Lovenox Bruise - is this normal? PIP

mommy_bear

OK, i've heard to expect "bruising at the injection sight" but, this seems a bit much.

Also, it burned like hell!

I admire you ladies who can administer your own shots daily. I am already dreading tonight's dose.

fauxshelley

Sorry, I don't know anything about Lovenox.  I just wanted to say -

OUCH!!

praline

I have gotten bruises like that before, but not usually.  Ouch!  Do you ice the area before injecting?  Turn the bevel facing you.  Also, I feel like that is pretty far on your side to do it, although I do them on my side but not that far back.

Shake off any drops of Lovenox from the tip of the needle before injecting.  You might bruise more because you are on the Lovenox and because you are on baby aspirin, but it doesn't have to be that bad.  Try the ice...and I always did my own.

Good luck!  You'll get used to it :-)  Oh, and don't worry about hurting the baby if you do it in your belly (where there is more fat) the needle isn't long enough to penetrate your uterus.

ETA: Repost this on high risk prenancy board...there are more women over there on Lovenox and they may have more tips for you too.

mommy_bear

praline:

I have gotten bruises like that before, but not usually.  Ouch!  Do you ice the area before injecting?  Turn the bevel facing you.  Also, I feel like that is pretty far on your side to do it, although I do them on my side but not that far back.

Shake off any drops of Lovenox from the tip of the needle before injecting.  You might bruise more because you are on the Lovenox and because you are on baby aspirin, but it doesn't have to be that bad.  Try the ice...and I always did my own.

Good luck!  You'll get used to it :-)  Oh, and don't worry about hurting the baby if you do it in your belly (where there is more fat) the needle isn't long enough to penetrate your uterus.

ETA: Repost this on high risk prenancy board...there are more women over there on Lovenox and they may have more tips for you too.

DH shot me last night. We didn't use ice. Tonight I think I'll do it. I'm going to ice it up, insert it in my belly fat and have the bevel facing me as you suggested. Thanks for the encouragement. I also re-posted on High-Risk. Thank you!! 

fiazo

Wow-that's a pretty bad bruise. Ouch. I don't know anything about Lovenox, but I have had to administer I would say over a couple hundred shots ttc & even the prgesterone which was a big needle never did that to me. I hope you don't have to shoot the same side tonight.

robynlesley

No clue if that's normal or not... but OWIE!

stever

Yoiks. That looks painful, but it's probably no cause for worry. I have MS and had to inject myself 3 times a week until we TTC. It usually wasn't that bad, but if I hit a vein it burned like a bastard and left a nasty bruise. That's probably what happened to you.

Jerseygirl16

Wow!  That is quite bruise.  I'm so sorry!  

I actually took Lovenox for about 2 months with Paige.  They thought I had a clotting disorder  but it turned out that the test was done during a m/c which skewed the results and a later test showed me clear so they stopped me on it.  

Anyway, I was told by the nurse to do my injections in my stomach around my belly button.  When she showed me how to do it she recommended pressing down on the injection site (after removing the needle, of course) for a period of time.  It was under a minute but I can't remember how long.  She said this reduces the bruising.  I didn't listen at first and had a really nice ring of bruises around my belly.  Then I tried it and lo an behold it worked really well.  I'd still get the occasional bruise but it was SO much better. 

Good luck! 

Jerseygirl16

I wanted to add that although it looks hugely intimidating to inject yourself in the stomach after you get through the first time it's easier.  And after a few times it's really no big deal at all.  At least that was my experience.  I still can't watch someone do a blood draw on my arm but I could give myself the Lovenox without a second thought.  

Injecting yourself looks worse than it actually feels.  Good luck!

geojody

I agree with the pp, I am on Lovenox and will be until I switch over to heparin.  I aim for between teh belly button and hip "love handle.  The closer to the belly button and closer to the hip hurt more and bruise more.  I do ice the area 5 full minutes before and after.  It definitely help.  My dr. also suggested Arnica Gel  which helps with the bruising.  It is a little difficult to find in the stores, so you may want to try the internet.  That stuff does WONDERS with the brusing.