severe acute pain
In August of '02 I had my gall bladder removed. I had an ache around the I.V. site (back of left hand), but no abnormal swelling or redness. Within 2 weeks I began experiencing episodes of severe acute pain in my upper left arm...a piercing pain like a deep puncture wound. These occured as often as 4 times a day without apparent connection to activity or environment. When I returned to the surgeon's office for a checkup, I asked about this. A nurse nodded her head and said I had contracted phlebitis from the I.V. She said to apply moist heat. I tried this and it seemed to help. I also began wearing a thermal undershirt to bed to keep my arm and shoulder warm. The attacks subsided to maybe 1 in 6 weeks or so. Within the last two weeks the episodes have returned to a daily level. the worst of the pain only lasts a couple of minutes, but it really gets your attention. I've only had a couple while driving, and have thus far avoided wrecking the van. does this really sound like phlebitis?
