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Lovenox
Hi girls. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on Lovenox? My RE is putting me on it with this next positive pregnancy. We just ran another series of blood tests and one came back positive for blood clotting. He said this particular type of clot would is associated with second or third trimester losses, whereas all four of my mc have been around five weeks. But he said it is reason enough to do Lovenox.
I don't know how long I would have to take it.
And I guess I'm just a little confused because he says we are really doing things that "couldn't hurt, but are not 'proven' to prevent miscarriage either". We just don't know what has caused all the previous miscarriages.
I'm 39, 4 mc, no kids yet, I'm on progesterone, baby aspirin, pre-natal vitamins, folic acid, thyroid med, clomid and HCG injections, B Complex vitamins.. Now we are going to add Lovenox. Every test has come back "normal". He has no explanation for why the mc happened. We even tested for Factor V Leiden and it came back normal. But a few weeks ago he wanted to do a more indepth anticardiolipin panel which I guess is a little more indepth than the Factor V.
Has anyone else taken Lovenox? Opinions on it? Did it work? Thanks in advance. Take care.
I don't know how long I would have to take it.
And I guess I'm just a little confused because he says we are really doing things that "couldn't hurt, but are not 'proven' to prevent miscarriage either". We just don't know what has caused all the previous miscarriages.
I'm 39, 4 mc, no kids yet, I'm on progesterone, baby aspirin, pre-natal vitamins, folic acid, thyroid med, clomid and HCG injections, B Complex vitamins.. Now we are going to add Lovenox. Every test has come back "normal". He has no explanation for why the mc happened. We even tested for Factor V Leiden and it came back normal. But a few weeks ago he wanted to do a more indepth anticardiolipin panel which I guess is a little more indepth than the Factor V.
Has anyone else taken Lovenox? Opinions on it? Did it work? Thanks in advance. Take care.
Thanks so much girls! It really and truly is a shame that we need to go through a certain amount of losses before they will investigate or do certain things. That was the biggest shocker to me. I felt I really had to educate myself medically to know what to ask for, and that has taken such a toll. I didn't think I would have to do so much investigating myself.
I guess I am naive, I thought if you go to the doctor then he would be your advocate and take care of you. I think they do the best they can to take care of you. But it turns our you really have to be your own advocate. Kinda hard when the topic makes you a little coo coo to begin with :)
I guess I am naive, I thought if you go to the doctor then he would be your advocate and take care of you. I think they do the best they can to take care of you. But it turns our you really have to be your own advocate. Kinda hard when the topic makes you a little coo coo to begin with :)
Hi again, Kristine!
The shots really aren't that bad. They're not quite as easy as the HCG injections, but you'll totally get used to them. Like the others said, the bruising can be an issue, but that's just how it is, since it is after all a blood thinning shot, but like Bonnie said, NOT rubbing the site after does help quite a bit. But a few random bruises here and there are almost unavoidable. The other thing about the shots, is that they do burn a little sometimes when being injected...to me at least, it seems to depend on the site...but injecting it slowly helps. And thirdly, once you're pregnant and your tummy starts to get more stretched out, it will be harder to find a spot that can be easily pinched...but by then you'll be a seasoned pro anyway, so you'll just have to improvise and go a little further out (I'm now doing some of mine in the "lovehandle" area).
Best of luck with everything!
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Brenda: Congratulations! I hope the third time's the charm for you (as it was for me) and that lovenox helps you have a happy, healthy nine months!
Miranda: Best of luck to you! I hope your next BFP will be a sticky one! I hadn't heard about the bone density loss before. I'll have to look that up. Thanks for sharing!
The shots really aren't that bad. They're not quite as easy as the HCG injections, but you'll totally get used to them. Like the others said, the bruising can be an issue, but that's just how it is, since it is after all a blood thinning shot, but like Bonnie said, NOT rubbing the site after does help quite a bit. But a few random bruises here and there are almost unavoidable. The other thing about the shots, is that they do burn a little sometimes when being injected...to me at least, it seems to depend on the site...but injecting it slowly helps. And thirdly, once you're pregnant and your tummy starts to get more stretched out, it will be harder to find a spot that can be easily pinched...but by then you'll be a seasoned pro anyway, so you'll just have to improvise and go a little further out (I'm now doing some of mine in the "lovehandle" area).
Best of luck with everything!
---------
Brenda: Congratulations! I hope the third time's the charm for you (as it was for me) and that lovenox helps you have a happy, healthy nine months!
Miranda: Best of luck to you! I hope your next BFP will be a sticky one! I hadn't heard about the bone density loss before. I'll have to look that up. Thanks for sharing!
Hello
I was diagnosed with Factor Five Leiden (2006) after a dvt (deep vein thrombosis) occurred in my stomach after gall bladder surgery. I was told, if and when I become pregnant, Lovenox shots would be needed. Even 6 weeks prior to conception was advised. (Note: my sister is also Factor Five deficient which is hereditary and she was on Lovenox throughout her entire pregnancy)
I moved out of the country and we started ttc Aug 08. I saw a hematologist whom advised against taking injections. Listening to her, I opted out and miscarried Jan 09. I again became pregnant May 09 which resulted in ectopic. (I do not know if this is the cause but now I am covering ALL bases)!
I aggressively told my doctors I want to be put on injections and have been taking them for 2 months. I found out 27 Oct I am pregnant!! YAH!
I really feel this will work this time!
It is too bad women are not routinely screened for blood clotting disorders!! Only after you have suffered such a tremendous loss!
ALL THE BEST!!
Brenda
I was diagnosed with Factor Five Leiden (2006) after a dvt (deep vein thrombosis) occurred in my stomach after gall bladder surgery. I was told, if and when I become pregnant, Lovenox shots would be needed. Even 6 weeks prior to conception was advised. (Note: my sister is also Factor Five deficient which is hereditary and she was on Lovenox throughout her entire pregnancy)
I moved out of the country and we started ttc Aug 08. I saw a hematologist whom advised against taking injections. Listening to her, I opted out and miscarried Jan 09. I again became pregnant May 09 which resulted in ectopic. (I do not know if this is the cause but now I am covering ALL bases)!
I aggressively told my doctors I want to be put on injections and have been taking them for 2 months. I found out 27 Oct I am pregnant!! YAH!
I really feel this will work this time!
It is too bad women are not routinely screened for blood clotting disorders!! Only after you have suffered such a tremendous loss!
ALL THE BEST!!
Brenda
I had three 1st semester losses before undergoing tests at the fertility clinic. Everything was normal except for my protein C and IGG antibodies. My RE suggested fragmin, a blood thinning medication.
I conceived last July and took baby aspirin, prometrium, pre-natals and extra folic acid. I also injected 2500 ml of fragmin in my lower abdomen. No big deal, I got used to it. (But I did get heavy bruising on the injection site).
Unfortunately, they couldn't find a heartbeat so I had a D&C in September. But this was the first time I made it that far; my other losses were blighted ovum and chemical pregnancies.
I know it was likely because of my age, but this was the first time I was on this protocol so I am ttcing one more time. My RE monitored me this month and put me on fragmin as soon as ovulation occurred. (If I'm not pregnant - and I'll find out next week - I'll be getting off them and trying again next cycle).
I have read that lovenox (or the other blood thinners like the one I was on) does cause bone density loss in women. But I've researched enough to learn on my own that this is the best protocol to be on.
Reading about antiphospholipid syndrome is scary. My RE said my antibodies may lead to this. But he also said it could be that I'm of the 3-5% of the population who got these antibodies in childhood and have no symptoms, excpect for the pregnancy losses.
Good luck and don't give up hope. There is another woman on this forum who I understand just gave birth to her baby last week. She was on lovenox or heparin throughout her pregnancy, but stopped before labour.
I conceived last July and took baby aspirin, prometrium, pre-natals and extra folic acid. I also injected 2500 ml of fragmin in my lower abdomen. No big deal, I got used to it. (But I did get heavy bruising on the injection site).
Unfortunately, they couldn't find a heartbeat so I had a D&C in September. But this was the first time I made it that far; my other losses were blighted ovum and chemical pregnancies.
I know it was likely because of my age, but this was the first time I was on this protocol so I am ttcing one more time. My RE monitored me this month and put me on fragmin as soon as ovulation occurred. (If I'm not pregnant - and I'll find out next week - I'll be getting off them and trying again next cycle).
I have read that lovenox (or the other blood thinners like the one I was on) does cause bone density loss in women. But I've researched enough to learn on my own that this is the best protocol to be on.
Reading about antiphospholipid syndrome is scary. My RE said my antibodies may lead to this. But he also said it could be that I'm of the 3-5% of the population who got these antibodies in childhood and have no symptoms, excpect for the pregnancy losses.
Good luck and don't give up hope. There is another woman on this forum who I understand just gave birth to her baby last week. She was on lovenox or heparin throughout her pregnancy, but stopped before labour.
Hi Kristine
I took Lovenox 6 years ago, although not for pregnancy. The amount of discomfort that comes from the injections will vary, depending on where they tell you to take them. For me, I had very few sensitive nerve endings in my lower abdomen, and that's where I was instructed to take my shots. I experienced very little discomfort, and the needles were rather short and thin. One note: the shots do cause you to bruise, so don't panic when you see them. If you don't rub the injection site after giving yourself the injection, it won't bruise as much.
It sounds like all the meds and injections are well worth it! 9 months of hassle for a healthy baby sounds like an excellent trade-off! Best wishes!
Bonnie
I took Lovenox 6 years ago, although not for pregnancy. The amount of discomfort that comes from the injections will vary, depending on where they tell you to take them. For me, I had very few sensitive nerve endings in my lower abdomen, and that's where I was instructed to take my shots. I experienced very little discomfort, and the needles were rather short and thin. One note: the shots do cause you to bruise, so don't panic when you see them. If you don't rub the injection site after giving yourself the injection, it won't bruise as much.
It sounds like all the meds and injections are well worth it! 9 months of hassle for a healthy baby sounds like an excellent trade-off! Best wishes!
Bonnie
Yes, he told me, but I didn't write it down. I could always ask him again. The panel tested for about 18 different clotting issues. This was the only one that came back "abnormal" or "positive".
I guess that's the thing about all these tests, treatments, medicines, etc. none of us really ever knows if what we are doing is the reason for success.... or if it is in fact coincidence. But I guess, if the intervention couldn't hurt then it is worth a try.
It is interesting what you said about Factor V and it being an issue later in pregnancy, but yours ended in first trimester. I wonder if the same might be true for me- if it is that would be great :)
Congrats on being 31 weeks along.
Were the injections for Lovenox painful or hard to do?? I generally have a pretty high tolerance for pain. These HCG injections are not painful or difficult at all.
I guess that's the thing about all these tests, treatments, medicines, etc. none of us really ever knows if what we are doing is the reason for success.... or if it is in fact coincidence. But I guess, if the intervention couldn't hurt then it is worth a try.
It is interesting what you said about Factor V and it being an issue later in pregnancy, but yours ended in first trimester. I wonder if the same might be true for me- if it is that would be great :)
Congrats on being 31 weeks along.
Were the injections for Lovenox painful or hard to do?? I generally have a pretty high tolerance for pain. These HCG injections are not painful or difficult at all.
I'm on Lovenox for Factor V (one gene). Same thing...repeated early losses in the past, but research indicates that Factor V should technically only be an issue in 2nd and 3rd trimester. Yet, this is the only pregnancy that continued past the first trimester and this time I was on Lovenox from day 1. The last two times, they wanted to wait and see a heartbeat before starting the blood thinners.
I'm now 31 weeks and will continue Lovenox until I get a little closer to delivery, then switch to heparin, since it has a shorter half life and they don't want you to be on blood thinners the day of delivery. Of course, I will never know whether the reason this pregnancy continued was due to the Lovenox or just a conicidence...but I was not taking any chances this time, and I'm glad I didn't.
Did they tell you what blood clotting disorder you tested positive for?
I'm now 31 weeks and will continue Lovenox until I get a little closer to delivery, then switch to heparin, since it has a shorter half life and they don't want you to be on blood thinners the day of delivery. Of course, I will never know whether the reason this pregnancy continued was due to the Lovenox or just a conicidence...but I was not taking any chances this time, and I'm glad I didn't.
Did they tell you what blood clotting disorder you tested positive for?
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