New Home test program???

[Gnusgal]

I have a pacemaker. Because of that pacemaker, I use the services of Raytel Cardiac Services for phone testing of my pacemaker.

In the mail today I got a very interesting brocher. It says that Raytel is now offering INR self-testing as one of its services. It doesn't specify what machine it uses, but does say a "system" will be sent and "once per week, you will test your blood at home and the system will determine your clotting time. Then you will call Raytel's toll-free number to report the results." Then Raytel reports the results to your doctor.

Seems kinda silly to go through a third party, but maybe some people who have been having a hard time getting a machine could get insurance to pay for this service?? In the brocher it says "Medicare and many insurance plans will pay for Raytel's INR@Home service for patients with mechanical heart valves. Some insurance plans will also pay for patient self-testing for certain other conditions."

If anyone is interested their phone number is 877-729-8350 and their web address is www.raytel.com/anticoag.htm .

Anyway, thought I would share...

 

[Gnusgal]

Just looked at the website

Just looked at the website

and it looks like a ProTime monitor... At least, the picture looks like the monitor I have. Do the ProTime people have more info on this???

 

[Christina]

It's a Protime alright...

It's a Protime alright...

I also checked the link, and it's a Protime monitor alright. Just checked my INR again this morning and it's a nice 3.5. I am alternating now between 20mg one day and the next 19mg. Soon I am going to do a "liver cleanse" and hope to be cutting the Coumadin in half.


Happily Protiming in Arizona.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

My word Christina.....

My word Christina.....

What's a 'liver cleanse?' And how would this permit cutting the Coumadin in half? Really curious here....

 

[JimL]

We had a most interesting discussion of "liver cleansing" on the chat session Sunday night; Janie you should have been there!

 

[Rain]

Christina... Jim.. ??

Christina... Jim.. ??

Ya all drinking shots of whiskey in the chat room these days... or what?

 

[JimL]

Just Guinness for me during chat.

 

[Guest]

Be very vigilant of your INR when you do anything that affectrs your liver. That is the absolute strongest factor in determining your INR. People who have liver disease have the most difficult time getting their INR under conrtrol.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that if the liver cleanse did not cause your warfarin dose to change, then you can bet that the treatment was bogus.

 

[Zipper]

Could someone puleese explain what this 'liver cleanse' is all about ?? I've obviously missed something here!

 

[Ross]

Why do I get the feeling that this has nothing to do with liver cleansing but more of stomping brain cells? You all been in Grandpa's cough medicine again?

 

[Gisele]

Ross

Ross

Me thinks you are correct.

I am certain that Christina is smart enought not to do something so silly as to do some weird liver thing. I think she is just looking forward to "letting loose" sometime soon. Can't blame her with the warm weather just around the corner, it is going to be perfect party time soon!

As for me, I am behaving. I have no choice, still on the lovely Lovenox for more than a week now compliments of my colonoscopy. Please oh please let my INR be higher today.

 

[cookie]

Gisele,
I was just interested to know when and how your colonoscopy went. I have a doc's appt. in a couple of weeks to set up for that dreaded test! I too am looking at doing the Lovenox for bridge therapy and really want to know how it went. Scares me truthfully!
As for liver cleansing, I don't know guys, sounds like somebody had a 6 pack too many!

 

[Nancy]

I'm not really sure what a liver cleansing is, but it scares me for any heart patient to be doing anything that affects the liver. Some heart and lung conditions affect the liver all on their own, i.e. cardiac cirrhosis, which can come from CHF. Joe has that condition.

You need the best liver function in your body to metabolize Coumadin, and there are other medications which you might be on that require a tip-top liver function. Without good liver function, you might not be able to utilize some of these medications, and it could compromise your health.

I know, I know, I'm a worry-wart, a mother hen, etc. But you never know what is down the road.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

I don't know about that "coffee enema" part..

I don't know about that "coffee enema" part..

My curiosity got the best of me and google directed me to the following. The 'creature' does exist!

http://www.healthyhealing.com/aisle173p.html

 

[Les]

Janie,
That was interesting....mmmmm, Milk Thistle Seed Extract! Makes your mouth water just saying it doesn't it?
___________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[Granbonny]

Nancy

Nancy

We need to start a Mother Hen Club to keep these young ones in line Bonnie

 

[Gisele]

Cookie

Cookie

Aah, the colonoscopy.

Well, the prep at night didn't kill me. Actually I expected worse. However my 6:00 AM salty 12 oz drink of ginger ale was enough to make me ill. I was given a healthy dose of vercid and demeral in the hospital which put me to sleep immediately.(after my IV antibiotic dose). I awoken when it was all finished.

The Lovenox however has proved to be somewhat more of a difficulty. I have been injecting 60mg twice a day and by Sat & Sunday I was having such difficulty with my joints and bones just hurting so much. My covers seemed to heavy and moving about in bed was painful. My doc insisted I go to ER Mon morning to get checked out. (last March I bled in my hip from Lovenox and he was concerned). Although I knew the pain was not as severe as last year's bleed I felt that something was up. ER doc ruled out bleed in hip-she felt it could be bursitis. I still am uncomfortable but I feel it is from the Lovenox. Today I started injecting 30mg and I will test my INR tomorrow morning. Hopefully I will be high enough so that I can stop the Lovenox. I just want to feel back to normal instead of aching. All this for a colonoscopy which by the way was completely normal. My cardiologist did tell me if she removed anything that I would probably have to spend one night in the hospital on heparin.
Instead I went home and slept until Saturday morning. Boy those meds are strong!

Good luck and let me know how you make out.

 

[Howie07]

I received a Brochure and Marketing Calls as well

I received a Brochure and Marketing Calls as well

I have a seven year old St. Jude valve (the silizone kind).

I received the Brochure along with a personalized letter purportedly from my surgeon (whose name was followed by the name of the Hospital where the surgery was performed).

However, he has not been at that hospital (or even that state for seven years).

I am upset by the apparent use of my private medical information as part of a targeted marketing campaign.

I am an attorney investigating the legality of this.

If you are upset as well and want to discuss your experience, please reply privately.


*One Time Solicitation Allowed by Hank Eyring*

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Gisele,

What's witht the Lovenox and INR and Coumadin?

I thought you had repeat Valve Replacement Surgery with a Bovine Tissue Valve to get you OFF Coumadin because of your 'brain bleed'.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

Al this is an old thread pulled back to life, she posted that on May 1st, 2003