My INR Software

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I've seen software like this here and there.

My question: Why should I spend more $$$ when I have already spent $5 on Al Lodwick's algorithm dosing chart and you can set up a chart using Excel or asking a doctor's office for free Coumadin diaries from the makers of Coumadin?

You can set up INR test reminders in a calendar in your MS Outlook or some other program.

But some people may like this and not be adverse to spending more $$$.
 
Interesting. I suppose $29.95 isn't too bad a price.

OTOH, you can print out the AAFP (American Association of Family Practicioneers) Guideline for FREE or,

Buy AL Lodwick's Dosing Guide for $5 (EXCELLENT resource IMO) see www.warfarinfo.com

'AL Capshaw'
 
I'm still waiting for my home testing unit and wonder if it has something like this built in it. But in anycase thanks for the tip Cameron because this looks pretty good also.

BAVR with 27mm ON-X NYP Weill Cornell Dec 19, 2008.

PS. I am not a medical professional or a doctor. My comments in this forum are my own opinion and are not intended to be given as medical or professional advise or a recommendation of any valve choice. Decisions that affect your health and wellbeing are ultimately yours and your doctors. vprnet
 
There are no home testing units that figure out dosing for you.

It's not hard. It's up or down 10 - 20% of your weekly dose total. For those of us that have been on warfarin a while, we just know how our bodies react to change and know what change to make.
 
I just keep my results in an Excel spreadsheet. I show the INR and then put down my dosage for the next week. If I am having an up or down trend I can easily see how to tweak it. If I know of something that may have an impact on my INR (such as my occasional coleslaw binge) I do make a note of it (if I remember). I'm one of those people who is very sensitive to dosage changes. 10% changes are usually too big for me - my body likes 'em in the range of 5%.
 
I also use an Excel spreadsheet; it also has my medications, my daily dosage, and any notes I care to make.

If anyone wants a copy of it, just e-mail me and I will send you the blank sheets for 2009.

I am allergic to Excel, so it is easy-peasy to do!
 
It looks goods. Thanks for sharing the site with us.

I am waiting for my home machine too. My hubby pushes me to start a spread sheet...I had been lazy to do it, but may it is time to start one. I shall take Jeanette on her offer!
:)
 
There is no point in buying dosing software. INR is not a constant. You need flexibility that those silly programs just don't provide and in all honesty, are part of the mismanagement going on in clinics. As Al pointed out AAFP or Al Lodwicks little dosing guide is all you need. It's all tiny adjustments here and there. Give me a few minutes to get my software and post it. It's called Penandpaper.exe. It's a human run program.


ScanImage01.jpg


Notice how in almost 2 months I'm in range 100% of the time ;)
 
I use a plain old piece of graph paper, and a pen, and record in a similar manner to Ross. Adjustments per Al Lodwick's chart. I don't need a spreadsheet for my INR or my other meds. Now, some people who have really complicated meds (I only have about 7 of them), really do need spreadsheets.

Of course, I keep my calendar on paper, too, even though we have Outlook at work - I prefer my calendar staring me in the face all day, every day.
 
My pharmacy gives out little pocket sized agendas from a pharma company.
There is enough space to record the dose and INR, and it will fit in any purse or travel kit.
I also mark the INR in my larger Agenda as a back up.
No need for fancy programs, I'm consistently in range and have never had to tweak any more than 5%.
 
Thanks for the feedback:)!
I am pretty sure that the software is just an Excell spreadsheet with some canned bell and whistle add ons:rolleyes:, however, being someone who likes spreadsheets and the ability to play with trends etc.:p, I will be looking further. Netmiff, I would appreciate getting a copy of your spreadsheet - not sure if you need my e-mail here or whether you can get it from my profile?
With regard to programming the Al Lodwick protocols, I am not sure why that should be so difficult to do - it seems it just needs to look back at previous tests and doses and trends to give the same advice that you would get from interpreting the chart manually - maybe I will contact My INR and ask if they have a plan to incorporate dosing advice, not sure my Excell programming skills are up to doing it myself;) - however, they may be reluctant to do that for liability reasons:eek:!
Cameron
 
I've been using a Hallmark Greeting Card calendar freeby. It shows 1 month per page so I write down each daily dose, put the TWD on Sundays and test the following day. So the trend is displayed on a monthly basis. And, best of all, it fits into my XS case.:cool:
 
I've always kept track of my readings, but I have never used a program or graph.
I simply use paper with the headings;
DATE DAY INR DOSAGE/NOTES


I don't see why a graph would be necessary.
 
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