Double Poke

[Freddie]

Yep, its me again and I think that I may be tide to the lab and or my doctor has really gotten into my head about home monitors.

Anyways, I had to test myself twice tonight, although I didn't get an error on the first test, I did have to work my finger - like 2 separate little drops to get a decent drop onto the test strip within the allowed time. This first test the reading was 2.4.
So, being unhappy with the first sample I tested again, which was done within 3 minutes after the first one.
With the second test, the sample was better and the reading was 2.6. I'm trying to convince myself to NOT to go to the lab, take the 2.6 and call it done (INR range 2.5 - 3.5)

Personally I would like to be a little higher. Currently I'm taking 5mg, should I up it a tiny bit by splitting a 1mg in half and take 5 and 1/2mg every other day - or would that be to much? Or should I just quit thinking and stay on 5mg? And stay put and not go to the lab?

Last week I was at 3.4 on 5mg, nothing has changed diet wise, just been a tad busy.

 

[Bridgette]

Don't go to the lab Freddie. Your machine is just as accurate, if not more.

Your INR probably dropped because you were busier/more active.
If you want to be a bit higher, you could increase your weekly dose by 10-15% (according to Al Lodwick's chart) so if you are currently on 35mg per week you could up it to 38.5 - 40mg pw. You could take 5.5mg every night and recheck in a week.

Hope this helps.
Bridgette

 

[netmiff]

freddie, there is NO REAL DIFFEENCE between a 2.5 and a 2.6, in my opinion. If you would like to be higher, by all means increase by 10-15%.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF - and if yelling at you doesn't work, I may just have to bike on over there and smack you in the butt

Relax, you're good at 2.4, even if your range is 2.5 - 3.5 . .

 

[Ross]

Your worrying for nothing. There might be a whole 2/10ths of a second time between 2.4 and 2.6. Your in range, so all is good. Your fine at 5mg. That seems to be your sweet spot.

 

[catwoman]

Freddie:

If you've been a "tad busy" this past week and things settle back down, your INR should be back up on your next test without any adjustment at this time.

If not, then I definitely would increase my dosage.

If my INR is around 2.5 on two consecutive tests, I do up my dosage. I prefer to get mine up to around 3.0-3.5.

 

[Cris N]

A hint about getting a good drop - make sure you push the lancet firmly against your finger before you let it poke.

 

[zipper2]

Yep, its me again and I think that I may be tide to the lab and or my doctor has really gotten into my head about home monitors.

Anyways, I had to test myself twice tonight, although I didn't get an error on the first test, I did have to work my finger - like 2 separate little drops to get a decent drop onto the test strip within the allowed time. This first test the reading was 2.4.
So, being unhappy with the first sample I tested again, which was done within 3 minutes after the first one.
With the second test, the sample was better and the reading was 2.6. I'm trying to convince myself to NOT to go to the lab, take the 2.6 and call it done (INR range 2.5 - 3.5)

Personally I would like to be a little higher. Currently I'm taking 5mg, should I up it a tiny bit by splitting a 1mg in half and take 5 and 1/2mg every other day - or would that be to much? Or should I just quit thinking and stay on 5mg? And stay put and not go to the lab?

Last week I was at 3.4 on 5mg, nothing has changed diet wise, just been a tad busy.

GOOD POKE FREDDIE I MEAN GOOD JOB...SCREW THE LAB
Your machines acurate and worthy of true testing,dont
give yourself an ulcer over this......ITS GREAT
Dont fear your Doc she is the one who has to adjust now to
the idea of home testing...she has the problem not you so
give it to her

 

[Karlynn]

Yep - trust your machine. On another thread I mentioned that I usually test after taking a shower or bath. The blood flows more easily for me then.

 

[catwoman]

Personally I would like to be a little higher. Currently I'm taking 5mg, should I up it a tiny bit by splitting a 1mg in half and take 5 and 1/2mg every other day - or would that be to much? Or should I just quit thinking and stay on 5mg? And stay put and not go to the lab?

Last week I was at 3.4 on 5mg, nothing has changed diet wise, just been a tad busy.

Freddie:

If it's still around 2.5 on your next test, you may want to bump up your dosage by 0.5mg daily. That would be a 10% increase.

I had to do that earlier this year, increase to 5.5 from 5.0. Then I adjusted again, to 6.0 on MWF and keeping at 5.5 on Tu-Th-Sat-Sun. That seems to keep my INR at 3.0-3.8. At least, so far, so good. Knock on wood.