coumadin vs lovenox

[bodman25]

I am 24 years old and am 7months post op from MVR. A couple of physicians have mentioned switching over to lovenox. Is there any body who has made the switch or has been on lovenox for long term? I want to play baseball but the coumadin is making my decision to play harder and the physicians said the lovenox would be a good change. Any input on this topic would be well appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Lovenox does not effect your INR. It is used to bridge when you have to discontinue or lower your dosage of coumadin for a medical procedure or while trying to get your INR in range.

The shots have to be given 2 x day, 12 hours apart. Your abdomen can become one big bruise and it can become painful.

My range is 2 - 3 and I'd much rather take coumadin than have to have shots twice a day in my abdomen. One of my shot sites oozed during the night all over my nightgown and bedsheets. Once my INR was in range I was able to discontinue the shots, but it took a long time for the bruises to heal.

Are your doctors managing your coumadin levels appropriately? Visit the Active Lifestyles Forum and see what folks taking coumadin can do.

 

[bodman25]

Lovenox does not effect your INR. It is used to bridge when you have to discontinue or lower your dosage of coumadin for a medical procedure or while trying to get your INR in range.

The shots have to be given 2 x day, 12 hours apart. Your abdomen can become one big bruise and it can become painful.

My range is 2 - 3 and I'd much rather take coumadin than have to have shots twice a day in my abdomen. One of my shot sites oozed during the night all over my nightgown and bedsheets. Once my INR was in range I was able to discontinue the shots, but it took a long time for the bruises to heal.

Are your doctors managing your coumadin levels appropriately? Visit the Active Lifestyles Forum and see what folks taking coumadin can do.

My INR is well managed. But the physicians that are pushing the lovenox feel it would be easier on me with my age. I would not have to be checked monthly and my chances of bleeding would lessen. But thank you for your input. I am just checking into things. Thanks

 

[Guest]

But the physicians that are pushing the lovenox feel it would be easier on me with my age. I would not have to be checked monthly and my chances of bleeding would lessen. But thank you for your input. I am just checking into things. Thanks

If you home test, you can manage your INR a lot easier as well. Check the Home Monitoring forum, there's also a sticky about coumadin on the Anticoagulation forum.

I home test weekly and I love the freedom. Other folks will be along soon and share some of their experiences with coumadin.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I've done Lovenox Bridging twice and can't imagine having to inject myself twice a day, every day, year in and year out!

Not to mention the COST !!!

(Last I checked, Lovenox injections were $100 EACH)

Talk about a BIG OUCH !!!

(But maybe you could work out a quantity discount...

'AL Capshaw'

 

[bodman25]

If you home test, you can manage your INR a lot easier as well. Check the Home Monitoring forum, there's also a sticky about coumadin on the Anticoagulation forum.

I home test weekly and I love the freedom. Other folks will be along soon and share some of their experiences with coumadin.

I was wondering how much a tester is or if insurances cover them?

 

[Ross]

I was wondering how much a tester is or if insurances cover them?

Some insurance companies cover them. Check this link out:
http://www.ptinr.com/data/pages/home-inr-testing.aspx?&u=patient&ur=true

You cannot use lovenox in place of Coumadin for the long term. In fact, there may be more opportunity for bleeding on lovenox.

There is no reason on earth that you can't play baseball while on Coumadin. Do you think your going to spontaneously bleed and spurt blood everywhere by simply playing ball? Ain't gonna happen. Sounds like you need to get a real Coumadin education and put a bunch of myths to bed. Read everything you can at this site: http://www.warfarinfo.com/warfarinfo.com2.htm

 

[lance]

I don't think so

I don't think so

Good morning Bodman,
Lovenox injections for life? I don't think so. Speaking from experience when I was on Lovenox prior to surgey a patient would get mighty tired of twice a day injections.
Unlike others, I was not bruised and did very well while bridged. Most Lovenox users become horribly bruised over the stomach area, probably the thighs too, another injection site. So they would wonder where to make injections.

PS Play baseball, enjoy. I think I would consult other physicians, too. Other opinions won't hurt.

 

[Karlynn]

We read something silly every day about anticoagulation here. I think this one goes on the list. Unless your body is not able to handle warfarin for some serious health issue, your doctor suggesting you switch to Lovenox injections just demonstrates how very little he knows about Coumadin and you need to get a new doctor ASAP. And I'm very serious about that suggestion.

Your chances of bleeding increase on Lovenox. It is not as easily controlled as Coumadin. We have members here who have been on Coumadin for 20, 30 and 40 years plus with no adverse physical effects from having been on it for a long time.

Ross is right. Since you are going to be on it for life, treat it as a diabetic would treat their insulin management. Learn how to dose and try to get a home testing monitor. Studies show that those who self-dose and home test have fewer incidences of bleeding and clots and have a more stable INR. If your doctor (or the doctor you end up with) tries to tell you it is unreliable, or that it's too "complicated" for a "civilian" to handle, they once again are proving how little they know.

Please read the stickies and view the videos in a link in one of them, at the top of the Anti-Coag forum and then feel free to ask any questions you need to in order to get to a place where you are your own Coumadin expert. It's not rocket science - because I was able to do it.

Best wishes!

 

[Mike C]

Play baseball

iron out miscommunication with physicians on lvenox vs coumadin or if not miscommuncition, shop for a new doc.

 

[Marty]

I am 24 years old and am 7months post op from MVR. A couple of physicians have mentioned switching over to lovenox. Is there any body who has made the switch or has been on lovenox for long term? I want to play baseball but the coumadin is making my decision to play harder and the physicians said the lovenox would be a good change. Any input on this topic would be well appreciated.

Salt Lake City has some of the best doctors in the country but you have not found them yet. Call the university and get the name of a good sports medicine specialist and see him/her before baseball seasongets underway.

 

[bodman25]

Thank you all for the input. I greatly appreciate it. After reading through the forums it has opened my mind to how the coumadin really is not that bad. I am going to play baseball and enjoy it. I will speak to my PCP (who is not trying to puch lovenox) and see if I can be set up with a home tester. Thank you.

Bodman25

 

[Ross]

Just protect your head and use common sense. Hank, the founder of this site, just jumped out of an airplane. Robthatsme still uses chainsaws, I still cut myself like mad on cars. You just bleed a tiny bit longer then a normal person.

 

[azpam]

What ... Are they fricking nuts??? Glad you saw "the light",got educated here and will check in with your PCP who might understand better than your "specialists".

 

[Guest]

Any doctor who would even think about putting a healthy young person on Lovenox for life should be put your favorite punishment here. The risk of osteoporosis alone would rule this choice out. Besides, if you did get injured warfarin can be easily reversed with fresh frozen plasma and several newer agents. Lovenox is irreversible (for the most part) and takes 12 to 24 hours to get out of your system.

Karlynn wrote me suggesting that I add this to my hall of shame. She is right.