INR Testing

[rian888]

how can i test my INR at home.

[moo196]

Hi, I think it's possible to buy a home testing machine but you then need training and it's very expensive. I looked at this for travelling purposes but decided against it.

Why are you considering this?

[rian888 in reply to moo196]

I live 160km from the nearest hospital and its getting expensive fuel wise.

[moo196 in reply to rian888]

Docs surgery test surely?

[rian888 in reply to moo196]

Africa is a bite behind in that respect Namibia is an resource strapped country for example my closesde nabber lives 20km awye

[moo196 in reply to rian888]

I can imagine ! But here in UK I could buy a machine for around £500 but then would need extra supplies - test strips - which would cost more - plus two mornings of training. I don't know if that would be worth it or what the cost in Africa might be.

How often do you need testing ?

I was also made aware that home testing may not be as accurate .

[AnneTS in reply to moo196]

Hi Moo. The only training I received was pricking my finger to see if I could get blood out of it!! The machine itself was £299 and every 6 months I have to take it to the anticoagulation clinic at my nearest hospital and have a venous draw of blood and then I do a self-test with the nurse. In all the years I have been testing there has never been a major discrepancy in results. If there was then they would not let you self-test and you would either have to buy a new machine or go back to the old venous draw visit in the clinic. Annel

[moo196 in reply to AnneTS]

Interesting. Thank goodness I no longer need to take anti coagulants!

[rian888]

they currently have me on once every 2 weeks if my blood is stable more if not ,i generally move around lots since i work on mining sites as a safety in specter .

[Lisacharman]

I have been testing my inr at home for 2 years now and the freedom it gives you is incredible i am on lifelong warfarin and I am not stable and never have been

The way I did it was spoke to my gp and I started to learn how to dose then you get to know how things are I have to say that the inr machines are not available on the nhs they are for me was a lot of money they cost £299.00 the strips are available on the nhs as are the needles to prick your finger to start off I went to the doctors and booked an inr appointment and we tested my blood on there machine and my own then we worked out when the next test was due I then did the same for the next appointment so then I went it alone but I can call for help I can book an appointment if I get stuck or out of range so they do help with being independent but you need your go to back you which I did then you have to purchase them online from coag checker machine if you google it then it will take you to the website good luck it has changed my life

[AnneTS]

Hi Rian. First find out if your anticoagulation clinic will allow you to self-test your INR. Then go and talk to your GP to check that he/she will allow you to have the testing strips for the Coaguchek machine on prescription. If all that is positive call Roche and order a Coaguchek self-testing INR machine for £299. I believe some of the bigger hospitals have managed to obtain charitable funding for machines which they lend to patients. Annel

[rian888 in reply to AnneTS]

thank you very mutch this is something i did not now .

[daisyd]

Hi I self test wonderful freedom, the only thing I would worry about is their are some new anticoagulants which you wouldn't need and inr for, so if your doctors changed you over to these buying a machine would be a waste of money

[moo196]

I would want to know more about the new anti coagulation drugs. Currently no antidote for them should you be in an accident or need emergency surgery

[richchix]

I have been on Warfarin for16 years. I bought a Coag Machine 4 years ago. But find it impossible to get a result. The INR nurse has demonstrated to me several times but I do not seem to get the blood on the correct place. So I still go to the clinic. My surgery do not supply the strips which are very expensive so I waste a lot of them and keep trying

[rian888 in reply to richchix]

i started taking pills after hart surgery 16 years ago my self, i was 17y of age it is somting i cant stop.