Help us find how many people are self... - Anticoagulation S...
Help us find how many people are self-testing their INR and how many want to but do not, and why.
Please select all that apply:
I would like to self dose, but officially I ring up with my test results and they tell me my dosage and when my next test is due. I test weekly regardless
In patient self-management, you test at home and then adjust your own warfarin dosage within the limits set by your Doctor. Speak to your anticoagulant nurse or GP about managing your own warfarin dose. Your GP or anticoagulant nurse will give you guidelines on how to dose depending on your INR result. There is plenty of information on anticoagulationeurope.org on self-testing and self-dosing.
Until I came across this site I was not aware that self testing was possible. No member of the medical profession has ever raised the subject with me. I have been on warfarin for some years.
Most people who self-test and self-dose do so because they are unhappy with their INR test results and their reading being unstable. Many warfarin users don't understand the importance of their therapeutic time range or how to check this. I have a simple free excel spreadsheet that I will send to anyone interested in maintaining their therapeutic time range. Email me at peveshome@btinternet.com and would appreciate any feedback or improvements.
Now is the time to discuss your well-being with your anticoagulation nurse or GP.
I was told at the surgery that the results of the self test were not so accurate as they are in the blood test sent to the hospital. I dont think this matters, if you are always using the same measuring facility at home.
I would chase that up. Before I purchased my self-tester I researched on the internet and it seemed to me that only one brand was used widely in the UK. It was the same as that used in my doctors surgery and so that is the one I purchased (albeit a smaller version).
Hi qbuster,
How much did the tester cost please, as I looked into this a few weeks ago & found the meter to cost £687.30 Sterling & the test strips around £70 for just of three of them. How on earth is anyone able to self test at these prices, can you advise please if that's OK with you, I don't wish to pry into your personal business?
Thanks
Cheerfulguy
(In the UK)
The results of self-testing are just as accurate as any results from a laboratory.
The results of a blood test sent to a lab will depend on the method used to test when there and the time lapse between the blood being taken and delivered to the lab.
If you sent off the same blood sample to three different labs you would probably get three slightly different results.
I agree you should stick to the method you use. You can't compare apples with pears!
Cannot self test due to haveing sneddons/aps. Have blood taken at gp sent to hospital they either send form back with result/doseage if out range 3.5-4 they will phone with instuctions.Have INR done weekly and have done for past 13 years. I look like a pin cushion!
Are you a member of ACE?
Have you discussed your concerns above with your GP?
Do you want to stop being used as a pin cushion?
Can you briefly explain what sneddons/aps is and how that affects your life?
I would like to self-test, but the cost is prohibitive. At the moment I am being tested every 3 months and I don't like this. I know my INR results are stable, but I do worry in between times knowing how unstable Warfarin is. I would much rather check myself weekly and have the peace of mind knowing all was well. I haven't mentioned this to my GP as I don't really want to have to attend my surgery every week, it would be so much more convenient to self-test. I do wish that there was more support for DVT sufferers, I do feel that I have been abandoned at times.
The self-testing device is not inexpensive and when I bought mine I wondered whether it could be shared with others. The strips are available on prescription so that shouldn't be an issue and at about £2.50 each it would be cheaper for the NHS than the cost of a nurse doing it at a doctor's surgery.
The only possible disadvantage I can see is that the device stores results and that facilty would be much less useful.
Even if the NHS wouldn't pick up the cost of a testing device, sharing the cost between a number of patients would bring the cost per person down dramatically. Perhaps a local Stroke club could be organised and purchase one?
Hi Sharon
I am allowed to self test and I have sneddons syndrome and aps hope they allow you too it iis so much easier and reassuring especially as we have to have and inr of 3.5 or above
Karen
Did they tell you why ? I had a blood test at the clinic and it was only a point or two out
And have been fine doing it,
I have been self testing for about 5 years now, & i am at total ease at doing so. It is so much more convenient, than queuing at the hospital, to get a sample of blood taken. It gives you much more time for controlling your life. You can also test your INR if you feel it may be incorrect at any time.I have done a lot of easy research into all foods, medication etc, that can effect your INR. I am lucky my doctor will prescribe test strips on the NHS. I feel as though i am sensible enough to control dosing myself. But i feel more at ease knowing that at a quick phone call away i have someone who cares how i am, as my local anticoagulant nurses appear to be.
I feel that not many people are aware what foods, medications, etc, can do to your INR. If anyone wishes to self test, do not be frightened to do so, it is so easy. I would highly recommend doing so.
Hi olddodds
Great to hear from another self-tester and you have again confirmed how simple it is.
It's great to hear about your research into all foods and wonder if you have considered having it printed in the INReview, there's no money but your knowledge would help other members who are not ware.
Are you a member of ACE?
Hi
Yes i am a member of ACE, & have the INReview quarterly, a great idea for all Warfarin users.My story was published a couple of years ago. Another with news of my experience with Warfarin. My main gripe is if you have stay in hospital for any reason, i have found that i know more about the effects of medication on my INR, than most NHS staff do. Unless you are in the heart wards.I had an occasion where i was in for Gallstones/infection for 5 days.My INR went from 2.5 {range 2-3} To 10, then down to 1. You can imagine i was panicking, but was told i was in the right place if anything happened. I blew my top.The general wards do not use COAG Machines, so your blood has to be taken every day, usually a 4-6 hrs before you get your result, in the end i was allowed to take in my own Coag machine. I asked why they could not use one from the heart section, {as i know that they are used there} I was told it was not the procedure.But it was me who found out testing myself that my level was at those levels. Its ludicrous, they use Diabetic finger prick machines, & can get the result there & then, then can react quicker, but alas they do not use Coag machines, not the system. Hopefully in time this will change.
I have been on Warfarin for just over 3 years and am generally having my INR tested every 2-3 weeks at my GP. Each time it means missing an hour of work. Would love to have home testing, but my GP seems against it/doesnt know that it's possible?
What does INR refer to ?
Im sorry..I was on a different site..CHADD..suddenly the topic is deep vein thrombosis in the same format..no idea what happened to the site.
Yes, I would like to self-test but the meter & test strips are so very expensive.
I would like to manage my own does as well because, I'm on Warfarin for life & am often calling for check ups at the surgery, which means taking some (albeit small amount) of time off work.
I could test to check which meals are correct for me, as I do now with being Diabetic T2, I test to check on what foods make my blood sugars spike, which is a good way to control the Diabetes.
Cheerfulguy.
Moderation team
