Reaction to Lovenox?

[ticktock]

Hi all, need some advice/experience/HELP!

I have been on Lovenox injections since Sunday a.m. for a colonoscopy on Wednesday. Have had no problems with them, until Tuesday evening. About 1 hour after injection, I began to itch. My scalp was really bad, and my ears, just couldn't quit scratching!!

I was also prepping for the scope, and figured it was the phospha-soda stuff. Yuck. Blew it off. Did not have a shot the morning of the scope, but did that evening. To keep it shorter, I have had the itching episodes after the last 3 injections. This morning, I also had some swelling around my lips, and kept feeling like I needed to clear my throat. Called my Coag Clinic, he said stop the shots.

So, here I sit with a 1.3 INR, NO Lovenox shots, and nothing but a Coumadin pill to comfort me. What would you do?? Has anyone had a similar reaction to Lovenox?? I cannot be 100% sure it is that, since I take 20 pills a day. BUT, it sure seems like it to me. How long before the Lovenox is gone from my body? Any help is sure appreciated. My anxiety level is a tad HIGH!
mindy

 

[bvdr]

Hi Mindy,

I would be concerned about an INR of l.3 too. I'm not sure how long it takes for Lovenox to leave your system either. Have you had an adverse reaction in the past to IV or injectable heparin? I'm just wondering what risk your doctor would be willing to take if he was the patient.

Do you home test your INR?
Did you restart your coumadin on Wednesday as well?

 

[azpam]

Wow, sure sounds like an allergic reaction to me.(throat getting smaller,lips swollen,itchy,etc) i would vote for the new med and NOT your usual routine pills. so either lovenox or the prep. could be either! definate reaction to me.hope everything comes out ok.stay away from any greens!

 

[lance]

Reaction to Lovenox

Reaction to Lovenox

Good morning Ticktock,

Sorry to learn of your concerns about lovenox.

May I suggest a Google search under the name of the drug.

 

[tommy]

Get help right away!

Get help right away!

I have done Lovenox several times including colonoscopy. It dissipates in about 12 hours. That's why the last shot is twelve hours before the procedure.

Let me get this straight. You posted this on Thursday night and have been taking Lovenox for 4 days with a colonoscpoy scheduled 6 days away. I assume that you have stopped taming Coumadin already. (You started Lovenox 10 days prior to the colonoscopy?) Yikes!! That's way too early. Who's managing your anticoagulation, the GI doc? You need better care!

Please get with your cardio right away. The next alternative is likely to go to the hospital for Heprin IV. They will admit you to do that, but it looks like a good idea to me. Heprin is instantaneous acting and dissipating. 1.3 is dangerous!!!!! Even if you restart Coumadin today, you would be at huge risk for several days. That's not acceptable.

Whether you keep the colonoscopy on schedule or not, is a secondary concern at this point, but still possible.

For what it is worth, my Lovenox regime was to drop Coumadin 5 days prior to the procedure. Started Lovenox when my INR dropped below 2.5. After the procedure, restarted Coumadin and dropped Lovenos when my INR reached 2.5. Lovenox and Coumadin efffect different aspects of the coagulation system. Lovenox does not show up on the INR - only the Coumadin does.

Hope this helps you.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

CALL YOUR CARDIOLOGIST NOW !!!

It sounds like you are having a serious allergy or drug interaction that needs appropriate MEDICAL ATTENTION ASAP. Let your doctor (cardiologist) take the responsibility for this decision. And don't let the office staff put you off. At the very least you need to talk with a cardiolgy nurse who can get in contact with your cardio immediately.

Every time I read such stories, I decide that I'll take my chances NOT having a colonoscopy...

Best wishes.

'AL'

 

[ticktock]

Lovenox woes

Lovenox woes

Hi all
Thanks for your thoughts, and every one of them were right on the money. It is a huge risk.... and I have seen the Cardio this a.m. We have a wonderful relationship and are honest with each other. He basically said this is a bad situation. Lovenox IS heparin, so doing IV heparin at this point, in or out of the hospital would be no better than shooting Lovenox in my tummy. There is "some" chance, that I might not react to a slightly different heparin, but not much of one.

It is a bad deal, all around. There is no perfect fix. He said if it were him, or his wife, he would NOT take the Lovenox, but spike the Coumadin like crazy every 12 hours. I decided to do what he recommended. I have trusted him this far, and he has kept me around far longer than anyone would have predicted.

He could put me in the hospital, and start a heparin drip. BUT, even in the hospital an anaphylactic reaction is not always reversible. The first thing would be to give adrenalin, and with my heart in its current condition, may be the kiss of death. So, I think you will agree, that it's all I can do. I always tend to think there is a "fix"... but this is just not the case in this instance. Ain't that the pits?

I will try to remain calm. May take a xanax.... keep my mind busy on something else, and pray. Any time you could spare for a quick prayer sent my way would be greatly appreciated. Oh, he did do a CBC, and is checking for thrombocytopenia... but I can't imagine that. I have no sign of bleeding anywhere, no bleeding, nothing. So, Im thinking that is not happening. Positive attitude!! Works wonders!!

mindy

 

[ticktock]

Lovenox

Lovenox

HosackTom
Wrote you a private mail, but will post here re; timing.

I was only off of Coumadin for 3 days for the colonoscopy. Last does Saturday evening, scope on Wednesday a.m., next does Lovenox on Wednesday at 3pm. Coumadin restarted at 3pm also, same day. So, I feel they kept the window as narrow as possible.

INR is up to 1.5 this noon.... and just took 10 more mg. Will take 10 more tomorrow at noon, and go from there. Will monitor INRs daily at home.

Thanks again for the note!
mindy

 

[ticktock]

Tom
I am so confusing, I confuse myself!!! I was never without either Lovenox or Coumadin. I started the Lovenox the morning AFTER the last dose of Coumadin. Sorry, that sounded very confusing (above).
mindy

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Ticktock!!!!

Hi Ticktock!!!!

Long time no gossip!! LOL

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your reaction to Lovonox...I had to be put on it in August while I was in the hospital because I seem to have developed Pulmonary Hypertension, thus putting myself at a much much bigger risk of developing blood clots and having a stroke or heart attack. I was wondering how bad did your itching get? I have a ton of allergies and I was wondering if this could be one of them. I hope not..gosh, who needs another allergy to add to the collection. LOL Anyway, other than that, how have you been doing? I went through that Colonoscopy about a year ago, and it was a breeze for me, and I hope it will be for you..It will be interesting to find out if I have to go on blood thinners for my PH, and I hope I do not, but I guess we shall never know until we find out. lol I just wanted to say hello and see how your feeling and all since I haven't seen you around much lately, and I hope all goes well for ya and let me know how you are doing OK? Take Care, Harrybaby666