Turns out I have very tiny veins. The first try at the IV on the back of my hand not only hurt more than I expected (deep breathing necessary), it didn't work. The second one in my wrist worked okay and didn't hurt quite as much.
Sometimes it's just that the person who is doing it is BAD at it.

They get 2 chances with me, and then I insist on a phlebotomist.

Karen