Pain in Arm: I had an IV inserted into... - Lung Conditions C...

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Pain in Arm

blaaccypher profile image
14 Replies

I had an IV inserted into my arm on December 21, 2015. Every since then, there has been a hard knot where the vein is and it kind of hurts at times. My GP looked at it and said it was normal, but it is getting more painful, but mostly at night. Am I just paranoid or should I go to ER to get checked out. My GP won't take it seriously.

Any help would be great.

Please and Thank you.

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blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher
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14 Replies

In my experience those knots can take anything up to 6 weeks to disappear so don't worry. Everything seems worse at night doesn't it, especially if you're anxious. My daughter had one after her first IV & was panicking too, luckily I was able to reassure her. Hers took weeks to go too, but go it did

blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher in reply to

I am just worried that it is a blood clot. And yes, everything is worse at night. Everything I look up online says DVT or Pulmonary embolism. I am quite anxious about it.

Thanks

in reply to blaaccypher

Anxiety is horrible. A blood clot the area around it would look inflamed and feel hot and very painful. If your gp has seen it and isn't worried I feel sure he would know. It is common following IVs

blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher

Yes it is very horrible and I have been dealing with it my whole life. I have just noticed at night that it seems clamy and I can feel it protruding from my skin.

in reply to blaaccypher

You could always call the helpline for a chat about your concerns. It's 03000 030 555. I think it's open until 5pm

Toci profile image
Toci

I had a painful IV nobody was interested in and it turned out that the site had become infected so I think it is worth checking out,

blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher

I would but I am over in the U.S. I have just noticed people on this site are much more compassionate and knowledgeable than others I have been on.

in reply to blaaccypher

That's good to hear, & kind of you to say so. We seem to have a lot of US friends on here. Another point I forgot to mention is that the vein used for an IV is a superficial one, not a deep one, so don't worry about a DVT. But, if anxiety is stopping you sleeping, you could visit your ER for another opinion. I avoid such places as much as poss because there are too many sick people!

in reply to

Ps this is a reliable and trusted UK health site and I found this info which I hope is helpful patient.info/health/superfi...

blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher in reply to

Thank you so much. It was the big vein right at the inside of the bend of the elbow. Is that a Superficial Vein. I don't know too much about this.

in reply to blaaccypher

That's a superficial vein. Deep veins are just that, deep in the body. The ones you can see near the surface of your skin are superficial

Jessy11 profile image
Jessy11

Hi, I had an IV in my arm, at the crook of my elbow, at the end of October last year.

It was in place for 4 days & my arm was swollen, red & felt like it had a lump in it.

I was changed to oral abs as my con said it was the acidity of the ab that caused the vein to swell.

I was taking Clarithromycin by IV.

My arm took about 3 weeks to get back to normal. I was advised by my GP to use a cold pack to reduce the swelling.

I'm sure this is all normal & will clear up soon. Your GP would not have said it was normal if he had any doubts.

Hope you feel better soon 🌼

blaaccypher profile image
blaaccypher in reply to Jessy11

Thank you so much for your reply. Any reassuring me is greatly appreciated

caroleoctober profile image
caroleoctober

I had an injection to deaden my finger to have a whitloe lanced and after that had lumps up my arm. My doctor, the same one as did the minor op, said it was phlebitis and they would go when the inflammation caused by the anesthetic had subsided! They did. Keep smiling

Carole x

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