Big Bruise

[frogrun]

I just had an endoscopy on Wednesday and the nurse gave me a big bruise when she put in my IV. That wasn

[Jestgar]

If it concerns you at all, call your doctor. No. it's not an emergency, but they should be able to tell you over the phone what they think. And then you'll know how to feel about it.

[mommida]

Call the doctor. I would have it looked at, not just an over the phone opinion.

[ravenwoodglass]

  mommida said:

Call the doctor. I would have it looked at, not just an over the phone opinion.

I agree, if the bruise is still spreading you are still bleeding under the skin. While this is not a life threatening thing there are some things your doctor should check for.

[mushroom]

I just had this happen with a routine blood draw. The phlebotomist told me I was going to have a bruise, but I think she must have destroyed my vein. The thing kept oozing for a week until it was 8 x 4 inches in size. Then finally it stopped and has now been resorbed (after three weeks) but it looked pretty awful. I won't be going back to her again!

[tarnalberry]

Have you had this happen before? And are you on any medications/supplements that can thin the blood (including many herbals, high-dose omega-3, etc.)?

Like everyone else said, I wouldn't worry about it, but you probably want to call your doctor to let them know. I bruise when I give blood quite easily (though I coagulate just fine in general), and it's likely a combination of the supplements, not using enough pressure to close the wound, doing too much with the arm after the draw, and just me. Ice on the draw site helps significantly, but it has to be used at the time of the draw.

If the bruise, though "growing" is starting to fade (or has been changing colors to be less "bright"), I would be very much NOT worried (bruises on veins often spread significantly as they heal), but still call your doctor, describe the details to them, and let them figure out if you should come in.

[jerseyangel]

Most definately, give your doctor's office a call and let them know what's going on.

I've had this happen with an IV--it seemed to get worse for a few days afterward. The nurse who looked at it said it would be fine, and it did resolve on it's own.

Your own doctor though, will be aware of any other conditions/concerns you may have, and it's always best to check in with them

[frogrun]

This has never happened to me before. In fact, I've never had a bruise this large before. It has even grown since this morning and it is beginning to turn more pink/red than it was before. I called my doctor's office, but I haven't heard anything back yet...but you know how that goes...hopefully I hear back from them before 5.