Visitor Question

Nerve damage from blood draw?

Submitted By: Marilynn (Paris, MI)

Approximately 1 month ago I sustained an injury during a routine blood draw. The technician hit the radial nerve in my left arm. Immediately, it felt like a bolt of electricity ran down my arm to my hand. Then it felt like it was on fire just above my wrist. I yelled and the technician removed the needle.

I asked what happened as I rubbed my arm. The technician casually replied that she had “hit the nerve.” She instructed me to just open and close my hand a few times and it should be fine. She then said that this happens because the veins are so close to the nerves.

I’m 63 and have had many, many blood draws in my life, and this has never happened to me before, nor to anyone I know. I went to my doctor and was prescribed pain medication (2 weeks after the incident) to take at night, as I would not be able to function if I took it during the day.

This means that I am in a great deal of pain – under my arm, above my wrist, a portion of my left hand, the thumb and index and middle finger. It’s like a toothache with random feelings of electrical jolts and/or skin being on fire.

My doctor could not tell me how long this could go on but estimated between 4-6 months.

Medical costs have been less than $200. Any idea what would be reasonable to ask for my pain and suffering? Obviously just multiplying the medical costs would not be adequate in this situation. Who is liable? Any perspective you can give would be helpful. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Our response is not formal legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information provided. Do not rely upon the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site, when deciding the proper course of a legal matter. Always get a personalized case review from a local attorney.

Answer

Dear Marilynn,

While your injury is unfortunate, there doesn’t seem to be any permanent damage. Moreover, your doctor didn’t prescribe any medical procedures which might be necessary to medically remedy the problem.

The company which employed the technician is the liable party. While they may empathize with your pain, it is unlikely they will admit an injury was caused by their technician, or agree to pay you any compensation for the injury. To do so would be an implied admission of wrongdoing.

This is not to say you shouldn’t make an effort to be compensated for your medical bills and pain and suffering. Just don’t be surprised when the company refuses to pay. It is unlikely you will find a personal injury attorney to accept your case. There just isn’t enough evidence supporting your claim, and more importantly, enough money in the case to make it worth an attorney’s time.

See if the company will pay you. If they refuse, you can sue them in small claims court. In the State of Michigan the small claims courts’ jurisdictional limits (the maximum amount you can sue for) is $5,000. You don’t need an attorney to file your case, the procedures are rather informal.

If you do decide to sue in small claims court, make sure you ask the court clerk to assist you in issuing a subpoena “duces tecum” for the company records related to the incident wherein your blood was drawn.

A subpoena duces tecum is a request for documents.

Hopefully the documentation will show the technician’s name, and any notations she may have made related to the incident, including the pain you suffered when the technician stuck the needle in an area which affected the nerve ending.

Learn more here: Medical Malpractice Claim Guide

The above is general information. Laws change frequently, and across jurisdictions. You should get a personalized case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

Find a local attorney to give you a free case review here, or call 888-972-0892.

We wish you the best with your claim,

Published:

46 thoughts on “Nerve damage from blood draw?

  1. Malik says:

    I got my blood drawn a week ago and the needle felt so painful like never before. It burnt and she said don’t worry it’s because of alcohol. The pain has got so worse over time and is not getting better.

    I don’t know what to do.

  2. judy says:

    I went to the emergency room on 3/6/22. I went in because I thought maybe I had a bladder infection. I am not gonna share details but I was stuck in the arm 4 different times. Finally after two nurses could not get blood they called this young male nurse in. After he was looking at my arm I said you are not gonna stick me until you are sure you have a vein. MY right arm is hurting from all the needle pricks. So he goes and gets something he called a vein finder. So I am laying there all relaxed he said I have to make the tourniquet tight. I was not looking because I was already feeling faint from all the other pokes. I felt something really hot burning hot I guess he put a hot towel on my arm. Then in a few minutes without any warning he stuck me and boy I felt my arm get electrocuted all the way down my arm and into my thumb. OH my goodness it hurt so bad. I still have two bruises on that arm that are still black and it has been almost two weeks. I got up and left and they made me sign a AMA. The doctor didn’t even try to talk to me are anything. They all had attitudes when I got there. My urine sample was still in the little bag on the bed when I left they never even collected it the 4 hours I was there. I had nothing done but to injure my left arm. I have a case but I believe that it would be just a waste of time. Those hospitals have money. I am on social security I don’t stand a chance all I would do is bring my self more misery. Just wanted to add my story.

  3. Carole says:

    It is really scary to hear of so many times nerves have been hit during blood draws. It just happened to me, excruciating pain like an electric shock when he put the needle in and my arm flew up from the shock. He was upset I moved but never thought he had anything to do with it. It has been a week and if I move my arm a certain way the pain radiates down through my thumb. The pain seems to be getting worse. I am terrified to have to get blood drawn again after hearing all these stories.

  4. BW says:

    I too had a recent bad experience with incompetent venipuncture, from not one, but two techs in the local ER. First he “blew” two veins in my right arm(my good arm)and then proceeded to stick me in the top of my right forearm. That didn’t work either. Finally,he went to get another tech “Who is way better than me”, but he wasn’t better. The second tech was only able to get the IV started in the top of my left forearm. It didn’t work well, but they still used it for both scan drug and sodium chloride. The injection of scan drug hurt like hell, although I was silent. Needless to say, I am having considerable discomfort in BOTH arms and slow healing and very upset about it.Up to now,needle sticks weren’t a problem, and my arms remained perfect, but now I fear my arms have been ruined and that I will continue to have pain, tingles and stiffness. Can’t even play the drums anymore. I don’t intend to get anymore needle sticks for a hell of a long time, maybe never. My mother, a former ER nurse, thinks it will be ok, but I’m not convinced. I’m pissed!

  5. Matt says:

    Hi All, I sympathize with all your pain, however, here are some tips to keep in mind. A person’s ability to draw your blood is VERY dependent on how YOU prepare the day before, and the day of blood draw. You need to make sure you are VERY hydrated, starting the day before you should have clear and copious pee. Don’t even think about caffeine or alcohol(the day before and the day of), these drinks make your veins hide, and have a healthy meal an hour or two beforehand (no fatty foods or fried foods), and last of all, take deep breaths and stay as relaxed as possible. All these steps give your blood drawer the best chance at not missing the vein, or hitting a nerve. I have small unambiguous veins, but I donate platelets every two weeks and have my pre-donation routine down to a science because in the past I have had plenty of vein misses, fluid back up into my arm, bruises, referred pain from radial nerve prick, and probably the worst of all, having the needle right on a valve which sends vibrations through your arm every few heartbeats.

  6. Lindsey says:

    Hello, same thing recently happened to me. I recently went to the ER and the nurse was having trouble locating my vein. He switches arms and then proceeded TO ANSWER a phone call then all I feel is an electric shock through my arm which instantly causes me to cry and shake in pain. When I mentioned this to my nurses they said I was fine and I need to stop letting my “anxiety get to me”?? I looked at my bf and knew something didn’t feel right.

    I have a brain disease and have gone through a lot but this didn’t feel right. They refused to take it because they said they would just have to put it right back in for my CT. I had no idea what to do. Fast forward to 5 days later, everytime I go to straighten this arm I feel that same shock down my forearm. I can’t use it and it feels so weak. Please can someone tell me if this will be permanent, or how long was their recovery? I need some good news.

  7. Phoebe says:

    I am having the same pain as each of you its been almost 4 months since I had blood drawn at Quest Diagnostics. The lady said she had to use a cold tube and had me waiting about 10 minutes before she drew the blood.

    I have been in unbearable pain every since it was done in December 2020. My doctor claim it will heal but I was already dealing with nerve pain in my neck, upper and lower back, left leg told to me to be sciatic nerve damage and a herniated disc. On top of that I have scoliosis since childhood. Been to so many doctors from pt, pain mgmnt, chiro and I AM SICK OF ALL OF THIS.

    Have had nerve block injections, epidurals, steroid injections, etc. I HURT DAILY SINCE MAY 2019.

  8. Marci says:

    I am an 85 yr old female with small veins that are difficult to get to except by an experienced, excellent stick phlebotomist. I had an outpatient surgical procedure at a well-known hospital on 3/08/2021. I always tell nurses that I have small veins and need a really experienced nurse. After unsuccessful sticks, I always ask for a phlebotomist. On 3/08/2021 I was stuck numerous times…7 0r 8 by nurses unsuccessfully for an IV. The first nurse said that the vein blew and it is from that stick that I believe I am having horrible pain and severe discoloration on my left arm and some on the right. My doctor finally was able to insert the needle for the IV and the procedure.

    I am currently having severe, excruciating pain in both arms that comes on suddenly, particularly after I have had a nap or at night while I am sleeping it wakes me up. I am not resting or laying on my arms. They are outstretched by my sides. Otherwise, my arms constantly hurt. Went to the ER at another hospital two days ago because of the severe pain cause I thought I had blood clots in my arms. Had an ultrasound to detect blood clots, but no clots showed.

    I continue to have severe bursts of pain in both arms…heavy duty, hollering out pain. I was prescribed a pain med, but it does not help. My left arm is black, blue and yellow. It looks like I was in an accident. Right arm has one area that is black, blue and yellow. I have an appointment with my PCP on Monday and hope that I can make it until then.

    There are nurses and technicians who are well experienced and know how to stick small veins for IV’s. They know which needle to use and at what angle, etc. When the first nurse said that the vein had blown, she acted as if I had done something wrong. I never move for these needle sticks because I have small, hard to reach veins. A blown vein indicates most often that the nurse or technician used the wrong needle, went in at the wrong angle, or stuck the needle to hard in the vein since blowing it means that the needle went through the vein instead of in it.

    Has anyone else had the problem of a blown vein with subsequent horrible bruising from ruptured vessel and excruciating pain in both arms? I tried to see my PCP today, but could not cause he was booked. The practice of medicine is not what it used to be in the 1940’s, 50’s or 60’s. I even remember house calls. Also, hope that I do not have a heart attack from this problem.

  9. JOSEPH says:

    I HEAR YOUR COMPLAINTS LOUD AND CLEAr, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO ADD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS YOU ALL HAVE. FOR ME IT HAS BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE THE INCIDENT AND I STILL HAVE PAIN RUNNING DOWN TO MY THUMB. MY DOCTORS SAID IT WILL HEAL BY IT SELF. I HOPE SO!

  10. Mama going crazy says:

    So I had my 3 hour diabetic screen on 1/12/2021. The first 3 draws were by an older Tech and no issues. I have big juicy veins so only had 1 issue my whole life.

    The 4th draw, the tech was different and in a hurry. It hurt more than any others did. We’re now 5 days out and I have a bruise on my elbow from the draw (they rotated arms each draw and the other arm is completely fine)

    I’m in so much pain it hurts to move my arm at all and I get shocks into my hand when I move my arm. I’ve tried every rub. Unfortunately I have a 3 year old and I’m 30 weeks pregnant so any pills are not an option. I’ve tried Tylenol but it only takes the edge off and only works for about 2 hours.

    I’m not able to sleep due to the pain. My veins from my elbow to my fingers are puffy and swollen. The ER said the pain would go away and to ice it or try heat, but neither have helped.

    It’s so hard to function as a mom with one arm. After reading the other comments I’m scared to see how long it’s going to last. I feel for anyone dealing with this pain. It seems like as the days go by the pain gets worse.

    I’m diabetic and have a rare blood so I’m horrified to go back and have to get more blood drawn which I know I’ll have to have as my doctor already said would have to happen.

    I’ve never been so worried to have blood drawn again. I’m hoping it gets better soon as I’m due with my baby any week now.

  11. Michelle says:

    It helps me to hear the comments here. I have had blood drawn many many times but at the last one I told the girl it hurt badly. She said, “Maybe it was the alcohol.”

    Hmmm. Don’t think so. Three weeks later it continuously feels like shocks in my arm and the pain radiates up to the shoulder.

    Because it is my left arm I am nervous and thought maybe it had to do with the heart. Christmas is not comfortable at all and with Covid worries haven’t gone in to be checked yet.

    It gets worse rather than better.

  12. Tammy says:

    I had the same thing happen in March. She hit the nerve. They said she was training to draw blood, but that she was a tech.

    I went back yesterday and they didn’t hit a nerve but my arm hurts in the same place. I’m not ever going back to them again

  13. LuAnn says:

    I am so very sorry that the people commenting here are in the same boat as me! Two weeks ago I had blood drawn and experienced a very electrified pain run down my hand to the tip of my pinky.

    Just unbearable pain, and I too have a high tolerance for pain but this was way over the top. My tech just shrugged her shoulders and said. “Oh, I must have hit a nerve. Just apply heat or cold. It’ll get better.”

    Yeah right! Last night I had 2 hours of sleep the pain just does not subside. I can’t even hold my toothbrush. The pain is in my dominant hand.

    I hope this issue (and all of the other ones mentioned) are brought up in clinical classes so the lab technicians are aware that this can happen and the pain is real!

  14. Mary says:

    Some of you are lucky to get a “sorry” from the lab tech. I am 60 yrs old and have had many draws in my time, but never had a nerve hit until my last appointment.

    There was such a bad zinger down my forearm and into my thumb that I yelled and jerked my arm. This scared my tech, she said it would go away. I don’t even think she got a full vial of blood, but it must of been enough because I got the test results.

    I truly doubt she recorded anything in my medical record of the incident. After she placed a wrap around my arm, she slithered away like nothing even happened.

    I still having zingers, numbness and pain down my forearm, into my thumb and pointer finger.

    Knowing it will take some time to heal, I think I could be be more forgiving if she would of just explained to me that she hit a nerve and what I would be experiencing with symptoms, instead of passing it off.

    Poor training, customer service and bedside manners…and like all of us, what can you do? Hope you all feel better soon!

  15. Anonymous says:

    I just wanted to share that I am in a similar situation. I am 34 and I had blood drawn for a medical exam for life insurance in June. I didn’t experience the immediate pain many of you mention, but about an hour later I was with a friend for lunch and my arm starting hurting like crazy- the shooting pain that everyone else has described. I thought I was just being overdramatic, and that the pain would subside in a day or two.

    Several weeks later I was in terrible pain during the middle of the night and upon waking, I noticed a huge bruise below my inner elbow. Fast forward to the end of July and I am now experiencing the terrible pain in my thumb, index, and middle fingers everyone else has described. The pain runs all the way up to my elbow.

    I thought it was carpal tunnel and got a wrist stabilizer, but that only helps a bit. By the end of the day it is difficult to even hold a cup normally.

    I didn’t make the connection between my blood draw and this pain until my boyfriend mentioned something a few days ago, and I started Googling and low and behold, this seems to be very common. I pray for all of you and hope we can find some answers to make life normal again.

  16. Ted says:

    I had blood drawn on 12-7-2011. The person stuck me TWICE with the SAME NEEDLE. This happened at the VA Hospital.

    They denied it happened and changed my records. My left arm is unusable and I’ve had 3 brain surgeries from this. The pain is so great that I blacked out and hit my head twice.

    I am in constant pain. Now I use special utensils so I can eat by myself and a special chair so I can bathe myself. I use a walker, use an electric power chair, and bought a new car so I can get a chair lift.

    Now the VA SAID THIS NEVER HAPPENED. My life is horrible and if I didn’t have my wife, I don’t know what I would do.

  17. Wendy says:

    I am the same, had blood tests 10 weeks ago. I have been having physio for 7 weeks and need my arm in a half cast when I go to bed so as not to bend it. That helps a lot with the pain. I also have formed a lump just below the injection point.

    I am going back to my Dr tomorrow to see about an ultrasound or MRI. I’m told it could take up to 6 month to heal. I am right handed and this is in my right hand. Not a very happy person.

  18. Donna says:

    Me too! It happened in the ER. I’m 57 and my hand is swollen black and blue. This never happened before. Someone should group us together somehow.

  19. Cck says:

    Hi peeps, I am so happy I found this site and I am not the only one going through nerve damage that was caused by routine blood work. It’s been 18 months since my injury and I am still in pain so i understand what most of you are going through.i received damage to my median nerve while giving 9 vials of blood.

    I felt the same pain most of you are describing. Electrical shock type pain, burning sensation, weakness, loss of muscle because i was unable to move my arm,tingling feeling,numbness, and the whole nine yard. I was in physical therapy for 15 months. I had to learn all over how to hold stuff, pick stuff up because i would know what i needed to do but my brain wouldn’t allow me to do it.

    By the way this is all while being pregnant with my first baby. Wasn’t able to enjoy my pregnancy at all. Baby end up coming early, too. I was put on steroids and had to see a hand specialist. Got EMG and nerve conduction study done. All was consistent with nerve damage. Also had to get an ultrasound done which showed swelling around d injection site about 3 months after injury. Was also put on Neurontin a year later but decided not to take because of all the side effects.

    Long story short, a lot of technicians and medical people who cause these types of injuries are not aware of all the sufferings a person like me have to endure and it is completely unfair because it change your life in a dramatic way.

    It is unfortunate that when this does happen and you try to seek help from lawyers some will say its not a strong case. While I’m currently working with a law firm to remedy my situation it is just really disheartening that some of us have to just accept and deal with the pain. This is totally wrong.

    This should be something that people talk about and let others be aware of it especially those in the medical field who we trust to do these procedures on us.

    It shouldn’t be acceptable that you leave any establishment damaged when you entered it whole.

    I hope all of you fight for your own self and don’t give up on seeking help from a competent lawyer who understands these issues.

    Good luck

  20. Tin says:

    Well I get to join the crew. We have all found out the hard way about the possibility of suffering a venipuncture nerve laceration at the hands of an uneducated and untrained nurse/phlebotomist/technician.

  21. Keri says:

    Sorry guys. I have had left arm pain, burning and swelling in my arm for over a year, with horrible burning in arm that is now useless too much pain after blood draw from my left arm and if I move my hand severe pain in left arm. All I saw was black when I was stuck. I made the tech aware of it. She said I will pull back the needle. I made my primary doctor aware.

    She draw nine tubes of blood. Two doctors ordered lab work. So the tech drew a blood test tube of blood for each doctor. They had done this before so I asked them not to draw blood for same test twice. But she said she had to draw blood for each doctor separate so I had 9 tubes drawn again if the test was the same at the time of the visit.

    Neurologist visit proved a waste of time. The neurologist did a lot of test and MRI’s that had nothing to do with my severe arm pain. Heart doctor said heart ok and circulation ok. Radiological showed nothing. Now, I’ve requested to see another neurologist.

    I am 81 years old. Live alone. It is a mess. The doctors in this town are to scared to diagnose and treat, it seems. Also a couple of lawyers said they couldn’t prove my symptoms wouldn’t have happened anyway ??.

    When I notified the lab where it was done, they said I didn’t have blood work done!!!!!

    No doctor gave me a diagnosis or treatment. The severe pain now is in my chest and goes over to my breast on the left, left arm swollen and lumpy it feels like something is moving in my burning useless arm for over a year with unbelievable pain.

  22. Teri says:

    Thought I would join the chorus… Last Monday morning I went for routine blood tests and the technician hit the nerve causing sharp electrical type burning pain in my wrist below my thumb. I complained to the Lab Manager and was told “sorry” go see your primary.

    He took me in the next day verified that I had indeed had a nerve injury and said it will take “weeks” to heal. He ordered an anti-inflammatory and said call if it gets worse. After reading the “steroid” warnings, I decided not to take the pills prescribed to me.

    I’m not a whiner and can tolerate discomfort but I do want to be proactive and do whatever I can to heal. I can only find advice that says zinc and vitamin C may help. No immobilization of the elbow or wrist has worked. No heat or cold seems to help. After 8 days I can definitely say it’s less painful.

    I have used CBD on both the crease of the elbow and the spot on the wrist where the pain is referred. There does not seem to be any weakness in my hand or arm. Only certain movements are triggering the pain now (ie straightening my arm).

    Luckily it’s my left wrist and I have been able to go about my routine with mindful alterations to how I do things and sleeping has not been an issue for last 3 days. Hope all of you heal…

  23. KrisT says:

    Hi , I am in the same condition! I had blood check 3 weeks ago. At the time of draining blood I felt needles in my wrist, I told the doctor, but he said, “Oh, if it’s a nerve you will jump from pain,” and he continued to drain.

    Next day I did not have any bruise around the puncture, but later that day I felt electric shock in my wrist and forearm when I twist wrist, extend my arm or bent close my arm. Feeling was weird,bad experience.

    After a week pain started to disappear, but I have this feeling like something is crawling in my vein about 4-5 inches above my wrist. It’s the 3rd week now. My arm is sore. I barely can lift something little heavy,because of pain in wrist. It also looks like some veins in my forearm is more swollen than the other hand.

    I do not know what to do. The doctor said it is normal to feel discomfort between 4-10 days after venipuncture, but this is crazy. I am getting scared,because this may not go away!

  24. MorningGlory says:

    I am glad I found this site. I am 60 and in all my years never have I experienced anything like what I did today. I went to the lab to do routine blood tests. Normally my right arm is ez pz and even this time the blood flowed easily and for some reason the tech decided to move the needle and the blood stopped and instead of pulling the needle out she pushed it in really deep and dug around then finally took it out and went to the other side which hardly ever gives blood. I still don’t know why she dug deep and moved it about instead of lifting it back to where it was when the blood flowed easily from the vein.

    She called someone else over. And that precise moment a man walked by and said, “Learning from the best!” but the girl wasn’t even watching. This woman used a needle I had never seen before. It had like a clear blue tapered rectangular casing on the outside, and a deep dark purple color and was attached to the needle. I no sooner thought how is she going to connect the vials to that thing and she put the needle into my arm it BURNED I mean really on fire burned. I said, “Take it out what are you doing?” she said. “Sorry, sorry, sorry” but kept it in my arm and pushing it around. I had to say louder, “Take it out!” and actually had to pull away.

    I have never had a needle to draw blood burn and never seen one that looked like that and never had a tech not take a needle out when told to. She said, “Oh, I guess i hit a nerve.”

  25. Sheryl says:

    Monday, December 16, 2019, I informed the tech I have tiny rolling veins, hard stick and made mention she would need to use a butterfly needle. She did not take heed to me mentioning she would need to use a butterfly needle. Her first attempt, she hits a nerve in my arm which is my dominant hand. I immediate felt electricity running down to fingers. I said to her, that hurt and I felt electricity running down my arm. She said nothing with no apology. She did use a butterfly needle to draw blood from the right arm.
    It’s been a week and one day, I am still feeling electricity run down my arm to my fingers. It’s very uncomfortable…

  26. Janice says:

    After reading the above stories, I wanted to add mine. My blood was drawn last week, November 13. My experience is so similar to the others. When the phlebotomist put the needle in, it was like an instantaneous fireball and burnt all the way to my wrist. I told her that I thought she hit a nerve and she said that maybe it could happen.

    The pain has continued, mainly at the point where the needle was put in. I am in despair as I read the above from others. Going on for months or longer is scary! I wonder if it could be some bad needles with perhaps dull points or very sharp points that can go so quickly that they hit the nerve.

    Nevertheless, there seems to be a cluster of these events in a 3-month time frame. Good luck everyone. My sincerest concern goes to each of you!

    I want to add that about 10 years ago, I had a similar event after surgery when I was injected for pain in my left thigh and it was numb for months. I went to a specialist and he said that it was peripheral neuropathy. After several months, it did go away.

  27. Lynn says:

    I had a blood draw that resulted in sharp electric pain from my wrist to the knuckles of the thumb and two adjacent fingers. When the needle was removed the area was numb. It started hurting about 24 hours later with pain and jolts in the area initially affected. It is getting worse. Has anyone had a recovery? I read in medline that many people recover in 2-6 months. Has anyone experienced that?

  28. Marion says:

    I had blood drawn yesterday. He seemed to be in a hurry and jabbed me in a nerve. Now I can’t straighten my arm or even cup my hand to wash my face! My husband was in the room and said the guy didn’t even try to slide the needle in he jabbed it. Didn’t even clean area as usual but dry cotton.

  29. Ronna says:

    This just happened to me last week. It seems to be getting worse each day and I get a burning in my wrist. Why not warnings, and why no recourse. This is crazy.

  30. Nancy says:

    Hello Anonymous. I have also left a couple of comments online. I read yours again and I am in the same situation. I was also referred to an Orthopedist and will have a nerve test on Monday. I couldn’t even get comfortable last night and today I really hurt, even with a brace and I have quite a few different ones I use. As time goes on it gets worse for me.

    I have to work and I type a lot. It has been hard getting into the office cause I can’t do my hair. I work from home most days. Still doesn’t help! I did get an email back from Quest saying they couldn’t reach me by phone. They were one number off. Didn’t hear back since. Let’s see what Monday holds for me.

  31. Shauna says:

    OMG! I thought I was the only one who experienced this. I went to the diabetes clinic and self advocated to the phlebotomist that it is difficult to get blood out of my arms above the wrist because of scar tissue. She was adamant to take a “look.” She felt and found one supposedly and while looking I said “butterfly needle in the back of the hand” she then says “girl give me that arm” and jabs the needle in deep.

    Immediately I felt an electric shock radiate down my arm to my pointer and thumb. I jerked afterwards and she saw the vein clotted immediately with no blood. She then felt defeated after she wanted to prove her point. She had to use the back of my hand with a butterfly after all! The P.A. was in the room the entire time watching and said nothing!!! I informed the PA my arm was burning and was pissed!

    That night my arm burned and ached I could barely sleep. Today (next day) I called the office close to 5pm in the hope to speak with the PA to complain and explain my arm pain. She is smart and never spoke or agreed to she was in the room. She brushed it off over the phone advising me to go to ER or call back tomorrow to see if an appointment is available. Oh, she said to try a warm compress and after a few days hopefully, it goes away…she should have said best of luck with that, as her tone showed no responsibility or care!

    BS…healthcare professionals don’t want to take the blame when that’s why they have insurance to cover them… accidents happen but it shouldn’t cost me! Now I work with children and couldn’t even teach comfortably due to the pain! It’s unfair and sad. I hope this goes away as I have to work at 39!

  32. Carolyn says:

    I am 48yrs old and I went in for a routine check up at my Rheumatologist. The lab technician did a blood draw that sent a painful electric shock down my arm to my left thumb. I immediately told her she hurt me and she didn’t seem very apologetic and continued to draw my blood.

    This has never happened to me before, just like others have said. I thought it would be okay and didn’t say anything to anyone else. Four days later it is still hurting and having a tingling, painful sensation in it. So I decided to call and make a complaint with the office manager and informed my Primary Care Physician, who told me to ice it. Haven’t heard from the Rheumatologist’s office yet. Not sure what else to do.

  33. Nancy says:

    I’m back. It has been almost 2 months since I had my blood drawn. I visited my primary about a week after and she said it would take time to heal. I get that. The pain has gotten worse. I get numbness every other day. I try a wrist support in order to get dressed, do my hair and work, it hasn’t been working very well lately.

    I contacted my primary yesterday, she has referred me to an orthopedic Dr. My appt is a little over a week away. I can’t take the pain, it also shorts up my arm to my shoulder. I don’t know what they will do to help the pain go away? I have to work, but I work on a computer everyday which doesn’t help any.

    I will keep you all informed of my progress.

  34. Jane says:

    Update to June 15, 2019 post. Going on 5 1/2 months now. I cannot trust that my right hand will perform as expected – as normal. There is severe pain, wrist to thumb if I attempt to fully utilize my hand. Over the last months, I have been compensating with my left hand and arm as much as possible, so the right hand/arm nerves have not been put to a full functional test.

    This looks to be a permanent injury which I doubt the orthopedist, to whom my primary physician referred me, will be able to resolve. The hospital has been completely unresponsive. There ARE culpable individuals involved here. Are they to have no penalties while I face what looks to be a permanent disability? It would seem so.

  35. Nancy says:

    I am 57 years old. I get an infusion every 4 weeks for Rheumatoid Arthritis. I went to get my annual blood drawn. The technician didn’t ask for my ID or insurance card. She then found the vein, rubbed with an alcohol pad and then boom, she jabs me like a lump of meat being put on a skewer.

    I told her it hurt and felt pain going down my arm. I never had it done like that before. My pain is still there, never left. I am going to my primary care doctor tomorrow to see what they have to say.

    I work at a computer all day and lift files, and now it hurts too much to lift the files. I just noticed a bruise on the inside of my middle finger, and never had that until after Saturday when I had my bloodwork done. There should be repercussions to the company as this seems to happen more often than not.

  36. Maryann says:

    I have a similar problem from getting blood work. Pain in my arm going on 7 months. Been on some medication that made me tired and woozy. Still have the pain keeps me awake at night. If I move certain ways get sharp burning pain from my shoulder to just below my wrist. Going to see if it’s nerve damage.Thought it would have gone away by now. It keeps me from doing a lot of things. Hope it gets better on its own and soon.

  37. Tina says:

    I had a routine blood draw Friday morning. I let the vampire know at insertion and told her to remove the needle immediately. I have extreme burning and shocking electrical pain in my forearm and wrist. No one ever let me know that such a thing could happen. They warn you about possible complications for everything else, why not in this instance?

    I would definitely not get blood drawn as often as my physician wants. My cholesterol is perfect, blood pressure perfect. I am a type 2 diabetic and use a monitor and diet to keep A1C in check. I will no longer submit to blood test every 6 months. It is Monday and I am out of work until Wednesday. I work with small children and don’t trust the strength of my hand and wrist. I am angry.

  38. Garry says:

    I’m 75 years old I2 and Light the cases above, I was having my blood drawn my doctor’s orders prior to an angiogram. I knew the young lady was inexperienced by the way she was acting.

    When she had the needle in my arm she kept moving the needle around trying to find the right vein and she hit the nerve, causing excruciating pain up and down my arm from the elbow to the wrist. Besides the nerve pain, I have these horrible shocking events.

    It’s been 3 weeks now and I thought it might go away but it has not and it sometimes pushes me to my knees it hurts so bad. That’s about it… pretty much like the ones above that I have read. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

  39. Jane says:

    I had a venipuncture two months ago done by an experienced, full R.N. at the ER, where I had gone due to unusual PVCs. It was night, so I thought it best to make certain there was no emergency. There wasn’t, but the blood draw was ordered.

    Every aspect of the procedure was improper, from the needless use of an IV catheter, to the extraordinary pain from the extremely tight tourniquet, to the position of my arm (R), to the angle with which the needle was inserted. I am an easy draw. I complained about every part of the pain, and the RN continued with the draw.

    At one point, she said she was going to flush the syringe, as apparently, there was backflow. Following the blood draw, my systolic blood pressure dropped 30mm Hg shortly after the draw. (I was not nervous at any point, until the bad draw and seeing my systolic pressure drop 30mm Hg). I alerted staff, and they were unconcerned, attributing the drop to white coat syndrome, which I do not have.

    The subsequent discoloration clearly marked the puncture site as being in error. There was no hematoma of the type. I have photographs.

    Five days later, I had tremendous pain in my R index finger, with a round, reddened area on the tip. This subsided after a couple of days. (I had notified the provider’s administrative office the day after of all that had occurred). Then, massive pain and tingling occurred from my bicep to the tips of all fingers with significant pain at the R wrist.

    I am fortunate. Never in my life have I been awoken from sleep due to pain, but this was now the case. I should state that there were short periods of time – 5, 15, 30 minutes – when the pain subsided somewhat, but it returned full-force.

    Towards the end of May, the intense pain and tingling subsided somewhat, leaving the (fluctuating) severe pain in my R wrist, and extreme pain when my R thumb is flexed.

    I had filed a complaint with another department at the hospital, and during that interview, the administrator stated that the procedure had been done improperly. I have no medical condition that would cause the symptoms and pain I am experiencing.

    I am angry, but more frightened that the injury is permanent, and I will never again have full use of my primary hand without pain, and worse, that there will be additional effects, given that the problems have been progressive. I will pursue this further.

    PS. I saw my primary care physician, subsequently. Gave all the details. She diagnosed “tendonitis.” There was no causal event for that diagnosis, but she works in the same system. I asked that she include my suspicions of venipuncture injury, along with her tendonitis diagnosis. What she will say at the next visit regarding the loss of non-painful use of my R hand due to the wrist and thumb involvement, will be, shall I say, “interesting.”

  40. Craig says:

    I had an injury from a blood draw. My arm will lock in a bent position and the pain I feel when I am trying to straiten it can almost take me to my knees. The doctors I have gone to say there is nothing medically can be done to fix the pain.

    This pain I would never wish upon anyone. I no longer donate blood (I have a rare blood type) and I struggle with just basic blood draws. I think there should be more of awareness of this injury hazard before blood is drawn.

  41. rose says:

    I had blood drawn 6 mos ago. It left my arm bruised and an actual hole is left in my arm like a vein collapsed. It hurts all the time.

  42. Debbie says:

    I had a blood test a few days ago and while the needle was in my arm I jerked a little and my arm went numb. She said she may have hit a nerve! My nerve going down the side of my arm hurts. I can’t see the doctor now for two weeks. I have no swelling or shocks, just pain in my arm and neck, and some tingling in my fingers.

  43. Eugenia says:

    It feels like electric shock when I reach down or hold my hand out. The center of of my hand hurts terribly. I have shoulder pain if I just reach out my hand and my arm hurts as well. I have pain medication that does not help. We’re discussing physical therapy but there’s no guarantee it will work. Right now I’m in severe pain.

  44. Marie D says:

    On May 2, 2017 I had my blood drawn at the Doctor’s office for routine blood test (results were fine, this was a waste of time). I had told the Doctor I didn’t want my blood drawn. She was “very” persistent, and I gave in. They used my strong right arm. It didn’t hurt until later that night.

    My strong right arm is now weak, and it aches all the time. I keep hoping it’ll get better. It’s now 12/19/17 and it’s the same. It’s hard to blow dry my hair. For the first time, I had to hire someone to paint my house. The aching and burning pain will not go away. I was 58 yrs old at the time. Now I”m 59. I want my strong arm back!!!!

  45. Anonymous says:

    I had pain from a blood draw on Dec. 25, 2015. I told her it hurt going in and when she took the needle out. It was not nerve pain as you described but bad pain where she drew the blood from.

    This is May 20, and my left arm still hurts. It no longer wakes me up at night (it did for months). It has gone from 8-9 to 3-4 just the last few weeks. I have swelling and tendonitis from it.

    My doctor poo-pooed it and my complaint fell on deaf ears. I was pissed!!!

    I begged for an MRI which showed inflammation. Saw a neurologist- no nerve damage. Saw an orthopedic dr. who said it was tendonitis. My arm never bruised, just hurt terribly. My dr. was insensitive to it, and I saw the specialists on my own.

    Still has not resolved. I should be compensated for pain and suffering, but probably won’t be.

  46. Anonymous says:

    I too am 63 and just had a blood draw that resulted in a sharp pain shooting up my arm from my elbow to my wrist. I thought it would go away in a couple of days but hasn’t. I called the Dr. and they can’t see me for 2 weeks.

    So I’m just wearing a wrist brace until then. Any ideas on how long this will last, will it go away and what can I do to help with the pain? It’s like being tazered at any moment. The electrical shock comes just from moving.

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