LymeNet Flash: heparin injections

This is topic heparin injections in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

Starting tomorrow I will give myself a heparin injection every 12hrs.Do any of you have advice? My LLMD showed me how.I am supposed to inject it wherever I have some fat like my stomach.It looks easy and painless.

Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

Please give me detailed,step by step instructions

and advice

Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :

Trecetetodromonmetabia, there are a couple of things that I do to help.

Give your injections at least one inch apart. I use the left side of my belly in the morning and the right side for my evening shot. That way they are very separated.

If you find that they sting too much, use an ice cube on the area before and after the injection. Some people even use a lidocaine cream to numb the area. I have not had to do either of these, but a friend of mine did.

Some injection site bruising is normal for me. Don't give a new injection near a bruise.

Relax about it. Pretty soon you will be a ole pro at it.

You must a have fairly progressive doc if they are using heparin. You are in good hands.

Make sure that you get a complete blood count, PT, and a PTT done in about 10 days to 2 weeks. Did your doc tell you about that? It is important to see how you are reacting to the heparin.

Take good care,
Karen

Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :

http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/subq.pdf

This site has detailed step by step instructions on how to give a subcutaneous injection, which is the kind you do when injecting heparin. It will take you longer to read the info than give the shot, but it will be a good reference for you.

Don't use your arms or legs for injection sites as the bruises will show. The areas on my thighs still show, so use your belly or behind.

Ask away if you have more questions.
Karen

Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

Thank you kgg.
That link is very helpful.
I tried to inject it on my belly.
I put the needle in the tiniest little bit and it just got all bloody.I tried it in 7 different places and every time it bleeds and I just put it in a tiny bit. When my doctor did it it didn't bleed at all.Am I doing something wrong?Thank you.

[This message has been edited by trecetetodromonmetabia (edited 30 December 2004).]

Posted by newdurham77 (Member # 7815) on :

Hi there! What did you get the heparin prescribed for? What were your symptoms?

Thank you!

Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

There are lots of things wrong with my blood.

[This message has been edited by trecetetodromonmetabia (edited 18 January 2005).]

Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :

Do you have hypercoagulation? What were your tests results?

I'd be concerned about taking Heparin if you bled so easily from the injection.

My son has a nightly injection (not Heparin) and does not bleed from the site.

You can take Heparin orally if the shots aren't working for you. Both of my kids take oral Heparin.

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Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

These are my abnormal test results.I've no idea what they mean.LLMD told me but that was hours ago so of course I can not remember.

HEREDITARY THROMBOSIS RISK PANAL 1
factor 2 activity: 121 H 60-120
Lp(a)-lipoprotein (a): 47 H 0-30
homocysteine: 4.4 L 5-15

ISAC PANEL-FLOW
platelet activation by flow,
cd62p: 30 H 1-27

ISAC PANEL
t/at complexes: 6.8 H 1-4.1

LLMD says heparin injections are better but if I can't do the injections then I can take orals.I was exaggerating I was upset.It didn't get "all bloody" but it did bleed and I barely even periced my skin.If I put the needle in all the way then it probably would get all bloody.I could call my Dr. or nurse but I want to be able to do this myself.(and with your help of course I think I am just doing it wrong.
Thank you.You people are so nice/helpful.I don't know what I would do without this site.

I also have babesia and doesn't that kill red blood cells?I thought I would need the opposite of heparin like something to make my blood thicker.Do the dying red blood cells make your blood thicker?

Pab, how have your kids faired on oral heparin?

[This message has been edited by trecetetodromonmetabia (edited 30 December 2004).]

[This message has been edited by trecetetodromonmetabia (edited 31 December 2004).]

[This message has been edited by trecetetodromonmetabia (edited 18 January 2005).]

Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :

trecetetodromonmetabia,

Both are at the max dose and their results from monitoring the heparin have always been good.

Are you still seeing Dr. Jones? I didn't know that he prescribes heparin.

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Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :

Trecetetodromonmetabia, you need to insert the needle in more, not just a tiny bit. And inject all of the heparin in the one site.

Mine will sometimes bleed afterwards. Just hold a tissue steadily on the injection site and it will stop bleeding.

Keep asking questions until you are comfortable doing this.

Karen