Is IV painful?

Does it hurt when they stick it in? Where is it stuck in, your wrist, or on the other side of your elbow?...

tehafcnoob	besides that very dirty question of pain when they stick it in no iv's do not hurt one bit
Ashley P	Yes, they are painful. Typically they go in the back of your hand, your wrist or your elbow, but it really just depends on where they want to put it (and the hospital). But, once its in, its okay. It's just the going in part thats uncomfortable.
Drama Llama	Yes, it can hurt, especially when it takes a couple tries for them to find an artery. Sometimes they use this numbing cream which helps a little. I was in the hospital for 30 days, and I had countless IVs. Most often they were in my forearm, near my elbow, but I also had one on my neck, the back of my hand, and my wrist.
Mrs. Incredible	It doesn't hurt if the nurse knows what they are doing. And it depends on where they place it. If they can't find a good vein in your arm near your elbow, they usually use the top of your hand.
Shel	Depends on who does it. Why it pinches so much is because with an IV you have the plastic catheter over the needle and they have to go beside your vein and then put the needle in the vein. So it's that catheter that bites a little. lb
Pam H	They numb the area before they stick the needle in. It doesn't hurt too much at all. They usually put it where ever they can find a good vein - the wrist or the back of the hand.
♥ || Brown Eyed Girl || ♥	It's just a pinch. Tell the doctor/nurse not to tell you when it's going to go in. :) You'll be fine!
Ally	I've had eight surgeries, and no it doesn't hurt. For one second it feels like a little pin prick but after that it's not at all painful. Usually, it's at the wrist but I guess it depends on why you need an IV.
8thvision	it depends on your sensitivity to pain, and they stick it any where they can find a vain. sometimes arm, back of your hand, wrist. where its stuck also depends on what its for
*TAYBELL89*	It all depends on how well you take pain. They do it either in your wrist, hand, on the other side of your elbow, or in rare cases, your finger.
ColtsR#1	Usually the inside of your arm. It hurts just for a second, if you got a good vein!
cj_psalms54_2	It can be put in either spot you mentioned. If a vein can't be found on the inside of your elbow, it is often easier to put it in the back of your hand which is only slightly more painful. IVs are not really more painful then shots. The only time I ever have problems is if I have to sleep with it and I turn on to my hand or something then it kind of pinches and wakes me up. No big deal. :)
Bean	I start IV's and yes they can be uncomfortable. Basically it depends on your pain tolerance, how large of a needle they need to use, and what area they are using. The hand has a lot of nerve endings so it can be a little uncomfortable. Using the AC or bend of your elbow isn't as uncomfortable as the hand. Most people will look for the best vein before placing the IV. What remains is a tube NO needle is left behind so it shouldn't hurt or sting once they are finished placing it. If you notice it is uncomfortable, stinging, or swelling you need to let your care taker know.
Ktloop	It stings a little but nothing major, it is normally put in the back of the hand (right in the middle). Some hospitals can put a skin knumbing cream on before putting it i so you dot feel it, ask if they have it They rarely put IV's in the crook of the elbow (in th UK anyway) as it is likely to be dislodged when you bend your arm
Wes	It all depends on your pain tolerence but in most cases no it doesn't hurt at all...a little poke similar to a shot when its going in...thats all. Usually will go either on the top of your hand or in the fold of your arm at your elbow. Good luck.
deviousone_98	They will stick the IV in where they can find a good vein - some people are easier to stick than others. Nowadays, they will inject your vein with a numbing agent so that you don't feel the IV go in.
Wonder Why	Only for one bit - it hurts as much as if someone pinched you on the butt.... They usually stick in the other side of your wrist so there is not much movement.... Not so much the other side of your elbow because of the times you may move and turn it.... It doesn't hurt - what ever it may be, I hope you feel better!
ibeabelvr	it will hurt if you think about it or watch it they stuck mine in my elbow.
Kittykat	mine was on my wrist. it hurt like hell, lol. but i'm very frail. but you'll get used to it :)
Kennedy!	nope, only when you accidentally tug on it
salacia99	i haver had them a million times..it varies from person to person..the best advice is to NOT watch them doing it..take a deep breath and you will be ok..if it does hurt it only pinches for a second...They do it on the top of your hand or the inside of your arm on the inside of the elbow...Ive seen some cases where they had to do it in the feet if they cant find a vein..
cutiepie81289	yes it hurts unless you have a nurse that does it without the pain. my hand blew up with the iv in it
nana4dakids	My 3 1/2 year old granddaughter had to get an I.V. this morning and she didn't even flinch. It could be because she has had so many but still.
Michaela	its in the inside of your elbow and hurts only a little
kbock08	The IV needle can hurt when they stick it in, but once they take the needle out, a small tube is left and it does not hurt. They will put it in wherever they find a good vein- be it in your arm, wrist, or elsewhere. If you have a preference, tell the person doing the IV so they can look for a good vein there first. Don't stress too much about the IV, it should only last for a minute or two. Also, be aware that you have the right, as a patient, to ask for someone else to do the IV insertion. If someone has already tried and not hit the vein (usually after 2 tries), you are free to ask them to find someone else to put in the IV. Best wishes!
Sealock	very little it hurts.
Zeltar	For a moment, yes there is a little pain when it goes in. It goes away quickly. Not having one is often much worse than going ahead with it. Like any medical procedure, when it comes down to needing the procedure or suffering from whatever the reason is you're there, the procedure is at least a way to start the road to recovery. It's always better to have a little pain and then get on that recovery path, then to continue to suffer with the cause of your visit. By far, the more painful part is when they take the bandage off that was holding the IV in place. Especially if you have body hair under the bandage.
wrkey	The level of pain depends on many things. First let me say it will always hurt some... that's just the nature of the beast. However, if they are able to use a small needle/catheter and you have a skilled health care person doing it, then the pain will be minimal. The location of the IV depends upon the desired use, size of the catheter and the paitent's veins. A small needle will generally go to the back of the hand. A larger in the inside of the elbow. With bad veins or low blood pressure or extreme case conditions a 'central line' is used and that goes to the jugular on the neck. Just keep in mind that an IV is designed for several things. While adding fluids to your blood stream is a main purpose, there is also the ability give medications through this line. Thus having an IV started (with on stick) may very well prevent multiple shots (and multiple sticks) later on. I hope this helps!
MEh	doesn't hurt. you fell a little bit of pressure where the iv is but otherwise it is just cumbersome.