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Horrible Bruising On Arm After Blood Test?

HAK1031

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HAK1031 Enthusiast
HAK1031
Posted

This isn't strictgly celiac related but...I had a genetics test on monday. I was really impressed that the phlebotomist (buzzword of the day!) got the needle in on the first stick... my veins are tricky. It didn't hurt at all. Then, about 10 minutes after, my arm started to get really sore, and the rest of that day I could hardly move it. It's been sore since, and the bruise finally popped up. Usually I get a quarter-sixed bruise right over the sight of the needle stick. This time, I have a pattern of bruising extending all down my forearm and up my bicep. It's not especially dark, just big. It does still hurt a lot though. Anyone ever have this happen?

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mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

Yes, that has happened to me. The blood draw I had went very at first, just like you described. I was just going to put my jacket on to leave when I noticed that I was bleeding and my shirt sleeve was all bloody about five inches above my elbow and dripping from my hand. The nurse rubbed it applied pressure to stop it. It must have kept bleeding internally, causing the same amount of bruising you described.

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

Yep, I have had brusing, it is very normal. When I was doing IVF treatments last year, some of the shots I took in my stomach I would get very ugly brusing, it just means you hit a vein, harmless.

HAK1031 Enthusiast
HAK1031
Posted
  • Author

OK, thanks! It's just weird, and it looks like I got beaten up :-)

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

One thing that may help prevent this is when they are done drawing and put the pad on hold it with your arm straight for a bit until it stops bleeding rather than bending it up. The last 2 years before diagnosis I regularly had to have 20 tubes drawn at a one time. I couldn't believe it the first time they lined up those tubes. Thank goodness Strong had good phlebotomists. Too bad they never found anything. Anyway keeping my arm straight helps a great deal with the bruising and it was one of the Strong nurses that gave me the hint.

loco-ladi Contributor
loco-ladi
Posted

Yup thats me to a tee, lol every time!

will try the straight arm trick next time and see if it helps thx!

kevsmom Contributor
kevsmom
Posted

If this only occurs when you have blood drawn, I wouldn't worry about it. "Abnormal" bruising can be a sign of low vitamin K. Vitamin K is what aids in clotting the blood. If you continue to bruise, I would check with your doctor to see if he/she wants to get a vitamin K level (Which would involve getting another blood test :o ) or add a gluten free supplement to your routine.

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confusedks Enthusiast
confusedks
Posted

I was at my Dr's office about a week ago and they took blood from a patient who happened to be a Dr. and he put his arm up and elevated it without bending it.

I thought it was interesting...he must have known what he was doing.

Kassandra

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I usually bruise after I have blood drawn - whether for a test or for a donation. I've done a lot of blood drives (I'm pretty sure I'm over 10 between the two states I've done now), and they've *ALWAYS* done a straight arm raise with pressure after the needle's removed - *NEVER* bending an arm. The bruising has usually been moderate after that.

One time, during a blood drive, they did manage to hit the nerve on the back side of a vein, and my arm started to hurt like crazy - burning all up and down from the needle site. It was horrid, and I almost didn't make it through the donation because it was so excruciating. It cleared up over the next few hours, and did bleed, 'cause it's hard to get *both* sides of the vein to close up well, though not as bad of a bruise as yours.

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