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AIBU?

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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:
Helixpoint · 15/11/2024 12:18

I work in blood donation and take blood all day long.
you shouldn’t still be in this much pain and it’s definitely not normal to be hitting nerves with the needle, although it does occasionally accidentally happen.
if you have ‘no idea what’s in there’ you shouldn’t be taking blood imo.

definitely call 111 for advice or visit your GP if you can. More advice here…

https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/further-information/bruising-and-arm-pain/

anonny55 · 15/11/2024 12:12

I've had this once. A huge part of my arm was bruised and couldn't put no pressure on my arm. Went away in about 10 days.

Original poster
buzzheath · 15/11/2024 12:06

Feelingathomenow · 14/11/2024 12:10

Sounds like nurse literally hit a nerve- I’ve had this pain will subside

Thanks! How long did it take to subside, in your case? Bit worried. I can't really use the arm at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
buzzheath · 15/11/2024 12:06

It's now been more than 24 hours and the pain is worse. I can't really move my right arm (I'm right-handed) and there's shooting pains up and down it.

...Given I've had literally hundreds of blood tests in my life, I'm betting technique does play a role. This has never happened before.

OP posts:
confusedandhurt11 · 14/11/2024 12:15

@SereneFish - I'll echo that. I'm a nurse, we have no magic knowledge about what lies below your skin bar generally anatomy and experience. There is actually a lot going on there and the very best will end up prodding a nerve, because we simply cannot tell anymore than you can if there is one there!

SereneFish · 14/11/2024 12:13

buzzheath · 14/11/2024 12:10

Hmm yeah possibly. I do think technique matters though. Sometimes I literally don't feel a thing, other times it's a little painful, depending on who is administering it.

Show quote history

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.

Feelingathomenow · 14/11/2024 12:10

Sounds like nurse literally hit a nerve- I’ve had this pain will subside

Original poster
buzzheath · 14/11/2024 12:10

Soontobe60 · 14/11/2024 12:07

The nurse may well have hit a nerve. It happens and is nothing to do with being “heavy handed”

Hmm yeah possibly. I do think technique matters though. Sometimes I literally don't feel a thing, other times it's a little painful, depending on who is administering it.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 14/11/2024 12:08

I ended up with a hematoma(??) for the dentist injection absolutely agony as he did it and for weeks afterwards.

I guess if they catch the wrong bit it's the same.

Soontobe60 · 14/11/2024 12:07

The nurse may well have hit a nerve. It happens and is nothing to do with being “heavy handed”