LymeNet Flash: heparin questions

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

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Posted by tempe (Member # 5000) on :

For those of you who've tried heparin therapy, how soon after beginning the drug did you begin to feel positive or negative affects?

Is 1 week long enough of a trial to see if it is going to do you any good?

Thank you.

Tempe

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

I felt it immediately..however, the bigger, better effects didn't come on for a couple of months.

At first...my hands and feet got REAL warm and fuzzy...ooooooooooooh, it felt GREAT!!!!

Later on...increased effectiveness of the abx, and less pain, increased cognitive function, increased energy, etc.

In some cases it may only be a couple of months on it...some may have to be on it longer.

Trout

Posted by beach4so (Member # 3832) on :

tempe

My son Dominic who is 7 is on heparin. He has been on it for 6 weeks now. We started with a lower dose then 2 weeks later had to increase.

He has blood work done every two weeks to monitor everything since he started it.

We noticed within the first two weeks his fatigue left. He also stopped having so much trouble in school with reading and thinking. He said it was like the fog was gone and he wasn't confused anymore.

And his energy level now is out of this world. No more afternoon naps. It is unreal.

Put it this way, I think one of the best things we did was start the heparin. I admit I was terrified at first but he even admits it is helping alot.

Starr

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I've been on heparin for two years, so I have no clue how long it took for it to begin working for me. If my memory was that good, I would be well!

I've run out of heparin this past week, and I'm most unhappy about it. First the increased pain, then the fatigue, then the brain fog. UGH!

I'm supposed to get my new shipment tomorrow...I think...Forgot how much it was helping me! It's great stuff!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by JJ (Member # 602) on :

It took nearly 3 months before I noticed the benefits of Heparin. When it took hold, it really helped. When I stopped after 9 months, I really suffered for a while, it was a rough trip. Lots of pain and fatigue returned. It was temporary though.

Give it time, it really does help!

I am about 95% back to wellness now, after a 5 year battle, but I have a life again and am loving it!

Posted by Nancy-OH (Member # 3567) on :

What's the heparin for?

I thought it was just to keep your blood from clotting. Doc gave it to me when I was on the Rocephin IV.

Nancy

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Nancy, the heparin you had for the IV was just to clear the line, etc and keep clots out. You didn't receive enough to do any good for your body.

Heparin works on the fibrinogen. Fibrinogen can keep oxygen from getting to your cells. Lack of oxygen to the cells causes fatigue and pain.

In order to go on heparin, you have to have a panel of tests called the ISAC panel.

For more info, go to www.hemex.com

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by annettsky (Member # 5670) on :

wouldn't coumadin have the same effect on the fibrinogen?

karen

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waiting and praying for a miracle

Posted by tempe (Member # 5000) on :

[QUOTE]Originally posted by annettsky:
[B]wouldn't coumadin have the same effect on the fibrinogen?

karen

No. Coumadin reduces platelets, not fibrinogen. You have to use heparin to reduce fibrinogen production, my LLMD says.

Tempe

Posted by Stella (Member # 3119) on :

Heparin also works as a blood thinner, so please be careful with cuts. And don't have surgery without letting your surgeon know the exact treatment you are on. Heparin thins the blood and blood clotting takes longer.

Aside from this negative "side effect", I have heard it works well!

Posted by Nancy-OH (Member # 3567) on :

INTERESTING....thanks, I learn something new here everyday!

--Nancy

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

I, too, felt the effects of Heparin almost immediately.

There has been a pleathra of information on Heparin here is the past couple of years that is still very good information today. So I'd suggest you do a search up under Post New Topic and use the keyword Heparin and you'll have all the answers to why, how and what about Heparin you could want to read.

Rosemary

Editing here to add that, no, I do not believe that a week is time enough to tell all the good effects of this drug. Give it somemore time. You must be patient with any therapy you are starting when it concerns treatment for LD.

[This message has been edited by rosesisland2000 (edited 11 June 2004).]