Bad Blood Tests

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Has anybody ever had blood tests taken and the wound hasn't healed properly? When I got a blood test, the nurse was stressed and delayed (as every health professional is in the NHS). When I was driving back to work, my arm was really hurting and the whole arm felt weak for days. I had a fairly large bleed under the skin, more than I had had previously with injections which was no bleeding at all. The bruising disappeared to leave a raised and enlarged vein. For the six months since the blood test, the discomfort and sometimes pain has never gone.

So yeah, any similar experiences with blood tests?

I used to be a Phlebotomist and I think some people have no business drawing blood. It sounds like what happened was she went through your vein (did she move the needle around a lot?) and it then bleeds out the other side and pools....its called a Hematoma. If you are having any nerve type pain (tingling, shooting pains) it could be that the needle nicked a nerve. If so you should go to the doctor, otherwise just put ice on it and it will go away just like a bruise does...it may just look pretty bad for awhile. Sometimes it even helps to put heat on it to break up the clot but if it was days ago I would do ice.

I just re-read your post and saw that its been six months....I would have a doctor look at it!

Last edited by liloleme on 19 May 2010, 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Doh! I don't have a doctor

Some time ago when I had to get blood drawn, the nurse used a gigantic needle and wiggled and twisted around almost like she was trying to beat eggs. I went to see my psychologist almost immediately after and when he saw the giant bruise, he thought I was doing heroin until my grandmother confirmed what happened. It was actually almost funny, apart from the pain.

I avoid the doctors. I haven't been ill in several years, so really no point in doing so besides physicals and that nature. However, once when the nurse administered a needle to me, afterwards it left a little red dot on my arm where the vain is. It looks like a tiny mole, and to this day I still have it. Since then, and doing my own research about the health care industry I don't trust them one bit. It's all about profits.

I've become big into herbal remedy's, own around 50 different variety's of tea. Each really react differently if I have a problem.. a cold, depression, how I feel, etc. I would just suggest staying healthy, don't get vaccinated for things like the swine flu because it damages DNA.

Clinic?....sounds to me like you could have nerve damage. A lot of times nerves will repair themselves but it takes some time. You can try heat and see if that helps. Sure wouldnt let anyone draw blood there again.

The thing was, I didn't notice her wiggling around or anything in particular, it just seemed fine and did not hurt at all. I do not like doctors either. Infact, I should never have gone in the first place, really. I won't be getting blood taken anywhere if I can avoid it! What do you think they would be able to do about it?

Oh crap that sucks! I had blood drawn today by a very young technician, and she was great- no bruising at all, and I usually will bruise a little. I had 8 vials drawn too! Once I had a lady who held my arm too tight, and her thumb and other fingers left bruised finger marks. Later that day my boss looked at my arm and placed his hand in the exact position she had been. She even had asked me while she was drawing if it hurt- I told it did a little and she remarked that I was already bruising. I don't know if it was me or her, really He was horrified. I'm pretty tough about people getting my blood or giving me shots, but I agree that some people just don't need to be doing that. Most (or more than half) of patients in the lab are elderly, and it is already difficult to find veins on them.

Once a tech asked if I got faint at the sight of blood before she started. I don't, but I also tend to look away just in case. I could see her arm swing as she went in for the stick out of the corner of my eye, and I actually felt faint that time. It didn't hurt- just scared the bejeezuz out of me. I guess that was her "style". I had to keep it together so I didn't make myself a liar.

Well....if she did hit a nerve you may have felt a kind of electric charge when she put in the needle. Do you have any numbness or tingling...or is it just pain?
This might sound odd but can you take a picture of it and post it? Its hard for me to understand what you mean when you say your vein is enlarged...is it bulging out of your skin or does it just look swollen?

I wonder if she did wiggle, I can't remember now.

I felt a tight nipping feeling which I guess is just the needle going through the skin. Yes, lots of numbness and tingling. When I have my arm folded up, it brings it on. I can't keep it folded for too long. I would out up a picture but it's not showing up very well. It varies, you see. It just looks like an ordinary vain but slightly raised (like when loads of blood is in your hand) right where she did it. And it looks slightly wider there as well and a small area behind it is a bit darker than the rest of the skin.

My mum recently had a blood test, a couple of weeks ago. She still has a bruise, where the needle was.

I found a web site you should check out http://umanitoba.fitdv.com/new/articles ... ?artid=383
I think some people just dont think they can hurt someone with a needle but it does happen. Like when you give an injections, if you hit the bone you can cause an infection and the patient can loose their arm. I was always very careful with people but Ive seen lots of them who just redirect the needle by turning it instead of pulling out and changing direction. Some people just dont think or they just have no compassion.

I read through that and it made for interesting reading, thanks. I would say that the pain is not as bad as described as in the article, it is more the tingling and numbness that is usually the problem. Also, I don't have anything in my other arm.

I got some pictures, although they are pretty bad. It will give you an idea of size and shape-

http://quikk.se/?daf38
http://quikk.se/?c05bc

Anyone notice anything in the pictures?

I got a A plus on my last blood test.


Yeah. They mangled the heck out of me one time. It took a couple weeks to heal up. It stinks. I'm sorry.