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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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New update: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
I got my script for Heparin from my doctor yesterday. The pharmacy had to order it so I'll start it up tomorrow. I know it's different from Lovenox in that it's not a pre-filled syringe. It's also twice a day. I'm a little nervous about the switch, but I know it has to be done. I've never filled my own syringe before. I usually ice the area before and after the Lovenox shot, I hope I can do the same with Heparin?
Anyone who took/takes it that has any advice?
UPDATED: and freaking out... it's been pulled from the market... I just called the pharmacy and they can't get it. If the doc keeps me on Lovenox, I can't have and eppidural. 
Please  that baby and I will be okay. I'm not sure what's going to happen now... I have a call into the doctor... I'm about to cry!!!
*LATEST UPDATE*: I got the Heparin. My usual drug store didn't have it but another one did so I have it (whew!). Apparently whatever was contaminated (made in China) was pulled. I'm very relieved, but not going to change until Saturday - the needle looks very intimindating and I don't want the stress of having to learn something new before work. Saturday after the Pediatrician should be fine.
Message edited 4/9/2008 10:52:25 PM.
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Posted 4/9/08 10:48 AM  |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
I would ask your doctor about Heparin. There was an article today in newsday about a significant increase rate in deaths from the drug since 2007. Just an FYI...
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| Posted 4/9/08 1:39 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
I'm not sure it's the same thing... it's prophalactic (sp?) rather than theraputic dosing. I'll look at the article, but if death is from hemorrage/bleeding then it probably wouldn't apply in this case... aslo I'm not sure there's a choice, the chance of death from a clot for me and the baby are probably much greater than that from Heparin.
I've been on a low molecular weight Heparin called Lovenox since about 6 weeks of my pregnancy. I'm not bleeding excessively or anything like that - again, it's not enough of a dose to cause a problem. If you have the genetic disposition to clots, you have to be on an anticoagulant during pregnancy... it's way too dangerous not to be.
Message edited 4/9/2008 2:07:47 PM.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:04 PM |
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mia818
LIF Adult
Member since 12/07 2197 total posts
Name:
Mia
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by clwp
I'm not sure it's the same thing... it's prophalactic (sp?) rather than theraputic dosing. I'll look at the article, but I'm not sure there's a choice, the chance of death from a clot for me and the baby are probably much greater than that from Heparin.
how many weeks are you that they switched you?
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:05 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
I'm over 35 weeks... they switched me b/c I'm being induced 3 weeks from today. If I go into labor while on Heparin, they can shut it off... they cannot reverse Lovenox. This is routine. A lot of women on here have been on Lovenox, then switched to Lovenox sometime within the last month. You cannot have an eppidural on Lovenox and the docs advise you to skip the last Heparin shot the day before inducement.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:09 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by clwp
I'm not sure it's the same thing... it's prophalactic (sp?) rather than theraputic dosing.
I was just throwing the information out there for an FYI...
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:09 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
Sounds like the article is discussing the contaminated Heparin... I've posted questions about that before. I'll make sure it's not from Baxter and I'm calling my doctor now to get his thoughts...
Message edited 4/9/2008 2:14:16 PM.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:11 PM |
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mia818
LIF Adult
Member since 12/07 2197 total posts
Name:
Mia
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by clwp
I'm over 35 weeks... they switched me b/c I'm being induced 3 weeks from today. If I go into labor while on Heparin, they can shut it off... they cannot reverse Lovenox. This is routine. A lot of women on here have been on Lovenox, then switched to Lovenox sometime within the last month. You cannot have an eppidural on Lovenox and the docs advise you to skip the last Heparin shot the day before inducement.
that is why i asked, i just started the lovenox but wasnt sure when in the pregnancy they switch you over to the heperin. heperin has a much shorter half life i think?
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:12 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by mia818
Posted by clwp
I'm over 35 weeks... they switched me b/c I'm being induced 3 weeks from today. If I go into labor while on Heparin, they can shut it off... they cannot reverse Lovenox. This is routine. A lot of women on here have been on Lovenox, then switched to Lovenox sometime within the last month. You cannot have an eppidural on Lovenox and the docs advise you to skip the last Heparin shot the day before inducement.
that is why i asked, i just started the lovenox but wasnt sure when in the pregnancy they switch you over to the heperin. heperin has a much shorter half life i think?
Exactly, the half life is much shorter so they can give you an eppi and less concern over hemorrage during delivery.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:15 PM |
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Re: Doctor switched me to Heparin
I hear heparin doesnt hurt as bad! Lucky you!!! I would just do it the same way you have been doing the lovenox shots. I used to give my mom vitamin shots and had to fill the syringe, its really not hard at all. Just be careful not to bend the tip of the needle when inserting it into the bottle, or you will have a very hard time injecting yourself.
On a side note, and sorry if I hijack, but my dr isnt changing me over to heparin at all, I get 2 lovenox shots a day, I get a treatment dosage, because I had a clot. I will be induced, and will discontinue use the day before, and start again the day after.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:25 PM |
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by clwp
UPDATED: and freaking out... it's been pulled from the market... I just called the pharmacy and they can't get it. If the doc keeps me on Lovenox, I can't have and eppidural.
Please that baby and I will be okay. I'm not sure what's going to happen now... I have a call into the doctor... I'm about to cry!!!
you and your baby will be fine..relax. My dr never planned on switching me. I will stop the injections the day before my induction, and I will get my epidural. My dr knows that I insist on getting an epidural, and this has been the plan from the begining.  I know its hard when plans change, but everything will be alright.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:37 PM |
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mia818
LIF Adult
Member since 12/07 2197 total posts
Name:
Mia
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by Maybeababyin08
Posted by clwp
UPDATED: and freaking out... it's been pulled from the market... I just called the pharmacy and they can't get it. If the doc keeps me on Lovenox, I can't have and eppidural.
Please that baby and I will be okay. I'm not sure what's going to happen now... I have a call into the doctor... I'm about to cry!!!
you and your baby will be fine..relax. My dr never planned on switching me. I will stop the injections the day before my induction, and I will get my epidural. My dr knows that I insist on getting an epidural, and this has been the plan from the begining. I know its hard when plans change, but everything will be alright.
they pulled it off the market? oh no. is your condition that severe that you maybe be without the lovenox for the 3 weeks? this is all new to me, and i know there are all different blood disorders. this is scary why did they pull it?
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:40 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
Posted by clwp
I'm over 35 weeks... they switched me b/c I'm being induced 3 weeks from today. If I go into labor while on Heparin, they can shut it off... they cannot reverse Lovenox. This is routine. A lot of women on here have been on Lovenox, then switched to Lovenox sometime within the last month. You cannot have an eppidural on Lovenox and the docs advise you to skip the last Heparin shot the day before inducement.
this is exactly what happened to me, I was switched from Lovenox to heparin at 37 weeks, then the day before I was to go in for my induction, I skipped the nighttime dose of heparin
Just wanted to mention, that I had a slight allergic reaction to heparin and scratched the hell out of my legs in the hospital, not fun
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:41 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
I can't even get it now... I'm sitting here crying...
Doctor is supposed to call me back, but I'm not sure what they can offer me. I have to be on an anticoagulant. I had a TIA on birth control pills years ago and have a Factor 5 gene, Prothrombin gene, and Low S protein.
I cannot imagine not having the eppidural for an induction... not to mention - what happens if the baby requires a C section? I refuse to go under general anesthesia to have my baby. I will stop the Lovenox days before and just have the eppidural - I don't care what the doctor says. I'm so upset right now I don't know what to do. I've known of so many people on Heparin the last few months... and no one died. This country has too many alarmists!!! Sorry, I'm just so upset.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:46 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
I'm all about finding the silver lining.....
you were saved from taking a drug that is unsafe!!!! not getting an epidural is not the end of the world. sure, you will have to endure more pain, but women survived labor with out analgesics throughout the ages.... you will too It will be more challenging if you have to get induced, but not impossible....
don't freak out... stay calm, and just mentally prepare for natural childbirth. w/o an epi, you can walk the halls and position yourself for contractions... apparently, that is much more comfy and faster than just laying in bed.
maybe you should hire a doula so they can help you labor more comfortably w/o and epi?
Message edited 4/9/2008 2:55:08 PM.
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:51 PM |
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mrspetunia77
Back on Board.
Member since 10/06 1838 total posts
Name:
Ally
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
try not to worry too much before you talk to your doctor. i am sure he or she will help you make a good decision about what the next step is. it must be very scary for you!
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:53 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
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| Posted 4/9/08 2:58 PM |
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hmm8191
My loves
Member since 3/06 2908 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
I'm so sorry!
try to stay calm until you can talk to your Dr. I'm SURE they will know what to do.
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| Posted 4/9/08 3:00 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: New update: UPDATED::::Doctor switched me to Heparin
I inserted a new update in the OP. I got the Heparin. Thank goodness... I had horrible thoughts of biting a pencil in case of an emergency C section. I refuse to deliver my child under general anesthesia. Natural wasn't as big a concern for me - I'd like the eppi but knew it wasn't the end of the world. Inductions often do end up in C sections though.
Message edited 4/9/2008 10:55:49 PM.
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| Posted 4/9/08 10:41 PM |
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