Home tests vs. Hospital

[Diesel]

I have a question (yes another darn question!!! )

How many people who are on some form of coumadin actually home test themselves and deal with their levels on their own? Ive been asked more than once (while back here at home) if i am going to start home testing myself? They say its much eaiser...

Well ive only been on it this month, so i figured it was too soon to start home testing myself. Let alone going out and finding some kit to do it.

Im sure that if i was TAUGHT HOW to regulate once i see my INR level on my home machine/kit, i would quickly pick it up (how to do it.) I also think it probably would be much eaiser.

I would like to hear from people who do home test themselves and how did you learn what doese to take and regulate it yourself. Is it as acurate as going to the hospital?

Am I the only one who travels to the hospital to get tested every so many days.. then wait for my cardio to call me at night to tell me the next 4-5 days worth of dosages??

Any thoughts????

Diesel

 

[Ross]

I believe there is a requirement that you are on Coumadin for at least 6 months before home testing. Usually within this period, your stable Coumadin level will be found, then it's only a matter of tweaking here and there. Other things come into the picture such as illness, other medications, more Vit K intake then usual and so forth, which require you to know how your body deals with Coumadin to make the proper adjustments. It's not that big of a deal really. 10 to 20% up or down over the week and that's about it.

Accuracy-my honest opinion is that the home machine is more accurate then the lab. You don't know what ISI index they are testing with and God only knows when they actually tested the sample. With the Home Tester, you know your ISI number and get results in 2 minutes or less!

Al Lodwick has a dosing algorithm chart for $5 on his site. You might want to order one of those.

 

[Diesel]

Isi????

Isi????

Ross:

What is the ISI index?? wow I thought I only had to worry about my INR level.. now theres an ISI index? haha i know that you will be able to give me the knowledge i need to know.

How do you test yourself? is it pricking my finger???? OUCH those hurt

I thought if i DO plan on having a drink or two... or three.. it might be easier to hometest mysef so i can stay regular!!

Do you hometest?
Diesel

 

[ALCapshaw2]

For starters, you need to read over Al Lodwick's website www.warfarinfo.com and buy his EXCELLENT Dosing Guide for $5.

QAS (one of the VR.com sponsors) can give you information on different types of Home Test Monitors including Protime, Coaguchek, INRatio(?) - (Ross uses one). See the QAS Forum for more info.

I have a home test monitor but my insurance will not cover the test strips (long story but home office requires DME to go through the home office instead of my state office which does cover those costs).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

Yes I do. If you'll send me you email address, I'll dig up all the info I've collectd over the years to explain the things that I'm now baffling you with. It's really not that complicated at all.

Pricking your finger is how it's done and it sometimes doesn't hurt at all. In fact, I kinda like it! The new devices make things much better also.

 

[catwoman]

How do you test yourself? is it pricking my finger???? OUCH those hurt

You're going to feel a little something, regardless if YOU do it or someone else does it. And if you go the finger-stick method, it's going to hurt a whole lot less than continually getting your vein jabbed for a lab draw.

You do what you have to do. I have yet to do bridge therapy and I'm sure I'll be squeamish the first time I have to go that route, but I'll get through it. Because I'll have to.

 

[Diesel]

Bridge Therapy???

Bridge Therapy???

Can someone explaine to me what bridge therapy is? I've heard Multiple people talk about it. And i'm wondering if its something i should know about. SO far none of my doctors have ever mentioned it to me.. Now i'm on coumadin and have a pacer.. Is this something i should be aware of?

Thanks AGAIN!!!!!

Diesel

 

[T-Money]

Bridge Therapy

Bridge Therapy

Hi.
Basically, bridge therapy is when you are given heparin rather than coumadin to keep you from developing clots. There are a number of ways to stop your blood from clotting. Coumadin works on one factor, while heparin works on others. At home bridge therapy requires you to self administer a shot of medicine called lovenox. If you don't have a prescription plan it is very expensive (pure retail is $700 for 5 days worth). However, it is your only option. Coumadin stays in your system for 2-5 days while heparin lasts for 12 hours or so. I've done it before. Shots are my #2 fear after snakes. You will be surprised how easy it is. You give the shot to yourself in the stomach. You basically grab a hunk of stomach flesh and stick. You should have a nurse work with you before you try it for the first time. After the first stick, you'll never have problems again. If you are told you need it, it is probably for a very important reason. Don't fear it.

 

[Diesel]

But why bridge therapy

But why bridge therapy

now why would someone need to do bridge therapy? Especially if they are already on coumadin?? im very curious about this. Wondering what and why someone might need to do this process.

Diesel

 

[T-Money]

D.,
Let's say they need to do a minor surgery on you. If you are still on Coumadin, you may not stop bleeding normally and that could present a problem. In that case, you would stop taking your Coumadin 3-4 days before the surgery and take the Lovenox shots. They give you the Lovenox shots because the effect does not last as long as Coumadin. At a basic level, it is like turning your clotting on just long enough to safely make it through surgery. Hope that helps. Also, there are some people who do not respond to Coumadin at all (small % I'm sure, Al Lodwick could give you some exact #'s) and have to rely on Heparin.

 

[Joel]

there are some people who do not respond to Coumadin at all

there are some people who do not respond to Coumadin at all

"there are some people who do not respond to Coumadin at all"

If you were one of those people, wouldn't you want to know that before making the Tissue vs Mechanical decision. Is there a way to test for that? (Besides putting you onto coumadin)

Joel

 

[Ross]

"there are some people who do not respond to Coumadin at all"

If you were one of those people, wouldn't you want to know that before making the Tissue vs Mechanical decision. Is there a way to test for that? (Besides putting you onto coumadin)

Joel

I beleive this could be a mis-statement. I can't find anything to substantiate it.

 

[Guest]

You don't have to worry about the ISI. It is programmed in on home tests and someone keys it in (hopefully correctly) on hospital tests.

I don't think that there is anyone who does not respond to warfarin at all. Usually they just need a large dose that has the physicians afraid to give it.

 

[perrybucsdad]

D,

You stated that you may not know how to self adjust. When I first started home testing, my doc didn't let me adjust. Now, he and I have a relationship that he trusts my decisions and he has given me guidlines. I always take my meds in the AM, test after I take them and then call my doc and leave a message with what my results were and what adjustments I will make the next morning (if any). If he disagrees, he always calls me back before 5pm. So far, he has always agreed with what my adjustment has been.

- John