I N R Machine

[Gary1968]

Hi

I’m looking to purchase an INR machine. Does anybody have any recommendations of a good value for money machine and where to get it from?

Many thanks

[Suzy1954]

Hi Gary. I have a coaguchek machine I use to self test. I bought it on line from their web site. That was a few years ago and it cost me £300 but it’s been invaluable to me. I couldn’t be without it now. Hope that helps.

[Gary1968 in reply to Suzy1954]

Thanks Suzy

I’ll look into it tomorrow, very much appreciated. Bit of a mine field out there.

Kind regards

Gary

[Lucybird]

Hi Gary. I have a Coaguchek INRange which I've had for about two years. Like Suzy I bought it from their website, it cost about £350 (I believe there is a payment plan though).

I had an issue where it wouldn't turn last year and it was a real hassle getting it fixed. I had to send it back, but I had to clean it, sign several forms and send in a particular type of packaging. When they first said they'd send me the forms they didn't. When I phoned again their computer systems were down so they couldn't do anything. I phoned again and got told someone would get back to me, eventually I phoned again because nobody did get back to me, I think it took about two weeks just to get the forms then I was waiting months for it to be checked to see if it was a fault with the machine or if it was something I had done. Even the nurses at the clinic (which I had to go to because I was waiting for my machine) said it was ridiculous. Oh and it was a machine fault so I (eventually) was sent a replacement, and new strips.

Hopefully my experience was an outlier.

[tunybgur]

Hi Gary,

You sound like someone who likes to take control of his own health....like me.

Firstly I would ask why you want to check your own INR? Do you suffer AFIB and is it permanent?

Regular INR checks are normally only necessary if you are on warfarin, there are some newer anticoagulation drugs called dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban. These don't require monitoring or dose adjustment and they are as effective as warfarin at preventing blood clots. They are much more convenient than constant monitoring, but I think they are a bit more expensive so you need to see your GP about changing your prescription.

[Gary1968 in reply to tunybgur]

Hi

Yep, I’m permanently on warfarin

[Gary1968 in reply to tunybgur]

Hi

Yep, I’m permanently on warfarin following a replacement mechanical valve and root.

I’ll ask about the warfarin alternatives but was under the impression there was no alternative.

Rather test myself than keep going back to coag. clinic.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Suzy1954 in reply to Gary1968]

Hi just like to add that you probably already know that you can’t take any of the new anticoagulants if you’ve had a mechanical heart valve fitted. We have to take warfarin.

Another reason to get a machine to test yourself and make less trips to the anticoagulant clinic 👍

[Mary_Janet in reply to tunybgur]

Hi

Unfortunately the new anti coaggulants are not effective for those of us with mechanical valves. There was research being carried out on the newer drugs but it was stopped. So we have to use warfarin. Another shout for the coaggu check. My practice provides strips and needles on prescription. I am currently on ten weekly checks but will also check prior to dental checks and the hygienist.

Hope that helps.

Mary

[tunybgur in reply to Mary_Janet]

Thanks for the info Mary-Janet, I wasn't aware of that....I'm wiser today

[BreakThrough56]

Hi I am on Apixaban and only have my INR checked every 6mths.I have Paroxymal Atrial Fibrilation and have no problems with that. Also saves all the time spent at the surgery for the checks when on Warfarin

Regards

[Infinity99]

Hi Gary,

I have an AVR and been taking warfarin for 5 years. I bought a Coaguchek machine soon after my op and it is still going strong. I bought the machine for £300 and buy the lancets from them too. The test strips are in prescription. I get my INR tester every 6 weeks, but self test weekly to ensure that I stay within range. It also helps when travelling abroad or if I’m unwell. Hope this helps.

[Fredders]

Hi Gary, like the others I have a Coagucheck machine. Check with your GP as it very much a postcode lottery as to whether they help with the test strips and/or the lancets, some will prescribe them and some don’t. Also ask your anticoagulation clinic. I have to go to the clinic twice a year to have my machine checked against theirs. I’m on 8 weekly checks but if I’ve eaten anything that I think might have affected my INR I do a test just to check it.

Wendy

[judes]

I would be lost without my coagucheck saves a lot of time going to clinics. However, please check that your area will provide test strips on prescription they can work out expensive.

I moved from the south of England where you couldn’t get strips on prescription and was always a venous sample. Moved up to the frozen north some three years ago and I now get strips direct from the clinic, held at my GPs surgery by nurses.

J