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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to the GP about this (pic attached)

95 replies

Ouchouchouchie · 09/12/2017 23:11

Long story short, had blood test in A&E last Monday, nurse quite forceful and couldn’t get enough blood out of right arm so after 5 mins of prodding with the needle he used the left arm instead. Right arm felt dead for about 24 hours and now has come out in a nasty bruise. Arm is pretty painful, can’t straighten it, can’t lift anything or bend it behind my head... AIBU to go to the GP to check it’s ok? Doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

To go to the GP about this (pic attached)
To go to the GP about this (pic attached)
OP posts:
Parsleyisntfood · 10/12/2017 02:31

I had this when I was a teenager. You could actually trace the vein up my arm and across my chest. Combined with multiple puncture wounds I looked very much like an intravenous drug user. Especially since I had glandular fever so looked like shit.
I now insist they use the pink butterfly needles (no idea if that’s what they are actually called). It takes longer to draw blood but it actually happens. Most phlebotomists I’ve met are happy with it.

Original poster
Ouchouchouchie · 10/12/2017 08:02

Hi all, thanks for your replies. The skin isn’t hot (well no hotter than my other arm) and I have been up a few times in the night with how uncomfortable it is. It’s nothing which could be related to the reason I went to A&E in the first place so looks like I’ll be going back today! Thanks all

OP posts:
Original poster
Ouchouchouchie · 10/12/2017 08:05

Just to add also, the pain in my arm isn’t where the bruising is. It starts where my bicep is down into my forearm

OP posts:
Ski4130 · 10/12/2017 08:10

I'm difficult to get blood from, and my arm has looked like this before, and been really achey. I didn't get it checked out, but I do bruise easily, so not unusual for me to look black and blue after minor knocks/scrapes. If it's unusual for you to bruise like this, I'd err on the side of getting it checked out.

lalalemon · 10/12/2017 08:19

I think I'd ring 111 first before heading for A&E they can arrange you an appointment with an on call GP who can then fast track you to A&E if necessary.

Whinesalot · 10/12/2017 08:19

Waiting to see what they say. That'll take ages to fade even if it is nothing.

Be3Al2SiO36 · 10/12/2017 08:22

Are you sure you didn't accidentally call into the butcher's?

Pumperthepumper · 10/12/2017 08:22

I had a really hideous bruise from a blood test once, although not as massive as yours! Got it checked out but it was fine (this is spectacularly unhelpful because I can’t remember the reason the GP gave me) - definitely worth getting it checked out though.

Lukeandlorelai4Ever · 10/12/2017 08:24

Oh god Shock you poor thing
Hope it's nothing too serious Flowers

Whitegrenache · 10/12/2017 08:29

Whilst it looks awful and bloody painful, it is essentially a bruise which is bleeding under the skin. Do you take aspirin or any other anti bleeding medication which would make bleeding more severe in these situations?
To be honest, I'm not sure what any health care professionals would do to treat you other than anti inflammatory and pain medication. Bruising will just heal on its own. The swelling is probably what is preventing your arm movement.

dentalplanlisaneedsbraces · 10/12/2017 08:29

He may have hit a tendon. That could cause the pain. I agree to get it checked out ASAP

aurynne · 10/12/2017 08:32

...and I second the user who suggested butterfly needles. If your arm veins are difficult, ask the nurse to try your hands. Get them to wet a big swab or face towel with very hot water, put the towel into a blood collection bag and place it over your veins. This makes the veins stand out. I have never found a hand I cannot take blood off.

coalit · 10/12/2017 08:54

I've had similar, once 30 years ago the day before I went on holiday. Spent the week in long sleeves to hide my arm, it was black all over though, not blotchy like yours. I'd get it checked just to be safe, it's a right botch.

Glumglowworm · 10/12/2017 09:41

That looks awful!

I bruise easily and am hard to take blood from, but have never ended up that bad! Definitely get it checked out, it looks horribly sore.

Flowers
lynmilne65 · 10/12/2017 10:39

is there medication for bruises? I use armica

dotdotdotmustdash · 10/12/2017 10:52

Senior Nurse DH said you need to get medical attention urgently as it's possibly Phlebitis.

Parsleyisntfood · 10/12/2017 10:55

Pleased I got butterfly needles right! And I’ll ask about hands on future.
Forgot to say I got my checked but was at a distant RAF base (don’t ask) where they confirmed it was terrible but they weren’t going to transport me to a hospital with an ultrasound so I was to keep it moving.

TammySwansonTwo · 10/12/2017 10:56

I'd be seeking medical attention so they can run some tests to make sure there isn't an underlying problem that has caused so much bleeding. Any chance that while they were in a&e they gave you medication to prevent blood clots? Any kind of blood thinner?

The problem with 111 is they can't see what it looks like - if you say blood test and severe bruising they won't picture this at all. There was a post recently from a woman who had injured her ankle and 111 told her to get a cab to the hospital - turned out she had a very serious injury that needed surgery and really she should have had it stabilised and transported by ambulance. It's very hard to assess certain things over the phone. I don't think A&E would be annoyed that you went in with something like this - it looks very worrying and not normal, it's causing pain and affecting your ability to move it. Depends what's available in your area I suppose (if you have a minor injuries unit maybe go there) but I would be seeing someone today if it were me.

Original poster
Ouchouchouchie · 10/12/2017 11:04

Hi all. They didn’t give me any type of blood thinner whilst I was in A&E and I don’t take any medication which would explain the bruising. I have an appointment with the GP tomorrow anyway regarding the reason I went to A&E in the first place, should I hold off until then to mention this? Lots of you saying I should be seeing someone ASAP I just don’t want to be wasting peoples time!

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 10/12/2017 11:07

My dm bruises like that after blood tests. If you are worried call nhs 24, otherwise it’s wait and see.

FrancisCrawford · 10/12/2017 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

user1471426142 · 10/12/2017 11:31

I’ve had similar when I was giving blood once and the needle got stuck. I have had veins at the best of times but they really ballsed that one up. Before you call 111 it might be a good idea to have a look at the haematoma/bruising leaflets on the blood donation website to see if there is any advice there. I don’t think I did anything with mine other than wait it out but it did take a long time to recover.

miniloco · 10/12/2017 11:36

Someone mentioned it up thread, I think they're right in that the needle has punctured an artery judging by the state of your arm. Can't see a vein causing that much bleeding without any blood thinners. Does your hand feel as warm as the other? Same colour?

miniloco · 10/12/2017 11:38

Francis is right in that there is a potential for infection in all that conjealed blood. But I'm not sure that they would give prophylactic antibiotics for that, in the absence of any symptoms of infection.

hungryradish · 10/12/2017 11:41

Ouch, looks like your vein has been pierced whilst they were taking blood. You should probably get it checked out sooner rather than later... Is the bruise still growing?