posted
I have started heparin injections about two weeks ago and have the worst bruising from them.
I'm fairly sure that I'm doing them right and will definitely put a call into the doctor in the next few days.
Wondering if anyone else had any tips or similiar experiences. Every site I've used has a huge bruise and I'm running out of locations to use.
I do feel that it is helping and want to continue.
Any feedback appreciated!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
I used a nasal spray for over 3 years, no briusing, no needles. Just a couple suirts up the nose. It worked great and if you would like info, let me know.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
The bruising is to be expected...no way around it. I had to abandon the shots several months into treatment because of an allergy to the preservative.
I switched to oral heparin and it worked well. I can give you the phone number of the compounding pharmacy if you need it. It's the same one that Dr C uses.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
How often are you getting your blood clotting levels checked? When I bruised badly from the shots, it was because my blood was waaaaay too thin.
Are they keeping you on the shots? They had me on the shots and an oral med till we got me to the right level. Now I am just on the oral med, and still getting blood checked daily so we can adjust the dose as needed.
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
It is heparin. You can get it from University Compounding Pharmacy in San Diego. If I remember right you take it dose for dose as you would for injections. My doc had it made up specially for his patients, but I know since he came up with it, there are plenty of others who use it.
He also came up with Imetrex in an nasal spray long before the makers of Imetrex did. He's always looking for ways to make life less painful for us.
Blackbird, usually the amount given to desolve fibrin is so tiny, very excessive bleeding isn't an issue. I was tested once at the beginning and then about 3 months later to see how my fibrin levels were doing. After so many years I could tell if I needed more heparin, like when on ABX. I would then just increase by maybe one sqirt a day. I'd back down just a touch if my bleeding time seemed a little longer. Then I suspected I didn't need the heparin at all after treatment with ABX, got tested and I was right.
The same was all true for my daughter, who actually gave birth to her first child while on these very low doses of heparin. Doses were so small, that no doctors had any concerns what so ever. I had a surgery and wisdom teeth extracted while on heparin, no concerns there either.
Testing every day "might" be a waste of money, since heparin is out of your system within 12 hours and so is VERY reversable.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
While you are doing the shots, I find that giving them in the lower stomach doesn't hurt as much. I bunch up a bit of skin and stick the needle in. Everytime I go up closer to the belly button it really hurts.
That's my experience with the shots. I've been doing them for around 9 months now.
Sandy
p.s. Another thing, do the shot slowly, let the liquid spread out a bit, wait, then continue. That has helped me with bruising.
Posts: 686 | From Northeast Georgia | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Dr C recommends Midwest Compounders. Because he has MANY patients on this therapy, the price is lower than most other compounders charge.
I would call around for prices before choosing a pharmacy. They ship it anywhere in the US and I don't think they even charge shipping....can't remember since I am now on lumbrokinase instead.
Midwest: 1-888-245-3012
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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I did call the LLMD"S office and they suggested putting ice on the area before and after. And they did suggest sublingual heparin if that didn't work.
Sandy-I do agree that lower stomach is my best location and I do go really slow pushing a tiny bit of medication every 30 seconds to a minute. I still end up with horrible bruising.
I will definitely have my bloodwork done and see what's going on. I have only been on them two weeks so I hope I haven't thinned my blood too much in that time.
The other problem is that all of the injection sites are still so bruised that I don't have any new places to go.
I'm thinking sublingual or nasal spray is looking better and better. Or maybe switching to Rechts Regulat since many folks swear by that.
Best of luck to everyone!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
I had to do Lovenox shots while on IV abx andf for three months after foot surgery. I have genetic clotting problem, factor IV lieden.
I only got bruising when pinched too tight and when I injected too slowly.
We are all different but I couldn't squeeze cause get the bruising instantly. I had to gently hold.
Never had to do daily blood tests.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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