Lovenox Injections thread

[Mr P]

This thread is intended to share tips and experiences with Lovenox.

I have been taking Lovenox twice a day, 80mg each for now one month, with 3-5 months to go to treat my MTS-induced DVT. I used to take Coumadin, but my DVT got worse, so I was put back on just Lovenox.
Some things observations with Lovenox:

COST: With Aetna health insurance, I pay $60 for a up to a one-month supply. The pharmacist said that the one–month supply costs $2,000. Thank God for a good federal employee health plan.

BRUISING:I was given a Lovenox kit when I was discharged from the hospital – it has a booklet, video and sharps box to throw away used syringes. The booklet has a picture of the midsection a rather slim woman over-layed with numbered sections as to where to inject. Problem is that most of them are above the level of the bellybutton where there is hardly any fat. I have been alternating sides and injecting mostly near the midsection about 2-4 inches on the sides of the belly-button. If I go further out I have very little fat to pinch an inch as the video jokes. I had been getting bruises at the injection sites, some the size of dimes. I searched online and found that some patients were told by doctors or nurses to ice the area they are going to inject. I tried that and now I get no more bruises.
I put an ice cube or two in a sandwich bag. Press it on the area to inject through a T-shirt and once it cools down without the t-shirt- all for about 4-5 minutes. Then I use the alcohol wipe to disinfect the skin. Then I inject [ the fun part] and ice afterwards for 2-3 minutes without pressing too hard so as not to disturb the bubble of Lovenox. It has worked like a charm. The bruises I had take at least two weeks to go away. The theory behind the icing is two-fold- because it shirks the blood vessels, you are less likely to puncture one when injecting. And if you do hit one, the icing helps reduce the internal bleeding, which after all is what a bruise is.
I also found that if I inject more towards the love handles it is more painful when breaking the skin and after the injecting is done. I guess that when I walk the torso twists a little and the injection site gets a little pressure. On the other hand, injecting further out gave me no bruises before I discovered the icing trick.

PAIN: I find that the whole process is less painful than I had expected, been needle-phobic. The part that hurts is pushing the liquid through. I am trying o push it more slowly and that seems to help. Maybe that gives the skin more time to stretch.

AIR BUBBLE: Because the 80mg dosage I take is on the high side, some people take 40 or 60 depending on your weight in kilograms, 1mg for each kilogram is how they dose it, I like to blow out the air bubble before injecting. My PCP said it was ok to expel it, but the hospital nurse says it is ok to inject it and that it helps to “seal” the puncture. I have done it both ways, but prefer to inject less volume.

TRAVEL: Finally, when I travel, I bring the Lovenox on my carry-on. I called the manufacturer and like in the box, she warned me not to keep it under 58 degrees F for an extended period of time, and according to AA the plane’s luggage cargo area has has some heating but well below the 58F. I contacted TSA and they said they treat Lovenox like insulin – it is ok to bring onboard, but you are supposed just enough for you itinerary.
Nevertheless, I brought four boxes, told a TSA employee that I had injectable prescriptions, I put them on a tray and ran them through the X-ray. I had been told by the manufacturer that it is ok to run them through the X-ray three time – she said the scientist have not tested more times. I did not have to show proof of prescription or anything. This was at DCA. Maybe other airports give more hassle.
Anyone have other experiences with Lovenox or tips to share?