Question:
What is wrong with my vein?

I am 18 days post-op and my vein where I had an IV is really painful. It hurts more than the incision site from surgery. The vein is swollen, tender and tough for about 6 inches total before and after the IV site. What do I do for this?    — Cheri M. (posted on November 27, 2001)

November 27, 2001
Get thy butt to a doctor! You could have one of two things: (1) an infusion from the IV (basically, your IV fluids go into the skin surrounding the vein rather than into the vein itself or (2) an infection. In either case, you should definitely point it out to your doctor.
   — Terissa R.

November 27, 2001
I agree with the previous poster. On occasion IV placements do cause bacterial infections. The problem is it is in your blood and since you are recovering from surgery, you do not want this to become a systemic infection, you want to reserve all of your immunity for your recovery. I would see a doctor immediately. The other thing it could be is a hematoma (blood clot) and that is no better.
   — Tara J.

November 28, 2001
It sounds like you may have phlebitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessel where the IV was. You should contact your Dr. and in the meantime, warm, wet compresses might make it feel a little better. I got phlebitis when dontaing blood and it was not very comfortable, but easily resolved. Good Luck!
   — [Anonymous]

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