Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Hi Diane, I got a shot in the stomach every day.In the hospital and rehab.The shot did not hurt but it put bruises on me.I forgot the name of it. But better than a blood clot. Dot A curve that can set a lot of things straight is a smile. " ~~ Anonymous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Has anyone had any side effects from the blood thinners? Re: blood thinners I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I had Coumadin and had to have blood drawn ever other day, and the levels adjusted several . This was problematic because twice the home health nurse was unable to get a draw. Then I had to go in to the clinic for the draw. It was actually kind of exciting to get out of the house. To add insult to injury, I was charged for the blood draw at the clinic whereas there was no charge for the home health nurse. I don¹t know that I would like the shots any better. But I know I wouldn¹t like the blood clots! I also wore my compression stockings once I got them. I was discharged with one stocking, on my nonsurgical leg, and home health denied any knowledge of how to get me any. I had some friends go shopping for me which took a couple of tries. Now I have them in my dresser drawer awaiting the next surgery. BTW I cancelled my July 20 Left TKR. Too close to my drum camp (borntodrum.org) and I¹ll be too tired to rehab. I¹m seeing my surgeon about a couple of things on Monday and will get any input he has as to timing. But I¹m thinking August. In July I will go visit my son at the ocean (Atlantic ‹ Fire Island NY) for a week and bathe in the healing waters of mother ocean. He¹s a fabulous cook and baker so I will be well taken care of. And can do my water walking or swimming in the pool. Jackie On 6/19/09 7:42 AM, " jujulabee@... " <jujulabee@...> wrote: > > > > > > I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I > would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose > comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. > You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. > > It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also > (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to > Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of > treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why > there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. > On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > >> > >> > >> > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of >> > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this >> > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is >> > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate >> > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to >> > know what to expect. >> > thanks again >> > diane >> > >> > > . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 Sorry to digress but the whole issue of what kind of treatment is most cost effective is one of the crucial issues in terms of resolving the health care crisis in the US. Home health care nurses are covered because they were viewed as being a less costly alternative than having someone in a hospital or care facility. However, if one can get out to get to medical treatment, then one would no longer be viewed as " requiring " home health care visits. Similarly, the issue of what kind of blood thinner one gets is similarly controlled by one's insurer (and to some extent of course by one's doctor). Coumadin is a cheaper prescription drug -- however, it requires medical monitoring which is a cost factor. Lovenex (or other newer blood thinners) are more expensive to purchase but cheaper in terms of requiring any kind of medical monitoring. By the way, if one is prescribed Lovenox or other non-generic drug, you need to contact your insurance carrier. My carrier covered it only if I ordered it through an on-line source. Luckily for me I had checked prior to my needing the drug so I had my home supply as soon as I needed it. This isn't intended as a slur against the poster who complained about covering costs of a blood test in a clinic but not at home but merely to point out the dilemma and paradoxes contained in our current health delivery system -- and the pitfalls in terms of an individual trying to navigate them. Similarly there have been posts regarding whether one should donate blood or not prior to surgery. For many people it is unnecessary and is one thing (that when combined with other wasteful medical practices) drives up medical costs for everyone. It costs to draw the blood, to keep the blood -- and then the transfusion back into a person who probably wouldn't have needed the transfusion of their own blood if they hadn't donated it costs money. On Jun 19, 2009, at 8:41 AM, on wrote: > > > I had Coumadin and had to have blood drawn ever other day, and the > levels > adjusted several . This was problematic because twice the home > health nurse > was unable to get a draw. Then I had to go in to the clinic for the > draw. > It was actually kind of exciting to get out of the house. To add > insult to > injury, I was charged for the blood draw at the clinic whereas there > was no > charge for the home health nurse. I don’t know that I would like the > shots any better. But I know I wouldn’t like the blood clots! I also > wore > my compression stockings once I got them. I was discharged with one > stocking, on my nonsurgical leg, and home health denied any > knowledge of how > to get me any. I had some friends go shopping for me which took a > couple of > tries. Now I have them in my dresser drawer awaiting the next surgery. > > BTW I cancelled my July 20 Left TKR. Too close to my drum camp > (borntodrum.org) and I’ll be too tired to rehab. I’m seeing my surgeon > about a couple of things on Monday and will get any input he has as to > timing. But I’m thinking August. In July I will go visit my son at the > ocean (Atlantic — Fire Island NY) for a week and bathe in the > healing waters > of mother ocean. He’s a fabulous cook and baker so I will be well > taken > care of. And can do my water walking or swimming in the pool. > > Jackie > > On 6/19/09 7:42 AM, " jujulabee@... " <jujulabee@...> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I > > would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each > dose > > comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and > painless. > > You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. > > > > It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also > > (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to > > Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of > > treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is > why > > there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. > > On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > >> > > >> > > >> > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > >> > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for > this > >> > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among > others) is > >> > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i > hate > >> > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > >> > know what to expect. > >> > thanks again > >> > diane > >> > > >> > > > . > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I had coumidin for my hip replacement and when I had both knees replaced. The only side effect which I can attribute to it and the pain killers or both was that my hair thinned but temporarily , lots of hair on my hairbrush after washing for about 3 months after both surgeries, but it came back so only a temporary problem, just changed my hairstyle so it wasn't obvious. My hairdresser noticed it, I noticed it when I washed my hair but no one else seemed to notice it.  This in no way would have kept me from having the surgery, it's a small inconvenience for a big gain.  The blood drawing was a pain but the positive side is a pro is seeing you who has seen other people with this type of surgery and if there is a problem I wouldn't recognize they would and would notify the surgeon. ________________________________ From: " blmfdgirl@... " <blmfdgirl@...> Joint Replacement Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 11:03:22 AM Subject: Re: blood thinners Has anyone had any side effects from the blood thinners? Re: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] blood thinners I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 No, not from Lovenox. And I had 2 courses of 10 days of injections. From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of blmfdgirl@... Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 11:03 AM Joint Replacement Subject: Re: blood thinners Has anyone had any side effects from the blood thinners? Re: blood thinners I have Lovenox prescribed as the blood thinner. I also wondered if I would be able to inject myself but it's really very easy as each dose comes set up with an apparatus that makes it fool proof and painless. You squeeze some fat -- put the thing on and then plunge quickly. It's preferable to a blood clot as others have posted. And it's also (at least from what I read and what my doctor told me) preferable to Coumadin since you don't have to be monitored during the course of treatment as it's safer. Coumadin can over-thin the blood which is why there need to be blood tests during the course of treatment. On Jun 18, 2009, at 2:51 PM, nikkismom58 wrote: > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I dreaded doing this too, but had no choice. Considering the possible alternative, i just had to take a deep breath and do it. They said to use an alcohol swab on the site before injection, but make sure it is dry before you stick the needle in or it stings. Other than that, the needle was so thin, it wasn't bad at all. Chris > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to know what to expect. > thanks again > diane > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 I tried to talk my surgeon into using Lovenox but ended up on Coumadin. I'll never take Coumadin again due to the side effects. I ran a low grade fever, was constantly fatigued, and mentally out of it. My first INR was just 1.4 with a target of 2.0. The MD wanted to double the dose! I told him that if the side effects were dose dependent I wasn't going to be the one to find out and refused to increase the dose. He relented and told me to keep the 5mg daily dose and add an aspirin a day. He still wanted to have blood drawn every 3 - 4 days. I never went back for more blood draws. But his nurse kept ordering them and wondering why she wasn't getting any results. Duh! I finally decided to quit the drug and just take large doses (975mg 4 - 5 times/day) of aspirin instead. The day after I quit the Coumadin, all the side effects disappeared. The surgeon wasn't a bit pleased with my decision but I survived without any blood clots. If there's a next time, it's either Lovenox or aspirin. Bill > > > > > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > > know what to expect. > > thanks again > > diane > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Is this a standard for TKR? Not sure I like the idea of Coumadin, but I'm allergic to aspirin. -- Re: blood thinners I tried to talk my surgeon into using Lovenox but ended up on Coumadin. I ll never take Coumadin again due to the side effects. I ran a low grade fever, was constantly fatigued, and mentally out of it. My first INR was just 1.4 with a target of 2.0. The MD wanted to double the dose! I told him that if the side effects were dose dependent I wasn't going to be the one to find out and refused to increase the dose. He relented and told me to keep the 5mg daily dose and add an aspirin a day. He still wanted to have blood drawn every 3 - 4 days. I never went back for more blood draws. But his nurse kept ordering them and wondering why she wasn't getting any results. Duh! I finally decided to quit the drug and just take large doses (975mg 4 - 5 times/day) of aspirin instead. The day after I quit the Coumadin, all the side effects disappeared. The surgeon wasn't a bit pleased with my decision but I survived without any blood clots. If there's a next time, it's either Lovenox or aspirin. Bill > > > > > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > > know what to expect. > > thanks again > > diane > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Blood thinners must be given after joint replacement. As the email indicates there is the older Coumaudin regime which carries a higher statistical risk of problems. Hence, people on this regime must have their blood monitored carefully. Some people indicated they also had side effects from the Coumadin but the large issue is the risk from Coumadin rather than unpleasant side effects. There are newer blood thinners -- Lovenax being one which do not carry the same medical risks so there is no medical monitoring necessary while taking. As to side effects, I didn't have any but any drug has potential side effects. A careful medical consumer is well advised to google for any drug prescribed and then read the risks and side effects for themselves. This is also advisable since some drugs are expensive but less effective than lower cost drugs. Not to digress but the whole issue of pharmaceutical companies advertising to the public deceptively and/or providing doctors with incentives or subconscious reasons to prescribe more expensive patent drugs rather than equally effective lower cost drugs is again something that is driving up medical costs. Aspirin is a blood thinner. It isn't as effective as other blood thinners. However, my OS did tell one of his patients that he could have her use it because her insurance company wouldn't cover the costs of Lovenax. This is because she had received Lovenax in the hospital for a few days (medical care in the hospital is covered differently under most insurance policies) and therefore wasn't at a particularly high risk of a blood clot. After the first few days, I was walking around about as much as I walk around when I am working since I have a desk job LOL. On Jun 20, 2009, at 9:02 AM, Bentley wrote: > > > Is this a standard for TKR? Not sure I like the idea of Coumadin, > but I'm > allergic to aspirin. > > > > -- Re: blood thinners > > I tried to talk my surgeon into using Lovenox but ended up on > Coumadin. I > ll never take Coumadin again due to the side effects. I ran a low > grade > fever, was constantly fatigued, and mentally out of it. > > My first INR was just 1.4 with a target of 2.0. The MD wanted to > double the > dose! I told him that if the side effects were dose dependent I wasn't > going to be the one to find out and refused to increase the dose. He > relented and told me to keep the 5mg daily dose and add an aspirin a > day. > He still wanted to have blood drawn every 3 - 4 days. I never went > back for > more blood draws. But his nurse kept ordering them and wondering why > she > wasn't getting any results. Duh! > > I finally decided to quit the drug and just take large doses (975mg > 4 - 5 > times/day) of aspirin instead. The day after I quit the Coumadin, > all the > side effects disappeared. The surgeon wasn't a bit pleased with my > decision > but I survived without any blood clots. > > If there's a next time, it's either Lovenox or aspirin. > > Bill > > > > > > > > > > > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > > > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > > > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among > others) is > > > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i > hate > > > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > > > know what to expect. > > > thanks again > > > diane > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 You're on some type of blood thinner. I was taking Lovenox which had no side effects and no need to draw blood and very easy to use. Jeff ________________________________ From: Bentley <sbentley@...> Joint Replacement Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 12:02:06 PM Subject: Re: Re: blood thinners Is this a standard for TKR? Not sure I like the idea of Coumadin, but I'm allergic to aspirin. -- Re: blood thinners I tried to talk my surgeon into using Lovenox but ended up on Coumadin. I ll never take Coumadin again due to the side effects. I ran a low grade fever, was constantly fatigued, and mentally out of it. My first INR was just 1.4 with a target of 2.0. The MD wanted to double the dose! I told him that if the side effects were dose dependent I wasn't going to be the one to find out and refused to increase the dose. He relented and told me to keep the 5mg daily dose and add an aspirin a day. He still wanted to have blood drawn every 3 - 4 days. I never went back for more blood draws. But his nurse kept ordering them and wondering why she wasn't getting any results. Duh! I finally decided to quit the drug and just take large doses (975mg 4 - 5 times/day) of aspirin instead. The day after I quit the Coumadin, all the side effects disappeared. The surgeon wasn't a bit pleased with my decision but I survived without any blood clots. If there's a next time, it's either Lovenox or aspirin. Bill > > > > > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > > know what to expect. > > thanks again > > diane > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thanks, Jeff. -- Re: blood thinners I tried to talk my surgeon into using Lovenox but ended up on Coumadin. I ll never take Coumadin again due to the side effects. I ran a low grade fever, was constantly fatigued, and mentally out of it. My first INR was just 1.4 with a target of 2.0. The MD wanted to double the dose! I told him that if the side effects were dose dependent I wasn't going to be the one to find out and refused to increase the dose. He relented and told me to keep the 5mg daily dose and add an aspirin a day. He still wanted to have blood drawn every 3 - 4 days. I never went back for more blood draws. But his nurse kept ordering them and wondering why she wasn't getting any results. Duh! I finally decided to quit the drug and just take large doses (975mg 4 - 5 times/day) of aspirin instead. The day after I quit the Coumadin, all the side effects disappeared. The surgeon wasn't a bit pleased with my decision but I survived without any blood clots. If there's a next time, it's either Lovenox or aspirin. Bill > > > > > > > many thanks to everyone that has answered my questions, and of > > course i have another one. my bi-lateral TKR is scheduled for this > > coming tuesday, and one of the things im afraid of (among others) is > > the blood thinner injections. can anyone tell me about this? i hate > > needles especially if it involves sticking myself, i just need to > > know what to expect. > > thanks again > > diane > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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