Experiencing Persistent Nerve Pain After ABG Procedure
Age: 22, Weight: 61 kg, Height: 165 cm Greetings, fellow Redditors, particularly those in the medical field. I'm feeling quite distressed as I struggle with an inability to fully extend my left arm due to ongoing nerve pain, which presents itself like an electric shock each time I try to move it. This issue arose after I was hospitalized for dehydration, during which a nurse inadvertently impacted a nerve while performing an arterial blood gas (ABG) test. The sensation was excruciating and left me quite shaken. I’m deeply concerned about the possibility of lasting damage, as it has significantly hindered my daily activities. Being a nurse myself, this raises worries about my ability to perform my job effectively. Is this experience common? How long is the recovery period? Am I at risk of never returning to normal function? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. 🥺
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 3:10:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about the persistent nerve pain you're experiencing after the ABG procedure. This situation can understandably cause concern, especially given your profession and daily demands. Here’s a structured response to your concerns:
Main Points:
- Nerve damage following a medical procedure, while not common, can occur, but many people recover fully over time.
- Recovery time varies; it can take weeks to months.
- There are steps you can take to manage your symptoms and aid recovery.
Explanation:
Nerve injuries can happen if a needle or other instrument inadvertently impacts a nerve. Symptoms like electric shock sensations or difficulty moving the affected limb can arise from this. The severity and duration of these symptoms depend on the extent of the nerve damage. Many people experience improvement over time as the nerve heals, but the process can be slow.
Next Steps:
-
Limit Strain on Your Arm: Avoid activities that require significant use or strain of the arm. Rest is crucial to prevent further irritation.
-
Manage Pain: Over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help with managing the pain. Ensure you follow the recommended dosages.
-
Gentle Movement: Once the acute pain lessens, carefully begin gentle stretching and mobility exercises to maintain range of motion. Consider specific exercises targeting nerve mobility, but avoid pain during these exercises.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your pain levels and any changes in your ability to move your arm. Note if symptoms worsen or improve over time.
-
Consider Heat or Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area may provide relief. Start with whichever feels better to you.
-
Seek Guidance: If symptoms persist or worsen after a few weeks, consider discussing them with a healthcare professional familiar with nerve injuries, as they can provide tailored advice or therapies.
It's natural to worry about long-term implications, but many people do experience full recovery from nerve injuries. Take things one step at a time, and be kind to yourself during this healing process. Let me know if you need more specific tips or information!
Related Questions
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?