ovarian cancer chemo and blood thinners

srwruns
srwruns Member Posts: 343
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Just Dx with Clear Cell. recovery well after surgery until Sun when left leg swollen. Off to emergency room and treatment for "beginning blood clot" up high in thigh/groin. Left emergency room with prescript for Lovenox (blood thinner) injections one time a day for 6 months. Starting chemo on Nov. 19. Anyone else have experience with being on blood thinners and then chemo? Seems like a long time to be on blood thinners...but I don't have any experience with any of this.

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  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231 Member
    #2
    Blood Thinners
    Hi SNWRUNS,
    I had blood clots in both lungs about half way through chemo. I had shots in my stomach (blood thinner called Fragmin) for 6 months....it takes that long to dissolve them....also was told that cancer can cause blood clots....so it is good they have you on them now. It is no fun but there is an end in sight. Click on my name to read my story. If I can answer or help with any more questions let me know.
    ((Hugs)) Joan
  • NancyC
    NancyC Member Posts: 10
    #3
    JoanC said:

    Blood Thinners
    Hi SNWRUNS,
    I had blood clots in both lungs about half way through chemo. I had shots in my stomach (blood thinner called Fragmin) for 6 months....it takes that long to dissolve them....also was told that cancer can cause blood clots....so it is good they have you on them now. It is no fun but there is an end in sight. Click on my name to read my story. If I can answer or help with any more questions let me know.
    ((Hugs)) Joan

    ovarian cancer chemo and blood thinners
    I have been on blood thinners since last November when a blot clot was found in my left leg/groin area. My doc also told me that cancer can cause blood clots. I was on Lovenox (2x per day) for a month then went to Coumadin pills. I had Doxil treatments with Lovenox then Coumadin. I then switched to Cisplatin/Taxol. I never had any issues with the blood thinners. You do need to regulate your Vitamin K intake while on Coumadin. The doc checked my INR level when I went in for chemo and I was on Coumadin. If my INR level wasn't in the 2-3 range, my doc would change my Coumadin dosage. I went back to Lovenox shots last August when I started on Avastin. I prefer the Lovenox shots since my INR level was rarely in the 2-3 range. Also I do not need to regulate my vitamin K intake. There is a generic (Enoxaparin Sodium) for Lovenox and is less expensive. I get a 3 month supply for $30 dollars with my insurance. Hope this helps.

    Nancy
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #4
    NancyC said:

    ovarian cancer chemo and blood thinners
    I have been on blood thinners since last November when a blot clot was found in my left leg/groin area. My doc also told me that cancer can cause blood clots. I was on Lovenox (2x per day) for a month then went to Coumadin pills. I had Doxil treatments with Lovenox then Coumadin. I then switched to Cisplatin/Taxol. I never had any issues with the blood thinners. You do need to regulate your Vitamin K intake while on Coumadin. The doc checked my INR level when I went in for chemo and I was on Coumadin. If my INR level wasn't in the 2-3 range, my doc would change my Coumadin dosage. I went back to Lovenox shots last August when I started on Avastin. I prefer the Lovenox shots since my INR level was rarely in the 2-3 range. Also I do not need to regulate my vitamin K intake. There is a generic (Enoxaparin Sodium) for Lovenox and is less expensive. I get a 3 month supply for $30 dollars with my insurance. Hope this helps.

    Nancy

    very helpful
    Thanks a great deal for the responses. Does one need to stay on the blood thinners for life, once started, or for a period of time (like the 6mos)? Or I suspect "it depends?" LOL I thought they dissolved them then we went on our merry way maybe with apirin...maybe too Pollyannish?
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231 Member
    #5
    srwruns said:

    very helpful
    Thanks a great deal for the responses. Does one need to stay on the blood thinners for life, once started, or for a period of time (like the 6mos)? Or I suspect "it depends?" LOL I thought they dissolved them then we went on our merry way maybe with apirin...maybe too Pollyannish?

    It Depends?
    Hi,
    My Dr. said 6 months was standard but I guess as you say "it depends" After the 6 months they put me on one baby aspirin every day......have done that now since Feb. 2009. I like to think they dissolve them and then we go on our merry way....call me PollyAnna also. I have not had any problems since.
    ((Hugs))
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #6
    JoanC said:

    It Depends?
    Hi,
    My Dr. said 6 months was standard but I guess as you say "it depends" After the 6 months they put me on one baby aspirin every day......have done that now since Feb. 2009. I like to think they dissolve them and then we go on our merry way....call me PollyAnna also. I have not had any problems since.
    ((Hugs))

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much for the info. I'm certainly hoping for the 6 mos. That's doable considering I will doing chemo anyway and not exactly prepping for dancing with the stars! The whole blood clot thing that popped up squicked me out more than dealing with the cancer dx and impending chemo since the urgency of any major symptoms is so critical. Again, this has been a great place and the strength I draw from everyone is very restorative! Susan

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