Are there alternate IV sites other than hands?

I am scheduled 4/24 for abdominal (due to weight) full hysterectomy and ovary removal. I have a chronic anxiety disorder and knitting helps me relax. I am planning on knitting to calm me and pass the time both at the hospital and at home. I was wondering if it is possible to request that the IV not be put in my hand. If so, what are the alternate sites?

Thanks,
Crystal

Hello, Crystal and

We're happy you joined the Hystersisters community! There is a ton of solid information on the site, and the members have unlimited cyber-hugs to dispense at every stage of your journey to good health!

Your question is an interesting one, and I hope that "those in the know" will be along soon to answer you. I have had two major surgeries myself, including the hyst, and both times the IV has been inserted in my hand. I don't remember being given any options in this regard. But, I have always believed in the adage, "It can't hurt to ask!" So, you might want to check with your doctor and see if there are other options.

Best wishes for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery!

Many s to you,

Crystal,
I had to have an Endoscopy today and the nurse couldn't get an IV in the veins on my hands. She tried everything. Nothing worked. So she put the IV in my arm up by my elbow. I know of no other spots where they can put IVs, but if you tell the nurses maybe they can think of something. I have had anxiety attacks for years. And depression. I take medication to control them. Have you ever tried medication? It can make a big difference in your life. I can do things I haven't done in years. Just a thought.
Good luck with your surgery,
Robin

I had my initial IV put in my left hand but that infiltrated then they tried everyplace else but they couldn't get a good vein they all kept blowing. I think it was from the heparin. Any way they went back to the same hand and was able to put it in another spot. I had a cardiac cath with a stent put in three weeks later and they put it in the bend of my arm. Ask them.

Hi Robin,
Yes, I take generic celexa for general anxiety disorder. It helps amazingly well.
Handiwork gives me something to focus on and gives the meds a little boost.

Crystal

I had an IV put on the underside of my wrist....not pleasent...I'd take a hand anyday.

I swear it has something to do with which nurse is trying to get it in. I've had some that slip it with no problem on my hand and others that have to call the anesthetist to do it and it ends up in my wrist.

My IV was put in my arm. They really try to look for those good veins, though. Sooo, if they notice good ones in the hand that is where they will go.

Crystal, you will probably just want to take it easy and sleep in the hospital. I had a TAH/BSO, and all I wanted to do was rest. I was brought books, etc., but I wasn't interested.

Take care.

Oh I went and bought the books the cross stitching all of that and couldn't do anything but either pace or move from one end of the couch to the other. I had eight pokes in me after the first IV infiltrated. They had three different people try and it was a male nurse from I don't know where to finally get it. They went through different sizes too. I can tell you something I surely knew when they were using a larger size. EEK. By the time I had the heart attack I was so sensitive to being poked I just wanted to cry. All you can do is relax and go with the flow.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Bizet Woman Hello, Crystal and We're happy you joined the Hystersisters community! There is a ton of solid information on the site, and the members have unlimited cyber-hugs to dispense at every stage of your journey to good health! Your question is an interesting one, and I hope that "those in the know" will be along soon to answer you. I have had two major surgeries myself, including the hyst, and both times the IV has been inserted in my hand. I don't remember being given any options in this regard. But, I have always believed in the adage, "It can't hurt to ask!" So, you might want to check with your doctor and see if there are other options. Best wishes for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery! Many s to you,

I had an IV line in my left wrist on the inside, then it was moved to my right hand about 3 days later Good Luck

My original IV was in my left wrist. It was not comfortable. At some point in time, I had a central line put in...it is in the chest area. I was told that the original IV had not worked--don't know what happened as I was unconscious at the time. The central line did not bother me at all. There were a couple of stitches that held it in place. It can also be used to draw blood for those daily visits from the lab.