Question:
How painful is the I V?
it goes without saying that im a bit afraid of any objects poking my skin, rather less my veins, how uncomforatble is the iv? and once its in there does it bother? be honest! lol — e T. (posted on April 7, 2003)
April 7, 2003
The DR put in my IV ..he numbed it first and I didnt feel a
thing . Be sure to ask that they get someone to numb it first .. I insisted
— ruthie
April 7, 2003
Ouch.. when I think about my IV which had to be changed 4 times while I was
in the hospital and each time it had to be put somewhere on the top of my
hand. When it gets blocked it can become very sore, irritated, and burn. It
also annoying to get in and out of the bed to do your walking with the IV
being hooked up to you, but best of luck to you. Sorry to rain on your
parade-but you asked for honesty
— TotallyTori
April 7, 2003
When I was rolled back to the waiting area before my surgery, my hand was
numbed before insertion of the IV. Then, when the morphine was removed a
few days after my surgery, the left in the IV line until discharge. This
part was a bother to me. I wish that they had removed it as well when they
removed me from the morphine pump. The only thing that bothered me was the
flushing of the IV line (after removal of the pump). This happened a
couple of times (maybe three). That flushing stuff is so cold and you feel
it, too! Good luck to you on your journey! Daphine (open RNY 01/13/03 -
down 40 pounds and down 4-5 dress sizes).
— Daphine C.
April 7, 2003
I'm with the first poster. It's terrible. I've had 14 surgeries and of
course IV's for all of them. Plus I've been at the emergency rooms many
times and have had tons of IV's in. All of them are a bitch. And depending
on the skill or lack thereof of the person doing it, it can be even worse.
I had one guy who tortured me 45 minutes poking and repoking everyplace he
could, and finally there was no vein left that was'nt fried. They had to
put the IV in my neck. It turns out that was the best IV I ever had! I'd
take it in the neck any day compaired to anywhere else in my body. Once it
was in I never felt it. When they are in the hands or arms they always
hurt. I had one intern give me a piece of bull that IV's don't hurt. Well
they bleeping do! It is one of the worst things with any surgery... those
$^@%$ IV's. Everytime you move, it is a ordel to keep the sheets, furnature
or anything from ripping it. I hate them.
IV's are a torture. Anyone who says otherwise is living in fantasy land. Oh
by the way, I always ask for the IV's in the neck but they won't do it
unless there is no other choice. I guess they'd rather get there experience
by poking you all over before they will do it. ;) As far as some sort of
numbing agent, I've never had one. Never knew they existed. It probally
would'nt help much anyway as it still hurts as long as it is in anyway.
— Danmark
April 7, 2003
I am very fortunate. I've had a ton of IV's and never really had a problem
- honest to God. For my WLS, they numbed the area first (I thought that
was kind of silly since I was about to have open RNY and THAT was more of a
concern for me pain-wise). It was nothing. I had no trouble with my IV on
this or any other occasion except when it infiltrated the 3rd day after
WLS. Even that only resulted in itching. I have had no pain from IV's -
guess I'm lucky or something. My sister is an RN and says a well-placed IV
should not hurt.
— Kate G.
April 7, 2003
I had an IV in each hand with my surgery, just in case one went bad (one
did). Also, I was not numbed before they put them in - I have never heard
of that. The IV is mild pain compared to the rest of it. Good luck!
— Jazzy
April 7, 2003
For less pain the day before surgery drink non caffeine liquids in bulk.
Chug them down. A well hydrated body makes finding veins much easier and
that equals less pain.
— bob-haller
April 7, 2003
Absolutely! Use the numbing medicine. I request it every time I have to
have an IV and most of the time the do it automatically anyway. It's a
tiny little needle injected in the arm where the IV is going to go. They
wait about 30 seconds until it's in there working and then do the IV. I'm
petrified of needles and this way, no pain. It's great.
— KelBurt
April 7, 2003
A lot depends on your pain tolerance and anxiety level. I tend to be
medium pain tolerance yet somewhat needle "phobic" and have even
passed out after getting a routine shot! I even tried to get them to give
me the "relaxer" before the IV....no luck! Anyway, on the
morning of my surgery I was taken to the prep area and heard someone say
something about starting my IV and "practice"...and I said,
"WHAT" and come to find out that they were going to let someone
practice starting an IV on me. I made sure to tell them that I have an
"issue" with needles and am hard to find (veins)...so, they had a
more experienced nurse try. I would also request the numbing stuff if they
don't offer...it isn't 100%, but it sure helps a lot. As far as placement
goes, after 3 tries, a second nurse found a vein on the outer edge of my
hand (up from the pinky finger about 2") and it was a success. I have
to say that that IV location was been the best I've had so far (four
others). Another answer talked about hydration and I agree...I had my 2nd
bowel prep stuff at 6p and drank water until 10p (so I would finally stop
going and be able to get a good night sleep) but still ended up on the
dehydrated side come 7a (both nurses commented), which didn't help any.
So, if you can, drink up (water) the day or even two before and go into
this knowing that it will all be over with soon! Good luck!
— eaamc
April 7, 2003
I have veins that are hard to stick, even when they look "good"
to the person that's sticking me! When I had my rny, they used a little
untrasound machine to find the vein, and they numbed it beforehand. I
didn't feel a THING! Ask for the numbing stuff, and it won't be painful. I
also agree with a previous poster. Drink TONS of fluids, and it will make
it easier to get a vein.
— Diana L.
April 7, 2003
I think it can help if you tell them that you're a little scared of the IV;
in my experience, the people doing them in hospitals are very experienced
and can do them relatively painlessly. I have small, sensitive veins and
when I let them know this they take extra care and sometimes use a small
"butterfly" needle. Usually in the day or two that we're on an IV
for this surgery it doesn't get very sore; the only problems I've had with
soreness in the past was after a longer stretch of time. But remember, NO
WATER AFTER MIDNIGHT (or whatever your surgeon advises) the day before
surgery.
— sjwilde
April 7, 2003
IV was not so bad. Once it's in you barely notice it - REALLY! Just close
your eyes, look the other way, think happy thoughts, in with the good air -
out with the bad! It will be over before you know it!
— Tracy A.
April 7, 2003
Hmmm. Everyone keeps saying it helps to be well hydrated. Yes that is very
true. However, who can be well hydrated when you have to stop drinking
before midnight. (Usually at least 8 hours before surgery)? It makes it
very hard to find a vein when you have to go into surgery dehydrated. Next
time I have an IV, I'm definately want that numbing stuff you guys are
talking about. The sadists never told me that the stuff existed.
— Danmark
April 8, 2003
Ok, i'm going to answer this the best i can and try not to be judgemental.
I am a person who has a pretty good pain tolerence, and when i was a kid i
opted to get the shot instead of taking pills, to get it over with and
done. Well, back in 2000 i had a csection and had to have another iv put
in my arm to give me blood since i lost so much and was anemic to begin
with. Well, the nurse there had so much confidance in her ability even
though i told her that my veins roll. (didnt know about any numbing stuff
either), well, she stuck the needle in me and missed the vein, then keeps
it in the hole and tries to fish for it, then she kept doing this for
another 5 tries, i'm sitting there like ok, now its starting to hurt you
know. Well, she bust into tears on the last hole and calls for a person
who just draws blood. well, they got it in the first try.
Lets fast forward to jan 27th 2003. I'm in the pre-surgery area getting
all my meds started and when its time for the iv i tell the girl about my
veins rolling and stuff, she said dont worry, we always numb everyone who
get an iv. i was like what? numb someone for an iv come on. YEah, they
did and didnt have a problem getting it in either. It was a breeze. ALso,
they used the butterfly needles (they are so small and dainty). I couldnt
believe the difference in treatment. (maybe i should also point out that i
didnt have insurance when the incident happened and i did when i had my
recent surgery) (not to scare anyone). I didnt get a bill from the
hospital either after the incident with the nurse. I dont know, but i
would definately ask for numbing stuff and the little butterfly needles are
great. When your all taped up at the iv site you wont fill it when you
move but it is uncomfortable when you have to use that hand to help you
get up or down or get situated. But, your morphine pump if you have one
will keep the pain at bay.
— rachel W.
April 8, 2003
Hi-- I used to be a big wuss when it came to needles and injections. But,
now that I know how to put in IVs, it's nothing. Usually, the people who
will start your IV are either the anethesthiologist or the RNs and PAs who
work in the operating rooms. These people are really experienced and have
seen all kinds of veins in all different sizes and shapes of people. Ivs
are not just a needle--they are a a flexible cannula (like a tiny hose)
that covers most of the needle except for the point of the needle. I think
most hositals use lidocaine (via injection by a TINY needle)to numb the
area where the IV needle will be inserted. The lidocaine may sting a bit
going in. When the IV is placed, the needle itself is removed and the
cannula stays inside your vein. It is usally tapped down with a special
transparent covering. You don't feel it (usually) while it's in there and
if you do feel it, or if the site turns red or starts to swell, let the
nurse know immediately and they'll take care of it.
— lizinPA
Click Here to Return