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Sabine, with my first preg. they stopped lovenox and switched to heparin when I was 34 weeks, I delivered at 36 weeks. They still would not let me have an epidural though, thought it was too dangerous even with the heparin

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Ginamarie -

We're glad you're here!! It's a good place with lots of experience to help you through your situation!! Keep coming back. As far as the metformin, it's actually quite useful in the treatment of a whole host of genetic issues, so I would really find out the root of why you're on it...you need to be aware of all your health problems to assure you're healthy and well enough to take care of this baby for a long, long time. I am on metformin, fortamet, actually, because of several clotting disorders I have, in addition to the PCOS. So, ask your doc why exactly they chose to put you on it.

Heatherb -

So what kind of pain control did you have during your first delivery?? I find that odd that your doc wouldn't give you an epidural after you switched to heparin. There are meds you can be given to help if you go into labor on Lovenox, and heparin is actually surgery safe...I really hope you were given SOMETHING to help with pain!! What is the plan this time?

Sabine -

I, like Heatherb, was on Lovenox until 34 weeks, then switched to heparin for the delivery, then back to Lovenox for six weeks postpartum. I had a very lovely planned c-section because of all the clotting issues - they wanted to control the bleeing and I actually bled very little. I had epidural with no problem and spoke with the anesthesiologist at great length about injecting meds into my spine on all the blood thinner. So, I would talk with your doctor about it to see what they are concerned with, if anything, and ask why they are or are not concerned about issues you are concerned about.

Again, what works for one woman might not work for another, so always always always ask your doctor what they want for you - then ask questions if you're concerned.

I hope everyone is well!!

HeatherMak

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Ginamarie:
HeatherMak always puts her words together so nicely-i liked her email to you. I am also sorry for your pain. No one truly knows what you are going thru unless you've gone through it yourself. I myself always used to think if someone had an early miscarriage it may not be that bad-things could be worse. But really, it's such an emotional disappointment that it just awful. It was hard to talk about with friends or family. I've been thru it 4 times & i know. 6 months ago I though this was it, heard the h/beat at 7 1/2 weeks and then we went back 2 weeks later & nothing. It's devestating.
I kind of believe in the saying that God will only give you what you can handle. It may be horrible at the time & for me 4 times is plenty. I have a 3 1/2 yr old & I am 9 weeks along---I have another dr appt next week & that will officially bring me to the farthest I've been in the prior 4 pregnancies. So i am slightly excited.
I"m on Lovenox 40mg once a day (dr suggested it b/c we had no other causes for the m/carriages) so i hope this was the cause.
So just hang in there-i really know how bad it is. Try to have a positive outlook. Believe me i know it is hard to think that way but knowing you could have a good outcome is worth it all.... Every day will get a little easier.

good luck.

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What a source of inspiration everyone is! Happened across this forum and discovered that I was not the only person out there that is dealing with the trials that come with Clotting Disorders. My husband and I are having a love/hate relationship with Lovenox. I am that odd-ball person that has always been a bit overweight - but then, as soon as I hit 6 weeks, I started dropping weight and now....well, Ensure Plus and six meals a day are helping me at least maintain. (Read: "MANY medical issues.") This all brings me to the Prenatal Padding (I just LOVE that term, BTW). I don't have any now, which makes the Lovenox injections tricky, painful and colorful. My loving husband does my injections for me. We have tried the belly, the hips, thighs, etc. We have tried different angles, different body positioning, silly breathing techniques...... Through trial and error, we have discovered that the burning and bruising are much worse when I have not had enough water. Not sure if this will help anyone else, but the recomended water consumption (8 glasses a day) makes these little shots of life a bit more comfortable for me.

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Try your bottom---i seriously do not think i could put a shot into my thigh or abdomen.... dr said the bottom is fine & i have my husband pinch an area and it barely hurts.. it burns sometimes for a few seconds but the bruising is minimal....

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Has anyone had a scheduled c-section when they were using Lovenox the whole pregnancy. I am thinking i will do this when the time comes --- do you stay on lovenox the whole time and then switch to something else?

did you have any complications?

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Stephanie -

Excellent advice...I know the water helps TONS!!


Miicki -

I was on Lovenox at 5 weeks and had a very lovely planned c/s at 39.5 weeks. I was put on Heparin at 36 weeks and then back to the Lovenox the day of delivery for six weeks. With clotting factors, the greatest risk is throwing a clot post-partum. I had a spinal block and never even messed up my hair. It was a tremendous experience. I would highly suggest it!!


HeatherMak

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wow-6 weeks after the delivery...i'm sure i'll dred that.

is there a difference w/a spinal block vs epideral?

thanks

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Miicki,

The spinal block is just a one-time shot. Very quick, very painless and wore off after a couple hours. It seems to work better than an epidural because they don't have to "control" it, and it's COMPLETE, and there are actually very few side effects with it (headache, nausea, etc.). I did get a little queasy, but I think it was because surgery had been pushed back an hour, so there I sat STARVING and when everything got underway, it was all so surreal.

Frankly, I was worried about the spinal/epidural more than the surgery. I am terrified of things like that. But, frankly, the Lovenox shots were worse. The nurse held my hand the ENTIRE time, she was so sweet, and it was very, very pleasant.

The whole experience was great. Really. I was expecting bad and it was just tremendous!!

Six weeks, yeah, well, the fear of dying SUDDENLY from a clot scared me enough into doing them. The needles I was given for the Heparin were awful, so actually I was glad to go back to the Lovenox. I actually thought about keeping the little barrels to make an art project, but I gave up on that idea. I just was told not to inject too closely to the incision because it would bleed, but that was no problem.

Anyway, what you're doing now is the hardest part. Truly. Spinal, surgery, breastfeeding, Lovenox after birth...all a breeze compared to this time. Trust me. You're doing great!!!


HeatherMak

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Great. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Dr appt was great on Tues-everything measuring at 10 weeks... i am going to do the FIRST screening in a couple weeks-this will give me a determination if anything could be wrong with the baby-i dont' think they offered this test when i was pregnant 4 yrs ago. So this is great and earlier than a potential amnio. Results are about 90% accurate. So that is the next hurdle in 2 weeks.
i'll check in later.
thanks

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Miicki,

What test is that?? Is that the triple screen?? I'd be interested to know what this test is you're having...there weren't many offered to me other than the triple screen and an amnio, neither of which I chose to have...but I'd be interested in learning more about this test you're talking about.

HeatherMak

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If you are talking about the 2 staged genetics screening we just went though that about a week ago. This screening determines your risk of having a child with a genetic abnormality based on certain blood factors and some measurements that they will take via ultrasound. The same test is repeated a few weeks later so that they can compare the levels to your first baseline numbers and others that had the test. The results are scored in a 1 out of X format to determine risk. Such as someone would have a 1 out of 1200 risk of downs etc. If your risk is considered high after the second screening then they will consider doing amniocentesis to get a better look.

There are two version of the screening. The complete test for those who are over 35 and/or have a family history of genetic abnormalities (down, sickle cell, spinalbifida, etc) and a smaller screening for those under 35 with no family history. It's just a few vials of blood from the mom, and the measurement of the space behind the babies neck and head.

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I have been reading message board for a couple of months now - thanks everyone for sharing their stories and advice, it has been very helpful.
I have Lupus and have had a DVT and on Coumadin for life. Doctor prescribed Lovenox. When I went to the pharmacey to pick it up, I went into shock - sticker shock. $4,095 a month for the lovenox. I do have insurance but they will only cover 80% which leaves me with about $1,000 a month (including other meds). I have looked into state aid, internet, Canadian pharmacies - I can't believe this. Any suggestions -
Doctor did say that I could do Heparin the entire pregnancy but there is still some risk to the baby and long term use can cause osteoperoris.
Anyone with any suggestions? This has definitly put a bump in the road.
Thanks

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Katy,

Wow. I'm really sorry about this bump in the road. Hopefully, there are answers and help.

I seem to recall somewhere in this thread...fairly recently...about an aid program from the company that makes Lovenox. Go back a few pages and read the posts - I know it was here and the woman who posted said there is financial help.

Let me know if you find it...if not, I'll take a gander as well.

Gidd,

Thanks for the info...I had no idea. Is this the same as the Triple Screen, or is this totally different??


HeatherMak

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Hello again! Just wanted to give an update on my pregnancy. I had a Dr.s appt. on the 16th, and everything sounds great. I am now at the end of my 15th week (HOORAY!) and the babies heartbeat sounds wonderful. Today I went and had lab work done for AFP (Alfha Fetal Protein) and Cystic Fibrosis and will know the results at my next appt. in 3 weeks. At that appt., I will also have an in depth ultrasound, maybe we will find out the sex if the baby isn't shy.

Katy; It was me who posted about Lovenox reinbursment. The web address is "needymeds.com" and they will fax you an application. Or 1-800-207-8049. They sent me a months supply before I was even qualified, which was a HUGE help. I was paying out of pockett $489. and my insurance was covering $1,200. I hope this helps you and good luck with everything. Keep us posted on if my info. was of any help..

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Donovan's Mommy-
Congrats on your doctors appointment.
I did check out needymeds.com and I was wondering which program you applied for? Thanks again for the info.

Katy

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