Hit a nerve during foot draw!

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dsv
dsv Member Posts: 16
edited November 2014 in Lymphedema

I have had foot draws since my bilateral mastectomy without problems.  I have mild lymphedema on left side and don't want to take chances with right arm.  My blood draws are always done at the hospital.  A couple of weeks ago I needed blood work for genetic testing and  after getting the run around at the hospital I returned to my oncologist office.  The nurse there said she hadn't done a foot draw since she finished nursing school 20 years before but that she could do it.  When she stuck the needle in my foot I immediately felt like my toes were going to explode!  She pulled the needle out and then drew blood successfully from my other foot.  I left and felt fine but since that evening my foot hurts to walk on it.  If I barely touch it, it feels like an electrical shock going through it.  No doubt she hit a nerve!  My question....has this happened to anyone here and what did you do for it...how long before it felt better?  I have not been back but will be calling Monday.  Thank you ladies

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2014

    Hi dsv, first, Im always sorry to hear when folks get the runaround. I think a lot of us can identify at some stage in our treatment with that, and I'm in that camp too. Second, yes it's happened to me, only mine was placed by my BS for a sedative for a procedure I was having. Without looking I can't remember how long ago that was, but just off the cuff hubby and I reckon about 2yr ago. Not sure, but my needle may have been a little larger than that used for a typical blood draw. Anyway, It F.L.I.P.P.I.N. HURT! as in, you just about go through the roof. For sure it was a hit nerve and I was terrified that it was something permanent. Fortunately it's come right but it took a long time. I remember it as many months, and maybe over a year, but it's one of those things that just slowly got better so I don't have a definite time it didn't bother me anymore. As for the pain, having peripheral neuropathy certainly didn't help and my 4th toe got aches, numbness, pins and needles and burning sensations. It also got cold before other toes. There was nothing I took but just rode it out. Take heart that it should mend with time, but I hope your heals a lot quicker than mine!

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  • dsv
    dsv Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2014


    Thanks Musical!  I guess all I can do is wait and see.  I do get the electrical shock feeling and burning sensation.  What the heck because we are trying to avoid more problems and then this!  Take care and God bless!

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  • cinnamonsmiles
    cinnamonsmiles Member Posts: 779
    edited November 2014

    I had read your post shortly after you wrote it and want to thank you for sharing! I had a foot draw a few days ago and as the phlebotomist was finishing,I felt a sharp pain that went to my big toe! Because you shared, I knew what happened and told the lady to take it now, that it was hurting really bad! She told me it can't be hurting that bad. I told her that I could feel pain to my toe! After it was out and she was putting a bandage on me, she admitted she may have accidently pushed the needle in and hit a nerve when taking the tourniquet out.

    I wasn't happy it happened, but appreciated her admission that she did it.

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