Sore and aching arm after bloods taken - is this normal?

[Sezramum]

I had my blood taken today as part of my nuchal screening. I am rubbish when it comes to this, and hate the needle going in and out!

Today on the way home I moaned to my DP that my arm really ached. It still aches now and it hurts to bend it and to straighten it. It feels very tender on the spot where the blood was taken but the muscle above is also really sore.

I do tend to bruise in the needle spot but I have not experienced this before.

Has anyone else had this? I am hoping it wont be uncommon!

I had this once, usually means the person who did it is crap!

I don't mind needles or having blood taken but one time this nurse took blood and wiggled the needle around. My arm hurt a bit afterwards and the next day I had a big purple/ black bruise from mid forearm to mid bicep!

I still have an a hey arm a week on from having blood taken. Not sure if that's normal or not, but I'm in that camp too. I'm usually really good with needles!

*achey arm. Stupid autocorrect!!

I've had some absolutely cracking bruises from bad blood draws. Some people are just better at it than others - the midwife I see at my regular place is a dream, the one I had the nipt testing done with took about an hour and was digging around in my arms and hands. It also depends I suppose on how your veins are that day - if you're cold or dehydrated it can be tougher.

Anyway, it's normal.

Yes don't worry! My GP had to take quite a bit of blood from me recently and I was left with a big blood blister, which turned into an expansive bruise, and ached for over a week!

Thanks all. That is reassuring although reading some of your experiences makes me think I got away quite lightly!

This was a Doctor so maybe not as practised as nurses and midwives. I am used to having bruises but nothing like this! I am really hoping it eases up quickly and doesn't last as long as your achey arm sherbert. Has it started to get better at all or is it still as bad as when you first had the blood taken?

My bloods at 12 ish weeks, 1 vial (14) left a huge bruise that lasted over a week and my arm ached for a week.
A few weeks before I had various tests to investigate recurrent miscarriage. 12 vials and just a wee scratch, gone the next morning. Mostly down to the vampire in question, but all sorts of things can affect it.

It's much better than it was, but still have to wriggle my fingers to get rid of the ache if I've slept awkwardly on it, or bend my arm too much (lol!). I'm sure it'll sort itself out.

I had that once. It means they hit a nerve.

Doctors tend to be awful at blood draws in my experience!

I like your 'Vampire' description sighing

Hope it does sort it self out soon Sherbert! I need my achey arm gone as soon as possible! Even struggled carrying the shopping home today!

I did wonder if it might be nerve damage but I didn't get the shooting pain often described. Just the normal horrible burning sensation when she pulled the needle out. It did actually carry on for a while afterwards though as DP couldn't understand why I was still pulling a face! Maybe this is when the damage was done?