Help - I have purchased one and have just been through 6 test strips trying to get a reading - already having watched DVD and read instructions.
What am I doing wrong ?
I will master it.
Good job I bought many test strips - any response gratefully received - indeed text me : 07899728656
Many thanks
Susie
I found it difficult to get the blood on the right spot. I think its not waiting long enough. Also use highest setting on needle so you get a good flow. Then don't rush to get it on. Wait until good big blob before attempting to put on the strip. Finally touching the blood on the side of the spot on the strip rather than trying for the middle seemed to work best.
You will get it right. I wasted a lot of strips in the beginning but got there and then no problem.
I am now on apixaban but whilst on warfarin I thought this was a great device.
My understanding is that the blood needs to go INTO the strip not ONTO it. At my clinic she scraped the blob of blood off my finger with the side of it. She also massages the finger to get the blob nice and high.
I had a similar problem. I was frustrated because I am usually excellent at these matters. At university I did dissection and was always the best, and even as a result got asked to do the most difficult cuts!! I also routinely work on house electricity, sometimes with live current.
So, break it down into small steps. First, getting a good blob of blood. Do it after you have had some exercise. Clean warm hands. Dangle your hand, spin your arm to make the blood flow downwards.
Use a deep prick until you gain confidence. Find the best place for you. The guide says use the side of the finger. For me that it ouch and poor blood. I do 8-10mm back from my fingernail. After the prick, put your hand down, swing it again, then massage the blood out starting from the hand to the fingertip. Do NOT massage just the fingertip. Do this well, and it takes all these things to do it well. Now you have a good blob.
To avoid shaking (funny how it suddenly starts when nervous) hold your hand, or even the finger, with the other hand and keep the elbows on the table.
Yes, I know that in theory the blood should be scraped off from the side. If that works, good. In another thread someone said, position the meter at mid-chest height, and parallel to the chest, and the finger on the other side of the strip so you can see what you are doing. My problem with that was, judged from looking at failed strips, the blood promptly went to the other side and rarely up the narrow channel.
I have found the best way is to ask my wife for help. I do the pricking etc, then she positions the drop over the centre. Almost always works first time. Nicely humbling!
The guide says that you can use special capilliary tubes. I would like to try these, but Roche does not sell them! Curious.
Oh, don't worry if you the drop falls off before getting to the machine. Research has shown the second drop gives the same results as the first. The second drop sometimes comes quicker and bigger, and you might choose to use the second drop.
Thank you all - spoke to the support team at Roche and hey presto successful reading once you know the mechanics of it all - thank you all so much
I went through six strips trying to master it, error message every time. I think it is common with all new users of Coaguchek - glad you have been successful. My tip? DON'T move your finger away from the strip until you hear the confirmation beep that tells you you have been successful - the minute you move your finger away before the beep has sounded you will get an error message. I even squeeze my finger whilst it is touching the side of the strip to make sure enough blood gets on there.
One of the biggest failings is making sure that the Coaguchek is on a level surface or the surface is sloping slightly in towards the Coaguchek.
I was like that at first, but soon discovered:
A)That I can get the strips on prescription
B)That I was rushing too much and not waiting for enough blood to drip from my finger.
Once I realised these things I stopped worrying about it and it seemed to go quite smoothly!
Thank you - got it all sorted now
Coaguchek 
PRAISE FOR MY GP SURGERY AND LOCAL PHARMACY 
Coaguchek
How often are you self-testing INR and are your CCG providing enough test strips?
