Hi everyone,
I take warfarin and Im due my INR check with the nurse. I really dont want to go, Im so anxious that I might catch something, especially as Im shielding and being super careful. Does anyone feel the same re essential bloods, any advice?
Hope everyone is safe and well 🌸
Has your INR always been stable? If so you could push it out a bit probably. But not forever - your lifestyle has changed and that does have an effects judging by my OH's INR readings. No logic sometimes!
Hi, that what I was thinking, the surgery hasnt reminded me, going by my dosage print out from last time, inr was due a week ago. But I said nothing cos thought they would contact me if they thought it was essential. But now Im wondering if they have forgot, should I remind them, even though I really dont want to go! Ive just continued with same dosage. My INR can be like your OH’s erratic at times......oh wish this whole nightmare we’re all in would end soon, it’s just so much more stressful when we are all trying to manage our own conditions sensibly, but feel like Im stressing myself out with worry over keeping my body well 🙄 xx
Check with the surgery first. Best wishes Kevin
Hi Shannon, my dad is going for his INR tomorrow and I asked the surgery about it as he's sheilding too!. they said a good idea to go early for the appt when surgery has just been cleaned so changed his time!. I know it's difficult for us early mornings but it's a thought!. Also it's a quick in and out. This is all such a worry. Some areas they might do drive thru tests as certain ones like INR are important. Best of luck and keep safe. Xx
Thanks for your reply! I will mention that to them good idea to go first in. My surgery has no inr machine, so nurse has to go proding for a vein cos my veins so difficult to find!! Feeling so nervous about exposing myself to any kind of risk tbh, thanks for your advice xx
Hi Louise-a, have a look at my reply to Shann about INR bloods!. Might help you. Keep safe and well. Xx
Doesn't matter Louise what it's for you coukd still try to get an earlier appt to avoid the queues and the nurses are very aware that we all want to be quick as possible in and out. Surgery is at its cleanest earlier too. Keep safe and it's all a worry we can do without. Xx
I'm shielding and had to go a fortnight ago for my azathioprine monitoring. My blood test was conducted drive through in the car park, I stayed in the car the whole time - a very surreal experience.
I tied my hair back, removed all my jewellery and only wore jeans, t shirt, slip on shoes, no socks and a cardigan that had sleeves that could easily be rolled up. I put my mobile phone and car keys in a plastic bag - fortunately my car is keyless starting and entry so I didn't have to take my keys out of the bag. Once the test was done I used hand gel.
On getting home my husband opened the front door, I left my shoes on the doorstep and went straight up stairs and had a shower. I then cleaned the ensuite thoroughly. I'd put all my clothes in a bin bag, I added the towels/bathmat and went downstairs and put them in the washing machine.
It took some planning and it might all sound OTT but it was the only way I could cope with having to do it. It's the only time I have been out of the house in the last four and a half weeks.
I hope this helps you with some ideas and you are certainly not alone in being paranoid about going out.
Hiya, that sounds so much better!! Your so lucky that drive through service is available. My sister has told me to ask if the nurse can just come to car window lol but I feel cheeky and stupid asking this, as they are not doing this routinely for anyone else. Your defo not OTT that sounds like you planned that so fantasticly!! Fingers crossed they listen to my big fears 🤞🏻 and offer me a drive thru service lol
Hi, you are neither stupid or cheeky. My daughter had to go last week for bloods, when she got to doc’s the waiting room had been set up( a bit like when you go too vote) with screens round. Like you she was nervous as my granddaughter who is 15 has sle lupus , but she was fine. She too hasn’t been out for weeks as they have to isolate until 25 th june. Where i am i beleive some surgery’s are doing bloods from carparks. Hope you get sorted
Hi Forgot2mention, Im defo reassured that most GP surgeries are practicing stringent social distancing, sometimes it’s the actual nurse I worry about contact with, as she is seeing alot of sick people for bloods, but Im a real natural worrier anyway, so ofcourse this will be the one thing that will go over in head until its done lol. That’s the worry for alot of us managing health conditions in this pandemic, we all at some point need to continue to see our medical teams xx
Hi, my granddaughter is at manchester children’s hospital right now having her monthly cyclophosphamide infusion. My hubby takes her and her mum as our daughter doesn’t drive, he has literally just got back as it is only one adult per child, which is understandable. They normally walk straight in, but today they have security on the door and it is staff one way and patients another, so it looks like very stringent measures are in place. Try not too worry, easier said than done i know, you will be minutes if that. Stay safe. You will be ok
Awhh thanks Forgot2mention, Im alot more reassured now, I hope your granddaughter is keeping well, its so hard for her being so young, such a warrior ☺️ Im overwhelmed with the support here, really and truly, I dont even express these real fears to my husband, as he’s the type of person to ‘just get on with it’ easy for him as he’s fit as a fiddle lol!! This community feels right at home, people to talk to who actually ‘get it’, no judgements. It’s like my virtual family 😍
Yeah,my hubby used to be like that until i started suffering with gallstones and granddaughter was diagnosed with lupus, but since this all started he has been great, only taken me 42 years to get him this way ha ha,but seriously he has realised how hard it is, nothing to much trouble, bless him when i have a gallstone attack he is there with hot water bottle. Be glad when they are removed , but can’t see that being anytime soon, still at the moment i am fine as long as i watch what i eat. What i wouldn’t give for a bacon sarnie, but for now it’s chicken and fish. Take care.
Thanks Hun i will. Xx😊💕😊
Hi, I don't know if this is of interest?
anticoagulationuk.org/provi...
google.com/search?q=warfari...
Stay safe
Thank you cpidoc I will have a look at the link 🙂
The link is about self testing but if you are taking warfarin because of APS then self testing is not always accurate or reliable. It’s often patients who are LA positive who have trouble. The way to check unfortunately is to check the results from a finger prick test to the results from a venous sample (ie the usual one from your arm) taken within an hour of each other. This should be done on 3 separate occasions. If the variance between the two readings is very small and consistent then self testing is ok for you. But you should recheck every 3 to 6 months to ensure the machine is still giving reliable results.
Doctors are experts in knowing what needs to be done to stop you getting the virus. Phoning the surgery to see if you can go early is a good idea. My anticoagulation clinic tell me they are very safe in the hospital too and all set for keeping me safe from infection if I need to go. Luckily, I have been self testing for over 15 years so don’t need them at the moment, I’m in the extremely vulnerable group too. So you could check on the set up in your hospital to see if it’s less worrying for you.
I think we all understand and share you fear but I think if your INR has a tendency towards instability then the test is important enough for you to have it done.
Hello,
I’m in the same position but at the moment having to go weekly as my inr is so unstable at the moment. I think it’s due to the stress of what’s going on and diet as I’m not eating what I would normally eat as it’s hard to get what you want at the supermarket.
I get the earliest appointment I can & then I wait in my car & call the receptionist to book in. They then phone me when the nurse is ready for me so I can just walk straight in and through to her room.
It’s worth speaking to your doctor or the receptionist if you are worried/concerned as they are there to help. My doctor has been amazing as I’m shielding due to being in azathioprine & take warfarin too. They have phoned me twice so far to check how I am doing & that I have received my letter.
Stay strong x
Hi, that’s good to hear that your GP surgery is so considerate and are genuinely concerned about your welfare, isnt it just such a relief when we have good GP’s. Have to say my GP surgery are brillant, at looking after me too, but I think they have forgot my INR check, I was on the same dosage this past 6 weeks, but INR was due to be checked 2 weeks ago, but noone called me!! So maybe they thinking it’s not a priority right now, or maybe totally forgot. Tbh Im hesitating enquiring, as I dont want to face going lol. Thanks for your advice, ofcourse if I end up having no choice to go, I will defo ask to go first thing in the morning!! Im hoping nurse is wearing PPE too 🌸
I had my INR done last week. There were a lot of phone calls for two days before with appointments being made, cancelled, told to ring up at 8 o'clock for an appointment that morning, then a phone call cancelling that and finally the phlebotomist came to my house. I did wonder if it would happen!
She came all gowned and masked up and rubber gloves and used that rubber strap which pinches your skin but all disposable. She was careful not to touch any furniture or door handles and everything went well.
Would your surgery do this for you?
Hi Bluebell, that sounds perfect to me lol! So happy you got someone to call, isnt that far better, especially once they’re gowned you know immediately that your in a safer zone, under your own roof 😑I really cant see my GP surgery calling at home to me, but then again they havent phoned looking me either - but I was due INR 2 weeks ago! This is myself putting myself through all this, not sure if I should contact them, but at the same time Im hoping my INR is okay 🙄 xx
Hi. I was really worried about going into gp surgery for my monthly blood tests but they were really understanding. They moved my appt forward to 8.30am so 2nd person to be seen. There was no one else in waiting room and they have door locked so people can’t just walk in. I went straight into room, had bloods done then taken straight out so only had contact with the nurse. As I have received the shielding letter they said that they would come to my home for next bloods rather than me leaving house to go to surgery x
Hi helsbels31, my mum told me my GP surgery has door locked and only letting patients with appt’s in, and noone will be in waiting room apparantly, which is so reassuring. Interesting they said they would come to your home next time as you’ve the shielding letter, Ive one too, so here’s hoping they might have to come to me, as I havent even spoke to them yet, not have they looked for me but bloods are overdue, great advice, hopefully my shielding letter is my golden ticket lol 😉
I was called in for a blood test at my GP’s surgery last week. I was very nervous about going but it was absolutely fine. They had strict protocol in place. Only pre-arranged appointments allowed in the building, nurse in full PPE and I was in and out in 5 minutes. Please try not to worry.
Thank you Sin. So I had great news this morning, I bit the bullet and rang them to say I think INR is due, but I really dont want to go into the surgery. My regular nurse phoned me back to say that they have a new INR machine, as my veins so bad, and nurse will check from car window!! In fact its a drive thru service, all bloods done through car window. Im in N Ireland and really thought this wasnt happening in my wee village, so hip hip hooray, so relieved 👏👏🤩 Honestly these are such strange and scary times but thank you to everyone for keeping me sane 😘😘
Yay, bet that has put your mind. Glad for you. I usually get a reminder on my prescription to let me know when my yearly bloods are due, bet that's coming up. Oh lucky me lol
I have been going throughout the six weeks we have been on lockdown. We have appointments and there is no one near me, the place is empty without yearly blood fasting patients. The employees put new gloves on per patient, wear gowns that are changed per patient and wear masks, and the room is wiped down after each person leaves.
I feel very safe and even though my town is a hot spot I have not gotten a I from going regularity.
Try not to worry too much. Sanitize your hands before entering your car , again before entering your home and shower if it makes you feel better.
Can't you ask them to consider doing it after the thing is over or do what they can via phone/video?
Surely you shouldn't be put at risk at the moment?
On the other hand if they make a specific appointment for you, you should be the only one there. The nurse should be wearing gloves and mask at least and use hand sanitizer. Probably nothing to worry about but if you are anxious call them, find out what precautions they are taking and if it can wait, do it later when its safe.
My mum had an MOT over the phone as she is 92 and shielded and we have a district nurse every two days, in protecting mask, gown and gloves for a wound dressings. Our GP isn't seeing anyone without pre appointments and have to ring bell. Only patient there in waiting room. (Only ever three at most anyway) Protocol is in place if they need to see you. I am sure it's all done safely. We had to go back to the hospital three times with his drain when he first came out and it was like fort knox. Very good safe protocol in place, very clean, very sterile, masks and gowns, gloves, barriers, even tested him, everything fine, really didn't feel anything to worry about. We felt perfectly safe. Hand sanitizer everything and everywhere. I would not go for routine stuff but if its needed, they are taking a lot of precautions. I am sure you will be fine.
Thanks Banditqueen for your reassurance. I managed to get speaking to my nurse and they are seeing patients for essential bloods on a drive thru basis - meaning I stick my arm out the window lol, I like this set up alot, as I feel safer not going in. Take care of yourself too, hopefully we will all be through this soon xx 🙏🏻😷❤️
Sounds good. Good luck.
Hi, hope this finds you well 
I take warfarin 2 and like you felt somewhat anxious about going to the surgery for bloods. Are you on the at risk list? I am therefore I phoned GP surgery and requested a home visit for my INR They do come with all the protective gear on so felt reassured! Hope this service is available for you or you get something sorted out with Nurse. Take good care and stay safe 👍🏻😘
Petition - Calling on the Government to extend the furlough scheme for at risk people.Updated Shielding Guidance for people in England coming "very soon" according to government officials.
Update for the crazy feelingJust get so angry at the smallest things..
Feeling bad in the morning, well at night.
