iv issues?

Anyone else have trouble when they put an iv in? It's torture for me and I was wondering if I was alone or not.

you are definitely NOT alone.

The nurses tried 4 or 5 times (can't remember) to find a vein for my IV.

I passed out when they tried to stick me in the inside of my wrist.

(AND I even drank LOTS of water the night before, since they say to do that so your veins are nice and hydrated...and that still didn't work).

Yep, it was awful.  I also have rolling veins and with nothing by mouth after midnight and not going into surgery until almost noon; there was no hope.  I was poked 6 times as well and my arms were a mess for weeks afterwards.  Finally they went in on the opposite side of the elbow (where they take blood from, and it was no problem.  I didn't realize they could put an IV there, so now when I go in for anything that needs an IV (twice since surgery) I just ask them to put it there and all is good.

Oh man. Mine sucked. I had a bruise on the back of my hand for a week. That one infiltrated so they had to put another one in. The day of discharge that one infiltrated and the nurse wanted to put another one in. No way! I convinced her to talk to the doc first. He only wanted me to have IV fluids for another hour or two. Not worth it!

I am so bruised from them poking me yesterday. 6 times...... it was bad.

I am told that I have tiny veins and that they roll.

I have a three strikes and you're out rule.  A nurse, or phlebotomist or whomever, can try three times.  If she does not get the IV in with three tries, she must get someone else to try.  Sometimes if a nurse is having trouble getting it, I will ask her to call one of the phlebotomists to do it.  They are often better at sticking people.  They get a lot more practice than most nurses.

 WHY have I never thought of this, Kelly??  I am completely going to follow your lead.  I had to go to the ER once prior to surgery and the nurse repeatedly tried to find a vein.  I was in more pain from that than the reason I went to the ER!

6 times for me. Had 2 in back of my hands 1st day then surgery was cancelled. Next day 2 more in back of my hands. When they put the medicine in after sugery it burned so bad brought tears on. Nurse tried to put one in my forarm and the vein blew. Had to have and ultrasound specialist come in and put one in the other arm Talk about bruises. They lasted for weeks!

 I let them try once, if they don't get it, I do it myself... so much easier !!!!

the day of my surgery I reported to hospital at six am. My surgery happened at nine that night. I spent all that day with nothing to drink and they couldn't get an iv in. the wheeled my into the operating room crying. the anesthisiologist said he'd put me out with a mask and insert iv while I was asleep. Which they did, gave me a pic line.

my veins rolled like crazy before surgery. now with a 260 lb weight loss they seem to roll even more. I also have trouble with the valves in my veins closing up once they get the catheter part of the iv in. the pain of the needle is so miserable i'd rather smack my foot with a brick.

I have a one try rule. I also tell them up front how bad I am to stick and they better get the best person they have and they must listen when i say which vein they will have the best chance with. if they don't listen I have been known to get up, get dressed and walk out.