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Original poster

To be embarrassed about my behaviour in hospital?

123 replies

lizardsandgheckosandfrogs · 05/10/2024 13:55

this happened a few weeks ago but has been slightly playing on my mind (out of embarrassment!)

I was unwell and was getting treatment in hospital. The medication had to be given quickly (not sure if there a name for it, but it was given in a syringe quickly into the cannula rather than on a drip,

As soon as the medication and the saline got put in I immediately felt like my arm was burning and over the course of about 10s it became excruciating and there was basically a huge tangerine size lump. I went from being quiet and chatting away to the nurses to literally wailing and sobbing and begging them to take it out my arm, all in about 10 seconds. I was honestly hysterical.

it turned out the cannula was in the wrong position or something along those lines, so all the medication and saline just went into my elbow instead. Not a big deal, they removed it and it was all fine.

it was a few weeks ago and it’s just been playing on my mind since. I’ve never reacted like that before, and I think part of it was panic setting in, but I really remember it being excruciating and I was in so much pain. It honestly felt like my arm was on fire. But I’ve never been so hysterical or reacted like that before, I was literally sobbing and probably would have ripped it out myself if I could have!

im in my 40s and have never ever behaved like that before and I guess I’m just a bit embarrassed and cringing thinking about it all. Was I being a bit of a baby or is this kind of thing genuinely really painful?

I had a cracking bruise and could barely bend my elbow for 2 weeks after so i know it genuinely was sore, but just not sure if it was that sore to justify my reaction or if I was being a bit OTT!

has anyone else ever had this?!

OP posts:
MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 05/10/2024 15:29

You've done nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 05/10/2024 15:29

God I would have screamed and ripped out the needle, your reaction was quite understandable.

BobbyBiscuits · 05/10/2024 15:32

They did it wrong and it hurts you. So you yelled out in pain. That's totally normal. It's a hospital. They deal with major trauma accidents, people's limbs being chopped off, stabbings, all sorts.

Not everyone can be expected to be nice when they are in pain and it was the nurses error in the first place. I'd have been pretty cross with them.
Believe me it's totally minor.

Try being on a psych ward where everyone is sectioned! Nurses are very used to people being at their worst. But then they see them get better and it makes it all worthwhile.

Missionimprobable · 05/10/2024 15:33

I wouldn't worry, they've seen it all.
It sounds horrific though and you have my sympathy.
I know how you feel about being embarrassed.
I was in A&E with a kidney stone, I was rolling around on the floor wailing, jumped the queue of all the people who'd probably been waiting hours.
I was in absolute agony.
I absolutely cringe remembering it.
In real life I'm probably the most quiet, unassuming person you'd meet and I absolutely hate embarrassing myself.

Sia8899 · 05/10/2024 15:34

It was an understandable reaction and it doesn’t sound like you behaved badly at all - you were making noises from being in pain and it’s hard to control yourself!
I have a friend who is lovely, chatty and polite but had to have a painful procedure and was swearing at the nurses, calling them all sorts, he had no control over what was coming out of his mouth. He apologised and all was fine, I imagine these sorts of things happen all the time!

Bobbybobbins · 05/10/2024 15:35

Honestly it sounds totally understandable. When I was being induced I was vomiting everywhere and totally out of it.

EatingHealthy · 05/10/2024 15:35

Perfectly natural response to sudden intense pain. You shouldn't give it a second thought.

JohnSt1 · 05/10/2024 15:38

I had a cannula put in my arm the wrong way and it was very painful. It was for and MRI. I was able to keep it together and was too embarrassed/timid to say anything. As soon as I was put in the MRI I heard a shriek of terror coming from my mouth.

The lovely woman who was treating me (radiologist?) was fantastic. You can't really control panic, and it can hit you very suddenly.

GivingitToGod · 05/10/2024 15:41

Intravenous cannulas that become displaced or inserted incorrectly can be excruciatingly painful if medication/fluids are administered through them.
Your reaction was not OTT

kittylion2 · 05/10/2024 15:42

Ahh don't worry - I was in my 50s when they were trying to pull a catheter out of my abdomen and I kept whining that it hurt and all my insides were going to come out with it. They were very patient and said just not to lean forward so much and it came out no problem - and not attached to my insides at all (of course). SUCH a baby🙄- and they were so nice (and a lot younger than me). 😳

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/10/2024 15:42

Sounds awful for you and not as though you did anything wrong at all!

Cherrysoup · 05/10/2024 15:42

Being put under general anaesthetic last year, the pain/burning was excruciating. I had wondered why the nurse was gripping my wrist so hard. I’ve had several GAs before, none of which felt like that. Think I was screaming but went out very quickly. 😧

Radiatorvalves · 05/10/2024 15:46

I can remember asking who was making that awful racket when I was in labour… it was me and I blame the pethedine.

When my dad was in his 70s he had a knee infection and cannula issues. He’s usually quite cheery but was really unpleasant and kept telling people to fuck off. It’s not like him at all. The matron asked me if he was usually like that… she said “like Victor Meldrew, but worse!”

happysunr1se · 05/10/2024 15:47

Yep, this happen to me.

I had to have a platelet infusion before a c section. Had been in hospital for 2 weeks already so my arms were pincushions, had 3 nurses struggle with canula needle and the third one missed the vein and didn't spot it, started the infusion, immediately I knew it was wrong, my arm felt really cold and super heavy, she realized and took it out.

The aneastheist came in and did it instead, I had a purple bruise, forearm to armpit for several weeks after.

Greybeardy · 05/10/2024 15:49

Cherrysoup · 05/10/2024 15:42

Being put under general anaesthetic last year, the pain/burning was excruciating. I had wondered why the nurse was gripping my wrist so hard. I’ve had several GAs before, none of which felt like that. Think I was screaming but went out very quickly. 😧

it's not at all uncommon for people to experience pain/burning/discomfort with propofol anaesthetic, particularly if you're blessed with naff little veins. It's not that predictable though, and may/may not happen with repeated anaesthetics. There's not very much that helps it (sometimes a bit of local into the cannula first helps) except for getting it over and done quickly. Doesn't mean anything's gone wrong/that the cannula's tissued or anything like that in this context.
HTH.

BeatsAntique · 05/10/2024 15:52

That happened to me when I was in labour. I had to have IV antibiotics because it had been so long since my waters broke and my hand swelled up like a balloon and it was yet another source of pain in my already exhausted body and I just lost it.

I got zero sympathy from the midwife who attended when I pushed the button in a panic. She said ‘that’s what happens when you let a doctor do it’ like that was my decision!

WonderingWanda · 05/10/2024 15:56

I think the staff won't have batted an eye lid. People do all sorts of funny things when in pain or in response to anaesthetic. When I woke up from a general I was so disorientated and confused but I was very keen to get out of bed to prove I was alright....I remember a nurse very strongly encouraging me to lay down but my slightly drugged reasoning was that she would think I was weak if I didn't. I'm sure she was thrilled with me.

Pancakeorcrepe · 05/10/2024 15:59

OP please don’t worry. It sounds like an awful incident and most people would have reacted in the same way.

UsernameNameUser · 05/10/2024 15:59

Demonhunter · 05/10/2024 15:16

😂😂 so less Joe Black and more Death from Supernatural.

Show quote history

Genuinely!!! And he walked up, arms behind his back, and just smiled at me. Everyone else in scrubs, and he’s just there!! Even took him a minute to speak, and no one really acknowledged him as they were busy prepping. Honest to god, thought it was the end and he was waiting to guide me or something (could have been the meds though).

Actually ended up being lovely - he came to check on me afterwards before clocking off for the day. Think he thought it quite funny that I was momentarily hearing the X Files theme

Cherrysoup · 05/10/2024 16:02

Greybeardy · 05/10/2024 15:49

it's not at all uncommon for people to experience pain/burning/discomfort with propofol anaesthetic, particularly if you're blessed with naff little veins. It's not that predictable though, and may/may not happen with repeated anaesthetics. There's not very much that helps it (sometimes a bit of local into the cannula first helps) except for getting it over and done quickly. Doesn't mean anything's gone wrong/that the cannula's tissued or anything like that in this context.
HTH.

Show quote history

I think it was fine cos I conked out very speedily, but it seemed the nurse was expecting it given she was holding me painfully hard. Just unexpected given the 4 I had in one week weren't like that. I didn't have any ill effects, barely any marks. I had daily IVs for a couple of weeks some months before, so quite used to being stuck.

Blushingm · 05/10/2024 16:09

Nurse here - don't give it a 2nd thought, honestly, your 'behaviour' is nothing out of the ordinary and happens all the time

RanchRat · 05/10/2024 16:15

Mate - total normal reaction to pain. I called one doctor a cunt - repeatedly, when on gas and air.

Allthecatseverywhereallatonce · 05/10/2024 16:19

As a nurse I can tell you this does happen, cannulas are misplaced and dislodged, the nurses would have been aware and recognised how painful it is.
When I was having my baby all was going well until it wasn't, and I remember shouting so loudly whilst being pushed down the corridor, it still makes me cringe. Some people really struggle with vocalising pain and distress.
It is so humbling being a patient and most of us nurses recognise this.

Hope you are ok now.

Barney16 · 05/10/2024 16:27

Stop worrying. It's like a driving test, you won't ever see those people again. So if you acted put if character it won't matter. and it must have been agony.

LBFseBrom · 05/10/2024 16:32

You did nothing wrong, most people would have been even more vocal had that happened.

Try to put the awful experience behind you.

I hope you are all right now.

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