Concern Regarding Nerve Injury?
Hello everyone, I’m a 42-year-old female in generally good health. I don’t smoke, drink infrequently, and am the mother of four. Standing at 5'4" and weighing 70.5 kg, I manage my ADHD with Concerta and Wellbutrin, and I take a low dose of allergy medication daily. I don’t have any significant health issues or major worries. Recently, I underwent a routine colonoscopy under anesthesia, as recommended by age and family history; thankfully, everything appeared normal. During the IV insertion process, the medical technician, possibly a certified nursing assistant, struggled repeatedly to find a vein. After several unsuccessful attempts, they perforated the vein in my hand before switching to my other arm, where they also encountered difficulties. In a moment of frustration, the technician began to move the needle erratically, which resulted in an intense electric shock sensation shooting down my arm to my thumb. The shock was profound, causing me to burst into tears. I have experienced various surgical procedures, including C-sections, but this sensation was unprecedented for me. The shocking, zapping feeling persisted throughout the pre-operative phase. Ultimately, the lead anesthesiologist had to be called in to successfully place the IV, though I was left in a bit of a mess, as my support person later described the situation with distress. During the procedure itself, I was oblivious to the chaos, but afterward, I took 800 mg of Motrin for the day. However, since then, I have been struggling with a persistent stinging sensation that radiates from my forearm to my thumb whenever I flex my wrist or thumb. It even became painful to give a thumbs-up or push my son on the swings today. This discomfort isn’t constant and is primarily located around the radial nerve region. I’m beginning to suspect that I may have sustained some type of injury to the radial nerve. Should I seek medical attention for this, request a referral, or simply manage the pain with Motrin? I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this matter!
Answers (1)
9/2/2025, 10:50:35 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve had a very difficult experience during your recent procedure, and it’s understandable to be concerned about the sensations you're currently experiencing. The stinging and pain shooting from your forearm to your thumb, especially after the IV insertion, may indicate irritation or compression of the radial nerve. While this might resolve on its own, monitoring your symptoms is essential.
Explanation
During IV insertion, multiple attempts can cause irritation to surrounding nerves and tissues. The "electric shock" sensation you described suggests there could have been some temporary nerve irritation. This is not uncommon, but the discomfort you're feeling now, especially with actions such as flexing your wrist and thumb, warrants attention.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how the pain or stinging changes over the next few days: note when it worsens and any activities that might aggravate it.
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Self-Care:
- Rest: Try to avoid activities that cause pain, like giving a thumbs-up or other wrist movements that exacerbate the stinging sensation.
- Ice Applications: Applying ice to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Use for 15-20 minutes several times a day.
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Medication: Continue taking over-the-counter pain relief (like Motrin) as needed, but do not exceed the recommended dosage.
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Evaluate the Need for Medical Attention:
- If your symptoms worsen or persist significantly beyond a week, or if you develop new symptoms like numbness or weakness in your hand or inability to use your thumb, it would be wise to seek medical advice. At that point, you might want to consider a referral for a specialist evaluation or imaging if indicated.
Feel assured that many cases of nerve irritation after such incidents resolve with time and rest. However, staying attentive to how your symptoms evolve is key. If you have any further questions or need reassurance, feel free to reach out!
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