[Stori2007]

Last Thursday I had labs drawn. The tech prepped me in an area that never has been drawn. I have small veins that roll. It started okay but then the blood stop flowing so for the next 2 minutes she dug in my arm with the needle (they have to use butterfly). I have a bruise the size of a half dollar. I had a knot the size of a dime for four days. Now I cannot lift anything with any weight (not even a gallon of milk). The tech did this in my right arm and I am right handed. How long is this going to last? What can I do to make it heal faster?

[Fr_Chuck]

Sorry for your issues, I always ask the experience of the tech, and after a few digs, order them to stop and use other spot. Remember you are still in charge.

Mine are almost impossible to find and so the same thing, so if the tech does not have over a year of experience, I normally refuse to allow them to try. I have even went as far as requesting their supervisor be present if I have had isues at a location before.

[Alty]

Do not lift anything heavy with that arm until it heals. Try a heat pack on the area, that may help, or an ice pack if the heat doesn't work.

If you let the area rest, don't lift anything, not even a purse on that arm if you're female, it should be gone if a few days.

I don't bruise easily, and have very easy veins to draw from. In fact, I'm often asked to come to class trips to show kids how drawing blood isn't a big deal. But even with that, after getting a blood test I'm always told not to lift anything with that arm for a few days. To not even put my purse on the shoulder of the arm that was drawn from, otherwise it can cause a bruise, or a lump.

It sounds like you've been lifting things with that arm, and have actually made what should have been a minor issue, into a major one.

Let that arm rest.