Very bad blood draw. Anyone else experienced this and is there anything I can do?

[snow22]

It did happen last year, but I did not think about posting it then. But since then I have read a wide selection of health questions on this forum, so hope its ok.

I could not carry anything for months afterwards, due to the pain and even now it is stiff, achy, stings, feels arthritic and goes numb when I draw hand up to shoulder. I told dr about it then and was told it was not a hematoma. However I think it was/is. As soft lump formed on otherside of elbow. I asked for MRI so that I might find out what damage had occurred but was refused and was offered ultrasound, but told this would not show anything and it did not.

Should I ask them to put a note in my records as I think this vein is now unusable and Is there anything I could do?

Thanks.

[MissOphelia]

Hi snow22,

(I don’t know as I’m not medically trained!) but once I had a terrible blood draw that left me unable to move my arm for hours, crying with severe shooting pains, luckily it eventually wore off. He stuck the needle so far in my arm & was moving it around so much I nearly fainted.

Awhile later I was having another blood draw by a nurse & explained to her what had happened, she was appalled & said it sounded as though he’d hit a nerve & that it was awful as he could have caused permanent nerve damage.

Just a thought, & I don’t know the medical science but it stuck with me that she said that.

I really hope you get it sorted out. Xx

[snow22 in reply to MissOphelia]

This does sounds similar to my experience and dr did mention that it could be nerve pain, after asking if the pain was not a coincidence. But of course missed the bit about permanent damage. Good to hear that it wore off for you.

[MaisieGray]

I would very much doubt your vein is now unusable. I've been having bloods drawn for the 40 yrs since being diagnosed hypothyroid and have had every experience going - one was so awful that I passed out head first out of the chair and onto a concrete floor, and had to walk back to work with a lump the size of an egg on my forehead. At another clinic a nurse made several attempts in both arms, telling me that my veins were 'no good'. Eventually the Dr who was waiting for me, came out to see what was the delay, and in an instant painlessly and effortlessly drew my blood. After each awful experience where my veins have been blamed and my arms looked as if I've been in a fight , I've subsequently had bloods drawn effortlessly by phlebotomists who are great at their job, and each of whom pooh-poohed the idea that my veins were some how no good for a draw; despite the number of car wreck attempts over the years. In your case, the ultrasound scan could have picked up any impairment/blockage in the flow of blood in your arm, and as it didn't, that should reassure you.

[snow22 in reply to MaisieGray]

Sorry to hear about your many awful blood draws over 40 years. Like you the Dr said the blood/vein was not blocked as the ultra sound was ok, but as there is still constant pain/stinging I am worried another needle in the same vein would make it far worse. So I guess now I am questioning weather I will be able to tolerate it, although the vein is clear so physically it should be possible.

[Nikkilps]

Hello,

You poor woman- what a horrible experience! It does sound as if you may have suffered some nerve damage which can happen- rarely- with poor technique and needle placement. I would write to your Gp’s and say that you feel you have suffered nerve damage secondary to the blood draw and request a referral to a neurologist to assess this for you. Your vein is likely ‘ok’ and you can get meds for nerve pain etc, if you have weakness on that side Try to see a physio too although possibly the weakness is stemming from the nerve issue,

Hope this helps, good luck!

Nikki xxx

[snow22 in reply to Nikkilps]

Thank you for your advice Nikki, I see the Dr soon so will try to mention neurologist.

[Nikkilps in reply to snow22]

Good, good plan! Just be calm focused and persistent about the referral - unfortunately we have to dig in and advocate to an extreme degree a lot of the time with Gp’s today but, I can’t believe they won’t give you a referral given your symptoms and the time it’s been going on- really good luck too xx

[snow22 in reply to Nikkilps]

Yes it is unfortunate I always have to advocate with GP, as nothing is offered. Thank you.

[vocalEK]

Maybe this will provide some useful information: medicinenet.com/phlebitis_a...

[Nikkilps in reply to vocalEK]

Phlebitis doesn’t usually last for a year without complications though at least in my experience and there’s usually redness and swelling around the vein but there again atypical presentation is always possible :-)) it’s a good thought

[snow22 in reply to vocalEK]

Very helpful information esp. the part explaining the different tests. Many thanks.

[SilverAvocado]

Poor you Snow22, that sounds dreadful Like others have said, I've had a lot of bad blood draw experiences. I do have what they call 'bad veins', and often faint. I've also been sent home or had to go without treatment a few times.

But I've never had anything as horrible as what you describe. I hope you find an answer soon. Maybe you'd have some luck posting on more general health websites, as it sounds like this may not be hypo related.

[snow22 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Sorry to hear that you had awful experiences and faint. With me they just go to the hand in the end, which is now a relief, as I guess the damage cannot be as bad and thanks to this forum I now have the option of a finger prick test!

Thank you for your suggestion.

[SilverAvocado in reply to snow22]

They often end up trying in my hand. I find it more painful so I don't like it. I've had them try to get right inside my knuckle, which I've decided in future I will say I withdraw my consent for - because I'm scared something like what happened to you would happen to my finger.

[snow22 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Yes good to stick with what we believe. I wish I had, as when mine happened I asked if they were not going to sit down and was shocked and uneasy when they did not and then she just lunged, not even trying to locate vein first. Also few days before I saw TV programme about phlebotomist's not all having the same amount of training and thus problems occurring - as some have hardly any training. So for me I had the warning signs and was very uncomfortable beforehand. I did actually deny consent many times as GP practice kept calling me to make appt and at one point was told by receptionist it was ordered by GP therefore I had to do it.

[TSH110]

I know that when I was undiagnosed but severely overtly hypothyroid I gave blood and they had terrible trouble getting enough for the iron test it was not right but they did another test and said I could go ahead they had to get the head vampire (😂🤣😂) over to try and get the line in which after quite a battle she did manage. The blood draw was agony and took a very long time with the next batch starting with me still there on the table plugged in. I felt quite awful afterwards. I understand that hypothyroidism reduces blood volume making it harder to get blood samples. If that lot can’t get your blood out in a trice who on earth can? I was ok afterwards (in an overt hypothyroid ok kind of way) get this...my blood was no good - too many malaria antibodies 🙄. Sorry you had such a horrible experience and appear to have got a poor response about it from your docs. My symptoms were dismissed so many times as menopausal (nothing of the sort) I take any comments from doctors I consider to be ill conceived with a very large pinch of salt. I cannot see how this draw and your problems afterwards can be pure coincidence, it simply does not add up.

[snow22]

Sorry you had to go through all that agony and then your blood was rejected. In my case the blood and results never turned up! I did read online that if they hit an artery the blood is not testable. But that might be coincidental! I guess there would definitely be many other far more serious symptoms of this?