coaguchek INR, roche xs pt/inr meter + 5 test strips / case / lancets???

[sharky7]

I am starting this new tread to find out who is using what INR machines, and which ones are the best, least expensive, and those to keep away from no matter the cost.
I am a 68yr old, 1998, had a mitral valve repair, 2015 had a Mitral Valve replacement [St. Jude], and have been like forever with the tests to make sure INR was 2.5-3.5. And now it getting worse with having to drive to the VA every month for the test, and coming back with bad numbers, 2.2 or WOW 4.1 So I decided that even if the VA did nothing with my home testing, I would still gain by doing so and getting the test strips and it whole nine yards, ole timers will get that, youngsters, ask your grand dad, K? LOL
So what is there all to know about the INR machine I want and would not need to worry about it being not reliable as such! The cost right now is of no concern, and for it to be reliable for the rest of my years is a much larger issue. With all the rest of it, i dont really need another thing to think about cept that INR being where it needs to be, 2.5-3.5!
SO please lets hear from all that have owned one, thinking of getting one, or even just digs learning something that they didn't know the day before! Let's hear all of the stories and knowledge of self testing, the ups and the downs, we all out here want and need to hear it all!
thank you for all of your anticipated assistance in helping us to find the knowledge needed to make a sensible purchase!

 

[Critter]

Most people use the roche machine, I bought a coagsense machine the jury is still out on it IMHO. It has had a firmware update which numbers are more consistent or maybe I’m just getting better sticking my self. I like the 10 microliter capillary tube to collect and deliver the precise amount of the blood droplet to the machine. I like that it is on my network and able to receive updates. It keeps track of the sticks and can publish results to a graph which shows where the rubber meets the road. I think Pellicle has a great fund of knowledge on this. I am going to test accuracy again at office and doing side by side comparison with same blood stick and see what I get. Mad scientist in me.

 

[Critter]

https://coag-sense.com/

 

[sharky7]

Most people use the roche machine, I bought a coagsense machine the jury is still out on it IMHO. It has had a firmware update which numbers are more consistent or maybe I’m just getting better sticking my self. I like the 10 microliter capillary tube to collect and deliver the precise amount of the blood droplet to the machine. I like that it is on my network and able to receive updates. It keeps track of the sticks and can publish results to a graph which shows where the rubber meets the road. I think Pellicle has a great fund of knowledge on this. I am going to test accuracy again at office and doing side by side comparison with same blood stick and see what I get. Mad scientist in me.

thank you very much for that, there are many things that i did not know, but now i do!
I would also at this time ask those that answer to add price of what they have bought, and or are getting ready to buy, along with telling everyone some of what your saying in as I myself do know much if anything about some of what you said, if there is anyway to bring it back down to my level of understanding it would be awesome, and from a scale 1-10 on understanding anything about those INR machines, i figure to be maybe a 3-4 ball[park, and need all the assistance I can get. and like you did say, seems to me also that most are using a machine produced by Roche, which happens to be right now and for some time a very large company, in the USA and the world! [my price range/ability to pay is around the $400-500USD range, for used and/or new equipment, supplies. is this even possible or would i need to spend more, should i expect Fla Blue/FEP to pay for part of that, if anyone knows.]
SO than, Critter thank you again for that. HHO

 

[Critter]

I paid 900 US dollars for machine and all testing supplies. That is about the going rate for brand new machines. I know people have bought from eBay much cheaper. I didn’t go that route.

 

[pellicle]

Let's hear all of the stories and knowledge of self testing, the ups and the downs, we all out here want and need to hear it all!

heaps of my experiences here:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/09/managing-my-inr.html
everything on my blog INR related (link) has come not only from reading but self testing, documentation and analysis.

Stuff like this:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2017/12/perioperative-management-of-inr.html
and this
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2015/10/managing-my-inr-example.html
To me ownership has been an eye opener and a very early release from the chains of going to a lab.

Costs are minor ($6 per strip on average) and the cost of the machine decreases with each test. Given I've been using my machine now for 9 years I'd say that its cost about $1 per week (but probably less because I do test more than weekly for experiments and learning.

Hope that helps

 

[sharky7]

heaps of my experiences here:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2014/09/managing-my-inr.html
everything on my blog INR related (link) has come not only from reading but self testing, documentation and analysis.

Stuff like this:
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2017/12/perioperative-management-of-inr.html
and this
http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2015/10/managing-my-inr-example.html
To me ownership has been an eye opener and a very early release from the chains of going to a lab.

Costs are minor ($6 per strip on average) and the cost of the machine decreases with each test. Given I've been using my machine now for 9 years I'd say that its cost about $1 per week (but probably less because I do test more than weekly for experiments and learning.

Hope that helps

Thank you for that post, along with using GOOGLE.com, i have looked and seems that is not much on self testing for those using blooding thinners, and using a machine to test INR! That is my plan, to keep others from controlling my life, and me taking back control of it, I hate it when i do not know something, and it being a manmade thing in my body, and part of my heart, well it is very difficult not to think, hmmmm did i miss something, do i know all that I really need to know? And Where and how do I find the DATA that I need and must have to help me with my health, and my St Jude Mitral heart valve. [am 68, got it back it 2015, and the attempt at fixing it was about 1998 or so, in Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland,Ohio! 2.5-3.5]

 

[pellicle]

do i know all that I really need to know? And Where and how do I find the DATA that I need and must have to help me with my health

I thought I just gave you that?

Was there a specific question?

I would say my blog posts are detailed to the point of being a reference.

 

[Warrick]

And don’t forget the search function of this site, there are goods posts I’m guessing in the hundreds at least. So start searching and sieving thru posts, theres all the data you will ever need right here.

 

[mecretired]

I have used a Coaguchek xs for 10 years. I bought my first one on eBay and got the test strips on eBay as well—no problems. When I turned 65 Medicare began paying for a new meter and the strips. My Medicare supplement picks up the copay. I test weekly. I have never felt safe just testing once a month.

 

[sharky7]

I thought I just gave you that?

Was there a specific question?

I would say my blog posts are detailed to the point of being a reference.

One came to mind right now as you read and go thru some posts here, ONE person claimed they tested on their own, and was thinking then, is it the heart doctor that is allowing them to do that, or then who writes the Script for the Coumadin?
I am right now dealing with those over by the VA, is there any others doing the same, and in the USA where you live? It is getting old the way they handle us trying to keep the INR in check, etc. AND, a plus would be, you'r dealing with the VA, and also have your own self testing all set up.....how are you doing it, as in...making it work?
At least one person here stated they bought and use a machine they bought years ago now, new for around $900, was this with all supplies to use it, or what? [are there alot of horror stories about buying used? And buying NEW is for real, the only way to go? ANYONE?]
And there was another claiming that there was some sort of device to use to assist you to add the BLOOD to the strip/machine for the test to be faster, and easier to complete, ANYONE know more about that? [i did see that video about holding the finger to the strip until it showed it had gotten enough blood to complete the test. does this always need to be done, or what?]
{{{WOW, for all that have POSTED.....THANK YOU!!! it is awesome that after it all, problems before and after surgery, it is time we all take our lives back, and for real, control the important part now, which is get the correct INR going, exactly to the situation each of us is currently in, and dealing with.}}}

 

[dick0236]

....... it is time we all take our lives back, and for real, control the important part now, which is get the correct INR going, exactly to the situation each of us is currently in, and dealing with.}}}

I've read thru your postings and can't quite figure out what you are asking. I've done all the ways possible to measure PT/INR that has ever existed:
1. blood draws monthly at dr. office when PT (coagulation time) was the only measure available. Specimen was sent to lab and given to me next day. Target was 1-1/2 times normal PT.
2. blood draw monthly at dr. office that was sent to lab for INR result. The
result was given to me next day. Target was 2.5-3.5 INR
3. finger stick monthly at dr. office, result available immediately. Target was 2.5-3.5 INR
4. finger stick at home weekly on meter bought on e-bay and finger stick monthly at dr office, results available immediately. Target 2.5-3.5 INR.
5. finger stick weekly at home thru third-party insurance program. Result called in to dr. office. Target 2.5-3.5 INR.
6. finger stick bi-weekly at dr. office. Target 2.5-3.5 INR.

.......so your question is?

..........and before you home testers get your shorts in a twist.....I still believe strongly in home testing for younger, active people. At my age it is a simple 15 minute stop at my doc's office.........and his office is next door to Kroger (grocery store) that I frequent a couple times each week........and the med techs are young and cute.
Plus my Medicare pays 100% with no copays,.....works for me

 

[pellicle]

Hi

I have a question for you first, why are you putting everyting in bold ... its like you've moved past simple emphasis and moved into yelling.

so I'll strip that out

One came to mind right now as you read and go thru some posts here, ONE person claimed they tested on their own, and was thinking then, is it the heart doctor that is allowing them to do that, or then who writes the Script for the Coumadin?

in Australia this can be any doctor ... if you have a GP who trusts you are doing things right then you can do it that way. You just measure and dose. Given you will already be in range before you're released from hospital, and given that it'll be a few months later you'll already have some idea of what the doses will be, so predicting what to do next will be simple.

But a lot will depend on your particular medical system

I am right now dealing with those over by the VA

pretend for a moment that this is the internet and people you are speaking to may now know what VA is ... is it Vancouver?

, is there any others doing the same, and in the USA where you live?

ok, so you know its the internet. There are quite a few members here doing that and have been doing that for over a decade. Have you taken the time to read through our sections here? Such as this one?
https://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/home-anticoagulation-monitoring.25/

are there alot of horror stories about buying used? And buying NEW is for real, the only way to go? ANYONE?

none, just use your brain, read the for sale, ask a question or two here and then use paypal to have buyer protection

And there was another claiming that there was some sort of device to use to assist you to add the BLOOD to the strip/machine for the test to be faster, and easier to complete,

when I worked in delivery driving there was a idea called double handling. So how the hell can taking the blood from point A, putting it in a tube (point B) then applying the tube to the strip (point C) actually be faster than just applying it to point A in the first place?

ANYONE know more about that?

yes, its a method used on a machine when the patient is so infirm (think comatose) that you can't get the machine to them (because say, they're lying in bed). It introduces problems (such as the 15 second rule will now be harder and introduces more waste to dispose of

i did see that video about holding the finger to the strip until it showed it had gotten enough blood to complete the test. does this always need to be done, or what?

I can't grasp this ... if you want a test you have to do that. If you want the test to work (and not fail due to insufficient blood drop) then you should follow that method.

you seem to be highly agitated and perhaps highly anxious, which may be understandable. Just where are you on this journey? As this post goes back to 2015 ... assuming this is you

https://www.valvereplacement.org/threads/surgeon-robbed-me-of-my-mv-choice.856451/
My advice is to take a breath and read this a few times:

Step 1, give us some background, not an essay, or a rabmling story, some bullet points. If anyone else is to help in any way we need that. Put it in your bio so you don't have to write it again and again ... and again

 

[tom in MO]

I use the CoagXS. The meter was free. I pay for strips. and lancets. I get them from the BCBS authorized provider. Don't remember how much it varies depending upon whether or not my copay has been fulfilled.