Today, I had a CT scan done with contrast. My tech seemed competent in his job so I wasn't nervous, until he tried to start my IV. It took him 3 attempts to get it right. Not only was I stuck 3 times, he also blew one of my veins. I now have severely bruised arms and what look like track marks. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I decided to give blood for the second time. I felt excrutiating pain when she stuck the needle in my arm. Another nurse came running over in a panic. Apparently my inexperienced nurse had put it in my tendon instead of my vein. FML
Today, I went to the hospital due to vomiting and abdominal pain, and they decided to fit me with an IV drip. It took several tries by two different people to get the cannula in. I feel like a human pin-cushion. FML
Today, I went to get my blood drawn to see how far along I am pregnant. The lady stuck both my arms twice and then busted a vein in my right arm. She told me to come back tomorrow to try again. FML
Today, I went to the blood bank to donate plasma. All went well until the machine went to return my red blood cells. It turns out the nurse sliced my vein and the blood built up in my tissues. I now have a massive swollen arm and bruising, and look like a junkie. FML
Today, I went to get an MRI for preventive care. The diagnosis was great, but I ended up having complications with the contrast, so now I have terrible muscle pain and have to see more doctors. I have mixed feelings. FML
Today, I had to go to the hospital to get blood taken. The nurse mentioned how pronounced and easy to see my veins are. I guess that explains why she missed five times in a row. I'm surprised my arm doesn't look like a heroin addict's right now. FML
Today, I was stuck in the ICU with my 10 month-old. They spent more than an hour and multiple pricks to get a vein for cannula. I had to endure and hold him down through all of it. Half and hour later, he promptly smeared poop all over his cannula bandage area during a diaper change. FML
Today, I needed to get blood drawn. Apparently, my veins are too thin and no blood would flow into the tube. I'm afraid of needles, and was just poked with some unsuccessfully, and I have to go back next week to try again. FML
Today, I went to the hospital for a scan. The tech went wide-eyed and stared at his screen in horror before realizing I could see him. He wouldn't tell me what he saw, apparently only my doctor is allowed to do that. So now I have to wait for god knows how long to get my results back. FML
Today, I fell and hit my head on hard concrete. When I went to the emergency room for a CT Scan, the nurse hit me in the head with an IV pole. FML
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Top comments
theblondeone 16
As a phlebotomist in a major hospital, this is extremely common and unavoidable, especially if you are dehydrated or have crappy veins. It's not necessarily the tech's fault.
MrsPegg 45
Try warm packs if you have bumps and cold packs for the bruises with some tylenol or ibuprofen and the bruises and bumps should clear up quickly. Hang in there OP and I hope your CT results come out ok. - Nurse Becca
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Comments (73)
tangerine06 20
The same thing happened to my mom and I almost fainted just from watching the nurse slide the needle in and out of my mom's arm over and over again.
PrestonWolf 13
Same thing happened to my brother his arm blew up like a balloon.
barelytalking 5
My life always!
Titan_Slayer 21
I had the exact same problem when getting contrast for my MRI. It seemed to work the second time until she blew out my vein. It ended up taking her three times with someone else to assist her the third time.
bluebari 17
Went to the ER, needed a CT. Took 5 people, 9 tries. Still didn't get the IV in. Had bruises all over both arms. Oh, and I'm afraid of needles....
allforfun 23
I have 20 years as a medic and now RN and I still miss. It happens.
tika12991 15
It happens. They do their best, but sometimes it's simply unavoidable. In saying that, I had to be in and out of hospital a bit a few years back, and because my veins are very hard to find, even to the most skilled of nurses, I actually asked them to bring in an ultrasound machine just to avoid this situation. If you find that you do have issues whenever you get a blood test, etc, this might be an option available in some places! THANK YOU to our wonderful nurses and doctors for all that you do!!
Medikid123 16
I can confirm that this sucks because it has happened to me many times. Sorry OP! Get better soon!
FeralPenguin23 3
That happens to me but I was stabbed like 10 times but my vein didn't break
tonyfan00 38
And this is where we try to find him a new job...