anyone need to give self Lovenex shots

[MNmom]

I had my first INR check post op yesterday, and they sent me home with Lovenex shots! I am lucky that my aunt is here to help me who is also a nurse, and she agreed to do the shots for me. It was kind of a bummer to hear that my INR after yesterday's check was only at 1.8. (which is what it was when they sent me home on Wednesday) So my dose is up to 6MGs, and we will see what happens on Monday!

 

[Bina]

When I first came home from hospital, my INR dropped to 1.9 and I was given a Lovenox needle.
My nurse daughter came over to give it to me and while I was explaining how I wanted it, she stuck it into my belly. Over and done.
She said, "ooops too late"..... That's revenge for you!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Several of us have had to do Lovenox "Bridging" for various invasive procedures.

Some of the 'tricks of the trade' are:

Do NOT expell the 'bubble' in the syringe before injecting.

Pinch your belly to form a bulge at the target area.

Rub the target area with an Ice Cube before injecting.

Move the target area around, especially side to side, with each injection.

Even with the above steps, sometimes you will still get a 'eggplant purple' color around the injection site.

Note that it can take awhile for your INR to stabilize after coming home due to several factors, especially increasing activity levels as you heal which raises your metabolism (and lowers INR). It can be a moving target for several weeks / months. Once your INR is above your recommended minimum, hopefully your Doc will let you discontinue the Lovenox shots.

It sounds like you got the "Full Ride" this time around.
It also sounds like you received good and appropriate care.

Best Wishes,

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bvdr]

I'm glad you were put on the Lovenox. You've been through a lot and you've had a lot to absorb and learn in such a short period. I'm glad too that your daughter came and helped you out. Like Al mentioned, even correctly done you might still end up with an eggplant tummy. If it happens don't panic and think your daughter really goofed. I give them to myself unless my grandson (8 y/o next week) is over and then I let him do them. He likes to do my INR for me too. I'm training him in case I live long enough to become old and feeble and unable to do it any longer. He could come in handy.

 

[MNmom]

set the record straight

set the record straight

I'm glad you were put on the Lovenox. You've been through a lot and you've had a lot to absorb and learn in such a short period. I'm glad too that your daughter came and helped you out. Like Al mentioned, even correctly done you might still end up with an eggplant tummy. If it happens don't panic and think your daughter really goofed. I give them to myself unless my grandson (8 y/o next week) is over and then I let him do them. He likes to do my INR for me too. I'm training him in case I live long enough to become old and feeble and unable to do it any longer. He could come in handy.

It is my aunt who is helping me, as my daughter is only 2! I just had to get that out there...
Glad to hear that others needed to do it too- at the hospital they didnt mention that as an option, so I was pretty suprised when my local Dr suggested it. Hopefully it will be short term!
And Al, I discovered the ice trick after the second day- it really helps! Fabulous idea. Im still suprised at how sensitive I am with needles, after all I have been through

 

[njean]

I've had to give myself Lovenox injections on more than one occasion & it's not fun but it beats the alternative for sure!!

I found that it hurt less when I gave myself the injections than when my husband gave them to me but I would still end up w/big knots & ugly brusing on my tummy!!

I feel for you ---- NOT FUN!!!

 

[MNmom]

Warafin woes

Warafin woes

Well, after being on 6MGs of coumadin since Friday, my test results came back with an evan lower INR-1.6!
This means (sigh) I will still have to be on the shots, and am increasing my Coumadin to 8 tonight and Wednesday, and then 6 Tues/Thurs, and get checked again on Friday. Why wouldnt they just say 8 for the week? I dont like taking it slow- I want to be done with these shots! I know I am eating more vegetables and moving more since I have been out of the hospital- cant they just increase the Coumadin and be done with the shots? I know its not that simple- but I am a big baby about the shots!

 

[Bina]

If you take 6 mg for 7 days that is 42 mg for the week.
This week you are taking 6mg for 5 days and 8 mg for 2 days, that is 46 mg/week. The increase is only 10%.
If you would take 8 mg for 7 days=56 mg/week, that would be about a 20% increase which would maybe bump you into range.
Seeing as you are declining, I would take the 8mg every day and test on Friday.

 

[Faye]

I agree with Bina - bump it up to 8 and you'll soon see a better INR. Another tip on the lovenox shots - do not rub the injection site, if you do it will hurt more and increase the bruising.

Hang in there - it won't be long until your INR is within range.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

I remember when I had to give myself the Lovenex shots. I did not look forward to that. I didn't have the courage to stick myself in the tummy, so I did the leg. I remember the first time I did it and I had to have two beers to give myself enough courage to do it . I never bruised at the sites though.

 

[MNmom]

the leg?

the leg?

I didnt know the leg was an option! I have had major difficulty with the tummy area, and was wondering about a different location...anyone else try the shots in a different spot?

 

[perrypiratesdad]

I forget where the nurse said I could give shots. I think the upper arm (muscle) area was another good one, but heck if I know how you give yourself a shot there.

The thing I did find out though, was that where there was more skin and fat to pull up, the less painful and easier it was. Luckily or unluckily, I don't have a ton of fat on me, so mine were a bit more painful.

 

[Sunshine susan]

Speaking of Lovenox...

Speaking of Lovenox...

Due to some upcoming dental surgery where I will likely have to bridge with Lovenox, I have a couple of questions for you "pros". I have seen several references to being allergic to it.....how does one know if they are allergic? I am allergic to penicillin, aspirin/similar (only take acetaminiphin), and bee stings. So the thought makes me nervous. The other is what is the cost of Lovenox? I'm not sure how much of this my insurance will cover since it is due to the extraction of one broken wisdom tooth and its mate on the bottom. I'm not sure if it can be done on an out-patient basis. Thanks!