carolinemc
Well-known member
I never had a cardio manage my warfarin. The lab I go to does great.
Did I sell out? Not exactly
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carolinemc
Well-known member
That is dangerous, for you need either a good lab to go to, or a home meter. Doing without anything is a danger to you cause you cannot dose with a meter.
slipkid
Well-known member
I have a meter. Bought one last June when I terminated my service through Cardionet/Biotel/Philips/etc.
Interestingly I've been stable for about 10 years now after the 1st couple months of needing doseage finetuning. Last time I had to make a change was about 1-2 years ago when I had covid & on an antibiotic for sinus infection which made my INR go up around a point or so. After a brief adjustment was back on my usual dose in about 5-6 days IIRC.
ATHENS1964
Well-known member
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- Oct 19, 2019
- Messages
- 503
My cardiologist from day one suggested I self-administer INR
the only thing he asked me was that he wanted me to do some tests in a lab for a short period of time, the reason he wanted it was to check that I can handle the INR CoaguChek correctly.
After 3-4 visits to the LAB he told me to use only the INR CoaguChek and once a year to check it with the LAB.
Fortunately here in Greece, although we have issues with the public health system, patients with mechanical valves pay about 8-10 euros for 24 INR tapes every 4 months, that is, we have 3 boxes a year.
the only thing he asked me was that he wanted me to do some tests in a lab for a short period of time, the reason he wanted it was to check that I can handle the INR CoaguChek correctly.
After 3-4 visits to the LAB he told me to use only the INR CoaguChek and once a year to check it with the LAB.
Fortunately here in Greece, although we have issues with the public health system, patients with mechanical valves pay about 8-10 euros for 24 INR tapes every 4 months, that is, we have 3 boxes a year.
The attitude of the medical profession seems somewhat different in Europe to the Americans: self-testing is seen as better for patient outcomes and supported, rather than trying to push patients to a cumbersome and expensive monitoring industry.
Jennifer Dotson
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- 6
Clarity: that’s the Medical-Industrial Complex (cf Eisenhower).
Actual *medical* professionals are often very supportive of self testing etc.
I had to switch from my cardiologist to my family doctor to be able to self test (that is, as soon as insurance will pay for the machine 3mo post surgery) because the corporate system the cardiology office is in has a rule against home testing for liability reasons. So there’s two different organizations with dumb rules getting in the way. Neither actually medical.
The push to an expensive and cumbersome system seems to caused by Roche - the manufacturer of the InRange and CoaguChek meters.
They don't sell directly to consumers, requiring that they use a service to get their meters. It makes the services a LOT of money. Perhaps Roche wants to avoid liability by providing meters and supplies to consumers.
HOWEVER, consumers should know that there's no prescription required for meter OR strips, and that both can be purchased. I'm currently getting strips from Reliaston. If I ever have a reason to get an InRange, if my insurance won't pay for it (and even if they do), I'll probably get it from Reliaston - unless I find a better price somewhere else.
The American system is expensive and cumbersome - but there are ways around it, if people would only look for them.
They don't sell directly to consumers, requiring that they use a service to get their meters. It makes the services a LOT of money. Perhaps Roche wants to avoid liability by providing meters and supplies to consumers.
HOWEVER, consumers should know that there's no prescription required for meter OR strips, and that both can be purchased. I'm currently getting strips from Reliaston. If I ever have a reason to get an InRange, if my insurance won't pay for it (and even if they do), I'll probably get it from Reliaston - unless I find a better price somewhere else.
The American system is expensive and cumbersome - but there are ways around it, if people would only look for them.
Reliastaon has the InRange for $549 with no strips. They also sell the meter with 24 or 48 strips. If you're a first time buyer, you get 10% off your first purchase. If you have the money, you might consider using the discount for meter and strips -- I am NOT affiliated with Reliaston. I just remember that I ordered 48 strips from them and paid something like $209.
I used the following discount code: SaveWithRELIASTON. I'm not sure if it will still work, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. (They're selling XS 'kits,' but you're probably better off with the InRange.)
I used the following discount code: SaveWithRELIASTON. I'm not sure if it will still work, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. (They're selling XS 'kits,' but you're probably better off with the InRange.)
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carolinemc
Well-known member
I have mine done at a lab that is handled by a doctor on site. Have been happy with the set up. Not sure of trying to do it at home. Diabetes can hamper the mind at times. But good for you. Keep hanging in there.
Carolinemc - self testing isn't for everyone. If you're more comfortable at your doctor's office than self testing at home, more power to you. You should make sure your doctor knows you want to test weekly (some older protocols will set your tests 2 weeks or more apart - if your INR is pretty stable. I had a clinic that wanted me in EVERY TWO MONTHS because my INR was already in range (I self managed and went to the clinic to humor them).
