Factor V - Mamas

MEMichelson · May 2015

Hello Factor V ladies!

I am wondering if you have any tips to lessen bruising on your belly? I have been doing the daily injections since week 3 (we are at 10 now) and was told that I will do this until week 36! Oy vey! They are going pretty well but I can already tell my stomach is getting tighter b/c it's getting harder to pinch fat to inject. Wondering if you have any tips that will help or has anyone done this to their thigh? I was told that you can use your stomach or thigh but not sure how I feel about the thigh.

I was also told that you can't inject in the same area each day (which I don't, I switch side to side every day and not in the same area) apparently you can create scar tissue and the meds won't work the same.

Any tips are welcome!

VesperLove · May 2015

I don't have injection experience for this in particular, but I do have injection experience from other medical stuff and I always injected in the thigh. What mm size is your needle? I always found the thigh to be pretty easily actually. If you use the side of your thigh you can get a pretty good pinch of fat if you keep the muscles loose. I was super scared of it (hate needles) but it was actually pretty easy once I did it the first time!

keiragann · May 2015

Sorry I wish I could help but I only have to take the injections after birth.

Bobbiel06 · May 2015

I do the injection once a day and have figured out for me that I pinch the spot inject slowly, pull the neddle out then rub a little where I put the shot and that has really lessened the bruises. I was really surprised. I don't have a clotting disorder but had an unprovoked PE almost 3 years ago so I am a lifer of coumadin so switched to lovanox while preg.

sableeg · May 2015

I think you can use the love handles too. I'm hetero for Factor V and have been on Lovenox since pregnancy confirmation and will be until 6 weeks post partum. It SUCKS having to give myself the shot every night. Some nights the needle goes in easily and painlessly and others it won't go in and hurts horribly. I just keep telling myself that it will all be worth it in the end

Other question - what do y'all do with your sharps?

Bobbiel06 · May 2015

I have mine in a milk jug right now and my pharmacist told me I can take it to the health department when it is full and they will dispose of it. Not sure it's true but I'm doing that for now and if I take it to the health department and they won't take it I will go from there.

MEMichelson · May 2015

@sableeg - i put my sharps in a gallon milk carton and bring it to my clinic when it is full so they can add it to their hazardous waste.

herdofcows · May 2015

If you ice the spot before you inject it helps but there is no way to stop the bruising altogether. I have been injecting for 7 months now 2 to 3 times a day and have 20 more weeks to go. i just have permanent bruises that will hoping go away on day. I use lower abdomen.

I put mine in empty formula contaniers and write used needles. then I tape them up and throw them away. That is how my state deals with it.

laceyglowacki · May 2015

Ladies with sharps questions... You can ask your doctor to prescribe you with a prescription for a sharps container through insurance or you can go to your local drug store and buy one. I work with a child who is diabetic and that's what we've done in her care plan and I bought one just to keep with me in case were out and about and need to dispose of something.

mowelt · May 2015

Do you guys have hetero for factor v or homo? I am hetero and orginally my hemotologist told me I would need lovenox injections everyday once pregnancy was confirmed but then my ob told me since I personally have never had a blood clot that they arent going to put me on the injections until after I give birth. Does any one else have the same experience? I am just a little worried since the doctors had different opinions.

sableeg · May 2015

@mowelt According to my hematologist, there's not a ton of research on what exactly is the right protocol for Factor V and pregnancy, so it's really best educated guess based on your history (or lack of history) of clots, family history, and other risk factors.

I'm hetero for Factor V, but I have had a clot in the past so I am on Lovenox for the duration of the pregnancy.

Maybe talk to your hematologist again and have him talk to your OB to determine best treatment together? I can totally empathize...it's stressful to think of all of the different options and possible consequences!

MEMichelson · May 2015

@mowelt - I am hetero Factor V. BUT I've already had a PE in 2005 which also caused a mild heart attack since it traveled through my heart to set up camp in my lung. Since you've never had an issue with clotting I can see why you wouldn't need to be on anything while pregnant, I completely understand the after birth being on some type of thinner. Through the healing process you will be at a higher risk of clotting.

I will be on lovenox until week 36 and then I'll be switched over to heparin through delivery and then back on daily lovenox injections for about 6 weeks after. I am monitored closely because of my past issues

keiragann · May 2015

I'm Hetero so my doctors have said because I personally have not had a clot that I will only have to go on Lovenox after birth. My sister had a PE due to the trauma of birth and it collapsed her lung and went through her heart so I am a little wary of it but I trust that my doctors are making the right decision.

mowelt · May 2015

Thanks ladies, definitely makes me feel a little better!

mowelt · October 2015

I'm bringing this post back! I hope everyone is doing well with their injections. Mine are going well and I have had no bruising! I just found out today that my doctor is going to induce me a week early because of the blood thinners I will be on. I will be induced December 22. I am kind of excited to have a date and it won't be a guessing game unless he comes early. Is anyone else's doctors doing the same?

BostonBaby1 · October 2015

No factor V here but one strain of factor II... So, there was also a thread and I think the title was "Lovonox," I wish I could link but I'm strictly mobile. It had a lot of good advice for other places to inject and even a few diagrams. I'd say if your belly is taking a beating, definitely try the thighs and if you have enough fat, the back of your upper arm is a great place.

Definitely agree with getting a sharps container prescribed. I know that mine come in a box with a prepaid return address label so I just put the sharps container in the box, seal it and give it to USPS. The company is Sharps Compliance, Inc.

MEMichelson · November 2015

Hi @BostonBaby1 and @moewlt - for my sharps container I am using gallon milk cartons. Since the needles that I use retract after the injection I am (by law) allowed to toss them in the trash as long as my container has a lid on it. If I wanted to I could also bring with me to the clinic.

I am 35 weeks now and next week will start twice a day injections changing from Lovenox to Heparin. Heparin is easier to manage if we go into labor. We are sitting at 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced as of this past Tuesday. I'm still bruising a little bit, but that's because my skin is so tight it's getting harder and harder to pinch and inject

I've attached what needles I am using for referance

BostonBaby1 · November 2015

MEMichelson said:
Hi @BostonBaby1 and @moewlt - for my sharps container I am using gallon milk cartons. Since the needles that I use retract after the injection I am (by law) allowed to toss them in the trash as long as my container has a lid on it. If I wanted to I could also bring with me to the clinic.

I am 35 weeks now and next week will start twice a day injections changing from Lovenox to Heparin. Heparin is easier to manage if we go into labor. We are sitting at 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced as of this past Tuesday. I'm still bruising a little bit, but that's because my skin is so tight it's getting harder and harder to pinch and inject

I've attached what needles I am using for referance

Yep... Switch to heparin make sense. That's what they need to do before labor ideally.

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