chl_hobbs
25-11-12, 16:22
Hi all,
10 days ago I was in hospital for suspected appendicitis (it turned out not to be), but whilst there I had to have an IV in my inner elbow for fluids and painkiller. The cannula really hurt whilst in, and I asked the nurses about 5 times to take it out. They all refused 'until you see a doctor', and when I saw a Dr, 8 hours later, she took it out.
Halfway down my arm along the vein, a red patch developed - not on the IV insertion site, but half way down towards the hand. It was itchy. I told the nurse and again she wasnt bothered.
I was discharged and the whole of the inner side of my forearm continued to be itchy and a discoloured round circle developed over the vein under the skin. I then got pins and needles in the hand, and a lot of pain and pressure up the whole arm.
Ive been to at least 3 different drs about this. None have seemed too bothered and have said it's phlebitis (inflammation of the vein). On Wed I went to A+E as it had gotten so bad that I almost had a major panic attack. They were very understanding and did a D-Dimer blood test for clots. It was negative and they said it's phlebitis without clots at the moment and gave me some antibiotics and painkillers.
Now Ive been reading that phlebitis can turn into a DVT if it continues for a long time, and mine has been 10 days now. Im so scared that Im going to get a DVT then a PE and no one will notice until it happens.
Earlier I got a sharp stabbing pain in my chest for literally 3 seconds and its really scared me.
Even though the D-Dimer blood test was negative, Ive convinced myself that in the space of 4 days,its changed to a DVT and now Im getting a PE.
Im at my mums at the moment as my grandad is VERY sick, and we are caring for him. She's looked at the arm and shes said it looks no different but I think the veins are more inflamed and the arm is swollen (it isnt red or hot).
I hate this. I feel on the edge of panic. Please if anyones got any advice id be so grateful
Charlotte x
10 days ago I was in hospital for suspected appendicitis (it turned out not to be), but whilst there I had to have an IV in my inner elbow for fluids and painkiller. The cannula really hurt whilst in, and I asked the nurses about 5 times to take it out. They all refused 'until you see a doctor', and when I saw a Dr, 8 hours later, she took it out.
Halfway down my arm along the vein, a red patch developed - not on the IV insertion site, but half way down towards the hand. It was itchy. I told the nurse and again she wasnt bothered.
I was discharged and the whole of the inner side of my forearm continued to be itchy and a discoloured round circle developed over the vein under the skin. I then got pins and needles in the hand, and a lot of pain and pressure up the whole arm.
Ive been to at least 3 different drs about this. None have seemed too bothered and have said it's phlebitis (inflammation of the vein). On Wed I went to A+E as it had gotten so bad that I almost had a major panic attack. They were very understanding and did a D-Dimer blood test for clots. It was negative and they said it's phlebitis without clots at the moment and gave me some antibiotics and painkillers.
Now Ive been reading that phlebitis can turn into a DVT if it continues for a long time, and mine has been 10 days now. Im so scared that Im going to get a DVT then a PE and no one will notice until it happens.
Earlier I got a sharp stabbing pain in my chest for literally 3 seconds and its really scared me.
Even though the D-Dimer blood test was negative, Ive convinced myself that in the space of 4 days,its changed to a DVT and now Im getting a PE.
Im at my mums at the moment as my grandad is VERY sick, and we are caring for him. She's looked at the arm and shes said it looks no different but I think the veins are more inflamed and the arm is swollen (it isnt red or hot).
I hate this. I feel on the edge of panic. Please if anyones got any advice id be so grateful
Charlotte x