QuestionSo, are you saying that as a 29 year old healthy woman expressing no other symptoms other than the hives/rash after itching sets in, that you do not see any reason why my life should be in harm from the Lovenox?
I am also taking Duet DHA prenatal vitamins, which were started at the same time as the Lovenox. One of the pills in this duet is an Omega 3 fatty acid pill. My understanding is that it is derived from fish oils. My research tells me that it does not contain shell fish, but does have fresh and salt water fish oils. I am allergic to shell fish and experience itching and hives with an allergic reaction to it. Is it a reasonable assumption that the Omega 3 might be the culprit?
Thank you so much for your time and response. It is greatly appreciated. I am in the process of searching for another dr for a second opinion, but you are definetly easing my mind.
Amy
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Followup To
Question -
Dr. Rappaport,
I am looking for some information to help me make a vital decision.
I am currently pregnant for the 5th time. My first resulted in a beautiful daughter who is now 4 1/2. The last 3 pregnancies ended in early miscarriages. In ultrasound a pregnancy was detected, but no developing fetus was seen. I did have yolk sacs with all 3.
I am now pregnant for the 5th time. This was not a planned pregnancy. After my last miscarriage I swore off having another baby. I will be 12 weeks on 9/23/04. I have been taking Lovenox since 6 weeks. At first I had some mild itching, not at the injection site with no signs of rash. Now I am having more severe itching. Tonight when I got home from work I took off my bra and clothes to find hives on my body. The more I itched the worse they got. After I put calydryl on the hives the reduced significantly and the itching subsided.
14 days ago I had a 100% normal ultrasound. I must also add that I was never diagnosed with a clotting disorder, but since I ended up pregnant again before testing could be performed, my dr and I decided to be aggressive.
I called my ongyn, and he said that this sounded like a side effect of the Lovenox and could prove to be life threatening. He wants me to stop taking my daily 60 mg injection immeditaly.
This means I will have two missed doses before I see him on Friday am.
What is the risk of going off this medicine at this point to my child? What is the risk of staying on it longer to me? Is this really life threatening or just annoying?
At this point I am terrified of going off the Lovenox. I am terrified that this will end my pregnancy.
Could you please give me some advice?
Thank you so much,
Amy Stultz
Answer -
We use Levenox almost exclusively during pregnancy with no ill effects to the pregnancy or to the fetus. It seems to be better than the use of Heparin during the pregnancy. If you have developed hives, take Benadryl 50mg every 4 hours if necessary. However, you do not have to stop the Levonox. However, you do have to follow the directions of your obstetrician, or, at least, discuss it with him and ask why he recommends that you discontinue the Levonox. Ask why he believes the situation can be life threatening.
AnswerLovenox is not harmful during pregnancy and we use it all the time. It is much more comfortable than having to inject Heparin. You certainly may be allergic to the Omega 3 fatty acud pill. It may be easier to merely switch to a different antenatal pill such as Prenate.
