I've been on lovenox quite a few times now. And in the month of January I think I was giving myself shots more days than not! And believe me, I HATE needles. Somehow or other I managed.
At any rate, I'm surprised your doctor didn't have them send the little training video along with the shots. But perhaps I can help. First of all, you will be giving them to yourself in the abdomen (tummy). Find a spot an inch or two away from your belly button on either side (alternate sides each time you give your shot), and wipe with an alcohol swab then pinch up the skin. Hold the shot in your other hand (usually the one you write with) like a pencil and "flick your wrist" (or so they say) to insert the needle into the skin. This was always the hardest part for me. I would have to take a couple of deep breaths, then just do it. The first time I got it in, then flinched and pulled it back out before I ever got any medicine in. So I had to do it again, with a slightly less sharp needle
. Anyway, once it is in, press the plunger all the way down. Then you can pull the needle out. Do not rub the spot, even though it will sting a bit. This can cause bruising. Now, even if you don't rub it you can end up with some major bruises. Twice I must have hit a blood vessel because I had bruises that covered half my tummy!
Anyway, I hope that helped some (if it even made sense). Good luck. I understand your aprehension, and hope that you can get your INR up fast so you don't have to do the shots for long!
