Question:
LOVENOX
I am having surgery on Thursday and was wondering if anyone's surgeon has put them on Lovenox injections after surgery? Also I was wondering if it was painful to self inject yourself. I can get a needle but I don't know about giving myself one. Thank you in advance to everyone's response. — DPURNELL (posted on May 20, 2008)
May 19, 2008
Yes, I had to have them because I have lifelong DVTS and be sure that you
ask the pharmacy the cost of these injections, It wiped my drug benefit out
for the rest of the year. A 7 day supply was $1525.40 and they are
prefilled with needles. The injections didn't hurt me because I am insulin
dependent. They cause bruising at the site where injected so don't worry
about it. My bruising is still on my body and I had my surgery 4-16-08, it
takes a long time for the bruises to disappear.
— dyates2948
May 19, 2008
I also had to have the shots after surgery. They come in pre-filled
needles. I could not bring myself to do it so I had my MIL do it. They were
not bad and there were only 6 of them.Good luck. Paula
— Paula K.
May 19, 2008
I also had to give myself Lovenox injections for 5 days after I got home.
At first I thought I was going to pass out but after the first injection it
got better and the 5 days went by quickly. Oh ya, I am one of those people
who can't even LOOK at someone getting a shot (t.v. or real) without
getting sick to my stomach......Good luck on your upcoming surgery and
welcome to the losing side......
— Nee P
May 19, 2008
I had to have the Lovenox shots for 10 days. My daughter gave them to me
for the first 3 days. I had to do it for the remainder. They were pre
filled and I experienced only minor discomfort and no bruising. I am like
the last post, don't care for needles. Not to bad and very important to the
process.
Y
— Y. Carroll
May 19, 2008
Yes, Any time I have a procedures I have a hx of PE's and DVT's. I have to
go on Lovenox. The injections I get are 150 mg and prefilled and dispoable.
I get my free because they are expensive and claim a hardship. . For my
revision that I will be having my hematologist will have me be inject for
1 week before surgery. For me they are very painful in my stomach. I am not
a diabetic. Than right after surgery and it dpends on surgeon he will have
the nurse inject you in the hospital while your there. Thes are very
expensive injections. I also stock up If if I can. I just had a EGD this
past friday and the hematolgist said to do 3 injections days preeop. Than
after my procedure I go back on coumadin. It all depend on your surgeon and
what they want.These shots give me huge bruises that last about 2 weeks. I
was trained by the drug rep nurse that works for the drug company. Dawn
— [Deactivated Member]
May 19, 2008
Thank you for everyone's response so far and I know that they are
expensive. I was told that I have to inject myself twice a day for 2 weeks
and I am nervous about that. I guess I was kind of lucky that my insurance
covered the pre-filled syringes and I only had to pay $200 out of pocket
for them. Which is still expensive but I had to do it. Again thank you for
everyone's response.
— DPURNELL
May 20, 2008
I was on Lovenox for a whole month after surgery...twice a day because I am
prone to blood clots. My hubby gave me the injections and sometimes I
wouldn't feel a thing and then other times they were a little
uncomfortable. I had a lot of bruising as well. Just part of it all I
guess. Good luck to you!! =)
— Mary G.
May 20, 2008
I took them, but I was at my sergeons office for a check up and he
administered them. No pork product during the time that you take them.
They will give you the first one at surgery. I beleive that I had 5 more
and then I was off of it. Best of success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
May 20, 2008
I was prescribed Lovenox due to the fact that I've previously had a
pulmonary embolism. They are not as bad as they used to be. If you've
ever had any kind of heparin or insulin shot in your belly, that's how they
are. If the doctor thinks you need it, that's one medicine you can't just
decide for yourself not to take. So even if you hate it, just realize it's
only for a short time and it's to save your life. But honestly, II think
taking it this time was a lot better than when I took it 3 years ago. Good
luck with your surgery and recovery!
— DianaB.
May 20, 2008
Don't you worry about the pain part, I'm the world's worst when it comes to
needles and I had no problem. I was on them ten day post-op, my husband
was able to do it for me, that helped. Call your insurance, TODAY, to
obtain pre-authrization for the med. Since it is an injectable it doesn't
fall in line with regular medicine. With insurance for a ten day supply
was 200+$s, not too bad, more than I had thought though. And, it's not
something you can just pick up at Revco, the hospital pharmacy will most
likely be your source for this. Not all hospital pharmacies want to go
through the hassle (to them) of calling for insurance approval, so try to
get it today, or at least give them a heads up. Any questions, feel free
to email me, Blessings, Leslie
— LuvNSummer
May 20, 2008
Hi, I also was prescribed Lovenox and my insurance covered it fully, other
than a $30.00 co-pay (BCBSIL).
Giving myself the shots wasn't too bad. I was shown the proper technique
while still in the hospital, and later at home, the first one by myself was
a little clumsy, but I knew how little the needle would hurt because of the
previous time. I got through the course of Lovenox with little problem,
only when I was careless would it hurt. Yes they do leave small bruises
but they fade quickly. Also the pre-filled syringes have a built in safety
shield that pops up (there's a certain trick to it) to cover the needle
when you are done. Good Luck with your sugery!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 20, 2008
I had to be on Lovenox a week prior and a week after surgery, 2 shots a day
because of my history. I found it depended where the shot was given as to
how much it hurt. If you have to have alot of shots, I would recommend
making yourself a "map" of your abdomin to note where you are
giving yourself the shot. I got so bruised I couldn't tell where I had just
given a shot or where the last few had been. You want to avoid using the
same spot within a few days of each other.
— Val_T
May 21, 2008
I had the shots - only while in the hospital.
— gonnadoit
May 21, 2008
Yep I did the Lovenox thing too! The needles are very thin and short. I
could not bring myself to inject myself so I had my daughter and hubby do
it for me. I think secretly they liked the idea of poking me! Anyway, it
did not hurt as long as the needle went in at an angle and quickly like
being shot with a dart. It was not nearly as bad as I had worked it up to
be in my mind. Chewing the nasty vitamins after surgery was way worse!!!
Best of Luck with your surgery.
— ChelleBelle
May 21, 2008
Yes, my surgeon makes all his patients take lovenox or hepirin
shots after surgery - prevents blood clots
My grown sons were more than willing to inject Mom - I think it was payback
time!! It's just in your belly area and didn't hurt.
— sta6160
May 21, 2008
Lovenox is very common. I had it for one week once, and it's a peice of
cake. You just pick up a hunk of fat on your belly, poke it in and push.
You can hardly feel it. You'll do fine.
Paula P.
— paulajaneb
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