Lovenox injection sites?

UrbanWife

I am about to start my injections...I'm curious as to where people inject.

Originally I was told abdomen and that is what it says on the lovenox site. After that my hematologist said I could do both sides of abdomen, back of arm, thighs and butt.

Anyone do them in these locations?

Does anyone do them in the pm rather than in the morning?

Finally, if you use ice to numb up the area do you ice, let dry, alocohol swab, let that dry, then inject?

 Thanks!

azbliss

I'm a surgical trauma nurse and give these injections all the time.   In giving Lovenox, think love handle area.  Pinch the area and give the injection at 90 degree angle to the skin.  I've spoken with quite a few Lovenox reps and they all state not to give the injection anywhere but in the abdominal area. I have actually seen some pretty wicked looking hematomas from Lovenox injections that have been administered in places like the thigh and arm.  I'm sure some folks have no problem and have been injecting there with no problems, but I personally do not feel comfortable having seen the damage it can do to tissue.

 Sorry I can't help you on the ice.  Good luck!  But i know it can sting quite a bit, for some people injecting slower helps with the stinging.

  

lax15bsu

I don't ice, so no help there.  But I've only done the shots in the abdomen.  I've had to move out more towards the love handles recently, but I can still pinch an inch pretty easily.

I also do my shots in the evening, right around 10pm or so.  I could never remember to do them in the mornings because I always wake up late and rush around to get ready for work, lol.

Pamela05

I only do them in my abs/love handles.  My ob said I could use my thighs, but I can't get a good pinch so I don't feel comfortable with that.  Plus the drug manufacturer says just the abdomen.  Just stay at least 2" from the belly button.

I do them at 9pm at night.  No way I could do it in the morning because I wake up with just the minimum amount of time to spare and I like to lie still for 15-20 minutes after I do the shot.

I don't use ice.  Just wipe, pinch hard and inject really slow.

ButterBean13

I was having a LOT of bruising with my Lovenox, and I asked someone on the April 2011 board who had been on it for a few pregnancies, and she recommended these steps.  I tried it, and now I no longer have the bruising and pain I used to have.

1)  Ice!!! For a good 15 minutes, it really helps with the burn and the bruising.

2)  Don't pinch - just stab it in about halfway.  Pinching makes the blood pool in the area, which reacts badly with the drug and gives you giant hematomas.

3)  Inject slowly, it helps with the bruising and the burn.

4)  Make sure your alcohol is all the way dry.

5)  Don't let anything rub on it for about 20 minutes afterward.  This includes waistbands if you are injecting in the abdomen/lovehandle region.  I inject before bed.

6)  Stay away from the new generic Lovenox if you can help it... I've had both, and the generic is more painful and makes you bleed a little,

Hope this helps!

sweetgirl425

I know it's a little late, but I just wanted to add that the abdomen is the preferred site because that is where it is best absorbed!

I haven't tried icing, so I'm not much help in that department! 

sweetpea18

I rotate between abdomen and thighs.  You can inject it wherever you can pinch off skin.  When I was really pregnant with dd, I didnt them in my legs because it hurt a lot when I did it in my abdomen. 

LiebeMama

I have used lovenox before, but not during pregnancy. In 2007, I had atrial fibrillation, and I had to do the shots for a week straight 2x daily before my catheter ablation. I never used ice to numb it, yes it does burn. I would obey the directions on the box as far as doing it in the area recommented only. My very first shot scared me, wound up hitting a blood vessel or something, I had this 2 inch purple and black bruise! The rest were fine though. It really doesn't hurt all that bad. I had my husband doing the shots until I had to work a 7-3, and I was doing all the shots about 11am, so I had to learn to do it myself. I was so scared my hand was shaking all over with the needle inside me. I don't miss it, thats for sure!