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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Be Worried About The Numbness In Arms After Blood Donation?

Hi, I donated blood 3 days ago and have been experiencing pain, tingling and numbness in both my arms. I developed a large bruise around the site of the needle and splotchy discolored areas surrounding the bruise. I am 120 lbs and 5 9 so I didn t qualify as being underweight. Is this normal or is something wrong?
Thu, 29 May 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
hi there thanks for asking this on HCM, first i would like to congratulate you for coming forward donating blood. the pain and tingling sensation you are experiencing IS DUE TO THE BLOOD DRAW! The Phlebotomist obviously missed the vein, was partially in the vein and partially out of the vein at times. If there is a dark bruise at the spot, it is called a hematoma. Your arm is inflamed due to the bad technique. The needle should have been pulled out and another site found. The problem may be due to the substance used that helps thin the blood for better flow thru the machine used that takes the blood and separates it into the different elements used for donation. Most times they are not just taking "whole blood". This substance is an irritant to tissues outside the vein (due to bad stick at beginning of donation it may have leaked outside the vein somewhat) and will cause inflammation and pain. sorry to say it takes a few days to get better.but no need to worry for it .
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Should I Be Worried About The Numbness In Arms After Blood Donation?

hi there thanks for asking this on HCM, first i would like to congratulate you for coming forward donating blood. the pain and tingling sensation you are experiencing IS DUE TO THE BLOOD DRAW! The Phlebotomist obviously missed the vein, was partially in the vein and partially out of the vein at times. If there is a dark bruise at the spot, it is called a hematoma. Your arm is inflamed due to the bad technique. The needle should have been pulled out and another site found. The problem may be due to the substance used that helps thin the blood for better flow thru the machine used that takes the blood and separates it into the different elements used for donation. Most times they are not just taking whole blood . This substance is an irritant to tissues outside the vein (due to bad stick at beginning of donation it may have leaked outside the vein somewhat) and will cause inflammation and pain. sorry to say it takes a few days to get better.but no need to worry for it .