Any preference for brands?

[MNmom]

Hi all, now that I am six weeks post op, I am starting to consider home monitoring. But since I was not paying that close of attention to the idea of home monitoring while in the hospital and the whole idea of coumadin was brand new as it was, I didnt ask questions when I probably should have.
I was given the numbers for three different brands on my discharge summary- Im sure you are all familiar with the brands available, so was just wondering if one was "better" than the other, or if they are basically all the same? Thanks!
Ingrid

 

[zipper2]

Not sure what brands they quoted you
I have the coagucheck xs and got it through Roche Diagnostic's
You will enjoy the journey of having your own machine,the freedom
and the trust of owning a machine.

zipper2

 

[MNmom]

The 3 listed were:
ITC: Pro Time Microcoagulation System
HemoSense: INRatio
Roche: CoaguChek XS-PST
???
I cant imagine they are all that different???

 

[ALCapshaw2]

There have been a couple of threads on this topic (at least!). Look around in the Forum, going back a year or more.

Opinions can be a bit 'strong' on this topic,
but don't quite get to the level of "Valve Choice".

I have an early Protime Instrument which is HUGE and HEAVY
compared to the newer INRatio and Coaguchek XS models.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[catwoman]

I started with a ProTime 3 in November 2003. I travel a lot on weekends and have taken it with me, even flying. It has a built-in battery, which adds some weight to the monitor.
This spring I got an INRatio, which is smaller, comes in a carrying case (an option for ProTime 3) and the testing strips do not have to be kept refrigerated like the ProTime 3.

I gave the ProTime 3 to a friend whose insurance company turned him down for a home-tester.

 

[donnag131]

I have an INRatio. It took a few months to get used to dropping the blood on the test strip exactly where it belongs, so I ruined quite a few test strips in the process. I ordered on-line these little gadgets called Microsafe Tubes, which collect your blood and allow you to drop it easily on the test strip. But now I'm a pro and don't need them. I'm happy with my INRatio.

My insurance doesn't cover for the strips, which are very expensive, and will only reimburse up to $1500 a year for all durable medical products, which is the category the monitor falls under. So I choose to rent a machine through Raytel Cardiac Services. The strips, lancets and monitor are provided by Raytel, and my insurance only bills me a $10. co-pay every 3 months. I've always received my supplies quickly when needed.

Raytel requires you to test weekly and call in your INR to them, and they in turn notify your coumadin manager, who in turn notifies you of any dosage change. Some people don't like dealing with this hassle, or they feel they don't have the freedom to self-monitor this way. But it only takes a minute and has become routine for me so I don't mind.

I do self-dose, so when my manager says that he wants a dosage change, I say ok, but then I make the final decision as to whether I change it or not. Self-dosing is the best thing that has happened for my INR!

 

[Bina]

I have the Coagucheck XS and love it. I've never fouled up a test.
The machine is high quality, made in Germany, and has built in quality control checks.
It comes in a zippered case with all accessories and detailed instructions.
The strips have the quality control built into them, and I buy a single tube of 24 which lasts me the whole year.
I believe that the INRatio machine is very similar and Ross has posted a link for all these testers somewhere.

 

[Karlynn]

I had the ProTime 3 and now have the INRatio. While I was grateful for the ability to home test with my ProTime 3, I love the size and simplicity of the INRatio. I'd insist on either the INRatio or the Coaguchek XS.

 

[Blanche]

Like Karlynn, we have used both the ProTime 3 and the INRatio. We also prefer the INRatio for it's size and ease of operation. It only takes about 10 minutes for both Al and I to test.

A concern for us was that the ProTime 3 had NiCad batteries that were permanently incased in the monitor. When the NiCad batteries needed replacement, the monitor had to be returned to the vendor. There is a charge for replacing those batteries.

The INRatio uses 4AA batteries which the user can change in just a few minutes for just a few dollars.

Perhaps the following with be of assistance too.

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/search.php?searchid=734249

Regards,
Blanche

 

[MNmom]

Thank you all! I knew I would get the best advice from those who actually use them. I am still debating whether or not I want to get the process started. I thought I heard somewhere that I would need to be 3 months post surgery with a stable INR before I would get to do it myself.
Am I just weird- I kinda like just going to the clinic and having someone else do all the work? It is right accross the street from my house- its a lab only appt- no copay- and they call with results and what to do about it same day. Its really not so tough for me to have someone else do it. Although it would be nice to just get a prick and not a big ol blood draw 2xs a week, which has been what I have been doing lately...Hmmm.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Am I just weird- I kinda like just going to the clinic and having someone else do all the work? It is right accross the street from my house- its a lab only appt- no copay- and they call with results and what to do about it same day. Its really not so tough for me to have someone else do it. Although it would be nice to just get a prick and not a big ol blood draw 2xs a week, which has been what I have been doing lately...Hmmm.

I like talking with the CRNP's at my Coumadin Clinic. They are all pretty sharp and well trained in Coumadin Management and they have 'finger stick' machines. Their recommendations have always been within the range suggested by AL Lodwick's Dosing Guide. When a change is needed, our discussions are centered around whether to make a 1 or 2 mg / week change to my dose. They "get it" that a small change is all I usually need (and they NEVER recommend HOLDING a dose for an INR under 5).

OTOH, with gas at $4+ a gallon and a 30 some mile roundtrip, it would be nice to be able to home test. My company's DME people don't have a clue as to what INR testing is and it's been impossible to find out how to appeal for coverage. I guess I'll just have to wait until I'm on Medicare to qualify for test strip coverage. So it goes.