Health: Today, I had a CT scan done with contrast. My tech seemed competent...

By pincushion - 31/12/2015 05:47 - United States - San Francisco

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

I agree, your life sucks 20 123

You deserved it 1 636

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Same thing different taste

By Anonymous - 28/05/2009 04:19 - United States

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

I agree, your life sucks 70 293

You deserved it 2 917

By Anonymous - 27/06/2014 17:32 - Japan - Yokohama

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

I agree, your life sucks 38 833

You deserved it 4 509

By Boo Boo - 22/01/2012 04:23 - United States

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

I agree, your life sucks 32 114

You deserved it 2 468

By blinkanimgone - 01/09/2010 11:08 - Australia

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

I agree, your life sucks 32 436

You deserved it 2 636

Tell us more

By Anonymous - 13/05/2023 03:00 - United States - Chicago Ridge

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

I agree, your life sucks 642

You deserved it 108

By Anonymous - 27/07/2014 16:13 - United States - Rockville Centre

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

I agree, your life sucks 41 442

You deserved it 3 088

Brave little boy

By Anonymous - 07/09/2022 11:30

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

I agree, your life sucks 947

You deserved it 145

By Anonymous - 24/06/2019 12:00

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

I agree, your life sucks 1 640

You deserved it 173

By Anonymous - 12/10/2015 02:02 - United States

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

I agree, your life sucks 30 050

You deserved it 1 688

By mark807 - 28/04/2012 06:52 - United States - Pittsburgh

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

I agree, your life sucks 30 501

You deserved it 2 168

theblondeone 16

Thursday 31 December 2015 12:42

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

Thursday 31 December 2015 11:46

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

Comments

tangerine06 20

Friday 1 January 2016 1:59

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

Friday 1 January 2016 2:37

Same thing happened to my brother his arm blew up like a balloon.

barelytalking 5

Friday 1 January 2016 2:54

My life always!

Titan_Slayer 21

Friday 1 January 2016 3:55

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

Friday 1 January 2016 5:10

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

Friday 1 January 2016 7:37

I have 20 years as a medic and now RN and I still miss. It happens.

tika12991 15

Friday 1 January 2016 8:19

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!!