DVT: And I'm Being a Big Baby About it

blainejennifer
blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
edited May 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Saw my MO today because my left ankle was swollen. He sent me in for an ultrasound, and, yes, I do have a blood clot in my femoral vein/artery. I think. I just started hearing a lot of white noise. The big take-away is that I have a leg clot, and I'm going to have to inject myself with stuff to keep from having some rather ghastly problems.

I am needle phobic. I just did it for the first time. It stings. Should it? Am I doing something wrong.

Are there old hands at this in this forum who could talk me down? I don't think agonizing about it for an hour and sobbing while doing it is a sustainable model.

I've stopped blubbing for now.

In other news, progeny has returned home for summer break, and is so bummed about not being near their friends, that they have retired to their bedroom for what looks like some epic blues-style sulking.

What a happy, happy household.

Jennifer

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Comments

  • scoobie
    scoobie Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2018

    I've been doing daily Levenox shots for about two years now. It's perfectly normal to find self-injection intimidating at first. You do get used to it, and over time you will find the places that hurt least for you. I would say now it is totally painless for me 80% of the time, mildly painful 15% of the time, and hurts like hell 5% of the time. It's a whole lot better than having a blood clot. Hope this helps and good luck (with medical things and with progeny!)

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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited May 2018

    Jennifer, My DH was on Lovenox for a while and hated it. Would your doctor consider changing you to another anticoagulant eventually? I seem to remember reading about a few people on the boards who were switched to Eliquis, a daily pill. It might be worth asking about if the injections are difficult for you.

    Hugs and prayers from, Lynne


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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited May 2018

    Jennifer-DVTs suck! I’m so sorry you have one. Definitely talk with your doc about some of the newer alternatives like Xarelto or Eliquis. They are both pills and they do not require extra blood work monitoring like warfarin/Coumadin does. Those 2 anti-coagulants are proven to be just as effective as the Lovenox and warfarin/Coumadin with less risk of internal bleed. Plus no needle. I work in diabetes care and needles are no stranger to me but those lovenox needles are definitely tougher than those used for diabetics that are the same needle size. I had a DVT and bilateral PEs last year from tamoxifen. Lovenox given in the hospital and started Xarelto upon discharge (it’s only once a day). No sign of clots/residual clots by 3 months. Hang in there!🍀

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited May 2018

    You are a brave soul, Jennifer! My husband could never bring himself to do it so I had to do it for him until I trained the progeny to do it. It may help to ice the area first, but this may be more a placebo effect. The progeny now wants to be a doctor and DH is on warfarin for life. When I was injecting myself with Neupogen I closed my eyes so I could pretend I wasn't doing it to myself. Hope this helps.

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited May 2018

    Thank you so much for the information! I am still being a giant infant about it. Funny - cancer diagnosis didn't cause this sort of reaction. I am that needle phobic.

    I am also frightened by clots. They can be scary little buggers.

    Thanks again. Don't know what I'd do without you guys.

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  • MameMe
    MameMe Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2018

    Hey, Jenn, this really sucks!! Its the last thing anyone needs while managing advanced bc. Hoping for the best for you, and that the injection process either gets lots easier, fast, or that your imsurance will cover an oral substitute. I don't think you are a big baby. At all. No one wants to step up to this kind of protocal. There are medical things that could stop any of us dead in our tracks. I am glad you posted. Hang in there.

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  • scoobie
    scoobie Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2018

    It's certainly worth considering Xarelto/Eliquis if you have issues with self-injection. Just be aware there are concerns about interactions between these drugs and a variety of cancer medications, so your oncologist may be reluctant to prescribe them.


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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited May 2018

    I'm getting slightly better. Only obsessing about an hour before injection time, and pouting for about 30 minutes after.

    Must have hit a nerve last night, because that one stung for about ten minutes.

    I have decided that the way to go is to get over the needle phobia, and be mighty proud of myself for doing it. Trust me - it's all conceptual at this point.

    Thanks for all your advice and wisdom. Scoobie, you were spot on about interactions. Because I am on Doxil, I have to stick to the injections for now. Doxil does not play well with many drugs.

    Here's a question I've not found answered online, how far apart do I have to move the injection site each time as I make my way around the belly button area?

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited May 2018

    at least 2” away from belly button and at least 2” away from last injection site. Easiest thing to do is work your way around your bellybutton clockwise (or counter) at the 12, 3, 6, and 9o’click positions. If you’re on the thin side and don’t have a lot of extra cushion above and below bellybutton just alternate sides each day.

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited May 2018

    Thank you!

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  • BellasMomToo
    BellasMomToo Member Posts: 305
    edited May 2018

    I was on the injections (lovenox) when I had a DVT near my port. I was taught to look at my stomach in 4 sections, and alternate injection sites. So I had upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left.

    I hated those injections and was able to switch to Eliquis after 2 weeks (my DVT was discovered 4 weeks PFC). Sometimes those shots would sting for several minutes. Other times they wouldn't hurt at all. And sometimes they left soreness, bruises, or hard lumps that lasted for at least a week. I did learn that the slowly injecting the medication usually resulted in a better outcome (but not always.)

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited May 2018

    DH took his injections in alternating thighs.

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited May 2018

    I have plenty of subcutaneous fat on my thighs! That's a great idea.

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