Hi,
First Post I have recently been put on Warfarin and Like normal have to check the levels.
I was wondering if there is detail about the self check strips being available on prescription as i cant be attending hospital or my medical practice for them to test me twice a week.
Hi,
I've been using my Coaguchek XS device ( see Roche Website, then look for Coaguchek XS) which I was recommended to buy in April 2010 by my surgery and I might add - supported by my surgery ( then in Surrey) and have used it ever since. Surgery supplied test strips on NHS prescription and provided all the new user support I could wish for. No problems whatsoever - until I moved to Cornwall.
The first surgery I registered with in Cornwall came from the age of dinosaurs. They wouldn't accept Coaguchek at all and insisted in doing INR tests the old way, by venous draw. So I decided to use my device and cross check their results ( even though the two techniques will produce different stand alone results) and all went well untill I was prescribed a wrong dose of Warfarin based on a venous draw. I then blew a gasket with the dinosaur surgery and scouted around for a new surgery who was up to date and soon found a modern and supportive practice who took me on and all was well and they prescribed the test strips then ... and still do. I have a great relationship with my surgery INR Clinic and every 10 tests I have to go to Clinic for a device cross check, I give a pin prick of blood onto a test strip in their surgery device and the same in my device which is parked along side the surgery device on the Clinicians desk. The difference is usually + or - 0.1 ...... no problems at all.
The start point is to ask your existing surgery if they support you buying your own device and prescribing on NHS the test strips. If not, then scout around for a different practice and move over. For me this device gives me all the freedom I need, even take it to Australia when I travel. I can't be doing the visits for venous draw all the time as I work shift work driving buses. Almost impossible to get an appointment which is user friendly with my shift. Apart from which if your INR tends to be unstable ( as mine does ) from time to time this device is unbelievably essential for enabling you to monitor your own INR levels. A good surgery/ Clinic will always be there fore you anyway with this device - my new one in Cornwall certainly is.
All that said, my GP has tried to get me onto one of these new anticoagulants and I've point blank refused saying - if it ain't broke why fix it. Apart from which they are too new and I don't trust them. Hope this helps, I'm no expert and I don't get kick backs from Coaguchek, but if I can help further let me know.
John
I had to buy my own Coaguchek, but I do get the strips on the NHS. Free, because of my age, but better to pay the prescription charge than buy them retail, even though you can.
Hi,
My GP surgery do not do INR testing so I am under the Anticoagulent clinic at the hospital. I have now been self testing for 3 years and only attend the clinic twice a year for comparison checks. I email my test results to the clinic once a month and everyone is happy!
Although the GP surgery do not do INR testing I was able to get test strips as a prescription item, but now the Anticoagulent clinic provide the test strips which is even better as I don't have to pay a prescription charge!
Like carneuy, self testing gives me the freedom to do pretty much anything. I often spend longer periods in Africa as my partner is from Uganda and I have not had any issues.
Hope you are able to get sorted.
Alison
Hi All, thanks for the responses I have had to buy my own monitor also and the first pack of strips so I dont have to attend and have more freedom, I cannot attend a clinic twice a week to monitor the warfarin level when it does level out, travelling to and from work loosing working hours will causing me stress etc.
Just hoping that the GP clinic aren't a pain, but I will investigate a different clinic having said that the whole of the area is covered by the same CCG Birmingham and they may have the same restrictions on what they can or can't place on prescription.
Hi, All interested i have been able to get prescription Coaguchek strip so i am more relaxed about the cost, thank you all stay safe.
If there is any issue for other people i contacted admin@thrombosisuk.org, they were helpful in explaining we should be able to get the strips but if not they would be able to help and even stand with me asking why they are not prescribeable.
movementforgood.com/index.p...
This is a link which would be helpful for them as they are a charity and also have a help line for questions to be answered
I am so jealous of you all having the option to self check. I have to troop off to the Warfarin clinic every 6 weeks. If it's out of range then I have to go weekly until it comes back in range. My consultant says that self check is not possible in Ireland.
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