Sore lump in my arm

[novamay]

Hi, I've noticed that now that the swelling in my arm has gone down I still have a sore, warm, hard lump, 4-5 inches from the IV site towards the inside of my arm. Its about the size of a small egg. Think it might be phlebitis - hope its not DVT!!! Has anyone else had this after the IV and does it go away?

 

[chrisa]

Might be a bleed where it has been taken out i had one in my hand where the drip had been in, just felt it itchn n warm when i scratched without thinking saw trhe lump coming up but stayed there but not that big but couldnt have been any bigger on back of my hand, next day was all black. Ger it looked jus for peace of mind xx

 

[penelope1008]

It may be the needle moved & tissued that is some of the fluid went into your arm rather than the vein. Mine did for a long time & I was in a lot of discomfort from the area. My skin was tight, hot & uncomfortable.
A friend advised compression, elevation & massage. The massage is painful, but if kept up on a regular basis breaks down the inflamed area. You can feel the lumps of fluid under your skin & them almost popping as they are released. It took several days but worked eventually but as I say mine was several hours worth of tissuing & stretched from wrist to almost elbow. Hopefully yours is only a small area & easily eased.
Of course I may be wrong but may be worth a try.

 

[novamay]

OMG Penelope!!! mine's tiny compared to yours then. Its possibly that fluid has got to the tissue as my arm did swell after three days on the drip. Its not at the IV site - I think its along the vein line, further up the arm towards the elbow - I can see the vein clearly in the same area on the other arm.
I'm having my dressings changed this morning so will ask the nurse to check it out to put my mind at ease. Don't know if I could massage it though - its makes me go all cockily :0@

 

[penelope1008]

Not sure which was the worse the ache or the discomfort massaging it but the relief was also bliss. Compression, elevation pain killers & massage as a combination worked eventually. Hope you get some advice that's helps from nurse.

 

[novamay]

You were right - its nothing life threatening... It is where the fluids seeped through the veins. The nurse would have recommended antibis if it had been any warmer, but I think it had cooled down from the weekend. Just need to put cold flannels on it and it'll go by itself.

 

[Maz0106]

Hope it gets better Nova xx

 

[borogirl]

How are you getting on now Nova?

 

[penelope1008]

Hope the flannels are helping a ex-nurse colleague suggested the elevation, compression & massage as she used to do it with patients in same position. It took a few days to work if not a week but it worked.

 

[novamay]

Its getting smaller and less rounded - now just like a lumpy vein. I've not done much with it to be honest. Its not as painful/tender either so have been able to massage it a little.

 

[penelope1008]

Glad its easing & massage is helping, with lunch you'll soon be free of it & back to full working order. Take care Hun & good luck on your journey.