Coaguchek test strip error

[LUVMyBirman]

Tooted my horn too soon today.

Went to check my INR and received a "test strip error". Remove strip. Proceeded to stick myself 2 more times and came up with the same error.

Off to the lab I went. Waiting for the results.

Only once I received a similar error but it gave me a number and >>>>>>>>. My INR was too high. Different error reading this time? Anyone have a similar experience?

I was on a drug called Monistat last week. My GP said it would not effect the INR. Package insert said otherwise. Guess it's a wait and see game here. Really praying hard that #1 my INR is not too high #2 my machine in not on the fritz. Taking a vacation next week. Honestly do not think about the Coumadin too much until something goes wrong.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

INR results 8.1. Monistat was the culpruit! They asked me to hold for 2 days which I know is going to put me in the dumps. With an INR that high........I must comply. Just had myself a large glass of V-8 cocktail. They do not give Vit K injections to mitral valve patients. I recall hearing that Vit K will bring it right down.......but trying to get is back in range will take forever! My next question to the ladies out there on Coumadin. What can you use for a yeast infection that will not send the INR soaring? I did put a call into my GP. She's the one that told me no interaction. At best she can mark my chart! I can't imagine not having my trusty little Coaguchek!

 

[Ross]

Nothing to really offer except a tiny bit of advice. Always believe the package insert and not the Doctor!

I almost forgot! Can I send all the spring mosquitos over since your thoroughly loaded for a good feed? Perhaps we can explode them early this year.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

. I am ripe for the pickin' Ross! Just got off the phone with my GP. Made myself very clear on the interaction. It did not do me a whole lot of good........but maybe it will help someone else down the road.

 

[Georgia]

Whenever I'm on antibiotics I eat yogurt twice a day and have managed to avoid yeast infections for years. And boy do I get tired of it! Better than the alternative.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Georgia,

First year after surgery I seemed to live on antibiotics for one reason or another. Had one "infection" after another. Can feel for you on that one. Have not had one in four years and...there it was. For no good reason too!

 

[Granbonny]

Gina

Gina

Tomorrow is St. Paddy's Day..Have some Cornbeef and cabbage. Yummy..Boil the cabbage in the broth that you cook your cornbeef in...Yummy again...Bonnie

 

[RobThatsMe]

Gina,

!!!!! All I can say is YIKES !!!!!!

Good thing we have home testing units to stay on top of these things. Just think if you were like some others that only test every 4 or 8 weeks!

Hope you get back to your normal range soon.

Rob

ps. things are going ok here. Cristi's mom is a fighter, cancer is such a dreadful disease. I have been going in for all my annual tests and will find out the results over the next 2 weeks. Hopefully this will mark 4 yrs of good health for me since my surgery.

 

[Guest]

This interaction was the subject of one of the first pages I built for my website over four years ago.

This proves the necessity of checking everything out for yourself. You doctor may never have seen a woman on warfarin who needed this before.

Gina, you will probably be better off to use Monistat again if you need it. You now know what can happen and you can test more frequently to head off problems.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Just wondering - was the Monistat in pill form or the lotion stuff that you apply directly to the "infected area"? If it was the pills, maybe the lotion would be a better option since it's probably not absorbed as much. Just wondering.

 

[catwoman]

Whenever I'm on antibiotics I eat yogurt twice a day and have managed to avoid yeast infections for years. And boy do I get tired of it! Better than the alternative.

We keep plain yogurt on hand. Great to give our animals when they're on Clavimox, Baytril or other antibiotics. They get upset intestinal tracts from antibiotics, just like people do. Sharp cheddar also works good -- but it's higher in sodium and fat.

Georgia:
I discovered yogurt only in the last 12-18 months. Stayed away from it because I don't like sour cream and I thought they were similar.
I have yogurt at least twice a day. Like Blue Bunny and Yoplait best. I get stuff that's 100 calories or under, usually nonfat. Ate the Yoplait whipped yogurt for the first time last week -- is like having chiffon pie. That's when I splurge on the calories.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Rob,

So happy to hear Christi's mother is hanging in there. Sounds very promising. Please keep us posted. Amen for home testing! Can't imagine testing just once a month or so. I have proved time and time again even without medication changes........swinging out of range only takes a few days.

For the ladies here who still have hormonal issues to deal with........I have been tracking this for about a year. Referenced yesterday. When I have a major upward swing in my INR it's at "that time of the month" Those months when you feel things more if you know what I mean. Hormonal fluctuations I feel can play a role in regulation.

Hi Al,

Hope you are doing great following your proceedure. I did a search online and your article regarding the vitiman K came up on top! You may be correct in stating my doctor has seen this type of thing before. It's something to keep in the back pocket. I alreted my husband in the event I am in a situation and they try to give my vit k. Seems I can hold the higher INR's ok for now. Like I mentioned above......my hormones are effecting some of these swings. One of the reasons I think the infection may have surfaced in the first place. Have been offered a solution of hysterectomy a few years ago. It seems things may be getting worse. I may have to take them up on the offer.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I've had other problems from antibiotics so I take ACIDOPHILUS pills whenever I am on antibiotics. Seems to help minimize side effects.

'AL'

 

[Guest]

The theory behind this is that you have fungi (yeast), bacteria and viruses all co-existing in your digestive tract. Occasionally one will become dominant for some reason. Examples: viral diarrhea caused by bad food, cold sores from fevers. Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria in the blood or tissues. But while they are in the intestine they kill the bacteria there too. This allows yeast to become dominant and causes a problem, usually for women (the yeast has to travel too far for men). Yogurt, strong cheese, and acidophilus pills are all aimed at restoring the bacteria and therefore the balance.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Al would you say that the yeast has also entered my GI track causing an absorbtion issue with the Coumadin? How does one find out about the GI track? I don't want to be scoped!

 

[Guest]

Yeast is always in your GI tract. No need to be scoped. I don't think that it would cause the warfarin to absorb better.

I just updated my webpages on this family of drugs.

The oral members of the family are potent inhibitors of the main enzyme that metabolizes warfarin. Fluconazole (Diflucan) causes serious bruising and bleeding when given with warfarin. I think that somehow you absorbed the Monistat into your blood stream. This caused the enzyme that metabolizes warfarin to partially shut down. That caused your INR to go up. If people use this combination but do not absorb the Monistat, then the reaction doesn't happen. This could also cause confusion for your doctor because maybe she saw one other person use this combination and nothing happened.

I would say that the interaction is unusual, but certainly not unknown.

 

[Raverlaw]

Al, I'm still new to this warfarin stuff, so pardon me if I ask a dumb question:

I thought that things (like Vit. K) which interfered with the metabolization of the warfarin made your INR go DOWN ('cause it's not getting metabolized into your system) Do I have it backwards? Does Vit. K interfere with metabolization of warfarin or enhance it?

Thanks.

 

[Ross]

Vit K will cause your INR to tumble into the basement if you take too much. Counteracts Warfarin.

 

[Guest]

Vitamin K causes more clotting factors to be produced so the INR goes down. This is not metabolism just a greater force being applied against the warfarin.

The INR is also affected by warfarin metabolism. If something stimulates metabolism the INR goes down. If it inhibits metabolism the the INR goes up.

Then there are things like thyroid that work other ways. Thyroid causes metabolism of clotting factors. It is like an anti-vitamin K which of course is anti-warfarin.

Of course we don't understand everything and we probably don't know what is causing the things to happen in some cases.

The best analogy is that when you take warfarin, it is like you are one of those race cars in a video game. The road is the recommended INR range.