Home PT/ INR Machine

[RandyL]

Anybody got these. My insurance company approved it and I will get it in the mail tomorrow.

Any thoughts? Experience? Comments?

BTW What dosage of coumiden do most of you take to stay within the limits your Doc wants?

I take 10mg per day to stay between 2.0 and 2.5

 

[Ross]

Hi Randy, you'll love the machine. It's so much nicer testing yourself, not having to wait in room full of germs to be tested, the simple inconvenience of just having to have an appointment is gone. Freedom! I wish everyone could be so lucky.

5mg per day is about average for most people, however you really can't go by that because of the way people metabolize the drug diffrently. What may be right for one person is not for another. Whatever dose keeps you in range is the proper dose for you. For me, I float between 45 and 50mg per week to maintain between 2.5 and 3.5.

I'd be a little concerned over anyone giving me a range of 2 to 2.5. That is nearly impossible to maintain as a test can be swing that much from week to week. 2 to 3 is more plausible. Most of us go with 2 to 4 and are happy.

 

[Karlynn]

I look on having my home testing machine as the best tool I have to take control of my own health care. Congratulations on getting your machine. You will love the convenience.

 

[ccrawford]

Randy _ Go to warfarinfo.com for a ton of helpful information about coumadin management. There is a lot to know before you will get comfortable with all of it but you are sure on the right track by going the home testing route. Are you going to report your readings back to a coumadin clinic or to a doctor or what? Try to read all the posts on the two sections of the forum that deal with coumadin and you'll learn a bunch really fast.

 

[imhayley]

I love my Inratio

I love my Inratio

Randy you will love your new machine and find testing so much easier. I love mine (Inratio) more and more each time I have to test. When I first got it I wanted to test eveyone (for a small fee of course to cover my strip costs HA! just teasing) as I had never seen such a thing. No one wanted the test but it was sure fun trying.

 

[Divine Diva48]

Hi,

I received my home testing machine last September, and it has been a blessing for me. I was having a hard time getting regulated, therefore, I was going to get blood drawn almost every two or three days. With the testing machine at home, I can check my INR as needed and only call my doctor if the range is too high or too low. I can practically manage my medication myself with this machine. You will love it.

 

[Ross]

Hi,

I received my home testing machine last September, and it has been a blessing for me. I was having a hard time getting regulated, therefore, I was going to get blood drawn almost every two or three days. With the testing machine at home, I can check my INR as needed and only call my doctor if the range is too high or too low. I can practically manage my medication myself with this machine. You will love it.

Wow, if they were testing you that often and changing doses that much, it's no wonder it ever came in range and became stable.

 

[DavidS]

Just gave my Cardio the forms for my home test machine. I think I'm going to love it, just think checking your INR in the comfort of your home. WWow

Dave

 

[Blanche]

Randy:
Al's been home testing for more than 5 years now. Actually, that is how we came to this board...looking for info on home testing. The peace of mind that this provides is just great. Testing is simple and quick. It takes him about 10 minutes from set-up to take-down. We would certainly recommend home testing without reservation.
Blanche

 

[Christina]

Hometesting saves lives.

Hometesting saves lives.

Randy,

You'll love the home testing and the convenience of it. It is a life saver to me, and I believe anyone on Coumadin should have their own machine.
I've been home testing for 5 1/2 years and also do my own dosing. Have never had to call the doctor yet because I didn't know what to do.
I take 26 mg a day. (yes, back up again from 17mg a day, must be the great Tucson weather and all the exercise, )
I am a fast metabolizer as well.

 

[twinmaker]

You'll love testing your INR at home. I have an INRatio machine and it's so easy to use. I've been on Coumadin for 24 and a half years and my poor veins in my arms and hands were just a mess. I started home testing a few months ago. It's GREAT! I take 12 mg. of Coumadin a day but have been as high as 17mg. a day. I'm a fast metabolizer so that's one reason for the high dose. I need to stay between 2.5 and 3.5. Glad you're getting your machine. LINDA

 

[RandyL]

Well I finally had the opportunity to compare my home machine to the labs results on the same day at very close to the same time..

The results from the lab and my home machine were exactly the same..
No more needles for me

 

[denverman1]

home testing

home testing

just got my inratio machine from Raytel two days ago - am waiting on their nurse to give me a call to walk me through the procedure - boy am i looking forward to not going to the doc's office every month and getting stuck with that needle and having a bruise for a week - am currently taking 7.5mg x 5 days and 10mg x 2 days - attempting to keep a 2.5-3.5 optimum range - while not getting blown out by a 2-4 range.

 

[Granbonny]

I bought my Protime from QAS almost 4 years ago. no problems with it..I take 5 mg a day..stay in the range of 2.5-3-5... I test about every 3 weeks..call it into my Cardio's office.He is the one who wrote my script for it and gives me my coumadin refills.... Bonnie