Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Oh ok from what I can tell Lovenox and Clexane are the same drug. Interesting.

Oh, the first shot is so intimidating. I wonder if you had a nurse or clinician watch you inject yourself as a trail run, to reassure you that you're doing it ok, it might make you feel more confident.

Otherwise, I think if you just focus, take some deep, calming breaths, grab some belly fat (not that you have belly fat- grab some skin) and just make sure you insert the needle straight (not on an angle) and all the way. Push the plunger all the way making sure you're not pulling the needle out while doing it. Because your reflexes make you want to do that. After you do the first few, it's a piece of cake.

I have total confidence that you can do it. It's just psyching yourself up for it and sort of talking yourself through it.

Piece of cake, hey I want some!!!!
Yes, RMB is so correct, if we could only shut the brain down, it would make things so much easier!!!!
Like I said, ask for some saline injections that you can practice with in front of a nurse (they are better then Dr at things like that).
In Canada we call it Fragmin it's all a lmwh(low molecular weigh heparin) it's the equivalent of Lovenox and Clexane...

Yep...been there...

...Dr. told me that if the clots remained...I'd have to get an inferior vena cava umbrella....I thought to my self....HHHHHHHeeecccKKK no.

So, just before I'd give myself the injection...I'd think about that umbrella...I'd think to myself..."It's either this little sting...or a big ole' complicated umbrella"...

...it worked every time...

Clexane (UK Australia) is Lovenox (North America and Europe), a product of Sanofi Aventis Pharmaceuticals. They are both the product enoxaparin.

Fragmin is a product of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

All products are low molecular weight heparins (LMWH).

JennyMay, I had been on Lovenox shots for six weeks following my hip replacement. For me, since I'm a Coumadin for life patient, it took that long for my INR to reach my target INR range. If I can do the shots, anyone came; I'm a big baby.

It's really pretty simple once you get past that whole needle thing. Usually, there is a start kit that comes with a DVD that you can watch that shows you what to do (I know Lovenox does some would assume Clexane also does). If you are not comfortable doing it, your BF can do it with no concerns about hurting you. The key is pinch the skin and keep it pinched until the needle comes out.

Regards,
Tom

I felt the EXACT same way. Infact, the first time I was on lovenox injections, I had my mother-in-law do it. I was recently put back on Lovenox and was able to do it myself.

My best advice to you is to make sure you get as close to your belly button as possible. (I think no closer than 2 inches is what the packet said.) The further out you go, the more muscle you reach. And for me, going slow, not fast, helped. It usually started to sting about 30-60 seconds after the injections so I made sure to do it in a bathroom. I sat on the toilet. Don't rub the site...it makes it bruise worse and STING HORRIBLY!! (I just got done with my second round of injections a few days ago!! Still bruised!!) I know, I hated it too!! Good luck... Don't worry, you'll start to get used to it shortly!! Then you'll be done with it!!!

I am lucky. I have a loving wife that gave me my Lovenox shots. I suppose that if I had to, I could have done it myself, but thanks to God I did not!!!

Last Dec there was no way i could give myself my fragmin injections. I wasn't just one injection but 2 injections as I was on a high dose(23,000)
So this week when i was diagnosed again with clots while on coumadin they wanted me on the fragmin. I had to show both the dr and nurse right in the er I could do it. Mind you that was just one dose of heparin. And did i ever bruise.
Unfortunately i won't be injecting myself for the next year. The cost of the meds is beyond reach for me.

I was on Lovenox for 8 months during pregnancy. For the first month, I had my husband do the shots twice a day. My doctor told me I'd have to suck it up someday and do the shots myself. I really hated having to rely on my husband's schedule. One morning he left for work and I just decided to do it and from then on I did them myself. It actually hurt much less when I did it to myself. I would just pinch the side handles and stick the needle in. The needle wouldn't allow me to go in too far.

Good luck!

I was on Fragmin for five months and my husband was kind enough to do the shots. However, one day he wasn't home in time to give it to me and I decided to do it myself. It took me nearly an hour to get up the courage. Once I was able to do it, I realized it was much easier for me to give them to myself and didn't hurt as much. Needless to say, I have been able to give myself injections since. Don't be surprised if you bruise a lot. I had egg size bumps from my injections and my stomach was covered with bruises. If I was able to do it, I am sure you can too. I used to faint when I got a needle, but after this ordeal, and being a pin cushion for months, I can give myself needles, watch others get them, and probably give others needles. Enjoy your trip and don't worry about the injections.
PS - I gave my shots to myself a couple hours before flying and did it in the washroom at the airport.