Dis Doctors...Swelling in IV Arm Two Weeks After Surgery?

[ilovefh]

I had my gallbladder out on 12/22 and everything is healing fine in that respect but I am having a problem in my arm.

The IV site on the top of my left hand has been sore the whole time. I just chalked it up to the IV healing. About 5 days ago the pain started spreading up my arm. I again didn't think too much of it until I woke up yesterday morning with lines on my skin where the blood vessels are and swelling. I called the on call surgeon who told me to go to the ER and rule out a clot and infection.

I spent the day there yesterday and my bloodwork came back fine so they said no infection. They did an xray and that was clear. They also did an ultrasound of the deep veins and there is no clot in the deep veins. The tech did run the ultrasound over the area that is swollen (the top of my hand, wrist and arm) and said it had fluid in it.

The nurse practitioner who treated me was stumped. She consulted with the on call surgeon and they called it a hematoma and told me to put a warm/ cold compresses on it and followup with my surgeon on Monday.

This morning it is more swollen and more painful and my fingers are tingly.

I will be calling the surgeon tomorrow to followup, but in the meantime does anyone have any experience with this? If so how long did it take the heal? Did the warm/cold compresses work?

Thanks!

 

[abdmom]

I'd go back to the ER. This type of swelling is NOT normal. The tingling means your nerves are being damaged.

 

[zurgswife]

I agree that type of issue is not normal and your symptoms mean there are issues even if they say the first ER visit everything it normal. Go back to the ER and don't wait for the Dr tomorrow.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go to the ER as it is worse.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'd go back to the ER. This type of swelling is NOT normal. The tingling means your nerves are being damaged.

I agree.
And, even if the tests they did all looked normal yesterday, you have a change in symptoms today - it is worse. It's possible that yesterday it was too early in the course of whatever is going on to show changes in the tests they did.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I agree.
And, even if the tests they did all looked normal yesterday, you have a change in symptoms today - it is worse. It's possible that yesterday it was too early in the course of whatever is going on to show changes in the tests they did.

I agree.

My biggest concerns would be cellulitis and a blood clot.

Hope it all turns out ok.

 

[sweetdana]

I agree possible blood clot. Especially with it moving. ER.

 

[matt98378]

DH says to go back to the er. He would be worried that it is a clot they missed or an abscess. They need to do a CT scan.

 

[npmommie]

OP did you go back to the doctor?
How was the IV site in the hospital? Was it swollen, did it leak?
You may have had an infiltrate. That can cause nerve damage if not treated and/or infection.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Any update OP? Hope you are ok!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hopefully she got another opinion.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Agree. Maybe she is hospitalized! OP, how are you doing?

 

[npmommie]

things must hopefully be ok, she posted this am on the teacher rant thread.

OP update us when you can.

 

[ilovefh]

Thanks everyone! Yes I'm okay. I'm actually waiting in the surgeon's office right now. I'll let you know what he thinks!

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks everyone! Yes I'm okay. I'm actually waiting in the surgeon's office right now. I'll let you know what he thinks!

Good luck

 

[ilovefh]

So the diagnosis is....phlebitis. They say the solution in warm compresses, ibuprofen, and antibiotics just in case. When I first talked to the nurse she said that swelling is totally normal after an iv. I pushed her to ask the doctor because the swelling didn't start until almost two weeks after the iv. Thankfully the doctor knew it wasn't normal and told her to fit me in. Now I'm just hoping this goes away fast!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So the diagnosis is....phlebitis. They say the solution in warm compresses, ibuprofen, and antibiotics just in case. When I first talked to the nurse she said that swelling is totally normal after an iv. I pushed her to ask the doctor because the swelling didn't start until almost two weeks after the iv. Thankfully the doctor knew it wasn't normal and told her to fit me in. Now I'm just hoping this goes away fast!

Good for you. You have to be pushy these days. Good Luck on your recovery.

 

[agnes!]

Glad you got seen OP, hope everything heals up quick and your arm is back to normal soon.

agnes!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So the diagnosis is....phlebitis. They say the solution in warm compresses, ibuprofen, and antibiotics just in case. When I first talked to the nurse she said that swelling is totally normal after an iv. I pushed her to ask the doctor because the swelling didn't start until almost two weeks after the iv. Thankfully the doctor knew it wasn't normal and told her to fit me in. Now I'm just hoping this goes away fast!

I had phlebitis written out and I erased it!

I am surprised they didn't order antibiotics the first time around, in the ER.

A small bit of swelling after an IV may be "normal", but a lot of swelling, pain and redness is not.

Hope you feel better soon.