does any1 know about self testing inr???

[rach1081985]

i would like 2 test my inr myself instead of weekly trips 2 hospital....... my gp doesnt knw anythin n i hav no help frm my haemotologist???

[Suzypawz]

Hi hun,

I'm in a similar boat to you

I want to self test too.....I used to go on monthly trips to hospital & have blood tests...then I manged to convince them to do 'the coag machine' blood tests at our local doc' surgery....I asked if I could buy a machine or have one on the NHS & they at first said I cant see why not in time....but now BECAUSE they havn't heard of anyone else self testing in my area are not too keen on it now!! :0

Do you see any of the docs at St. Thomas at all? if yes perhaps they could convince your GP?

If not......do what I do....keep pestering them until they agree with you!! It'll either get me kicked out or I'll get what I need to help myself.

Take evidence down of others that self test that have Hughes & how they benifit & see if that helps?

Take care xx

[panda60]

I have been self testing for the last two and a half years. But I believe I am extremely lucky in having a top class service from our GP, one of whom set up a clinic at the two surgeries in the partnership. I had to purchase my machine but get test strips on prescription. I do my testing at home and then call the nurse at specified times with the result and then she tells me what dosage to take. The advantages are that I don't have to go to the clinic (except twice a year for a machine check) and can test if I am feeling ill. I subscribe to a mag called INR Review is published quarterly by anticoagulation europe and this issue is raised quite a lot. Definitely worth looking at their website.

Caroline

[Gadgets]

HI

Same comment as Caroline52. I find it very good to be able to self test my INR. Saves time and moenyas no travelling to GP every week for test!

Look at coaguchek website, they have letter template you can use to write to your GP with reasons why self test is good. You will have to buy your own machine and should get the test strips on prescription.

Good luck

Garry

[london-lass]

I am the same as Gadgets and Caroline. Where do you live?? Someone may be selftesting there.

Incidently, I read in the paper that the government want to encourage things like self testing for people with long term conditions to cut costs. Maybe your MP?................

[panda60 in reply to london-lass]

I live in Epsom.

Incidentally re-read my quarterly INR review (published by anticoagulation europe and there is a two page article there from a man about the problems he has had in getting agreement to self test. Unfortunately not all PCTs will agree to prescribe the test strips, which are expensive.

Caroline

[LesJames]

Hi,

I self test as the other s have said the machine has to be bought by you and can be purchased interest free or a lump sum of £299. The test strips and prickers can be got on prescription. The details can be found at:roche.co.uk/portal/uk/diagn...

[rach1081985]

thnx all is there anyway i could get it on nhs as it lot ov money .......... i knw it wld save money thnx 4 all ur help xxx

[rach1081985]

i live in newport south wales ...

[saffy_123 in reply to rach1081985]

hi, i live in newport too.. I was wondering if you had any luck with the self testing as it would make a big difference to me instead of going to the gwent every week x

[LaurieJane]

I live in Wisconsin, USA and have self tested for 6 years. It's great. I traveled 1 hour each way thru all types of weather, so home is much better. I also ended up losing a half day of work each time to so I could get to the clinic while it was still open. My doctor wrote a letter to my insurance company explaing how unstable my INRs were and the cost and time involved. It took a couple of trys but I think I paid about a third of the cost. I pay $200 annually for the testing supplies and the insurance picks up the rest.

[Hidden]

I bought a coagucheck machine with the full support of my hospital anticoagulation clinic. Unfortunately my PCT does not support self-testing, so my GP will have nothing to do with my INR and will not even prescribe my Warfarin any more - let alone strips, which I have to buy myself!