Difficult veins for IV treatment resulting in anxiety-

charlotte12, the back of the hand is a common place for an IV because the veins are easy to see. I don't like them there because the area is a little more sensitive. Phlebotomy is a bit of an art. Some lack training but some just have a talent. When you go in ask for the most experienced phlebotomist and explain that you have difficult veins. You can use a heating pad (bring your own) on your arm and/or flex it (not overhead) for a few minutes before. It also helps to be hydrated when you have an IV inserted. I have easy veins but recently had a determined nurse bruise up both arms with multiple tries before switching to the back of the hand.
I would avoid the port. They are inconvenient for bathing and can become infected. Even so it might be better than the anxiety.

@charlotte12
I understand your anxiety about IVs, I also have difficult veins and they roll. My best vein is in one arm, but if have to have IVs or blood draws often, I do not like to keep using the same vein. I had lymph nodes removed from one arm, so try to avoid that one. Using your hand is OK, in fact when I have IVs for MRIs, they always use hand.

Clinics have different protocols, some only use phlebotomist at other clinics nurses do IVs. Like you mentioned, it often comes down to person doing the IV. When I was having chemo, the protocol was nurse could try twice, and if unsuccessful, they called their "expert" in to do IV.

I tell them my veins roll, so they know what to expect. Like previous suggested, be hydrated, ask if they have a warm blanket you can wrap your arm in prior to trying. One location used warm blanket and a garbage bag over that to increase the heat. At one location, they had a infrared light to help locate veins, in my opinion it only helped find veins, but it was still the skill of person inserting the needle.

If your anxiety is high, maybe mention to provider ordering the IVs, they may prescribe something to calm you down.

Do you have to have IVs often?

I used to have easy veins in my arms, but some time back they got difficult. Now I just point out the visible veins on the back of my hand. The left hand seems better than the right in that regard. Having a skilled phlebotomist helps too!

I started to get shoulder issues ( possibly inflammation of the shoulder capsule) and symptoms like I have arthritis with chemo treatment,
the use of the left arm is now limited, the right arm is
also impacted but not as bad yet, so I want to preserve the
use of my right arm, I also think that chemo had an impact on my veins - there are nurses who tell me they have been doing this (IVs) for 10 or more years, but they bruise my vein or worse, they suggest a port, thanks for
responding

I'm going to get a heating pad, I'm going to discuss my issues
with the nurses before they stick me, RN nurses do the IV, if they fail I will ask for the "expert"- thanks for your input-I get IVs
every 3 weeks- 13 left.

How often are the infusions? Hand veins only last so long usually and bruising or swelling are easily seen. Ice helps the swelling. Cannulas or fistulas are usually only for dialysis patients. I used to be a phlebotomist. Hard draws are not fun and hurting people trying to snake into a vein is stressful for everyone involved. What then to do about anxiety for infusions. Usually in infusion centers the staff are top notch. They too understand or should what your going through. Anxiety and needles go hand in hand. A port is ok if your infusion is weekly or every other day. There are down sides as well so you have to weigh your options. Pre medication of a calming or something to relax you maybe beneficial. Also do they draw blood before infusion? Draw it from the IV line? Heating packs help too. But I’m more into what helps you with anxiety in dealing with this.

the infusions are every 3 week, blood is drawn from the IV line before infusion, there are 2 nurses who do a good job,
but I have to ask for them and they may not be available -
so it's a roller coaster- thanks for your comment

@charlotte12 It's never a picnic to have a blood draw. Tips from my own experiences:
- Be sure to be hydrated. It makes your tissues more flexible and easier to deal with.
- Wear a sweater or jacket to keep your arms warm ahead of time.
- Your attitude can be a key. Practice relaxation techniques you know will work for you, and strive to consciously lower your blood pressure before the draw.
- Be friendly towards the lab person! Sometimes they are just as nervous as you, or they are having a stressful day. By relaxing as much as you can, they will also relax and calm down. It can make a difference!

I have two lab draws a month. One for oncology, at my cancer center, another for my dialysis. My right arm has a fistula placed, so technically I am not supposed to use that arm for blood draws or blood pressure. Of course, the best vein is on that arm! I did get permission to use that arm once a month for blood draw. Both arms have rolling veins, which I always tell the lab person. I try to not have two draws in the same day; it messes with my system! For me, the more relaxed I can be, the more interactive with the tech in a friendly and supportive manner, the better the experience. Do I get bruised up? Yes, sometimes.
Ginger

Butterfly needles can be used if you ask for it. It can not be used for IV’s but for blood draws. They are smaller in size for smaller veins.

often I have to wait, in general about 40 min from the time I'm scheduled, longer if I arrive early, by the time I'm called I'm already in an anxious frame of mind- the waiting room is often busy with patients and their support person/s, I see a lot of suffering-it's difficult -