protime testing

[carolinemc]

I hate testing but had better results this time, 2.0. Suprisingly, due to having a cold go into allergies. Been on different meds and it did not affect my inr. Yea. But I always keep mental notes of every kind of med I am taking at the time when I am due for protime. So far, not antibotics not taken yet. Doing better and be glad when spring does her thing. I just get caught either in early spring or later summer or fall. You all have a great day.

 

[Protimenow]

It seemed as if your thread was continuation of an earlier one -- but I didn't see it here.

If you had your own meter and did your own testing, you probably wouldn't hate testing as much. A simple finger stick and one of the newer meters make it pretty easy. The feeling of being able to do it yourself, without having to go to a lab, park your car, wait for a clumsy lab tech to look for a vein, etc., is one that many of us enjoy and is truly empowering.

Personally, I keep track of my dosage, my INR, and any changes that may have had an impact on my INR. I keep these on a spreadsheet. Even if you still go to a lab, it's not a bad idea to keep track of these same pieces of data. It's useful history and may even help you to predict INR changes the next time you get a cold, or take antibiotics, etc. Also -- being able to show the INR diary to your doctor may be enough evidence to the doctor that you'll be able to track your INR when you get the meter and strips he or she will probably have no choice BUT to prescribe for you.

 

[dick0236]

.....Personally, I keep track of my dosage, my INR, and any changes that may have had an impact on my INR. I keep these on a spreadsheet. Even if you still go to a lab, it's not a bad idea to keep track of these same pieces of data. It's useful history and may even help you to predict INR changes the next time you get a cold, or take antibiotics, etc. Also -- being able to show the INR diary to your doctor may be enough evidence to the doctor that you'll be able to track your INR when you get the meter and strips he or she will probably have no choice BUT to prescribe for you.

Very good advice. This is probably the most important single thing you can do to track and maintain a stable INR....especially if you have a doctor or INR tech who is a "worrier".....or thinks that "one size fits all" when managing INR.