How much do ivs hurt

I've gotten a bunch of IVs. Little prick when they go in, and that's it. Piece of cake. The only side effect I have ever felt is that your arm might feel cold since the fluids going in are often a little chilly. It hurts even less than getting blood work, cause they aren't sucking anything out of you. Don't stress about it at all!

It was very uncomfortable when they put it in but I got over it. The epidural was pretty scary and I hated getting my water broken Join now to personalize. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin.

Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy? Print This Page Click to Print. Most IV sites heal quickly in a few days. As the needle is inserted, if you feel an electric-shock-type sensation radiating down your hand, your IV may have come into contact with a nerve.

Or, you may feel pain if the needle has gone beyond the vein into a muscle or tendon. This can be a sign of IV infiltration, which occurs when the fluids or medications are going into the tissue under your skin and not into your vein. In all cases, your care provider should stop the infusion and remove the IV line. There are, of course, a few tricks of the trade that might be helpful for you to know- The IV should be placed in the location where it is most likely to be successful.

If there are multiple potential good sites for placement, then putting the IV in the non-dominant upper extremity the one NOT used for writing is best because it allows for continuing usual activities easier.

IVs are always more difficult to obtain and maintain in a dehydrated person. Speak up! If you know that you have a gigantic vein in the side of your wrist, or if your child has a stovepipe in the bend of her left arm, let your healthcare team know! And if you are uncomfortable with how the procedure is going, say so.

Sometimes pausing a moment to regroup can improve a situation where everyone is tense. Return To Articles Next Article. About Dr. This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.