My friend has to have surgery and be put under general anethesia through an i.v.?

Question

she is petrified of needles. But takes needles in her face from her dermatologist. She is scared of the i.v can anyone tell her how it feels or if it hurts or what to expect?

Answer 1

The dull the senses in your hand so you don't even feel the pin prick. The drgs go in so fast you are out like a light in a minute!

Answer 2

The first time I ever had general anethesia, I was more terrified of the I.V. than the surgery. I remember the telling them in surgery I was really afraid. I swear I never felt the needle, and the meds hit you so fast you don't have time to think. The last thing I remember was (referring to the way the drugs made me feel) "If it feels this good, you can stick me again" and then I was out!!!!

Answer 3

I used to be an EMT-IV tech. I was scared to death of needles until I became an EMT. The most comforting thing I learned about IVs was that the needle doesn't actually stay in you - a very thin and flexible plastic tube, called a catheter is what stays in your arm. The needle is merely used to place it in there. Also, when you get an IV for surgery, they usually give you a tiny injection of anesthetic in the spot where they will be starting the IV.
Oh, and DON'T LOOK while they are putting it in. It is most helpful to be talking to someone - literally - make someone ask you questions you have to answer - while they are putting in the IV. (I learned this trick from a phlebotomist - I still hate to get my blood taken. However, I tell the person taking my blood to keep asking me questions as they are doing what they have to do...it totally works and I do not think about what is going on!!!)
Good luck!

Answer 4

Tell the medical/surgical staff about this enough that your friend feels comfortable that the staff has sufficiently acknowledged her concerns. Any competent phlebotomist or IV nurse knows how to calm and even adequately distract a patient during the brief proceedure involved so as to minimize discomfort, pain and stress in general. Speaking from experience, I've been on both sides of the needle many times, as a lab technician and a trauma patient, so please allow me to assure that the needle experience is one of the lesser concerns with any surgery.

Answer 5

It's a needle with a plastic tube(the iv) around it, they insert the needle then, holding the iv in place, remove the needle. You can't even feel the iv there, it's flexible. At most it will be a slight pinch for a couple of seconds. No worry.

Answer 6

(32) 9/22/07 9:00 p.m.CDT i've got had a great sort of surgical procedures, after awhile it in basic terms will become a monotonous technique. ok, that's what happens on the day of your surgical operation. They take you all the way down to the surgical wing. The anethesiologist comes and talks to you. that's to verify, you recognize what's happening. they are extremely superb & stable at their interest. often, you have already got an IV linked, if not, then they positioned a needle on your arm & initiate you on fluids. that's often how the sedation gets into your bloodstream. Plus they provide you oxygen with somewhat of sedation. on occasion they ask you to count selection backwards, sometime they only prefer you to speak. next element...you're under. I in no way dream whilst i'm under yet there are some people who pronounced they did. despite. You get your surgical operation. They take you to ICU and or to restoration. And after somewhat, somebody comes over and gently calls your call & you start to awaken. on occasion once you first awaken, you will have a sore throat, do not subject, that's widely used that's enormously lots all there is to it. in case you nonetheless ought to speak. you may consistently digital mail me. mk

Answer 7

The last time I had anesthesia, it wasn't bad at all. The IV is almost comparable to a shot, but in reality, the pain isn't really close to that. It barely hurts. The anesthesia is going to tingle in her arm a little, like a small burn, but it doesn't hurt. Then you kinda go cross eyed and... wake up somewhere else. :-D

EDIT: I never got a shot to deaden the IV, and it didn't even hurt that bad.

Answer 8

You are given a shot to deaden the place the IV will be inserted. You absolutely cannot feel the IV being inserted. Now, the shot will be a mild sting. I was nervous, too. They will probably give you or you can request to have medicine for your anxiety. Good luck.

Answer 9

Just had my knee replaced less than a month ago and had IV myself. Nothing to it as your out of it for the first couple of days anyway. Tell your friend not to worry as the doctor's know what they are doing and best of luck in her surgery.