To go to the GP about this (pic attached)

[Ouchouchouchie]

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.

Do keep us updated, I'll be curious what happens.

It's a nuisance but from what OP is saying I wouldn't go see anyone. Just keep an eye on it.

Bruising after giving blood, when to worry

•Severe or worsening pain.
•Numbness or pins and needles to your arm, hand or finger.
•Swelling that is large or increasing in size.
•Painful redness/inflammation.
•Coldness or paleness of your lower arm or hand of the affected arm.

Hope you got checked out

Jesus Christ you won’t be wasting anyone’s time!! Get yourself off to get this checked out!

That looks so sore! Hope you manage to see someone.

This also happened to my sister once, her arm was black & blue from wrist to shoulder. I suggested she see her GP just to rule out low platelets or something that might have caused her to bruise that badly, but her blood results were fine, and GP didn't seem at all concerned.

I had this once when midwife took blood. I had bruising from a few inches above the site right down to my wrist and had numbness in my thumb and wrist. When I was in hospital a few days later they just glossed over it, said it would get better. I now have very visible 'bump' in that vein and HCP's always comment on it

Fucking hell! Please see someone about that.

Did you manage to see anyone today OP?

I had an appointment with the GP this morning but it's been moved to this afternoon due to the snow (none of which there is in my town but hey ho) will keep you updated with what they say!

I had exactly the same OP when I donated some blood (good deed & all that eh?)

They had pierced through the vein & out the other side

Suspected Phlebitis (never heard of it before this thread!) got some antibiotics but Dr wasn’t overly worried despite my mild hysteria

They had pierced through the vein & out the other side

Yes that's a blown vein. Seems to be a blood service speciality

I'm glad your doctor's not too worried; you can probably rest easy. Hope the a-bs work quickly and your poor arm is soon back to normal.

Holy Shit! I'm a phlebotomist and that is not supposed to happen at all. WTF DID HE DO TO YOU??? Was the area swabbed first? (You may need antibiotics). Go to the doctor at least.

justilou1 it was wiped clean if that’s what you mean! Got some antibiotics now so hoping it will clear up. I’m put off blood tests now that’s for sure but got to have another on Thursday! Can I request that it’s done in my hand?

That has made me very very queasy.

Hope you feel better soon

You can ask, and if you have visible veins in your hand I'm sure they'd understand your worry!

Darling, I am wondering if this person was inexperienced. There is no way anyone should be repeatedly digging around in one area. I'm so happy that you have some antibiotics as I was worried about potential infection because of this. You SHOULD be able to request a butterfly in the back of the hand or even your foot. Whether or not they do this is another story. I am in Australia and most of our blood tests are done by private companies, so I think we are forced to be more accountable. I do hope that you are not put off by this. I have NEVER seen this done before. I can assure you it is NOT normal. I tell my patients that it WILL hurt - just a little and not for long. It isn't a painless experience, but the pain isn't great and it doesn't last. This guy cocked up. No question.

A blown vein is not uncommon. Every phlebotomist has had them, I have had plenty. It is relatively easy to go through a vein when you take blood or put a cannula in, especially if the vein is thin or deep. This causes a small bruise... a small bruise! Not a litre of blood accumulating in your arm!