Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be in this much pain after a standard blood test?

35 replies

buzzheath · 14/11/2024 12:01

Had to get a blood test done at the local doctor surgery. I get these frequently and it's never an issue. The nurse doing mine today literally stabbed my vein so hard - I have never felt such pain from a simple blood test! It was literally 9/10 on the pain scale, I almost passed it. It's been more than half an hour now and it's a throbbing pain in my arm still. And the whole area feels so sensitive to touch.

Has anyone ever had this from a particularly heavy handed nurse?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Sidebeforeself · 20/11/2024 14:36

Or..maybe it was an accidental mistake. They happen ,you know.

CurbsideProphet · 20/11/2024 14:32

This happened to me, by a phlebotomist in a large hospital. My arm was in agony for days. I can only assume they were ready for their lunch, and as my veins are really difficult to find, they were trying to be quick.

Helixpoint · 20/11/2024 14:27

SereneFish · 19/11/2024 09:35

It is correct. You and @buzzheath have no idea what you're talking about.

Show quote history

I literally put needles in people all day long for my job in blood donation. I have an idea what I’m talking about and you are wrong. It is not a matter of luck.

Accidents do happen, but if you aren’t sure you can feel what’s in there, you shouldn’t be putting a needle in someone.

NormalAuntFanny · 20/11/2024 11:38

Ooooh, coming within a whisper of being called hun, apparently having poor reading comprehension and ignorance of anatomy, I'll never post on Mumsnet again, lol.

SereneFish · 19/11/2024 14:29

You did literally say "it's a matter of luck" whether or not they cause an injury i.e. damage a nerve.

Yes, and I explained why. It's not because any trained phlebotomist is "stabbing randomly" or whatever other nonsense. Keep on blaming him/her if it makes you feel better but you really are ignorant.

Original poster
buzzheath · 19/11/2024 14:26

@SereneFish You did literally say "it's a matter of luck" whether or not they cause an injury i.e. damage a nerve.

I went to the GP today finally and he did confirm it's a nerve injury. Also, the nurse didn't use a torniquet or ask me to make a fist like usual. No idea if it's normal or not, but the whole did seem pretty rushed.

OP posts:
SereneFish · 19/11/2024 14:23

NormalAuntFanny · 19/11/2024 14:09

Sorry, are you really saying when someone takes blood they just randomly stab your arm until they get lucky?

I know people have low expectations of the NHS but really having your blood taken without causing injury is not an overly high bar to set.

Show quote history

No, honey. Your reading comprehension is as poor as your anatomy knowledge, apparently.

NormalAuntFanny · 19/11/2024 14:09

SereneFish · 19/11/2024 09:35

It is correct. You and @buzzheath have no idea what you're talking about.

Show quote history

Sorry, are you really saying when someone takes blood they just randomly stab your arm until they get lucky?

I know people have low expectations of the NHS but really having your blood taken without causing injury is not an overly high bar to set.

SereneFish · 19/11/2024 09:35

NormalAuntFanny · 15/11/2024 12:38

This isn't correct, I can't see there's any luck involved, just a lack of training, they are putting the needle precisely into your vein, not randomly stabbing at your arm.

I have a lot of blood tests (albeit not in UK) and never had what you describe, usually I can't even feel the needle going in.

I hope @buzzheath it goes away soon, can you at least rest the arm or is it your dominant hand?

Show quote history

It is correct. You and @buzzheath have no idea what you're talking about.

ArmourClatterSale · 17/11/2024 14:59

I feel for you, OP. I have issues with needles and when the doctors need to take a sample they literally get 1 go. I’m not a pin cushion. I had one this week and I genuinely couldn’t feel the needle go in. She did an excellent job. My biggest fear is an experience like yours as I know I’d never go back.

Helixpoint · 17/11/2024 14:51

Please call 111

Original poster
buzzheath · 17/11/2024 12:53

@anonny55 @Helixpoint @Lokofloko It's now been 3 full days and my arm is a lot more painful than it was after the test! It's not painful at rest, but when doing movements like picking something up, washing dishes, brushing my teeth etc. Basically when it's extended or if my palms are facing up. Quite worried as it should be getting better, not worse, but the pain is so much more noticeable now! When this happened to you, did it get worse before it got better?!

I'm booking a GP appointment tomorrow as soon as it opens, but obviously panicking a bit now!

OP posts:
Original poster
buzzheath · 15/11/2024 15:03

Yeah, sorry, but the people (presumably nurses) on here saying "it's luck"... That's bullshit. Most blood tests don't result in this, so it's not "luck" else it'd happen far more often.

OP posts:
Iamthemoom · 15/11/2024 13:04

I know some people are easier to get blood out of than others but I do think technique matters. If I go to the hospital for a blood test it's always painless, no bruising. I have visible, good strong veins that are easy to take blood from (according to several nurses as I've been told this a few times). But the nurse at my gp has taken blood three times (so I've definitely given her the benefit of the doubt), and every time is beyond excruciating and every time I'm left with huge bruises. She's just terrible at it. After the last time I would rather the extra hassle of going to the hospital than suffer her terrible technique!

Helixpoint · 15/11/2024 12:55

NormalAuntFanny · 15/11/2024 12:38

This isn't correct, I can't see there's any luck involved, just a lack of training, they are putting the needle precisely into your vein, not randomly stabbing at your arm.

I have a lot of blood tests (albeit not in UK) and never had what you describe, usually I can't even feel the needle going in.

I hope @buzzheath it goes away soon, can you at least rest the arm or is it your dominant hand?

Show quote history

Crazy that people think we just stick it in there and hope we get lucky!

BobbyBiscuits · 15/11/2024 12:42

Ouch! Very unfortunate. If it was a nerve hopefully it will go down in next day or so. Take plenty of pain relief. You could put hydrocortisone cream around the area as well?
She should've apologised profusely at the time it happened. You could make a complaint but I wouldn't unless the injury doesn't seem better in a couple of days.

NormalAuntFanny · 15/11/2024 12:38

SereneFish · 14/11/2024 12:13

You're being very unfair. There's a tangled web of nerves, veins, and a bunch of other stuff in your arm (or anywhere). It's a matter of luck whether the needle gets a nerve or not.

I'm a bad bleeder and last time it took four tries to get enough blood from me. Three of the sites were fine, the fourth ached for hours. Her technique was the same each time.

Show quote history

This isn't correct, I can't see there's any luck involved, just a lack of training, they are putting the needle precisely into your vein, not randomly stabbing at your arm.

I have a lot of blood tests (albeit not in UK) and never had what you describe, usually I can't even feel the needle going in.

I hope @buzzheath it goes away soon, can you at least rest the arm or is it your dominant hand?

Original poster
buzzheath · 15/11/2024 12:30

MissMoneyFairy · 15/11/2024 12:30

I'd go back to the doctor, is it bruising too

No bruising, no

OP posts:
Original poster
buzzheath · 15/11/2024 12:30

LilyGlobe · 15/11/2024 12:24

I had this in 2009. I begged her to immediately remove the needle as the pain was unreal but she didn’t. I ended up unable to move my arm for weeks, needed physiotherapy and still experienced discomfort for many years later. I am now terrified of needles and I wasn’t before.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you, the pain is indescribable. I would see your gp as soon as possible.

So sorry to hear this. What could my GP do?

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 15/11/2024 12:30

I'd go back to the doctor, is it bruising too

Lokofloko · 15/11/2024 12:27

They hit the nerve on my last blood test, couldn't use my arm without pain for 18 days.

coffeesaveslives · 15/11/2024 12:25

You should go and get checked if it's getting worse. That's what they recommend you do.

LilyGlobe · 15/11/2024 12:24

I had this in 2009. I begged her to immediately remove the needle as the pain was unreal but she didn’t. I ended up unable to move my arm for weeks, needed physiotherapy and still experienced discomfort for many years later. I am now terrified of needles and I wasn’t before.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you, the pain is indescribable. I would see your gp as soon as possible.

BackinBlack24 · 15/11/2024 12:23

I'm always black and blue I've very hard veins to find they had to go into my hand more than once .

Helixpoint · 15/11/2024 12:20

If you experience any of the following please contact us, visit your GP or attend a walk-in centre to gain medical assistance as early as possible:

  • Stiffness, weakness or a dull ache in the arm.
  • Pain that gets significantly worse when you move the affected arm.
  • Severe or worsening pins and needles.
  • Severe or worsening swelling or the development of a lump in the arm.
  • Redness and/or inflammation of the donation arm.
  • Change of skin temperature or colour to your donation arm or hand.
Swipe left for the next trending thread