syringes and switching to heparin?

atalanta04

So my high risk doc called in an rx for heparin, which I filled at my local CVS.  Upon getting home, I saw that they gave me a bunch of little vials (not pre-filled syringes like I had with the Lovenox).  So I went back and asked for syringes, since I obviously had no way of injecting the heparin.  They gave me (well, I paid out of pocket for) a bunch of ginormous-needled syringes.  Obviously, I can't inject the heparin subcutaneously with a 1.5 inch needle!  Are the people at my CVS just idiots?  A few questions for those who have been through the switch:

1. What size syringes do you get, and where do you get them?

2. Is there such a thing as pre-filled syringes of heparin?  (I'm on 5000 twice a day).

3. Did your doc have to prescribe the syringes as well, or did you just buy them yourselves?  Were they covered by your insurance?

Mrs.Thistletwat

My doc called in the script for the syringes. I'm using 27 gauge needles on a 1ML syringe. It a skinny syringe and the needles aren't too bad. I had a $5 co-pay on the syringes/needles

Ms.Messmer

I'm on 1/2 mL 2xday.  The syringes are insulin syringes 1/2 mL cc, length is 8 mm and gauge is 31G.  She wrote to dispense the needles on my script for Heparin.  It was $4.80 for the syringes.

Ms.Messmer

Also, I don't believe Heparin is pre-filled like Lovenox b/c there are many reason to be on Heparin and different dosages in which to take it.  It's pretty easy to draw up though.

Pookums

Ms.Messmer:

Also, I don't believe Heparin is pre-filled like Lovenox b/c there are many reason to be on Heparin and different dosages in which to take it.  It's pretty easy to draw up though.

This. My Dr told me that she would be prescribing the syringes as well when we started the Heparin.