Lovenox administration, from a PATIENT's view

[zenderlee]

I've read several threads here about lovenox administration, and want to give my 2 cents. I am an RN, but I have also had to be on lovenox several times. Here are my thoughts:

1. Sometimes the bruising can be horrific. I myself was bruised from my belly button to my groin, right side to left. This is NOT indicative of poor technique, and some people are going to bruise no matter WHAT you do. I've given myself shots with great technique and ended up with a bruise 4" across, and done ones poorly and ended up with a pinprick bruise.

2. If your patient is going to be wearing clothing of any sort around their waist, avoid this area for the shots. The pressure of an elastic waistband, for example, on an area where a lovenox shot was given, can cause even more tissue trauma, and an enlargement of the bruising. Suggest to patients that they wear LOOSE fitting clothes (I have to wear dresses and very low cut undies when I'm on lovenox).

3. Sometimes the shots do hurt. Not very badly, but there's a sting, and sometimes a little pain afterwards. The bruises look worse than they feel, but yes, they do ache. I've had way worse shots, in terms of pain, than lovenox.

4. No way could my shots have been confined to my "love handle" areas; I would have run out of room! Even using my entire abdomen, it got difficult.

Hope this is helpful to someone!