Appointments.

[benmaise]

I have a problem with appointments. The letter says not to go out As I am taking Warfarin so I have to keep appointments. I don't drive and I have to get a Taxi or bus. This worries me , as I'm too close to the driver. The bus can be busy . I suppose there will be many others the same. We just have to do it.

[Hidden]

I assume you are talking about appointments for your INR test as you are on warfarin. I can understand your concerns with a car or people mover taxi or possibly a mini bus, but not with a single or double decker bus. I can't see how you could be close to the driver except when getting on and off.

I'm on warfarin and even in these crazy times am still driving a bus and apart from getting on and off my passengers are nowhere near me. Even the seats immediately behind the driver are sealed off to prevent passengers using them withe company I work for. If I'm right about appointments being for INR tests have you discussed your concerns with your surgery/clinic to see if there are other ways of doing it.

John

[benmaise in reply to Hidden]

Its not so much the Driver. Its the passengers on the bus Carneuny.. Some of them come and sit quite close. Because there are a lot less buses running there are more passengers on the bus.

[benmaise in reply to Hidden]

When I said I was close to the driver ,I meant the Taxi driver. Wasn't the black cab. Just a car. Waiting for a phone call off the Doctor.

[daithelife]

You need to discuss your need for appointments with the appropriate clinic. In many cases the visits can be deferred if the need for isolation is greater than the need to check routine matters. For those of us who have had a letter warning us we are extremely vulnerable we are advised not to leave the house except in the extreme situation and have had routine INR and other appointments cancelled or deferred. Please check your personal position and above all do not panic, keep calm and do as directed

[jwsonoma]

If this is isolation going to continue maybe ask your Dr to switch to a different anticoagulant so you don't need to test. Making sure your INR is in the zone is critical.

[R1100S1]

Perhaps time to switch as may have to one of the newer drugs

[soupersue]

My surgery called me to say I needed to take a different drug as no INR testing available. Been on new drug for a few days now.

Suggest you ring your surgery.

[Grayjay]

Hi, I have a letter to go for an INR test on the 30th. I'm really reluctant to go as I haven't been outside for a month now,and should be inside for another 8 weeks. The last time I rang the clinic to see if I should go the nurse was very insistent that I should , so I did but was very cautious, and nervous to say the least. So this time I'm considering not going, but will ring them first. My figures have been stable for quite a while so I think I'll be alright . So we're all between a Rock and a hard place.

[Alan1947]

I went for an INR blood test at Kingston Hospital last week. I was nervous but on arrival found the waiting area empty and I was seen without any wait. The phlebotomist was wearing mask and gloves. I was out in 5 minutes and hadn’t touched any surfaces other than the chair. Came home, showered and put my clothes into the washing machine.

[Echinopsis]

Yes, I am not happy going in to the hospital where they do the INR test. I can drive or walk there it is so close.I think I will do as the others suggest and ask the GP if I can go on something else. But I don't know how they would check your bloods whereas with the INR tests this is done fairly frequently, every 2 to 4 weeks for me. Or better, maybe the doctor could give us a face mask?