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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness At Blood Withdrawal Site?

I had blood drawn one week ago; during the draw I felt pain and electric shock below the location of venipuncture (elbow). After blood collection, I noticed my forearm on the thumb side was completely numb. It is still numb - the area experiencing numbness is growing. The numb area appears slightly swollen, but no bruising evident. I am still experiencing shocks when I put arm down at side or attempt to pick something up (like a glass of water). I am also having a feeling like skin ripping or hair pilling in the area that appears slightly swollen (also the area that is the most numb). I went back to the doc; suggested taking NSAIDs. If not better by tomorrow, steroids. After a week should this still be getting worse? I already take Lyrica for other nerve issues related to posterior fossa decompression for arachnoid cyst/chiari malformation/syringomyelia. Quite frankly, I am surprised at the level of nerve pain I am feeling. What should I be doing?
Tue, 24 Mar 2015
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Neurologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern.

It seems obvious that you doubt aboit the procedure somehow affected on the nerve causing these symptoms.

The doctor put you on NSAID and then on steroids because probably the surrounding inflammated tissues compressed the nerve, thus anti inflammatory drugs could reveal the symptoms.

It highly improbable that the procedure itself damaged directly the nerve.

So, I recommend taking Lyrica again and schedule an electromyogramm and nerve conduction study.

These would help a lot on better understanding the situation.

Hope this helps

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What Causes Numbness At Blood Withdrawal Site?

Hello. I have been through your question and understand your concern. It seems obvious that you doubt aboit the procedure somehow affected on the nerve causing these symptoms. The doctor put you on NSAID and then on steroids because probably the surrounding inflammated tissues compressed the nerve, thus anti inflammatory drugs could reveal the symptoms. It highly improbable that the procedure itself damaged directly the nerve. So, I recommend taking Lyrica again and schedule an electromyogramm and nerve conduction study. These would help a lot on better understanding the situation. Hope this helps Please feel free using MHC again