Nerve damage in forearm after blood test

[Shelly76]

5 weeks ago I had a blood sample taken. When the nurse inserted the needle the pain I felt down my arm was like an electric shock and I screamed at her to remove the needle, which she didn't do without probing for a vein first!

Since then I have had extreme pain when I straighten my arm, and it constantly feels like when you hit your funny bone except its all down my arm. I have tingling and twitching nerves in my thumb, fore finger and middle finger and randomly the top of my ring finger! I have been told I just have to wait and see if it heals or if its permanent but the pain is unbearable at times and when I can just about cope with it, its extremely uncomfortable. I cannot drive at the moment and I am a teacher so carrying out my job is becoming increasingly difficult. At A&E the doctor said I had median nerve neuropathy and my GP has prescribed amitriptyline, but its not doing much.

Is this likely to heal? What can I do to make it any better or bearable?

[caregiver222]

It will probably heal. These days they certify phlebotomists who send in candy wrappers. I just had all veins in both arms destroyed by these creatures during a recent hospital stay. And I am still in pain. Try a little corticosteroidal skin cream rubbed on. Usually this kind of pain is caused by an incompetent taking an arterial blood gas sample from the wrist. You usually don't need this, but in teaching hospitals the turtles have to be certified in doing so many before they become adult turtles so they scam you and tell you "it's for your own good". Again, these injuries generally heal, but it will take weeks, perhaps months. You might try accupuncture or what is called a TENS device. A TENS device relies upon the fact that the brain usally accepts one pain signal at a time. The TENS generates a mild electrical current somewhere else and the brain dismisses the signal from your (actually damaged) nerve. Sometimes the TENS works. Sometimes it doesn't.

[kmansource]

I also have the same problem. Few days ago I went to Blood Drive and donated my blood. Over 20 yrs I never had problem at all, but this time is so painful. The phlebotomist who looked so in-experienced, put the needle in my left arm (as usual, I always use the left arm for blood donation) and I feel the sharp pain run from my bicep through the finger. I told her to take it off, but she said it was OK--"..just cool down, you will be alright"  I stayed still with all this pain starting hurt my forearm then numbed. It was about 15 minutes and I was so in pain throught the course. When she took the needle off , the blood from my vein was running big time like I had a big injury. She applied many gauze to stop the bad bleeding. The pain wasn't that sharp then but my forearm was so numbed.
I didn't do any exercise since then.I have body ache (Flu like symptom 5 hours after blood donating and lasted about 20 hours) Now my left arm has been swollen, numb with bruise in the needle pinning area. I hardly move my left arm, my fingers have been tingling, and a little uncomfortable pain in bicep area.
It has been over 3 days now and it doesn't seem it is gonna to go away anytime soon.
When we donate blood, anything can we do to prevent this happen?  I don't want anyone to go through this like I had. It is very very bad experience.

[toad66]

I know how you feel

2 months ago i gave blood at a blood drive ( RED CROSS) at my employer. When the girl stuck my arm I had intense pain but thought nothing of it. The next few days I had nasty brusing like never. I developed an infection and phlebitis in my vein. Went to doc, they said it was from not cleaning the area or dirty needle. Had to take 4 antibiotics,3- 800mg Ibu, and 1 asprin a day for 2 weeks. The infection seemed to be gone but I still have pain in my arm, shoulder, left side of chest. Went back to doc, sent me immediately to hospital for Ultrasound, CT scan, EKG and blood test. They said no deep vein clots, said there may be nerve damage. Sent to neurologist, he thinks the same. Sending me for MRI thurs. The Red Cross has taken responsibility and is paying all out of pocket expenses, but what if I do have nerve damage from this, what am I supposed to do. I can’t sleep, drive comfortably, hurts just hanging my arm down by my side. I have worried myself to death and still worry about having a heart attack. I am only 32 and in excellent health, never had any medical problems in my life. Any advice

[sstpeter]

I went to a blood drive yesterday, and I have been to 4 before that. She stuck the needle in my left arm and I immediately felt pain run from the injection site down the inside of my arm to my thumb. I practically jumped out of my chair and told her to take it out. My arm felt like I had just burned it, and it was really numb and tingly. My arm is still numb in some spots and irritated. Will this nerve damage heal on it's own?