How do you arrange for INR tests while on holiday overseas. Do many people self test?

[carinya]

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Carinya

How long are you going for?, can you not arrange with your UK clinic to test you before you go and then when you come back?. It depends on the length of travel really and where you are going, but most countries can test for you (at a price)

Be well

Ian

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

I self test now, but when I went to New Zealand I had to get my INR checked. I just saw my sons GP and he arranged it. On the plus side it was free as it was considered to be essential.

Eileen

[Dodie117]

I spend a lot of time in France and have never asked to be tested as I have my own machine. When I get tested in uk I do a test on my own machine also so I can compare and make sure my machine is accurate ( or as accurate as possible). My machine measures .2 above hospital lab but is consistent so I comfortable with this. Most countries will be able to do testing for you if necessary. Where are you going and for how long. Of you travel a lot I would certainly recommend getting your own machine.

[gerryatriq]

All I can say that down here in the ALgarve, you can go to the local Centro do Saude (NHS Health Centre) show your UK anticoag card, and asked to have one done. Show your Euro Card and probably no charge, or at most 80cents.

It might mean queing up on a certain day but they will do it without issue. They all take this matter pretty seriously.

I suspect most euro countries will be the same. Of course you could always go to a local Private clinic or private Doc. Prob no wait but a charge of 30euros.

Just look for local health centres (NHS) or ask at hotel or wherever you are

[Hidden]

G'day Carinya,

I have a Roche Coaguchek device, self monitor and take it with me anywhere I go - if need be - I adjust my own dose BUT only if my INR is dramatically outside my range. My last trip was to Sydney and Melbourne and I had to adjust doseage. I also use it to check on the lab results which I have to go through normally because my GP is in the dark ages and have found errors in the lab results and resultant variation in doseage ( and got letters of apology from my GP for lab errors). If everything is going sweet the average difference between a lab test and my device is + or - 0.1. That's accurate enough for me.

Cheers

Aussie John

[Hidden]

Hi when i was on Greek Island of Kefalonia last year it proved a bit problematic. My clinic "strongly advised" i get it checked whilst away. I went to the local health centre and after 2 hrs i was informed the clinic never do this for locals and i would have to go to the capital. Thats fine but it was a drive away over the mountains, the hotel receptionist took us in her car to her friend a microbiologist who tested me for 20 euros. I then had to quickly go to the hospital as INR was above 8 we saw a doctor straight away who marched me round to A&E we paid 5 euros to register in at the hospital. Then in a hospital thats not NHS standards and us not speaking Greek and very little English spoken i had a vit K infusion and had to stay 6 hrs to have another venous sample taken. Eventually i was dosed and advised i could leave, as no bus service had to get a taxi 50 Euros back to our hotel some 12 hours later. I had to return so we hired a car 50 euros i think and paid 11 euros for a second test as not an emergency this time. So all in all an expensive experience but credit where credits due they did sort me out. Hoping to change to one of the newer ones when i am next away as i go to clinic weekly as INR so up and down. Awaiting cardiac opioion on that

[mallet-head]

Fortunately got to 2 weekly testing before my 2 week holiday in Florida. Out of curiosity I called in to a medical centre in Kissimmee to check out the situation. Was told it would cost $170 to register at the clinic and a further $40 for the actual INR test. What a relief not to need testing when over there!!

cheers, Mallet-head