Ripanco
06-07-2005, 11:04 AM
Hi Hippy Hipsters,
Sponsor
Ripanco
06-07-2005, 11:31 AM
ARRRGH! well I messed that post up! Sorry!
I thought I would start a new thread with a new problem here. Were all of you on blood thinners? I was put on Coumadin starting with my first surgery and had to have blood drawn by a visiting nurse 2X/week to check what they call INR levels to see if there is enough coumadin in my system. But because of the second surgery, which they didn't want coumadin in my system, took me off coumadin(a pill) and had me start Lovenox(an injectable). The lovenox is fast acting and is out of your system in 12 hrs so it was ok to take before surgery by stopping the day before. The injections are subQ(in the belly) twice a day. Not fun and I found out I am not able to inject myself. But the visiting nurse was able to come every 12 hrs for me so I had eight injections leading up to the second surgery. I thought I would be done after that, but not so.
After the surgery, a nurse came to give me a lovenox injection even though I had been given a coumadin pill. I was surprised. She said it was to get my INR level back up quickly. bummer. So I was sent home with eight more injections to take until my INR level got to at least 1.5. 2-3 is ideal. Mine was 1.1. DH finally agreed to learn to do the injections so the nurse would not have to come to me since we live 8 miles up a dirt road. Instuctions where to continue with both the oral and the injectable until my next blood draw which would be in 2 days from the second surgery. If it was high enough, I could go to just the oral.
Well the first blood test, last thur was no better so I was in for at least 8 more injections till the next blood test which was yesterday. We were all sure it would be good by then, but the lab just called and my INR is only 1.2!!!! That means at least another 6 injections!! I am starting to feel like a pin cushion and it is getting hard to find a spot on my belly without a needle *****!
I am wondering why it is taking so long to get my level of blood thinners up? I do eat lots of the types of vegetables that are high in Vit K which can interfere, but the dr said to just keep the level the same as my body is use to and it wouldn't affect it. So I am not pigging out on those veggies.
And my other question is since all this is to prevent deep vein thrombosis, just how high is my risk? DVT often follows long bed rest, but in reality I am doing very little bed rest. I wear my TEDs about 80% of the time and my wonderful DH gives me killer foot and leg massages 2X/day! So is the risk high enough to warrent all these injections?
I quess I will have to run this by my dr, but wanted to see if anyone here had any problem like this. I value all the imput here. Plus sometimes it just feels good to whine to those that understand:) I don't want any more shots!!
I thought I would start a new thread with a new problem here. Were all of you on blood thinners? I was put on Coumadin starting with my first surgery and had to have blood drawn by a visiting nurse 2X/week to check what they call INR levels to see if there is enough coumadin in my system. But because of the second surgery, which they didn't want coumadin in my system, took me off coumadin(a pill) and had me start Lovenox(an injectable). The lovenox is fast acting and is out of your system in 12 hrs so it was ok to take before surgery by stopping the day before. The injections are subQ(in the belly) twice a day. Not fun and I found out I am not able to inject myself. But the visiting nurse was able to come every 12 hrs for me so I had eight injections leading up to the second surgery. I thought I would be done after that, but not so.
After the surgery, a nurse came to give me a lovenox injection even though I had been given a coumadin pill. I was surprised. She said it was to get my INR level back up quickly. bummer. So I was sent home with eight more injections to take until my INR level got to at least 1.5. 2-3 is ideal. Mine was 1.1. DH finally agreed to learn to do the injections so the nurse would not have to come to me since we live 8 miles up a dirt road. Instuctions where to continue with both the oral and the injectable until my next blood draw which would be in 2 days from the second surgery. If it was high enough, I could go to just the oral.
Well the first blood test, last thur was no better so I was in for at least 8 more injections till the next blood test which was yesterday. We were all sure it would be good by then, but the lab just called and my INR is only 1.2!!!! That means at least another 6 injections!! I am starting to feel like a pin cushion and it is getting hard to find a spot on my belly without a needle *****!
I am wondering why it is taking so long to get my level of blood thinners up? I do eat lots of the types of vegetables that are high in Vit K which can interfere, but the dr said to just keep the level the same as my body is use to and it wouldn't affect it. So I am not pigging out on those veggies.
And my other question is since all this is to prevent deep vein thrombosis, just how high is my risk? DVT often follows long bed rest, but in reality I am doing very little bed rest. I wear my TEDs about 80% of the time and my wonderful DH gives me killer foot and leg massages 2X/day! So is the risk high enough to warrent all these injections?
I quess I will have to run this by my dr, but wanted to see if anyone here had any problem like this. I value all the imput here. Plus sometimes it just feels good to whine to those that understand:) I don't want any more shots!!
silver515
06-07-2005, 08:55 PM
I didn't have all those problems, but my dr. did have me taking lovenox injections. When I was originally planning on going right home, they told me I could inject myself...I really don't think I could have. I did go to rehab for 12 days so they took care of that there. When I went home I had to take ecotrin until my 6 wk checkup....that was it for blood thinners , with no problem.
THe problem I did have though was after I week I was told I had to go back to the hospital for a blood transfusion. They said my blood count was dangerously low and they couldn't keep me there...that was quite scary. I had opted not to donate my own blood, so unfortunately I had to get strange blood. THe hospital experience was pretty bad...staying most of the time in the hallway of the er...and not returning to rehab til about 2:00 am...there was some miscommunication between drs...but in the end I did feel alot better. I thought my exhaustion was just due to the surgery, but I guess it was more than that. I also had injections of Procrit....so I understand your feelings about being a pin cushion..haha...
THe problem I did have though was after I week I was told I had to go back to the hospital for a blood transfusion. They said my blood count was dangerously low and they couldn't keep me there...that was quite scary. I had opted not to donate my own blood, so unfortunately I had to get strange blood. THe hospital experience was pretty bad...staying most of the time in the hallway of the er...and not returning to rehab til about 2:00 am...there was some miscommunication between drs...but in the end I did feel alot better. I thought my exhaustion was just due to the surgery, but I guess it was more than that. I also had injections of Procrit....so I understand your feelings about being a pin cushion..haha...
balleteach
06-07-2005, 10:03 PM
Ripanco, Sorry to hear about your blood problems. I don't quite understand what is wrong. Is your blood too thick? I know that the question sounds lame, but I'm not sure I understand the problem. It seems as if coumadin should be enough because you are up and about. I had to take it for a couple of weeks after and was monitered by a visiting nurse. I didn't think I needed it, but it was the medical protocol after surgery. Keep us informed and I sure hope you are off the needles pretty soon. Take care...balleteach