Screwed 3/4" long screw into my hand, then something wierd happened.

AaronB

Golden Member
Dec 25, 2002
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The story is sort of long but read it anyway. ADD won't kill you and I want some opinions on what the heck happened to me. ;)

So, I was holding a part with my left hand and trying to screw a small 1 inch long machine screw into it using a cordless drill in my right hand. The screw wasn't an exact fit for the hole but it was close so I got it started and like an idiot, pressed the trigger on the drill all the way. (2000rpm DeWalt)

The screw snapped off 1/4" into the part and the rest off it, with a sharp jagged end, drilled right into my hand at the base of the index finger. From what I could tell it went right into the bone because it was very rigid when I tried to pull it out. It also went in perfectly centered on the bone and my skin won't deflect nearly enough to allow it to miss. I mention this for a reason.

Anyhow, it really didn't hurt much, just a dull throb and there was almost no blood. After trying to pull the screw out with no movement from it, I went inside to sit down while I pondered unscrewing this thing out of my hand or going to a doctor. I wasn't really bothered by it, the site of blood doesn't make me sick, and there was very little pain so I have no explanation for what happened next.

While I was sitting there, sort of watching a show on the History Channel, I was suddenly hit with the most intense lightheaded and dizzy feeling you could possibly imagine. In less than 2 seconds I went from feeling fine to being unable to sit up. I sagged back on the couch, the room was spinning, a metallic taste filled my mouth, and I started sweating bullets. If I had been standing I wouldn't have even been able to sit down before collapsing on the floor. The screw hadn't bothered me, but this downright scared me. I couldn't even hold my head up, as if I had lost almost all motor control.

I don't know how long the event lasted but it seemed as if it passed after a minute or so. As soon as I could, I quickly unscrewed the screw from my hand and stumbled into the shower. My clothes had been literally soaked with sweat that quickly.

So, anyone got any guesses as to what the heck that was all about. Within 15 or 20 minutes I was fine again. As if nothing had ever happened. Was the screw possibly pressing on a nerve?

Oh yeah, here is a pic. It is safe to click on, no more graphic than a picture of a thumbtack in someone's hand.
 

ROTC1983

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2002
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Go see a doctor...stat...you never know what it might have hit or what else is damage.
 

ArJuN

Platinum Member
Aug 13, 2005
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Was it a feelig of getting high? Or losing consciousness...or however you spell that word.
 
Dec 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: Citrix
delayed shock.

Sounds exactly like that.

All in all, go see a doctor ASAP. Never know what was on that screw when it punched through your skin.
 
Jun 27, 2005
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Painful invasive injury = good adrenaline rush.
Adrenaline rush = no pain/no big deal.
Adrenaline rush ends = WTFBBQ!!!

 

AaronB

Golden Member
Dec 25, 2002
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Originally posted by: ArJuN
Was it a feelig of getting high? Or losing consciousness...or however you spell that word.

Definitely losing consciousness.

 

Zontor

Senior member
Sep 19, 2000
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You went into shock.

It is the bodies response to trauma - pain doesn't always have anything to do with whether you go into shock or not.

[damn those other answers came in fast...]
 
Sep 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: ROTC1983
Go see a doctor...stat...you never know what it might have hit or what else is damage.

You'll need to go to the ER ASAP.

They will need to clean the wound out and if you wait, it will start to close .... meaning they will have to reopen it.

And if you havn't had atetniss shot in the past 5 ywars, you'll be needing one of those.