Lovenox

[Joe]

Good morning all, I just got the great news I need a colon scope and must therefore get off coumadin and get the lovenox shots.
I have been home testing for over a year now but I do keep in touch with my old coumadin clinic and have just got it all set up and the prescription ordered.
I have always been instructed to give the shots in the stomach around the belly button.Did not much like, but endured it.
Today the coumadin nurse I have always worked with said the shots could also be given in the fleshy part of the arm or thigh, they just never tell anyone that ????
Question is-has anyone else been told this?

I will appreciate all comments in this regard.I will be going off coumadin after wednesday of this week and starting the shots on Friday 2-per day.

The procedure is scheduled for next Tuesday morning the 8th.

St. Judes mechanical valve Jan. 2001, Thanks for your help ! JOE DAWDY

 

[Bina]

Yes, some people have given shots in the thigh area. I prefer my tummy area.
Also, many members have had routine colonoscopies while on ACT.

 

[Guest]

From the official Lovenox package insert

From the official Lovenox package insert

Subcutaneous Injection Technique: Patients should be lying down and Lovenox administered by deep SC injection. To avoid the loss of drug when using the 30 and 40 mg prefilled syringes, do not expel the air bubble from the syringe before the injection. Administration should be alternated between the left and right anterolateral and left and right posterolateral abdominal wall. The whole length of the needle should be introduced into a skin fold held between the thumb and forefinger; the skin fold should be held throughout the injection. To minimize bruising, do not rub the injection site after completion of the injection.

There is nothing about using it anywhere except the abdomen. And around the belly button is not there either.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Is this a routine Colonoscopy (due to age) or does your Doc suspect that you really may have polyps that need to be removed.

Some Gastroenterologists will perform a routine diagnostic colonoscopy while fully anticoagulated. Some have even removed small polyps while anticoagulated (Ross for example).

For large polyps, they will want you OFF anticoagulation and have to do a repeat procedure.

I've seen one other member write about injection into the thigh but do not know of anyone who has actually done that.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

I was reading a nurses site one day and they were talking about different areas to inject lovenox. Many didn't know of anything other then the abdomin, but some of the older nurses or at least those with more experience said that the thigh has been used before.

You might want to read and copy this pdf:

 

[AgilityDog]

I got my first lovenox shot in the ER, in the back of the arm. I DO not recommend that site at all, at all, at all! Bruised like a SOB and took forever to heal. Use the tummy.

 

[Joe]

Thanks to all for your comments.
Bina, after the comments so far, I think the tummy rules, thanks.
Al L, - I,ll show my ignorance, where exactly are the areas you are talking about? I shall deeply appreciate the answer. I will be happy to expand the area, as I have been receiving hormone shots for prostate cancer in the stomach in addition to radiation treatment taken last year.
Al C- Age 67, had a scope in yr. 2000, when they did remove some polyps(thankfully non maligant) Hopefully it will be the same results this time.
I have had lots of problems in the rectum area and bloody stools since th e radiation.
Ross- thanks for the PDF link Have not yet had time to read.
Laurie-Thanks for your input.

 

[MNmom]

I begged for a different spot

I begged for a different spot

Hi there! I am finally off the shots (at least until my next INR test tomorrow) and was on them for two weeks as my INR rose after getting surgery on June 4th (new to a mechanical valve and coumadin) ANYWAY, I begged the nurses, Dr, and pharmacist to let me use somewhere other than my tummy, but noooooo. My aunt who was staying with me after surgery (who is a neuro nurse) said she has given it in the thigh before, though no one let me do that. My sides are still black and blue, good luck! Its no fun, but sounds like its temporary. I know in my Lovenox instructions it said to aim for at least two inches from the belly button- "think lovehandles" was how it was put. I used ice for 15 minutes first (so maybe Im a big baby), and it really helped the pain!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I've used it twice. The first time in my thighs, because nobody told me otherwise, and I assumed it was just like when I had to give myself Insulin. At that time I was very pregnant and not comfortable giving shots in my quite firm stomach! The second time I read the directions and noted that they specified the abdomen, so that's where I gave them. I didn't have problems either time, but maybe I was just lucky!

 

[Joe]

I did some searches on the internet and found this site showing the areas for lovenox injections - http://www.nownursesknow.com/tools/HowToAdminister.aspx

I have certainly have been misinformed in the past when my coumadin administrator said to keep them within 2 " of the belly button !

I have had my first 2 shots which have gone well thus far. Sorry I did not seek other opinions my first 3 times of being on lovenox.

Thanks to all who responded and maybe this info will help others.

Joe Dawdy