Hey Strangers - Home INR Testing

[Hank]

I see that (what was) my site is still up a running and that a bunch of you regulars are still around.

I haven't looked into home INR testing for many years. Whats the latest on that sort of thing? Is it still happening?

 

[pellicle]

Hey Hank

Whats the latest on that sort of thing?

myself I'm still using my Coaguchek XS (now 9 years old) but there is a replacement model now called the INRange ... its got a fancy new screen, does graphs and uses the same strips as the XS

Aside from that its "same as it ever was"

Best Wishes

 

[ATHENS1964]

I have a concern for the future, in the past many people needed to have their INR measured like people with atrial fibrillation and people with mechanical valves. People with atrial fibrillation are now taking new drugs and do not need the device as well the valves can also be replaced with new polymeric materials that will not need anticoagulant treatment .
roche will continue to support and develop its devices ?

 

[Sheenas7]

I use the Vantus Xs Coagucheck. Works great. Friday had my annual check up with my internist, and did a blood draw and tested at home. At home 2.0. Blood draw 1.9. I was in the middle of getting adjusted by my cardiologist because I shot up to 5.1 and he lowered me too much. He is now increasing and having me test at home every few days until I reached 2.6. Now at 2.6, I was instructed to test once a week. Hoping to stay in range at the lower dose he put me on. I had been stable for so long and suddenly I just shot up .

 

[Brinntache]

Like pellicle, I am using Coaguchek XS. does the job, no getting a needle in a lab, consistent numbers.

 

[Freddie]

Well Hello to you too Stranger. Been using the same CoaguchekXS for about 12yrs. No upgrade & no issues. One thing I've learned though is to always keep an extra batteries with the meter. The battery indicator on the monitor may show 2 bars which isn't always enough to complete the test. P.S. Good to see you.

 

[tom in MO]

Nice to see you back.

The new twist with home monitoring in the US is about 2 years ago many practices started charging for assessing your INR even though it was in range. This was led by Medicare who allowed the charge and then private insurance companies. I used to just call it in...no charge. Now they want ~$20 a pop just to write it down and if you don't call in at least once a month they threaten to not renew your prescription for warfarin or strips. At my cardio group, I complained and after showing my cardio my successful results, he agreed to let me handle it myself.

On the supplier side things are weird too. My meter and strips came from Allere (now sold) but BCBS dumped them for performance problems. I now order things from another place, but it is still shipped from Allere. Weird. I pay for strips and supplies but the meter is supplied free.

 

[Deepak khanka]

Hi has anyone in the group heard of anyone allergic to warfarin ?

 

[pellicle]

Hi has anyone in the group heard of anyone allergic to warfarin ?

in my entire readings I've only found one case and it turned out to be an allergy to the dye colouring the pill

 

[pellicle]

roche will continue to support and develop its devices ?

I believe they will. For instance in my small town the nursing home now has moved to buy 3 of these to measure the INR of people in their care. Further there is a continuation in places like India of mechanical valves because they last (and people can't afford multiple surgeries) and often people in their 30's are needing replacements driven by scarlet fever. These people are unlikely to choose an anticoagulant that costs thousands US$ a year when they have access to warfarin (or other VKA ACT) ... from what I see growth in sales will outlive me.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Hank,
Good to see your post. It has been a long time since the Nashville get together years ago.
I am also using my CoaguchekXS . I started with the Protime, and then moved to Coaguchek,

I hope you are doing well these days, Cristi and I are good. We just returned from a long holiday in Italy, and Greece.
It was wonderful.

cheers,
Rob