J
JOHANNA666
does anybody labs are stable on warfarin when you do your PT/INR?
Question Does Any Have A Problem With There Pt/inr Lab Results Because I Always Do?
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
JimL
Well-known member
Welcome!
There are always unexplained and unexplainable highs and lows in the INR, but it is generally stable. I find the key to keeping to the INR stable is to make very small changes in the weekly dosage. I rarely change more than 1 mg up or down per week, not per day.
There are always unexplained and unexplainable highs and lows in the INR, but it is generally stable. I find the key to keeping to the INR stable is to make very small changes in the weekly dosage. I rarely change more than 1 mg up or down per week, not per day.
Ross
Well-known member
If your idea of stable consists of maintaining a set number such as 2.5, no and you'll never find it either. From test to test you can fluctuate up to .5 between tests. Now if you consider stable staying in your prescribed range, say 2.5 to 3.5, yes. In order to be stable, you need a person managing you that knows what they are doing and unfortunately, too many do not, which is why so many of us manage ourselves.
What are you encountering? Can you give us your dose specifics, how often tested, what your diet is like, any other meds, etc.?
What are you encountering? Can you give us your dose specifics, how often tested, what your diet is like, any other meds, etc.?
J
JOHANNA666
Question Does Any Have A Problem With There Pt/inr Lab Results Because I Always Do?
Please Answer My Question If You Have This Problem Too.
Please Answer My Question If You Have This Problem Too.
N
NascarfanMary
My INR is wacky. 
One week too high next week too low. It is wearing me out going two to three times a week for blood work. I went for almost 4 weeks and was in good range, then I began feeling poorly and wow it has been a roller coaster. I go Monday to be checked and I bet its going to be too low My poor arms are worn out. But I have to do it because of the mechanical valve. Good Luck!
One week too high next week too low. It is wearing me out going two to three times a week for blood work. I went for almost 4 weeks and was in good range, then I began feeling poorly and wow it has been a roller coaster. I go Monday to be checked and I bet its going to be too low My poor arms are worn out. But I have to do it because of the mechanical valve. Good Luck!
J
JOHANNA666
Pt/inr
Pt/inr
i Am The Same Way I Have To Go Sometime 4 Times In 1 Month I Think This Sucks They Need To Come Out With Something Better Then This Medication
Pt/inr
i Am The Same Way I Have To Go Sometime 4 Times In 1 Month I Think This Sucks They Need To Come Out With Something Better Then This Medication
Ross
Well-known member
The most common problem is the people doing the managing of your Coumadin. It's unbeleiveable how many do not understand the drug nor how it works. Can both of you provide us with a lot more information such as, your weekly dose now, any additional medications your on, your excercise level, what you eat and so forth. There are a barrage of things that play a role in you INR and without knowing any of them, it's impossible to say what's going on.
Most folks here follow Al Lodwicks guidance and most become stable in two weeks. I know I got tired of the sticks and increases and decreases twice a week and said poop on this. I decided to self dose and self test, with the blessing of my Cardiologist. I've had no problems since.
Most folks here follow Al Lodwicks guidance and most become stable in two weeks. I know I got tired of the sticks and increases and decreases twice a week and said poop on this. I decided to self dose and self test, with the blessing of my Cardiologist. I've had no problems since.
MarkU
Well-known member
I was spoiled by having a great nurse running my Coumadin lab for the first five years after my AVR. Unfortunately, she had to retire due to health problems. I swear that her replacement is brain-damaged. She checks my INR and blood pressure, but then can't remember the readings long enough to write them down - I have to tell her what to write.
Getting that home INR meter on order in the next two weeks...
Mark
Getting that home INR meter on order in the next two weeks...
Mark
K
Karlynn
Johanna, please understand that when we have someone come on that says their INR fluctuates all over the place, our first question needs to be "What do you mean by fluctuation." If, indeed, the fluctuation is that you are rarely in your prescribed range, then our next suspicion is that the person/lab managing your Coumadin doesn't understand how to manage it. That sounds pretty cynical, but we see it all the time.
Can I recommend that you start by reading this thread
http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17116
Then if you'd like, tell us your coumadin history. What your INR has been to cause you to go in each week, and what dosage changes were made for each INR reading.
Many of us have been on Coumadin for quite a while. Long enough to know that there really aren't many people who are truly hard to regulate. There are some, but more often we find that it's something that can be controlled.
Can I recommend that you start by reading this thread
http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17116
Then if you'd like, tell us your coumadin history. What your INR has been to cause you to go in each week, and what dosage changes were made for each INR reading.
Many of us have been on Coumadin for quite a while. Long enough to know that there really aren't many people who are truly hard to regulate. There are some, but more often we find that it's something that can be controlled.
G
Guest
Getting dosage changes three times a week assures that you will never be consistently in range. The last change has not had time to reach its full effect before the next change is made. It also guarantees that the person managing your warfarin has no idea what they are doing.
Johanna:
I ran an INR test on 1/31 @ 10:45 p.m. It was 3.9.
Because I had one remaining ProTime 3 cuvette that would expire on 2/1/07, I ran another INR test 30 minutes later.
It was 3.8.
Yes, both results were "out of range." (2.5-3.5) However, I'm not concerned about being over range. I'd much rather be a little over range than close to 2.5.
I agree with Karlynn & Al.
I'm glad I test at home and adjust my dosage as needed. I've taken 6.5mg daily for about 2+ years now. Every so often, I'll drop it to 5.0, 5.5 or 6.0 for a day or two if my INR is too high. Once it was 5.4, and I dropped it to 5.0 for one day, retested in 1 week and it was back to 3.8 or 3.9.
I ran an INR test on 1/31 @ 10:45 p.m. It was 3.9.
Because I had one remaining ProTime 3 cuvette that would expire on 2/1/07, I ran another INR test 30 minutes later.
It was 3.8.
Yes, both results were "out of range." (2.5-3.5) However, I'm not concerned about being over range. I'd much rather be a little over range than close to 2.5.
I agree with Karlynn & Al.
I'm glad I test at home and adjust my dosage as needed. I've taken 6.5mg daily for about 2+ years now. Every so often, I'll drop it to 5.0, 5.5 or 6.0 for a day or two if my INR is too high. Once it was 5.4, and I dropped it to 5.0 for one day, retested in 1 week and it was back to 3.8 or 3.9.
N
NascarfanMary
Johanna,
How are things going with your INR? Any luck? I haven't gotten my labs done yet, the weather is bad here and I am unable to get out. Chill factor is awful. Just wondering how you are doing. Hope things are better for you.
How are things going with your INR? Any luck? I haven't gotten my labs done yet, the weather is bad here and I am unable to get out. Chill factor is awful. Just wondering how you are doing. Hope things are better for you.
cherbam
Well-known member
What is INR home testing ?
What is INR home testing ?
I have been on coumadin for 2 yrs and no one has ever mentioned home testing.
What is INR home testing ?
I have been on coumadin for 2 yrs and no one has ever mentioned home testing.
K
Karlynn
At the top of each page here is a banner that says QAS. Click on that and you will begin to learn about home testing.
It's basically the same type of testing that diabetics do. You stick your finger, put a drop of blood on a strip that is in a machine and wait for the number to appear.
Recent studies have shown that people who home test have less incident of bleeding or thrombus and stay in-range better than those who lab test.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of the machine and test strips. QAS will do the leg work for you with your insurance company.
It's basically the same type of testing that diabetics do. You stick your finger, put a drop of blood on a strip that is in a machine and wait for the number to appear.
Recent studies have shown that people who home test have less incident of bleeding or thrombus and stay in-range better than those who lab test.
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of the machine and test strips. QAS will do the leg work for you with your insurance company.
D
denobobeno
Johanna6666,
I have always had an unstable INR since my surgery in July. I found that changing meds for blood pressure, antibiotics and exercise changed mine.
Also, it makes me wonder about the place I've been going to test...the Coumadin Clinic here tested me at 2.6 this past week and the lab (arm test two minutes after) and it came out at 3.3. I felt like this was a big difference. It makes me wonder if I've been in range more often than I thought.
Deana
I have always had an unstable INR since my surgery in July. I found that changing meds for blood pressure, antibiotics and exercise changed mine.
Also, it makes me wonder about the place I've been going to test...the Coumadin Clinic here tested me at 2.6 this past week and the lab (arm test two minutes after) and it came out at 3.3. I felt like this was a big difference. It makes me wonder if I've been in range more often than I thought.
Deana
