Anti-Phospholipid Antibodies - positive

JenSlayton · 07-02-2009, 08:11 PM

I just got back the results of my bloodwork from my RE. Apparently my Anti-Phospholipid Antibody test came back positive.

They say that means that I will probably have to take shots of Heparin during pregnancy.

Did anyone else have this? Did the Heparin (or any other treatment) stop the recurrent miscarraiges?

I'm really, really, really nervous about the idea of shots, so if anyone was successful in treating it with anything NON-injectable, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks!
Jen

kimmy-ki · 07-02-2009, 08:39 PM

Hi Jen, The good news is that you have diagnosed this problem so good chances are that your next pregnancy will go smoothly!
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Why are you resistant to the idea of shots? Are you afraid of needles or the actual meds? If you are afraid of needles, it dosen't take long to get used to injecting yourself. The needles are thin (the same ones used for insulin) and most women agree they don´t hurt. If you are particularly sensitive, you can ice the area before injecting to decrease the sensation.

If you are nervous about the meds themselves, you should know that blood thinners are medications that have been around for years and years. Heparin (or the low-weight molecular form Lovenox) does not cross the placenta, so it is completely safe for your baby. Actually, think of it this way-- without the thinners-- first your baby is unlikely to survive the first tri and then if he/she gets further along, you are at a greatly increased risk for blood clots. So the thinners are a good thing for this condition.

Most doctors also prescribe baby aspirin along with the heparin. The combo is supposed to be more effective than just heparin alone.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

I think heparin is a miracle-- this is the first pregnancy that has progressed normally and I am 40 years old. I´m so thankful I found out that I have this condition!

Kimmy

nourania · 07-02-2009, 08:40 PM

I don't have APA..but I do have 2 copies of MTHFR (a blood clotting disorder)..after 2 m/cs..my dr. found that I have this when I was 5wks PG with my DD..I injected myself 2 times daily with Lovenox (low-weight molecular form of Heparin) for the entire pgncy..and gave birth to a full term healthy baby girl!
GOOD LUCK!

kimmy-ki · 07-02-2009, 08:41 PM

I forgot to mention that there is a form of heparin that can be taken orally, but it is not recommended because it does cross the placenta. So for now, the shots are the only option for women with APA.

AnotherDreamer · 07-02-2009, 09:48 PM

My sister has that. She did not have first trimester issues, but she did have a full term still birth because of it (It was undiagnosed at the time.)

Since then, she has had to take a baby aspirin a day (even when not pregnant, because it is a clotting disorder and it puts someone with it at risk of getting clots at any time also) She also had to use Heparin with each of her subsequent pregnancies. She managed to carry and deliver two healthy boys after being diagnosed.

I think that the Heparin is really a minor thing if you keep reminding yourself that it will be worth it at the end.

I'm sure you will be able to find plenty of woman to give their first hand experiences though. Maybe do a search on the forums, or post over on the pregnancy boards, as well as the Loss boards.

Best wishes.

AV123 · 07-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Hi Jen,

I was also diagnosed with APS in 2008 after having 2 first trimister miscarriages. The doctor put me on low dose aspirin for 3 months and I had a first trimster loss again with IVF. The next time around he had me on aspirin and Lovenox( the same as heparin ) before IVF and here I am pregnant with twins. I am 23 weeks along. I think it is a miracle drug and it really works. Good Luck!

JenSlayton · 07-04-2009, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the encouraging success stories! I think I am nervous about two things...

first, actually putting a needle into my skin. I can barely handle people doing it to draw blood, so am not sure I can do it myself. I'm thinking right now that my poor DH may get the joy of helping with that... or that I will just have to suck it up and do it. I am also nervous about it hurting. Other than immunizations, the only things I have ever been injected with are cortisone shots for asthma, and they hurt like HE**!!!

second, it seems like injectable drugs are so much more "serious" and I am afraid of screwing them up. Pills seem so harmless by comparison...

But, it sounds like the shots are pretty effective, and I know that the result is worth it... so I guess I just have to be an adult and do it???

*~SugarPlums~* · 07-04-2009, 07:02 PM

I was diagnosed with APS after my 5th miscarriage.

This is my 7th pregnancy and I am the farthest I have ever been in a pregnancy! I am actually getting induced on Monday. I was able to carry another pregnancy to 32 weeks and the only reason we think that was a successful pregnancy was a) it was twins so I had more progesterone and b) I was on baby aspirin therapy (not for aps) for the first tri.

I got started on Fragmin, it is newer than lovenox but way more expensive. Due to the price and having switched insurance, I went on Lovenox and then 2 weeks ago switched to heparin. My last dose of hep will be tomorrow night and I am glad!

The injections are not easy at first, but I am used to them because I am also a type 2 diabetic, insulin dependent. In the begining I gave myself a few huge hematomas because I hit a blood vessel. I will be honest and say for me the fragmin and lovenox are much easier to administer than the heparin. I have several small hematomas from the hep and my stomach is more bruised.

It is crazy because I have enough Lovenox left for 3-4 months and that stuff is expensive! I think I have (from last count) 12 boxes (10 syringes come in each box). Each dose (syringe) cost about 40.00! I call it liquid gold because it is what has kept me pregnant this long!

I will be put on Coumadin after delivery for about 6 weeks. It is an oral blood thinner and it is safe if one would chose to nurse.

The first 3 weeks of having had started these injections were difficult and even though I am used to injections, it took a bit of getting used to. I had a few metal breakdowns thinking of how long I was going to have to do them but then I just sucked it up. Now, tomorrow morning will be my last dose
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I think that after even 1 loss, these test should be ran. It would have avoided so much sorrow and pain for us, that is for sure.

Good luck.