Heparin users- bruising questions?

AshMK

Ok so I have been on heparin 2X daily for about 2 weeks now. So this weekend I switched to upper butt region. Cause I just felt my stomach was getting to bruised up already. So my first 2 did great, no brusing at all. I did another yesterday morning a little higher. Brusied a little, did one about an inch away, and I woke up with a bruise about 3 1/2 in by 1 1/2 in. Have not gotten one this big yet.  And it was the first one that actually bleed afterwards. I applied a little pressure for about 2 sec. but that was it, no rubbing. Is it possible that it did that b/c I have stretch marks there from my DS? Also if you are by a vein does it bruise worse? It just seems impossible to find a spot where there isn't one. Also how soon can you do a shot near a previous injection? I still have bruises from 2 weeks ago that have barely faded.

Aslo how far over to the sides do you go on your stomach? Any advice would be great. Thanks ladies!!!

BipBopBoo

Sorry to hear about your bruises! I know how bad they can be...

I recently switched from Lovenox 1x daily to Heparin 3x daily and finding a new injection spot (away from veins) each time is proving more difficult, especially now that my belly is so large and tight. When I was earlier on I would inject anywhere on my belly outside of two inches around my belly button (I made the mistake of going too close once - ouch!) I find that icing well before the shot really helps avoid bruises. Also, if I sense a really painful spot I will just move on and retry the shot nearby. I've hit capillaries before and whenever this happens I bled and bruised quite badly. With the Heparin, because mine is not preloaded, I'm using 30 gauge needles and find the damage to my tissue to be so much less that the 27 gauge I was using initially. Finally, if I go in at a 45 degree angle the needle goes a little shallower and the chance of bleeding seems to decrease. I've always stuck to my stomach exclusively, so these days I use my sides, as far as I can reach. I find that the love handle areas (while still super tight) are a little easier in terms of pain and bruising. 

Good luck to you!  

 

MotherMonster

I am not on Heparin, however I am a nursing student.

Maybe the bruising is more extensive than you think it is under the skin, so I would do an injection like 2 to 3 inches away from the bruise itself, because then you shouldn't have any bleeding issues with it and the skin shouldn't be impaired there. Just a thought!