Question:
Has anyone been sent home on Fragmin, a blood thinner?

My surgeon sent me home on a daily injection of a blood thinner called Fragmin for one month!! Those little shots burn like a you-no-what. Anybody else have to take a daily injection of a blood thinner for a month? Also, I overdid today and am very sore right now but I'm afraid to take the Vicodin because im afraid it will get stuck, can I cut one in half or in quarters and swallow it? One more thing, how does one know if they become lactose intollerant? What are the symptoms? Thanks all!!!!    — Elizabeth C. (posted on August 2, 2001)

August 2, 2001
Hi, I'm still pre-op (surgery scheduled for 8/8). When I went for my PAT's the use of Fragmin was discussed. They will have us on Fragmin starting before the surgery and we will have to take two injections after we get home. That is all. They set it up with the hospital so that we could get just the two doses through them at the PAT. I know that the Fragmin is to prevent clots from forming. That's all I can tell you.
   — Paula G.

August 3, 2001
I am the original poster of this question(s) and I just wanted to state for Paula who responded that I would ask the doctor why start Fragmin before surgery? This is a blood thinner and I would think it would be dangerous to be on a blood thinner at the time of a major surgery.
   — Elizabeth C.

August 3, 2001
I have a history of blood clots. I was told use of a blood thinner before and after surgery is a precaution to ward off blood clots forming. I have had to do this before surgery before. i took shots before surgery then stopped a couple of days before surgery to let blood thicken back up. Then I was put back on blood thinner in hospital and sent home to take coumadin pill for 4 months after surgery. I would rather do all this and not ever have another blood form.
   — pattyw

August 3, 2001
I was started on Heparin shots to morning of my surgery and was sent home with Lovenox shots twice ddaily for 6 weeks. my Dr. is really parnoid about blood clots so he is extra cautious. He warned up in the initial meeting that he would send us home with the blood thinnner. Had to warn us, Lovenox is $1000 a month. Thank goodness my insurance covered it. The shot in the stomach is a small price to pay for warding off blood clots.
   — angelwomyn

August 13, 2001
MY FRIEND JUST DIED BECAUSE HER DR. DID NOT PRESCRIBE THE BLOOD THINNER. SHE THREW A BLOOD CLOT AND IS NOW DEAD. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
   — blank first name B.