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INR home testing

Posted , 5 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi, Ive been home testing for 6 months. It is very expencive to purchase the tester and the strips but I find it very worth while to my life stile.

Some doctors/area health authority do not allow this but I was lucky in Macclesfield/Cheshire. I never thought to stop hospital or doctor surgery testing, but just to give me freedom so that I can keep working without testing getting in the way.

The procedure.

The system is similar to the diabetic tester so a small prick on a finger and blood to the test strip in the machine. (Troublesome at best, until you get used to it) I then phone the Warfrin clinic who gives the dosage then and there. I follow this up with an email to the doctor surgery so they have a result on hard copy.

If I were to take a test that were very out of range I would test again, if its high again, its hotfoot to hospital A&E if out of hours. Thus the doctor is assured all sides are covered and he is kept informed just as if it was done by profesionals.

The system im using CoaguCheck XS, Cost £400

Test strips from direct from Roche £3 each dep on volume.

£3 seems expencive but to save time in the doctrs surgery or hospital and the cost of fuel or bus, its probably the same. The machine, ouch! You have to work out yourself, how much do you want or need the freedom.

Anyway. Am I pleased, YES. Is it worth it. for me YES YES and YES

When I think of the time I spent in waiting rooms, No contest.

Happy home testing. Martin

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • pogle57
    pogle57

    Posted

    The testing strips are available on prescriptuio. If you google for the website called Anti coagulation europe, it will take you to this site which gives up to date information on home testing. It states that the strips are, as i said earlier, on prescription.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    [quote:9693cf701a=\"pogle57\"]The testing strips are available on prescriptuio. If you google for the website called Anti coagulation europe, it will take you to this site which gives up to date information on home testing. It states that the strips are, as i said earlier, on prescription.[/quote:9693cf701a][color=black:9693cf701a][/color:9693cf701a] :D

    Hi, i also have been on warfarin for 4 years, ive bought my own machine and it is great and so easy to use once you get used to it, I get my strips on prescription from my doctor. I test myself once a week to keep on top of it and find it works great for me. I had a mass clot on my heart and lungs and then it broke into 17 small clots over my lungs so i have to stay on this for life. sad

  • derek76
    derek76 Guest

    Posted

    People who are houseboundare supplied with machines and strips to self test at home. They have an appointed time to phone the INR nurse at the surgery with their reults and to be advisd of their dosage for the next week. 
    • christine98681
      christine98681 derek76

      Posted

      hi derik

      if you dont mind me asking were are you from as ive been on wafrin for 14 yrs im housebound and bed bound but our dr's wont give you a machine or the strips on perscription i wish they would i have to do my own when the nurse comes as they can't do it.

      i was going to buy my own but was told thats why we come i also asked if i did buy my own would they put the strips on percription all i got was no they cost too much i even rang the company up and they told me the dr should let me have the strips on the perciption.

      but it annoyed me that one of the old nurses that used to come she got a patient and got them for her infact they only have one machine to there name at our surguy

      so could you please tell me were i can get one hopefully its not the dr's .

      christine

    • derek76
      derek76 christine98681

      Posted

      I live in East Sussex but INR testing seems to vary from area to area.
  • christine98681
    christine98681 Guest

    Posted

    dont no were ur from but our dr's wont give you the strips on perscription or the machine
    • Patricia_123
      Patricia_123 christine98681

      Posted

      Good morning Christine

      I think decisions are made on a number of factors which include things like whether nurses are already visiting and therefore able to look after this aspect of your care.  I had to push very hard to get the strips on prescription.  I bought machine myself (£300). My argument to them was the fact that I work and travel and have a big family including young children so lots of visits to a clinic for regular blood tests would cause major disruption to me and my whole family. Sorry, maybe not what you want to hear. All the best.  Ann

    • derek76
      derek76 Patricia_123

      Posted

      If a prescription for strips costs more than the ones used in the surgery why not just give you ones from their stock.
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