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Inflitration IV - nerve damage

I had my surgery about 4 days ago. The nurse first tried to insert the IV into my wrist just above thumb on my left. It first came as a sudden electric burn from site into my middle finger... I gringed... she pushed in harder.. I about bitched slapped her... she held it there while fluids started coming out... and asked... Does that HURT? I want to scream some profanties at her but  YEAH it hurts pretty bad and now my index finger. If you to ask me what level of pain 10.  She pulled it out and started one on the top of my right hand... TG!  But now I have this tingling pain, worsened if I use my thumb, go side to side with my wrist... can not grasp anything, cause that makes it worse... When it really gets going the pain starts to crawl up my forearm to.  So this is effecting wrist, thumb, index finger, and middle finger and up my forearm... its getting worse not better... the IV insertion site is... DO NOT TOUCH or it lights everything up to level 10 pain.  Should I go see my doc on this... I realize nerve damage takes time to heel but I got to back to work in a week, as a waitress / dishwasher... and that would irriate the heck out of this.
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Avatar universal
My husband was in hospital recently and had an IV put in his right hand incorrectly.  He told them that it hurt and it started to swell so they removed the IV.  He has had trouble with that hand since.  It has been four months and now his hand is swollen and he can't use it.  His Drs are ignoring it saying it will get better.  I think the nurse damaged a nerve.  They finally did a nerve test and are trying to say that he has nerve loss in his left hand too and it is probably due to his age (72).  He did not have any trouble with his right hand until the nurse put the IV in.  I am about ready to find a lawyer.  He is in so much pain and under the care of five Drs; none want to deal with it.  What do I do?
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Avatar universal
Hi. I'm getting my Registered Nursing degree in May. It sounds like the nurse pierced a nerve when inserting the IV. I would call your physician immediately. This is one of the first things they teach us in nursing school about inserting IV's: the signs and symptoms of nerve damage. Your story is exactly like it. Joaniemd, I would advise you to contact your primary care provider about this as well. It sounds like you had the same experience.
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5122901 tn?1363914833
I'm the same thing going on with me  i went to the er and they put in a IV  every thing u said is what is going on with me right now i have never had any pain in my wrist be for this and now im in pain every day all day  they are saying that i need to have surgery  what came out of your pain r you still having   pain  are did it ever go away just trying to see whats going to happen
when the dr was doing the iv i wanted to go off it was so bad i wanted to cry .it  did feel just like a electric burn from site into my middle finger and now im doing good to move my hand at all it stays red and has  the feeling the you get when your foot goes to sleep  it feels like that all the time my hole hand and up my arm and every time i try to use my hand i get the electric burn from site into my middle finger every time  i went back to the er and they said it was carpal tunnel but i really dont thank so because thats some  thing that you get in time  this started the some day as the iv  what should i do  and do u think that is the same thing that you had wrong with you i really need help on this  
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Avatar universal
I have had a couple IV's in that area, there are several nerves there, I actually passed out while a nurse was digging in that same area. My bf screamed at the nurse, "She passed out!!" The nurse was frantically calling for the doctor. I have had only one nurse successfully put an IV site in that area with little to no pain. I have terrible veins too and with all of the blood draws and IV's I have had, I also have scar tissue in my veins.. Almost always my IV's will infiltrate, oh it is so painful and the pain stays with me for weeks.
I agree with Londres70, you should consult your Doc especially since you are due back to work and as a waitress you use your hands/wrists a lot. I would suggest asking if you could have at least another week off to see how you are doing.. I hope you get to feeling better soon!
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Avatar universal
Consult your physician ASAP.  
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