Anyone skipped anti-DVT injections?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I had to have an ultrasound of my legs to check the circulation. They saw no evidence of DVT or poor circulation, so the IVC filter was just precaution. I also walked in recovery and was pretty mobile post-op so I didn't get those compression boots they put on pts in the hospital.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I didn't have shot, but did the pills instead. I think it depends on what your insurance pays for or what you can afford in a large part.

[chilepeppr4 29]

Take it from someone who has had DVT in the past, take the shots...take a deep breath, pinch the skin tight, place the needle against the skin, and push it in. Once you do the first one, you will be ok!!! I am pre-op for gastric sleeve in the next few weeks - but I had DVT a year and a half ago - been on Lovenox twice - one time for 5 days, once for 28 days - I gave myself all of those shots after I got comfortable with doing it twice a day! You can do it!!!

@@pezzypooh how did you know?? I'm so scared about clots after surgery it's making me nuts!!

My BFF died a week after having her baby by c section because of a clot.

[Martene81 383]

I was sent home with a DVT machince, the same thing they put on your legs during Surgery. You may check to see if this is an option instead of injections.

[Nurse_Lenora 903]

If you skip and and develop and blood clot it could travel and that's BAD! To your brain and cause a stroke, to your lungs etc.....

And if you develop and clot you will be hospitalized and then at home you will be giving yourself the injections for months until it resolves.

Sorry for the alarmist stuff but it's the nurse in me!

Want to make injections easier? When you prep your skin pinch the skin and then with the alcohol pad RUB HARD! Circular motion for a minute or two...it not only cleanses the skin well but it will act as a topical numbing and then stick fast and push plunger down fast....that's the best way I have found to give things like Lovenox.

My patients always say they never feel it when I do it that way.

Good luck but please please inject it!

Edited November 23, 2015 by Nurse_Lenora

[pezzypooh 9]

Take it from someone who has had DVT in the past, take the shots...take a deep breath, pinch the skin tight, place the needle against the skin, and push it in. Once you do the first one, you will be ok!!! I am pre-op for gastric sleeve in the next few weeks - but I had DVT a year and a half ago - been on Lovenox twice - one time for 5 days, once for 28 days - I gave myself all of those shots after I got comfortable with doing it twice a day! You can do it!!!

@@pezzypooh how did you know?? I'm so scared about clots after surgery it's making me nuts!!

My BFF died a week after having her baby by c section because of a clot.

I had pain in my knee at first....I thought I had just tweaked it running around with my nieces in my parents' hilly back yard on the Sunday prior...the pain travelled down into my calf by Tuesday and then was unbearable by midday Wednesday...I had gone to work that day, called the Dr. in the morning, and they could see me at 12:30pm...I was sobbing by the time 12:15 came and I was trying to drive across town to get to the appointment. I was sent immediately to the hospital for a sonogram of my leg and was diagnosed on the spot and started on Lovenox and Coumadin...been on Coumadin ever since (a year and a half...)...will be back on Lovenox for 30 days post surgery in the next few weeks...it sucks, but it's a lifesaver!!!

[pezzypooh 9]

Whoa Whoa - wait I have to give my self shots?! I can't stand needles... no one told me I have to give myself shots... this adds something else I need to wrap around before surgery so I don't get freaked out... why didn't anyone tell me I had to do shots?!...

I'mma talk to my doctors about this - I want to know EVERYTHING I'm going to have to do and deal with after surgery... I don't like suprises when it comes to stuff like this...

I am not sure everyone has to give themselves shots long term...I know most get them while in the hospital until they are up and around (nurses give them)...it's protection against not being able to be mobile!

[ladydee3 35]

I have to do the shots too not too bad but they burn a lil... I have 2 more left I was doing 2 a day...????

[FocusOnMeNow 599]

If a blood clot goes to your lung and blocks oxygen that is a pulmonary embolism and highly fatal. Do you know your risks for DVT/PE? I mean besides having a major abdominal surgery which is high risk factor number one and being obese which is high risk factor number two? Also are you walking your butt off? That is the best prevention for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis which is the technical term for a blood clot). There are lots and lots of other risk factors that you should discuss with your doctor, who likely gave you the shots for a reason.

[KeepCalm 223]

ohkay - so since I'm mobile and all that - I should be fine and not have shots except while at hospital - I hope... that kinda freaked me out a lil...

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

ohkay - so since I'm mobile and all that - I should be fine and not have shots except while at hospital - I hope... that kinda freaked me out a lil...

Um. No.

What this thread should reinforce is that DVTs are serious. You need to follow your surgeon's instructions. Your surgeon's primary goal is getting you through this process safely (alive and healthy).

Do what your surgeon says. If that means shots, then take the shots. If that means pills, then take the pills.< /p>

[KeepCalm 223]

Um... Yes - because that is what my Surgeon's assistant said - I probably should have stated that too... I get that it is a serious thing believe me - nothing about this surgery is not a serious issue and I know this, that's why I'm here and paying attention to what is being talked about and am very glad I am or I wouldn't have known about the shots/pills until the surgery...

[LittleBunnyFooFoo 27]

I had to give myself lovenox after my c-section. I don't mean to sound harsh, but it is a little early to be non-compliant. Don't you think?

Edited November 24, 2015 by LittleBunnyFooFoo

[FocusOnMeNow 599]

@ nope you've got that wrong. You should follow doctors orders if you don't want to plug up your lungs with a blood clot. In most cases mobility will decrease risks but in morbidly obese or anyone who was previously sedentary movement can actually shake a clot that was starting to form in the leg loose and it can circulate to your lungs and kill you. This is not a trivial matter and if you think it is please read the rest of the thread and note how many people have lost someone to a clot. Please get up with your doctor in this one.

[smcbee79 40]

All i am going to say he or she who refuses the DVT prophylaxis is nuts! Im an ER nurse and I cannot tell you how sorry you will be if you get a PE. You think the nausea you suffered was unbearable? Hold on for what the PE will do.