Heparin shots for newbies

Just wanted to pass on a little hospital info:

I was floored when someone told me they were getting their heparin shots in their arm while in the hospital.  Demand the nurses give it to you in your belly!  It hurts a lot less.  I had two a day for five  days and every one was in my belly except for one they gave in my arm - NEVER AGAIN!

They aren't fun - but they hurt loads less on the underside of the belly.

Thought I'd share!

What's heparin?  I don't think I've gotten that?  Is it blood thinner that you only get right after surgery?  If so, we get Loven (sp?) instead.  Did shots at home for five days and was instructed to do it in the belly. 

Yeah - blood thinner - interesting you had to do it at home.  Glad you didn't have to do it in the arm!! 

The reasoning they gave us for doing Steve's in his arms was that it can cause subcutaneous bleeding at the site as it is to prevent blood clots.  They didn't feel that extra bleeding and bruising in the abdominal region was a good idea.  The bruises on his arms are still resolving (they alternated arms daily).

Just our experience and the rationale given...

That's interesting.  The person I was referring to was in the SAME hospital as me and they were giving hers in the arm but I got all of mine in my belly - so I think in this case it didn't apply, just was a different nurse.  I had bruising on my belly for sure but I also had as much in my arm when they gave me that one shot.  I just know the arm hurts WAY worse and if the belly is an option - people should know they can ask for it.

I got mine through the IV...ouch....!!!!!! in the belly??!! ouchie ouch!

I got most of mine in my belly, and when concern was expressed about that, they agreed to do them in the thigh.  The one I got in my arm was the only one that hurt.

Any amount of pain is better than a clot or embolus, though!

-- Lenore

blood clots are bad m'kay 

Will the morphin or whatever pain killer they have you on not be enough to dull the pain?
Some hospitals have the heparin in the IV, right?

I've never heard of it being given in the IV - no idea why that would be though.

The painkillers did not help with the pain of the one I had in my arm.  Hurt like a *****  However - the one's in the tummy were fine - only felt a little poke.

It would be pretty unusual to have heparin in the IV on a postop floor.   In the ICU maybe.  

Dennie