This is why your IV burns

IV burning is very common before surgery, and it can happen for many reasons, usually because of anesthesia medications. Propofol, the white medication, can often burn when injected in a small vein, like the hand, before falling asleep before surgery. Lidocaine is often co-administered to numb the vessel and reduce the pain.

The combination of propofol and lidocaine is one of my favorite pairings because it often help reduce this discomfort. When used by trained doctors, it can be very safe!

[mydreamhorse]

I had bad burning stabbing pain up my arm. I tried to take the mask off to cry out, but they just held the mask on. This has haunted me, and I'm so glad u posted this info, Thanks

[FortheBudgies]

Why wouldn't they use the lidocaine?! I just had a colonoscopy and it was the first time the propofol was extremely painful. I could feel all the veins in my arm and shot up reaching for the arm with the IV. The last thing I remember is saying that's never hurt before.... Why the heck wouldn't they use lidocaine! It was really really painful. Why would any provider choose to not reduce the pain?

[suzziezhills]

Gotta say you’re awesome. We‘be really been thru IT the last 3 plus years like you cannot make any of this up!

[Soccertz]

⁠Talk about burning lol I had shoulder surgery and they had the blood pressure cuff on the same side as the iv. Well, right when they are putting in the propofol the blood pressure cuff starts to inflate trapping the propofol in my arm. All I remember is trying to rip off the BP cuff while I’m going out. Woke up with scratches on my arm. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[andie]

I’ve never felt IV burn until I had Iv potassium..that stuff is brutal!

[marystewart]

Multiple surgeries and mine only burned (not to bad) one time. And, that was a back of hand location. Usually, we use a large vein at the wrist joint. So, my anesthesiologists must be pushing lidocaine first - yeah.

[seanrowe]

Once he forgot to flush the Ladicane before he flushed propofol..it felt like a BLOW TORCH went up my arm! I tried to scream but couldn't!! Never again!!

[eurydiekeameeu]

First time i went under my IV was in my right hand. Didnt feel a thing. A week ago I went under a second time. The IV was in my left hand this time. And holy cow did it burn 😖

[dr.de-dee]

Why didn’t the anesthesiologist use this? I thought I was gonna come off that table when that burning from the propofol took place in my hand because they couldn’t mix it with an IV bag of fluid because of the floods that impacted the production in North Carolina.

[justaway]

It was the best feeling i’ve ever felt
the doctor didn't use lidocaine though he just used atropine and propofol which causes that burning sensation

[heidi]

No thankfully, but when they put the lidocaine in the IV it made my veins disappear, it made my anxiety go rhythm roof. Why would veins on top of your hand disappear after this?

Thanks for all the great information!!

[Cyrilcynder]

When I have an IV put in, they asked me if I ever had anything intresting happen. Like, burning, or it felt cold. Some people have intresting reactions. I hear it like inside my ears. The needle being inserted and the fluid being pumped in. Had many CT scans and I alwsys hear the contrast fluid being pumped in. My nurses and anesthesiologist was so intrested they had never hear that before and thought it was intresting.

[duanestukins]

I’m really nervous about my upcoming surgery. They have to go through my back and directly into the kidney to remove 4 large stones because they couldn’t get into the kidney through the ureter. While they’re in the kidney they want to see why the ureter is narrowing again too and try to fix it again too. I was told my back will be bruised and I’ll be in pain.

[ianshelton]

How many milliliters of propofol would you inject? Like 7 to 10?

[lifeonabuget]

I don't remember if it did or not. Last thing I remember was they strapping my arm down on the arm board. Don't remember much after that til the next morning. They told me I pretty much slept after surgery until the next morning. I remember little bits and pieces of what happened after surgery until I woke up the next morning.

[FrugalFunMum]

Not in my arm which I was waiting for so I wouldn't be freaked as I had prepped myself but I did feel a massage pain in my upper femur and I jumped to which the Anaesthetiologist said 'calm down' I was not impressed

[blueomega]

When I had my surgery, this white stuff felt so cold, why was that 🤔

[JanieUwU]

I was wondering my entire arm and hand was in great pain before waking up in the recovery room. The first time I went under didn't feel that before so I was confused the second time around

[jessicahawks]

The lidocaine never helps me with any anything it seems..but i do have eds

[ana]

Why does the anaesthesia burn? Does that damage your veins and your system, or leave any residues?