Question:
Give myself blood thinner shots ?

I just found out I have to give myself blood thinner shots for 10 days after surgery. Did any one else have too? Was it easy to learn how to do in the hopital?    — suzanne S. (posted on March 27, 2002)


March 27, 2002
I learned how to do this in the hospital. It wasn't something I looked forward to but it was actually very easy. Now once a month I give myself a B12 shot. Good luck.
   — Mare G.

March 27, 2002
I had to do the shots also. One of the nurses helped me with the first 2 and gave me instructions for doing it at home. As the other poster said, it's not something I looked forward to, but it was better than having a blood clot! Good luck!
   — Katy B.

April 3, 2002
I HAD TO GIVE MYSELF SHOTS BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY FOR BLOOD THINNER. I THINK IT WAS LOVEX MAY NOT BE SPELLING IT RIGHT. IT WASN'T BAD, NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE MYSELF A SHOT. IT WAS EASIER WITH LESS PAIN IN THE STOMACH. COULDN'T REACH MY ARMS TO GIVE IT THERE. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR SURGERY. I AM 1-1/2 YEARS POST OPP. LOST 166 LBS. BUT STILL HAVE 80 MORE TO GO. NOW ITS SLOW. BUT WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN. ITS WORTH IT TO HAVE A LIFE AGAIN. GOD BLESS SMILES ALWAYS GRACIE
   — gwhisman6

April 25, 2002
I have to take blood thinners, too. The nurse in the hospital taught me how to give it and I received a video on it, too, with all the things I needed. The worst part is trying to get the courage to put the needle in my abdomen. Once this is done, inject the medicine slowly, so it won't burn. If no one taught you how to give yourself a shot, be sure to call and talk to your doctor, or the nurse. They can teach you how to give it to yourself. Good Luck.
   — Liz M.

April 25, 2002
The shots are not bad. If you use insulin ask about using the "shorts". I find they don't sting as much as the longer needles. Good luck!!! Really... it isn't bad!
   — Linda M.

April 25, 2002
Giving yourself the shots should be fairly easy. I have had to do this twice. The usual medication is called Lovenox and it comes in pre-filled syringes. The needles are really small and pretty short. It takes a little getting used to the first couple of time. Most people have an aversion to sticking a needle in themselves, so this is a common and normal reaction. But, once you get the hang of it, it is an easy thing to do and like one poster said, it beats the alternative. Good Luck.
   — Susan M.

October 1, 2002
Hey there. Giving yourself the shots is no problem. Really. The biggest obstacle will be taking the first one. You will build it up in your mind that it will be bad, but then once you do the first shot, it gets much easier. If it will help, do the first one with a nurse or doctor present. I didn't have trouble because I used to give my Mommy insulin shots and they were exactly the same. The needles are very thin and short and should not hurt a bit if given in the abdomen. Good luck and may your shots be painless.
   — Ann L.

October 1, 2002
Hey there. Giving yourself the shots is no problem. Really. The biggest obstacle will be taking the first one. You will build it up in your mind that it will be bad, but then once you do the first shot, it gets much easier. If it will help, do the first one with a nurse or doctor present. I didn't have trouble because I used to give my Mommy insulin shots and they were exactly the same. The needles are very thin and short and should not hurt a bit if given in the abdomen. Good luck and may your shots be painless.
   — Ann L.

October 1, 2002
I had to do this twice a day for 7 days. I am a GIANT wimp, so if I say it isn't bad, it isn't. One bit of advice. Let the alcohol DRY ALL THE WAY before you inject yourself or else it will sting. Make sure you get the need in all the way or the Lovenox will seep out and do nothing for you. They give you tiny insulin needles, so it's not bad. If it does sting afterwards, rub the area with your finger. Also, I always did my shots about 10 minutes after I took my liquid pain meds...didn't feel squat...although I did bruise everywhere I injected.
   — Paula Prichard




Click Here to Return
×