting less.
Kathyx
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your replies. I went back to the lab, where this happened, today to pick up a copy of my test results and asked the tech about this. She said it happens on occassion that they "nick" the tendon next to a vein. She said the pain should let up in another week and if not to see my doc. Of course, I don't know what a tendon "nick" feels like but I would have guessed this was more of a nerve thing. But, I'll give it another week and then see the doc if it isn't better. It is weird when I try to use that arm and the shock hits it. Oh well, like the rest of you, I have certainly had worse. I just feel that all of us deal with enough pain without something new being added by an outside source.
Thanks again everyone. I'll let you know if I have to see the doc about this.
I hope your coming week is a good one.
Hugs,
quiger
Hi quiger,
I would like to suggest at the very least you notify your doctor and have the incident documented in the office and get a copy. There are also 'incident' reports that 'should be filled out on behalf of patients who are 'hurt' at the hospital. (Usually falls etc.) but some hospitals only take incident reports on in-patients.
I am in no way suggesting taking a litigious route, rather I think it is important to have a record of this 'injury'. Incident reports made by patients in the hospital are almost always made a 'teaching' tool at the very least, you may be helping other patients... I hope you have relief soon.
Thanks for the info SeaBreeze. I had this done at the hospital lab. My doc's office does blood draws but they don't like to. You would think a "hard stick" would have better luck at a hospital lab anyway, but guess not, lol. But, like they say, "there is a first time for everything" and this was mine. I think it would have been okay if the lady hadn't moved the needle around so much after she missed the vein.
I hope you are doing better this week. :)
quig
Quig Are you taking anything like motrim or advil that would help with inflammation? If they did nick the tendon it may have cause inflammation and that is why it is still hurting. I would at least put in a call to my doctors office so they could give you some advise. I'm like you, I have never had an arm hurt for that long after drawing blood.
Geeeeeze Quiger,
I sure hope your arm feels better soon! Your right...we don't need any outside pain added to our already "normal" pain! Call the doc if you don't feel better in a few days and let us know how you are doing!
Quiger, Have you every had them wrap your arm in a heating pad for 15 mintues or so before they draw blood. This will enlarge the veins making them easier to acess. The nurses at the infusion center do this a lot and it really does work.
I have had a little touch of what you mention but not lasting so long or so painful. Good luck Irish ;D
Salsen, I never thought of taking something for inflamation. I'll try that and see if it helps.
Lynn, thanks. We're going out of town on Monday for a few days, so we'll see how it is when I get back. I can't get in to see the doc before I leave.
Irish, what a great idea. I have to have these tests every few months so I will mention that to them at the hospital lab the next time I have to go. Too bad they didn't think of it. Thanks for the info. I sure hope you are starting to do better.
Thanks everyone.
quig
Quiger,
Wishing you fast relief! It surely sounds painful. Hope you are better already and that you have a nice trip.
Cheryl
Irish,
Thanks for the heating pad tip! I'm also a "hard stick" and sometimes its just so hard for them to get my blood. I'm one who has had to have two or more people try to get it right! I'll remember the heat idea if that ever happens again!
The heating pad thing works for me every time! I hope it does for you too. I have DEEP veins and they roll as well, this opens them up! Good luck with future sticks! I would take a heating pad with you incase they dont have one to be on the safe side.