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Avatar universal

nerve damage due to IV

I recently was in the hospital and had an IV and while they had to try a few times, one of these time it hit a nerve. The IV ended up in the other arm but a day or so after I got out of the hospital I started to have somwhat sharp pain in my wrist and down into the meaty part of my thumb.
I'm wondering if this will go away eventually or should I see someone about it?
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Avatar universal
How very arrogant of you to scoff at people who said their experience was agony.

Unless you have experienced this you have no idea what someone else feels.

I have an extremely high pain threshold and recently had to go for a general anaesthetic for an operation.  The anaesthetist inserted the needle into the back of my left hand and I immediately felt an excruciating dull pain from the tips of my middle two fingers right up to my elbow.  I told him it was very painful and he said "Yes, sorry your vein rolled as I inserted the needle"  The cannula was left in place and my only comfort was knowing I was being put under and wouldn't feel it.

When I woke in the recovery room the nurse asked if I was in pain (it was a very painful operation I was having).  I replied that my cannula hurt more than my wound.  No one took me seriously.  I was returned to the ward and asked them to remove my cannula.  I was told not until I have drank some fluids.  I immediately drank the whole jug of water and asked them to remove  it.  They removed it 4 hours later and it was never mentioned anywhere on my notes that I had complained of pain.

Unfortunately my original operation had to be repeated and I had to go back to theatre 10 days later.  I told the anaesthetist not to  touch my left hand as it was still very painful and I still had pins and needles down my middle 2 fingers.  He used my right hand and 6 days later the new cannula site has healed but my first one is still very painful.  My GP said just leave it - it will just take time to heal.......

I found this site as I too wanted to know if this was going to get better or be a permanent pain.
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Avatar universal
I was in the hospital last year for a blocked bile duct and then developed pancreatitis from the ERCP procedure.  During my 8 day stay, I had IV infiltration in my upper left arm.  My arm swelled significantly.  A few days after I got home, I started getting intense pain and throbbing in my upper arm.  I could not even lay down to sleep at night.  I went to urgent care, the ER for ultrasound for blood clot, primary care, orthopedist, neurologist, several months of physical therapy and I am still in constant pain.  It has been 13 months now and I am concerned that this may never get better.  Any suggestions on what else I can do.
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Avatar universal
I recently saw a Neurologist and after seing the specialist
I have been told I am to receive an injection into my wrist.
Can anyone tell me what they think this might be for?
Any and all advice will be gratelly appreciated.

Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please anyone with any knowledge please help me. I have been a dumby and IV using everything from Roxys to cocain I inject into my hand. I tried injecting in my wrist and woke up and i can nomlonger move my wrist it or down. I cant give a thumbs Up and am having a hard time moving my fingers and thumb. Its been two weeks and It has not got much if any better. Is this perminate? is there any exersize i can do to make it heal? any pills I can take to stop This? I have since quit IV drug using and im taking methadone to help quit so I geuss thats good Please help Im really scared I work on Computers and its making working near imposable PLEASE any one some advice    
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Avatar universal
Interesting there are nurses on this site claiming this is rare bc if you take a look at how long this comment list is I think it's obvious it's NOT uncommon! Nurses should try other access sites vs the radial PERIOD. I'm an ICU nurse so I know.

I just had an out-patient procedure and the first place the nurse placed the IV was my left radial. Immediate, severe, shooting pain numbed my wrist and hand. Shocked the hell out of me as well as my nerve obviously. I demanded the nurse remove it and try the top of my hand instead which is what she did and it was fine.

I'm appalled the radial would be the first place someone would try & place an IV. What a vulnerable area and what a sell-out thing to do just bc it's an easier access for the person inserting it.
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Avatar universal
It just happened to me. During a catheter procedure a nurse started an IV in my left wrist. The pain was immediate and did not lessen. I begged her to remove the needle and use my hand, as I have had several IV's there and they have never bothered me. There was also a lot of blood. She refused, saying soon I would be in surgery and the pain meds would help. Surgery was delayed, and it was over an hour until I was taken to surgery. I was crying and begging the nurse to please reposition the IV. Now I have no feeling in my left thumb. It is completely numb. My repeated requests for help were denied. The nurses were too "busy".
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