Surgery IV pain and lumps

[Truelee]

Two weeks ago, I had thyroid surgery.  After the surgery, I had problems with the IV for the 3 days I was in the hospital.When they gave me fluids using the IV, the fluids went out onto my bed.  Later, when they were not administering fluids and I was disconnected from the machine, my blood kept flowing into the IV tubing in my hand.  Various nurses kept using saline (or water?) to flush the blood back into my hand.  This was very painful.  I had some slight swelling at my wrist, around some of the tape, and brusing by my wrist and on the top of my hand.  During the last 2 weeks, I continue to have discomfort and bumps along my vein -- from the insertion site of the IV all the way up (4-5 inches) my arm.  Is this a concern?  Are these bumps blood clots?  Will the bumps and discomfort ever go away?  Is my vein forever atrophied? Is there anything I should be doing for this bumpiness and discomfort? I would have thought that this would have corrected itself by now...

[myproblem]

You probably got a phlebitis (inflamed vein) from the IV difficulties. I think you should mention it to your Dr. just because it's been two weeks.