Problem with IV in ER - Blood and Blood Vessel Message Board

*Robin* · 02-18-2007, 10:46 AM

Last week I went to the ER after throwing up for several hours. When I got there, the nurse tried to get blood out of the vein closest to my right wrist. When she wasn't able to get blood there, she kept fishing around in that vein. After that, she tried to get blood higher up my on my right arm, and was unsuccessful there too. Another nurse finally ended up getting blood out of my left arm.

2 days after I got home, I was brushing my hair and felt a sensation like a rubberband snapping in the middle of my forearm on my right arm. This continued whenever I did anything, even lay my arm off the bed.

I went back to the ER and they said that they thought the nurse hit a nerve when she tried to get blood from the vein near my wrist. They did an ultrasound of my upper arm (not where the pain was), which showed good blood flow. They gave me an antibiotic, which I can't take, because I am allergic to Penicillin (I told them that at the ER, and the Physicians Assistant still gave me something with Penicillin).

My arm feels a bit better (although not much), but the right side of my neck has been hurting and the back of my head has been sore.

Does anyone know what could be causing it? I'm praying that it's not a blood clot or anything like that.

Any help is appreciated.

Midget · 02-18-2007, 03:34 PM

Maybe it was inflamation of the vien from being poked?

*Robin* · 02-18-2007, 03:45 PM

The Dr. in the ER said it probably nit a nerve. I'm just concerned about the side of my neck and my head hurting. I'm scared of there being a blood clot or something there.

NewYawk · 02-18-2007, 08:22 PM

If you read my post, it kinda sounds like what happened to me. I had the same symptoms of side of the neck ache along the jugular vein. I have superficial clots from a butchered IV job in the E.R. I also had a doppler done that showed good blood flow in the upper arm, but if it still continues to hurt or swell, most likely clots will form. I went to many doctors, Vascular surgeons and they also gave me antibiotics and told to put warm compresses in the beginning too, and clots formed, did not disolve, and still hurt alot. It's been 2 months now, and i'm now starting to get worse neck pain with headaches. Also, the back of my right leg now has been painfull for a week. Tomorrow i am going to see if they can do a duplex ultrasound to rule out any further clots. This is a scary thing. Good luck!

*Robin* · 02-18-2007, 08:36 PM

Dear NewYawk,

I just read your post and it sounds exactly like me! My arm is doing better, but my neck and head have been hurting badly.

When they did the doppler on you, did they put the transducer over your neck and collarbone? The tech that did mine checked my neck and collarbone, in addition to my upper arm, which I thought was strange.

I haven't taken anything for it except Advil because of their prescription mix up. Did they say yours was nerve related too?

They told me that it is only phlebitis if a red line forms, which it hasn't for me. I haven't had any swelling either, which is why I can't understand why I'm in pain.