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Joint, muscle damage from I.V when the EMT was putting in the line..
I'm not sure what happened so maybe someone here can.
I had to go to the ER by ambulance and I lived out on a really bumpy rough road and asked the EMT to please not do the IV while the other EMT was driving. "I'm a pro you're going to be fine" no please don't, and I think she had enough of being thrown around and had him stop. She did not attempt the IV prior because I wouldn't let her touch me. She inserted the IV and I immediately told her that it wasn't right and I was in a lot of pain and to please fix it. I have piercings and tattoos but, I don't like needles and if I'm telling you that I want you to take the IV out and restick me, you know it was serious. I have a extremely high pain tolerance and I was just like wow. I get to the ER and I asked them to take it out and redo it and how extremely painful it was and I'm in tears by now... Nope they flushed it and said it was fine.
So ever since I had the IV from hell I feel it coming on., it starts in my elbow where, in the arm I had the IV, I feel a pain/ache and it goes up my arm into my shoulder and down into my chest area. I'm not having a heart attack but it wakes me up when I'm sleeping sometimes. And I don't have a way to get it to go away. It comes sporadically. I'll have it happen 6 times in 1 day and then it won't happen again for weeks.
I never had this happen before until I got that IV. I don't have a elbow or arm injury or anything in the past. I'm completely clueless.
The only thing I can think of is the IV but what could it have damaged?
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It sounds like they damaged a nerve. As a previous RN I have seen it happen where they get too close or damage a nerve or tendon. It is extremely painful on the patient and the IV should have been removed if it was causing you that much pain.
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1 Reaction@crystald716
What injury caused you to be taken in an ambulance and to the ER? Did you injure your neck? Are your veins easy to find/see in your elbow or did they not find a place easily to insert the IV? Have you had problems with IVs before and have you had an IV in this elbow joint before? You may need to see a hand/arm specialist and/or neurologist to get an EMG nerve conduction study to check upper peripheral nerves. If nerve injury was caused, you may want to get an injury lawyer.
Good advice Hope.
Crystal, I'd start with a Dr. of Physical Medicine. These Drs used to be called sports Drs and they are usually part of an orthopedic group. They are like PCPs but for purely physical issues.
They are very knowledgeable and can usually identify what is causing something and get you to the right specialist. Absent that, I'd start with a neurologist because this really sounds nerve-related.
All the best, and please keep us posted.
Joe
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1 ReactionI have experienced nerve injuries two different times. One time it was from a dental shot and another it was from a surgical IV, and it went down into my hand. Nothing I did to get rid of it helped, and both times it was weeks before the pain gradually faded away. I only mention this to let you know that it may be temporary, however since yours is so extensive, it would be wise to consult with a neurologist. At least they can evaluate to see what treatment, if any, needs to be done.
Besides pain did you have other symptoms from the IV?, swelling, skin color changes, bruising? How long was the catheter in your vein?
There should be no pain once the needle is placed. As suggested by others a neurologist may figure out the cause and suggest treatment. The EMT and ER staff failed you by ignoring your complaints.
@crystald716 as a retired nurse who’s inserted thousands of IV’s I’m not surprised. The main idea behind accessing an IV in the field is quick access in the event of a more emergent situation either in the ambulance or in the ER. That is the main concern of the EMT. You should have pulled out the IV on your own or threaten to next time. Did they place the IV in your elbow joint? They are supposed to place them closer to your wrist between elbow and wrist so that there are still viable veins to puncture above the IV in case your vein blows or a situation like yours. They may have hit a valve in your vein causing such discomfort. These valves prevent blood back flowing in your veins and are all over your body. You may have to think outside the box for a fix. Maybe acupuncture as an option or maybe a TENS Unit to distract the pain signal from your arm? Hope you find relief.