To be surprised people find cannulas painful

[User4647]

I’ve had Loads and they had one be painful. I’m surprised that most other people find them painful.

I've had loads over the years, it depends on
A) who's putting them in
B) whether they manage to hit a nerve doing it
C) the location

I don't find them painful, sometimes it hurts a bit if they have to dig around, but I've had hundreds of them. I have awful veins and it usually takes three or four attempts. I've an okay vein right on a knuckle and ask them to use that, but people don't like doing that as they think it'll hurt. I've had my fair share in my feet. Last time I was in hospital a nurse ended up taking blood from my foot

The time I had TPN through a cannula (a big no no) now that was painful when the vein tissued and the TPN ended up in the soft tissue.

I had a doctor slam one into my hand when I was having pregnancy complications with DD2, that will with me a long time as she managed to make it bruise my hand (so that was painful) and then when she hooked me up to the drop she proceeded to trip over the line and pull it back out. I cried.

In general I do find them painful at worst or downright irritating at best.

@notso

Genuine question but why do so many people have photos of cannulas and bruising?

Because the surgery I needed was for a broken hand caused by a crap bus driver so everything was documented for the insurance claim.

Mine didn't actually hurt until I looked at it. i'm terribly afraid of needles and blood and anything like that. It's mostly an emotional thing, although of course everyone will experience things differently.

Last time I was in hospital I had to have a canula in "just in case" it was needed,
It wasn't
No pain from the operation whatsoever. My hand and wrist were still bruised and painful a week after the operation.

Funny thing to post about.

I had my first last week.

I doubt that I will ever allow anyone to give me another one. It was probably the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced. My hand is still tender and bruised 10 days later and that numbing cream does not work

I am a real struggle to get blood from/to cannulate - to the point they have to get an anaesthetist to do it or use one of those mini x-ray machines to find my veins and no I've never particularly found it hugely painful even when they do multiple attempts, sat there being a pin cushion for a student etc. But have never thought it was some kind of amazing thing, just thought I was fortunate it doesn't hurt badly. Up till I read this post I'd never really considered it at all to be honest I'm awful with pretty much all other types of pain though so I don't think I'll be winning any awards

@User4647 - cheers for this thread. Posted and then last response 15 minutes after posting. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading all the responses.

And congratulations on not finding them uncomfortable.

Must be great being you

I had one in my wrist for my ELCS and it was he most painful part of the whole process. It took 3 tries to get it in and I was sobbing by the end of it.

Is the back of the hand or the arm less painful? Can you request where they put the cannula? If I ever feel broody, I think about the cannula and it goes away immediately .

What a weird thread to post 😂 wow, people are different! Revelation!

I don’t find them painful. Annoying as hell, but not painful (except if they catch somewhere)

@allfurcoatnoknickers

Inside of elbow is least painful
Followed by back of hand
Then wrist
Then ankles

My veins are so shit that no attempt is even made to cannulate anymore. Had your flex been regarding PICC lines, I may have been a tiny bit more impressed.

@ScarMatty Thanks, that's useful to know. I'm honestly baffled as to how a little needle in your wrist can be more painful than a fuck-off massive needle in your spine. Epidural was a doddle in comparison.

I had one put in when I was in labour with DD - only the doctor didn't tell me that was what she was going to do and just said she was going to take a little blood, grabbed my hand and stabbed it in so hard I've still got a small scar on the back of my hand. I'd never had a cannula before so had no idea what to expect. DD is now 15 and frankly I'd rather go through labour again than have that doctor redo that cannula.

I've had others since which haven't been so bad but to be honest I was so ill when they put those in I barely noticed or cared. When DS was born I asked for numbing gel as I didn't want to go through the same pain again.

@ScarMatty A few years ago I was in hospital with suspected meningitis. When a cannuala fell out in the middle of night in hospital the doctor came and gently fished about for veins - she really was lovely especially as it was 3am. She finally located a suitable one in the top of my foot. She said it was a bit controversial but it had to go somewhere Not comfortable but certainly functional

I have had them for a three month stretch when hospitalised. Very small veins, needed children’s needles, very very sore. Typically only lasted for 2/3 days and I was obsessed with minding them to stretch it out. All my veins in my hands etc have collapsed and occasionally I still get the memory of the pain. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone.....on the other hand I have family with big veins, and not a bother to them

Good for you OP. I've had several. One was in A&E when I had a stroke and was unable to speak so couldn't tell the Nurse faffing about how much she was hurting me. I was black and blue for weeks where she tried and tried before switiching to my other hand.

My mum has terrible veins and ended up with a cannula in a groin vein when arms, hands and feet had all failed. She was traumatised by all the needles on top of just having been rushed to A and E.

@listsandbudgets The hope in my wrist from the cannula took longer to heal, and it more visible than my c-section scar

@DrGachet

My veins are so shit that no attempt is even made to cannulate anymore. Had your flex been regarding PICC lines, I may have been a tiny bit more impressed.

PICC lines are such a fantastic invention. I wear my PICC line scar with pride!

Cannulas in the hand suck balls. I didn't find them painful in my arm until chemo fried my veins