Which home testing unit do you use?

[ILoVeNY25]

I've decided that me and my veins are done with going to the lab every two weeks to a month to get my blood drawn. I've decided to buy an anti-coagulation home testing unit. But which one? that's my question. I will be not be going through insurance and will be paying full price for the machine so I really want to get the "right" one for me. The Protime seems to be around longer, correct? But in other threads I've read some of you prefer the INRatio. I've requested information from both and know only I can decide. But as always I value everyone's opinion and would like to hear their experiences with choosing the one for them. Thanks!

 

[geebee]

INRatio. It's easy to use and very portable.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Nicole

Tyce uses the Coaguchek, but I don't think you can get that any more. We did have the Protime and hated it in comparison to the Coaguchek.....alot of blood, a pain to use, and I don't personally think it was too accurate in comparison. If I were you, I'd go with the INRatio

Hope you're well.....it's good to see you back.

Evelyn

 

[RandyL]

INRatio. It's easy to use and very portable.

I use the same one.Here ia alink to one on Ebay that looks like a good deal. I'm not sure what they cost since my insurance paid for mine but you could compare with QAS for pricing. well I can't get the link to work. Go on ebay and type in Inratio, it should come up.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Nicole,
I use the CoaguChek by Roche but like Evelyn said in her post it is no longer available. Roche has a new one that is suppose to be coming out, the CoaguChek XS. Sounds like it is much like the INRatio.

 

[doyo]

According to a e-mail from Roche, Roche has obtained the clearance from FDA for their new model, CoaguChek XS. (UPDAETD: This FDA clearance is for professional use, not for patient use. They will need to take additional steps for patient use approval.)
I do not know when they will start selling it in U.S. though.
I just sent another e-mail to Roche to find out. I will let you know if hear anything.

EJ

 

[Karlynn]

I had the ProTime for over 3 years and was grateful to have it to home test. I absolutely love my new INRatio. It is much easier to test with. I have much fewer (only 1 in 20) error readings and that is something to consider if you are paying the full price for test strips out of pocket. It is also small (about the size of my hand) and runs on AA batteries.

ProTime has been revamped, but it still appears to be much larger and still uses the same cuvettes and testing strips. The change appears to be mostly cosmetic.

I know the Coagucheck XS is promising to be similar to the INRatio, but I don't know when it will be available or what the cost will be. Maybe Al or someone else does know.

 

[Marty]

I used the old "classic" Coaguchek for seven years. It was very reliable but it did not have "onboard controls" or an ISI of 1, both desirable features, which the INRatio has. The new Coaguchek has not yet been approved for patients but doctors are using them and I hear good things about it but nothing better than the INratio. Do not go Protime ; it is obsolete.INRatio has excellent 24/7 tech support.

 

[Natanni]

Nathan started using his INRatio about 1 month post op; We purchased it directly from QAS and ran it through our insurance afterward. He tests every week, and has had it compared to our local coumadin clinics ProTime (they tested them back to back), with +/- .6 variability at the most, @ times it was exactly the same.

 

[Blanche]

Nicole:
Al started with the ProTime monitor in 2001. Now that there are two of us on anticoagulation, we have decided to purchase a new machine and will be getting the new Coaguchek XS when it is available to home testing users. Our doctor was ready to secure a Coaguchek for us when he opened his coag. clinic but we wanted to wait for the new machine because of the new enhancements. Al purchased the first monitor himself and pays for the supplies. We will continue to do the same with the new monitor.

It's a real pleasure to see you here again. I remember your very first post.

Kind regards,
Blanche

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi,

I have been using my ProTime Home Testing Unit for 6 years now. It still runs like a top. Last week I checked my readings against the hospital lab. My unit read 2.9 and the hospital unit read 2.6, and that was approx. 5 hours later when the hospital tested. So, I figure it was about the same result, if I tested them both at the same time. My unit usually checks out within 0.1 of my lab tests. 0.3 difference is still fantastic in my opinion.

The unit I have has the 5 channel test couvettes.

I travel with unit extensively, both domestically and internationally. The newer units may have some nice improvements, but for the time being, I have no need to change or upgrade.

Good luck in your selection and future test results.

Rob

 

[bvdr]

I use the Protime unit and find it easy to use although the unit is heavier than some of the other brands. I plug it in rather than use the battery since the battery doesn't hold a charge very well anymore. I've used it for about 3 years. I did have some testing supplies that were bad at one time and QAS exchanged them for me.

 

[mtkayak]

INR Ratio. I have nothing to compare it to since I've only had it 3 months. But it is small and very portable. Only takes 3 or 4 minutes to test. You do not have to refrigerate the strips. I think the retail price is $2500 so you might want to use Ebay. My insurance company covered me but if I didn't have insurance I would probably try to negotiate the price. Not to say that would work but it's worth a try. You could shop around.

 

[twinmaker]

I have the INRatio and love it. It's easy to use and lightweight, so it's easy to travel with. I've had it for one and a half years. No problems. LINDA

 

[RandyL]

INR Ratio. I have nothing to compare it to since I've only had it 3 months. But it is small and very portable. Only takes 3 or 4 minutes to test. You do not have to refrigerate the strips. I think the retail price is $2500 so you might want to use Ebay. My insurance company covered me but if I didn't have insurance I would probably try to negotiate the price. Not to say that would work but it's worth a try. You could shop around.

If you want the one on ebay you have 4 hours left. It is $900 and comes with 48 test strips and is brand new. Looks like a good deal to me. Just type in INRATIO and hit search and you should find it. Good Luck

P.S. It also says you don't have to pay for 3 months.

 

[doyo]

Just received an e-mail from Roche.
CoaguChek XS has NOT been FDA cleared for the patient use yet. So FDA clearance in my previous post applies to professional use.
They plan to launch CoaguCheck XS in 1Q 2007 to professional market first.
Don't know when they will make it availble to patients.
Don't know how much it will cost.
I replied to e-mail asking them to hurry the process, but I get the funny feeling me asking them to hurry up would not make much diffrence.

So the wait continues...
Here is some info on yet to be available XS.

http://www.coaguchek.com/com/index.php?target=/en/professionals/info_centre/faq/2

The XS strip is not individually wrapped to reduce the cost. Have to wait and see how much of the cost savings will be passed to customers.

XS test stips has ISI of 1 like ITC ProTime and InRatio.
XS test strip does not require refrigeration.
Even ITC's ProTime test cuvette/test strip is OK up to 30 days at room temperature. (For longer period, it requires refrigeration)
So when you travel with ITC ProTime, you can take 30 days supply with you without worrying about the refrigeration.

The XS test strip / machine is not compatible with S test strip /machine because S used "dancing particle" method vs. XS using amperometric method (measuring electric current). I think InRatio used electric current method, too.

"dancing particle" (it is the term Roche used on the above link), Hmm...
My mind is filled with the vision of sugar plum fairies dancing around..

 

[ILoVeNY25]

The preferred machine seems to be the INRatio, The Coagucheck XS seems promising but because it's so new...I don't think I want to be the one to test it out. I guess I can't be surprised that you can find them on Ebay but that's another thing I'm not comfortable doing. I've never even seen the thing in person and I'm going to need all the customer service help I can get. I also don't feel comfortable bargain hunting for something so important. Nothing wrong with it, but I wouldn't have looked for my St. Jude's on ebay. But that's just me. I'm in no rush, so I'm going to continue to do more research and appreciate everyone's fast responses and opinions. I will let you know what I decide on. Thanks again.

 

[geebee]

Nicole,

Send a PM to Brendan at Hemosense (I think his ID is HemosenseBrendan) and he might be able to suggest the best place to purchase the INRatio and still the customer service you need. Be sure and let the folks at whatever distributor you end up with that you are not using insurance and need the best deal they can give you. Don't be afraid to try and negotiate as I am sure there is leeway. You could also ask for more than one name and compare prices.

 

[mtkayak]

The preferred machine seems to be the INRatio, The Coagucheck XS seems promising but because it's so new...I don't think I want to be the one to test it out. I guess I can't be surprised that you can find them on Ebay but that's another thing I'm not comfortable doing. I've never even seen the thing in person and I'm going to need all the customer service help I can get. I also don't feel comfortable bargain hunting for something so important. Nothing wrong with it, but I wouldn't have looked for my St. Jude's on ebay. But that's just me. I'm in no rush, so I'm going to continue to do more research and appreciate everyone's fast responses and opinions. I will let you know what I decide on. Thanks again.

I agree, I wouldn't buy a USED INR Ratio but a new one is new. I would shop around at least 3 or 4 places and try and find the best price. If you feel comfortable buying one from Hemosense you can always negotiate a price, say if you found a lower priced one. Kind of like a price match. "We promise to meet or beat any prices" kind of advertising. Its not as if you are compromising quality for a lower price. Your still getting a new machine.

 

[KristaDeAnn]

I also have the INRatio and I LOVE IT......

It is small and portable. My doctors office is jealous because now they want one like mine.. tee hee