It's over and I'm out of the hospital!

[Georgia]

A whole new appreciation of butterflies

A whole new appreciation of butterflies

And if the phlebotomist says no to the butterfly, I walk out. It's solved many problems and lowered the stress level. I then call my doc and say I couldn't get my blood drawn because they wouldn't use a butterfly. They may not like me, but they by golly respect my wishes.

I also made such a fuss in the hospital post-surgery that they sent only their best phlebotomists from the lab - primarily the oncology lab techs. Those folks are really good with tiny veins (I know that first hand).

Veinless in Springfield

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I usually request a butterfly, actually....did so today. She was a big jerk. Eating a bag a Fritos when I walked in. Coughing all over and saying oh......excuse me I have a bad cold. How much you wanna bet I will have a cold in a few days. Then my doctor will hear all about today. Yep, I am black and blue tonight. Thank the good lord for home INR montoring.
Thanks for letting me vent After four years it's getting real real old.

 

[Andrea]

home INR monitoring

home INR monitoring

Uhh ... what is home INR monitoring? My doc said there were no home tests for the coumadin stuff/blood levels. He has me going into a lab every week. Maybe he just doesnt know about it lol.

 

[Ross]

Andrea we need to get you in some other forums. hehe

Check this link and see the related forum here too. hehe

http://www.hometestmed.com/p_protime.htm

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=14

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Andrea,

You may have "one of those" on your hands. Meaning a doctor that does not promote home testing for his patients.

Beleive me...they all know about it! I had "one of those". He had me in the office messing around with my dose weekly. Far far out from surgery as well.

It is crucial you keep up with your office testing while you are recovering. Once you get a handle on it...there are options available for home. It removes the ball and chain the lab became to be!

I beleive the Protime unit is the only available to individulas. You will need an RX. I have the Coaguchek and couldn't be happier. As I understand it, one of the reasons Roche 'the makers of the Coaguchek' stopped selling to the general public......dealing with insurance claims for the units became a hassle.

I am willing to bet one of your doctors has their very own Coaguchek in office for patient testing. The doctor that was damming me for self testing used one to test me in office. Kind of a double standard don't you think? They treated me like an 80 year old lady 'no offense' without a life. I was only 30. Gezze give me a break. Seriously, it gave my life/freedom back. I don't worry about it the way I had for two years. You will find what works for you.

In the meantime....we are here for you. Ask away!
Take care

 

[Andrea]

Ticking

Ticking

Do you really get used to the ticking? I feel like there is a Timex stuck in my throat. Doesnt bother me all the time except when its quiet like in the bathroom or going to sleep.

tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock

ARGH!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Andrea-

You will really get used to it. Joe has had one for 25 years, and then another one in 1999. But he has afib and sometimes a-flutter.

So his isn't regular all the time.

Ticka-ticka-tick-tick-tock, ticka-tick-tick-tock, tock-tick-tick-tick, "to heck with it, I'm doing my own thing". That's a little difficult.

 

[Anne-Marie]

I asked the nurse who did my preadmission about home monitoring. She said the surgeon I had didn't advocate it, but there was one doctor at the Heart Institute who was trying it with his patients. She said (after she took my blood) that I would be a good candidate for it because of my veins. She said to be aggressive with the doctor and say, "I heard there was a new way for testing INRs, I'd like to do it." I think I will have to force the issue.

 

[Ross]

I don't understand why Doctors have a problem with home testing and it's not new either. Mine keeps saying no because he feels that it's just not accurate. I've got a lot of documentation to prove him otherwise.

I think the bottom line is, there afraid of losing profits, allowing persons to test themselves, knowing that some cannot be responsible enough to do it properly and being held accountable if something should go wrong. Outside of all this, I think they just aren't educated enough themselves to trust the machine or us.

The Coumadin Clinic that I go to is probably sick of me. I had a new nurse trying to make adjustments for my 3.6 INR and I flatly refused to change my dosage because of that .1 change. Her and I are always battling over this stuff. I've won more then I've lost so far. At the same dosage checked again 2 weeks later, I was at 3.3. If I would have changed to her recommendation, I would have been low in the 2. range somewhere.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, "They don't understand the stuff like they think they do." So it is up to us to be our own advocates. We can educate them!

 

[Andrea]

I dont think its about the money though. I am having to go to a lab that my Doctor has nothing to do with. I dont go into my Doctors office for lab.

Ok, I am just going to flat out ask him during my follow up appt. I'll bring my Nurse Mom who knows him well for support

I just cant beieve my Cardiologist would keep that from me. Seriously my Mom has known him forever and I know this sounds nieve but he really likes me. He sat in my hospital room one of the evenings for an hour and a half just visiting with my Mom and I and telling us his latest family news and stuff. Maybe I'm just a sucker lol.

 

[Ross]

Andrea it might not be the money. I don't have a good explaination. All I know is that I'm sure your Doctor knows that these units are available and why he would say they aren't is beyond me. I would print out some of the product sheets and even the application from QAS/Home test meds and take it with you. If he insists on there non-existence, hand him the stuff and see if he can argue the fact then. I don't mean this in a smart aleck sort of way, but for all I know, you could be educating him, which is one step more towards being your own advocate. Believe me, we have to be. You'll see this type of thing happen more and more.

 

[Granbonny]

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie

Living in Canada, I am curious as to how you could purchase one? They are $2,000.00 and the cuvette's are $12.00 each...Here in America, once you get a script from your Cardiologist approving one for you. This is required by Protime before they can send you one..You have to check with your Health Care Provider. Mine, United Healthcare approved mine in 2=3 weeks. I paid 20%..for machine and I pay 20% for each cuvette...When your INR gets pretty stable (like2-3 months) you need only test 2-3 weeks..some test 4 weeks...so cuvettes are not used to much......Some members were turned down and purchased their's out of pocket...Sooo worth it.. Andrea..you come up with every reason in the world you can think of on why you need a home testing unit..As..work too late to make it to lab, ect...Bonnie

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Ohhhhhhhhhh

Ohhhhhhhhhh

Ross your correct, in some cases it is "the money". And, it WAS the reason I did not get my RX for the unit! Few of our members that have been around may recall my plight. Anyway, I could elaborate futher but it angers me to even think about it. Most importantly I found a doctor that was willing to help me. And.....being veinless like the others say is not fun. I am blue today from a what was to be a simple blood draw yesterday

 

[Ross]

Gina I'm absolutely 100% convinced in my case that it's money. There are no other excuses. I called about a bill today that is supposed to be 100% covered. Now their trying to tack on a $25 doctor visit fee (I don't see one) along with $22.50 for Protime testing and $6.00 veinous draw fee. They're trying to get me to pay a copay for lab services which is covered at 100% by my medicare hmo. They keep this crap up and I'll go elsewhere for testing. I'm at my breaking point for dealing with this billing garbage. I wish I got paid for wasting my time playing phone tag with these places. Perhaps I'll fire up MS Office and print up some billing invoices and start charging them for my time!

 

[Anne-Marie]

Granbonny,

I'm going to have to do some research to see if it is available in Canada. The nurse I spoke with told me that there was only one doctor at the Heart Institute here in Ottawa that was trying it with his patients. I don't know if the patients come into the office or if they have the units at home.

My husband works for Health Canada and has excellent medical insurance for things that medicare doesn't cover. Still, if it is a brand new item on the market, it may not be covered. I'm going to have to ask around and do some research, I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks for the information.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Ross, I hear you my friend! That doctor of mine charged $90 a pop to check my INR. Seeing the Coumadin nurse and like you mentioned, they added on an office visit. Box of strips for the Coaguchek back then for 10 tests was $90. Would you think my insurance company would see the valve in home testing? Noooooo. They paid for 50% of my unit. I am on my own for the supplies. Have been on with a few other carries since then and nada on the coverage.

It gets much better. Being new to the game back then....if I were just ever so slightly off say "your 3.6" boom, lets change her dose. I was in that office 2-3 times a week for almost 2 years. Spent a half hour in the car each way and waited an hour at times. Had to tote my poor child along too. She learned all about anticoagulation and states to this day she wants to be a doctor. So just maybe something good will come from it. My diet and activity level was consistant. They drove me nuts. Yeah, it's a wonder I was put on Xanax. All because of constant tweaking of that dose.

This is a touchy subject for me. I appreciate the ear Ross, any chace you can get approved for your own unit? You will feel sooooo much better.

 

[Andrea]

PT

PT

Well, I already think I've got a good case going. I'm also pretty sure that once my Doc hears my case he'll let me get one. I am now thinking he just didnt want to discuss it with me as I was doped up in the hospital. I'll find out next week.

I printed up the info on the website for the PT thingie and just made a list of reasons why I need one and will take those with to my appt. I'm sure he will go along with this. Then I'll call Michelle and get more info to him. I have to get drawn again on Monday

I think I'll drink a ton of water and have my arms wrapped in heat pads on the way there

 

[Georgia]

Veinless in Springfield has a suggestion

Veinless in Springfield has a suggestion

Imagine - I think I've stumbled on something that really helps get blood from turnips (otherwise referred to as "Georgia's veins").

Before I go to the lab, I do my cardiac rehab weight lifting and excercise bands. I also do my warm up exercises and stretching. The last three times I've had blood drawn (which has been pretty often because my INR's been up and down recently) they haven't had a problem - in fact, they got blood from veins that have been dry for 13 years. Go figure; but I think the work out opens up the blood vessels.

Hey, kiddo - it's worth a try for you. Let us know if it helps.

 

[carbomedic]

Hello Andrea,
I too could not wait to get home! Rest in a Hospital! HA! I too was a bad stick, still am. But you know what? I good sticker can get you anytime! Hint: the good ones find the vein without the rubber gloves.
They told me my appetite would be bad. Never was, have gained 35 pounds since surgery. BTW, pork is my favorite!
I still hear the ticking. I bothers me sometimes. Right now I can hear it. Wait...... no...there it is....ticking? what ticking?
carbo