Anyone who has been on a drip - help!

[Anonymous]

This is completely off topic but I need advice from you good people!  

When I was in hospital on Sunday I was on a drip and the cannula was put in the back of my wrist.  I can hardly see the place it went in but my wrist is very swollen and painful - I can't stand anything touching it.  Is that normal?  It's years since I was last on a drip but I can't remember it hurting like this!  I also had bloods taken from the underside of my wrist but that has only bruised (a lovely range of colours now!), the pain is on the top.

As I said, completely off topic but this forum is a great place for all sorts of advice!

[Anonymous]

@Cleoriff I believe your expertise is required here.

[Anonymous]

Thanks BoB, I forgot Cleoriff is a nurse!

See what I mean about a great place to get advice?!  This forum is worth joining O2 for on it's own!

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:

This is completely off topic but I need advice from you good people!  

When I was in hospital on Sunday I was on a drip and the cannula was put in the back of my wrist.  I can hardly see the place it went in but my wrist is very swollen and painful - I can't stand anything touching it.  Is that normal?  It's years since I was last on a drip but I can't remember it hurting like this!  I also had bloods taken from the underside of my wrist but that has only bruised (a lovely range of colours now!), the pain is on the top.

As I said, completely off topic but this forum is a great place for all sorts of advice!

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Hi @Anonymous It isnt normal for your wrist to be like that particularly when the intravenous drip has

been discontinued and cannula removed. I would imagine that the drip 'tissued' as it was being

removed (that means fluid going into the tissues instead of the vein)

Or if someone was a bit 'rough' when they removed it then damage may have been caused to

the tissues or vein, causing bruising and swelling

The worse scenario is infection (which is very rare but can happen) Either way Tracey, if its the same

tomorrow when you get up then pop and see your GP.

Try and taken some paracetamol for pain and swelling. Raise your arm on a pillow tonight and see

how it is tomorrow. I hope that helps?

[Anonymous]

Thank you  @Cleoriff , that's a big help.  I'll keep an eye on it and get it looked at if it doesn't ease off.  The last thing I need is an infection in my wrist!

[Cleoriff]

Its a pleasure @Anonymous  Hope it is better tomorrow. If it is still red swollen and painful, then

please see your GP....as you say you dont need an infection (Particularly if you have surgery planned

soon?)

[Anonymous]

Some ibuprofen or aspirin would also help take the swelling down

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Some ibuprofen or aspirin would also help take the swelling down

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I wouldn't actually recommend Asprin as there may have been slight blood vessel damage which

would be exacerbated by the use of Aspirin

Paracetamol would be the drug of choice for medical professionals.

[jonsie]

Serves as a lesson to us all, never give medical advice unless qualified to do so. Think of possible consequences.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the expertise, @Cleoriff

I had a drip in my hand a few times and I thought that the pain was normal.