QAS sent supplies fast, gotta love that.

[Kamots]

Hello everyone, im a new valver. My family bought me a Coagucheck S machine and i just got my supplies today as scheduled from QAS. First off "THANK YOU" QAS. Very fast service. Second, wow what a machine, it works great. And super simple.

So i guess this is where i give a little info on myself. I was born with Aortic Stenosis. Never suffered any problems till now at 34 years old. 2 1/2 months ago i had valve replacement surgury, where i opted for the tophat mechanical valve. Left the hospital barely a week after surgury, and have been having my finger stuck ever since. But at 60 dollars each stick with no insurance it gets costly. So my mom was every so kind as to supply the money which i used to procure a machine off of EBAY. New-in-box, with shipping was rite below a grand. Wonderfull little machine. I wont leave home without it.

For 3 weeks ive been dangerously low at 1.5-1.9, finally its up but not quite where it needs to be at 2.3. My cardiologist wants it on the high side of his scale, between 2.5-3.5. Im even taking 2 low dose aspirin each nite to help it out. I can tell very easily when its low, my chest hurts horribly and i get winded much easier. Today i said it was better but still a little low and by golly i was right. Im on a 5mg alternating with 7.5mg every other day. The nurse i have to contact just went home for the day today, so ill have to contact her tomorrow to see what corrective measures to take.

Ive been reading this site for a couple weeks now, and i must say, the people here are wonderful and very helpful. Hopefully in time i will learn and be able to help as well.

My regards to all,


Travis Peters

 

[Hank]

Awesome Travis

Awesome Travis

Way to go Travis..

You will find that every company has a few hiccups now and then, But knowing pesonally so many of the people at QAS, I know in my heart that they only want to provide the highest possible service in the fastest way possible.

They are not just people down there, they are "good people" down there. Keep giving them the opportunity to prove themselves worthy to be your supplier and they won't let you down...

 

[geebee]

Welcome to our (and now yours) world. This is a very informative, helpful site with lots of support to get through.

A couple of notes for you. Aspirin does not increase INR. Its actions are a bit different than coumadin. Aspirin may help with other issues but it does not affect INR. However, if you take too much aspirin while on coumadin you could have stomach bleeds that could be dangerous. One low-dose aspirin daily should be OK, not sure about two.

I have never heard of low INR causing symptoms such as you describe but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. I must say it is very interesting. Is there a chance you could be having other problems that are causing the chest pain and SOB. You are not so far out of surgery that you could still be having some recovery issues. I would talk to your cardio just to make sure.

Hope all else continues well for you. Please take care and do stick around for a long time.

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Travis! That's the first I've heard of getting a home testing unit on Ebay. What can't you get on Ebay???

I don't know if you've run across this site recommendation yet, but our member Al Lodwick has his own site that you will find very informative and very useful. www.warfarinfo.com Al is a registerd pharmacist and anticoagulation expert. He is the Coumadin users best friend and we are very fortunate to have him belong here. Al travels all over the place speaking to medical professionals about warfarin. He also keeps his ear to the rail and fills us in on any new information he hears.

I haven't heard of SOB and chest pain as a signal that INR is low. As Geebee said, it doesn't mean it isn't possible, but I would also be a little concerned about why that tends to occur. I've been on Coumadin 14 years and I can't tell at all if my INR is too low. I can't sometimes tell if it's too high, but that's rare for me too. Sometimes I'll stick my finger and it will bleed really quickly, making me think INR is high, then I'll test low. And sometimes the reverse will happen. I have a hard time getting a drop of blood, but then the INR will be high.

What a wonderful family you have for buying your machine. They may not realize how much easier they made your life.

 

[catwoman]

Welcome Travis! That's the first I've heard of getting a home testing unit on Ebay. What can't you get on Ebay???

About a month-6 weeks ago, a friend e-mailed me a link to E-Bay where a Coaguchek S was at $400. I urged him to put in a bid; dunno if he did.
Seller said it had been purchased new in May 2005, used until July 2005. That's all I recall about it.

 

[Kamots]

I apologize for the delay in writing. Life gets busy. My INR is finally at a decent level of 3.3 at 7.5mg qd. Ive seen my cardio once more an all is well. I simply needed a higher level of coumadin. Im now slated for monthly INR checks, but luckily i can check when i want.I feel soo much better now at this level. My chest doesn't ache a bit. I still get winded easily but im now able to do more (ie throw around 50lb dog food bags easily). Before the OHS i couldn't tell you i had any problems, but now since healing up i can definately tell things have changed for the better.
One quick question. I was told by one of the attendings, that the surgeon would usually cut a nerve that stops sweating? Any ideas or insight to that. I haven't noticed a difference so the surgeon must not have done that to me, i suppose.
Geebee, i believe the shortness of breath is all relative to the situation as it is getting better. Unfortunately ive always had headaches, so i rotate between, aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol. Aleve an that class doesn't help any.
Karlynn, i had already browsed that wonderfully and insightfull link. Thank you for the thought. I cant thank my family enough, for the wonderfull gift of that machine. Now i admit i have my wife poke me, as i cant stand needles. Although, that didn't stop me from donating blood regularly, 2 double rbc's. Now im wondering if i still can donate, i forgot to ask my cardio about that. I only had a sheet with about 150 questions for him ....lol.
Catwoman, i did see a couple used machines on ebay but opted for new, it might not make a difference but it sure makes me feel better, knowing its new.

Thank you all who've responded, this sight has really helped me in many ways already.

Travis

 

[geebee]

Travis,

Glad things are better for you. I hope they continue to improve and your activity level will be whatever you want it to be.

You will not be able to donate blood due to coumadin. This was one thing that really bothered me as I was a regular donor also. I now ask others to donate and explain that I cannot. I think I have gotten more blood donated this way than I ever gave. Things always seem to work out.

Take care.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi and welcome to our site.... I think a 50lb bag of dog food is still too heavy for you at 2 1/2 months post op... It takes your sternum a long time to heal back..to where it was pre-op...Also, so you still have to go in for an INR at your doctor's? the reason I ask, most of us home-testers had to have a script from our doctor to purchase one....My Cardio gave me a script 2 months post-op... I never get one done at his office. Just call in once a month..I'm thinking..that if our Insurers purchase it for us..they are NOT going to pay for a doctor testing....Some hints to everyone..if you are running low on supplies, get them before the end of year...Most of us have met our deductables at this time of the year. and always plan to be home when you order..They have to be put in fridge as soon as they come to your house..usually in 2-3 days...Especially in summer....Now that I am on Medicare will call QAS tomorrow and talk to the Insurance Dept..to let them call my Insurer and see if they are still going to pay...If not, will buy them on my own...Will not go medicare..too many rules, ect.....That is the beauty of having my own Protime..Don't have to depend on anyone else.telling me when to test, ect.......Bonnie

 

[Kamots]

Geebee, i was afraid of hearing that. Hopefully i can talk friends into donating for me. Family already is.

Granbonny, i was cleared from my surgeon and cardio at a month after surgury to do whatever my body says i can. Now i have taken it pretty easy as i could tell my sternum was weak, but lately (last 2 weeks) i can tell especially with the sneezing that my sternum is much stronger. No pain from throwing the dogfood bads around. And as my wife is pregnant, due in mid march, im not letting her move em around. We have 13 dogs on 10 acres here and they eat ALOT. Another unfortunate aspect is NO insurance, i was just changing careers when this all came about. So the machine was a godsend from my family. And i agree with yea, your own machine makes like soo much easier.

Good day all,

Travis