Nerve problem after Cath

[Maruru]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone is familiar with my problem.  I had a cardiac cath 5 weeks ago. No blockages, but found pulmonary hypertension.  My problem is severe pain in the nerve going down my leg.  When the Dr. was trying to find my femoral artery he hit my nerve...right leg jumped up like hit by electric shock.  I was mildly sedated but still screamed out.  The Dr thanked me for helping him find my femoral artery!  Oiu! I didn't have any pain for the 1st few days but then started getting pain down my leg from time to time.  A few days would go by with out pain but then return with no warning, getting progressively worse.  Called cardio, sent me for ultra sound, clear, then said contact primary Dr.  He is sending me to a nuero.  Any ideas on whether there is damage or just something that will clear up?  I won't even drive anymore because the pain comes on so quickly and hurts so bad I can barely breathe!

[joanincarolina]

I had a slight irritation of the leg nerve after my third cath. I knew what it was and would apply cold packs to the area but where I got the fastest relief  was to stop wearing elastic leg panties, you know, the type that the elastic goes right across the area of cath insertion. Try high leg cut cotton type without elastic and see if this helps. It did for me. Joan.

[jesjenk23]

I used to work in a cath lab and have actually had one myself. This is a common thing and it happened to me as well. Depending on severity ( I was hit in the femoral nerve with the lidocaine injection not the actual insertion needle) this will take weeks to resolve perhaps even months. The doctors may suggest anti inflammatory medicationl. The most severe complication has been ruled out ie. psuedoanuerysm or post cath bleeding. Still, go and get checked out by neuro as not all people are the same.