Hank
VR.com Founder, Now just a Member
Howdy Folks - I am interested in seeing what INR home testing monitors everyone uses. Please take a moment to answer the poll and we'll see what results we come up with.... Thanks..
Which Monitor Do You Use?
- Thread starter Hank
- Start date
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I'm just starting the process to get a monitor. After discussion with QAS I chose the Protime.
Cris
Cris
H
HemoSense-Brendan
Cris N said:
Cris:
I'd be interested in knowing, if you're comfortable sharing, what advantages you found in ProTime that prompted your selection of their monitor.
Congratulations on joining the home PT/INR world!
Brendan
K
Karlynn
HemoSense-Brendan said:
I'd be interested as well, since I have a ProTime monitor and am in the process of trying to get my insurance to approve the purchase of an INRatio machine.
G
Gemma
Jim uses the Coaguchek S model which is available direct from the manufacturers (Roche) here in the UK. Had it since April 2004 and always agrees with the hospital's lab results 
. (He home tests every 3-4 weeks, hospital every 12 weeks).
We picked the Coaguchek S because at the time it was the only machine for which test strips were available on NHS prescription (which in turn meant big savings on strips) - I think that's changing now though - and it's simple to use.
. (He home tests every 3-4 weeks, hospital every 12 weeks).We picked the Coaguchek S because at the time it was the only machine for which test strips were available on NHS prescription (which in turn meant big savings on strips) - I think that's changing now though - and it's simple to use.
Marty
Well-known member
Karlynn said:
Emma
Well-known member
Gemma, Chloe uses coaguchek S too but her INR is near enough always 0.6 lower on venus than on coaguchek. Strange huh! I think it's an excellent machine though and have recommended it to a lot of people - it changed Chloes life much for the better!
How come Jim has to hospital test every 12 weeks?? Our anticoag clinic only wants Chloe to have lab ones done every 6 months and less if she still has her phobia. Actually, i may have just answered my own question... I think when she got handed over to the clinic they said something about her age and not testing to often at the hospital.
Although clinic tell she can test every 4-5 weeks on coaguchek as shes so stable, i test every couple of weeks normally for my peace of mind (much to my doctors annoyance when he has to write lots of strip prescriptions!)
Emma
xxx
How come Jim has to hospital test every 12 weeks?? Our anticoag clinic only wants Chloe to have lab ones done every 6 months and less if she still has her phobia. Actually, i may have just answered my own question... I think when she got handed over to the clinic they said something about her age and not testing to often at the hospital.
Although clinic tell she can test every 4-5 weeks on coaguchek as shes so stable, i test every couple of weeks normally for my peace of mind (much to my doctors annoyance when he has to write lots of strip prescriptions!)
Emma
xxx
K
Karlynn
Marty said:
D
Diesel
I started using the INRatio in August. And i must tell you all... I LOVE IT! I havent had any problems with it at all. KNOCK ON WOOD It's been great to be able to test when ever I want. Not going to the hospital for a draw all the time has been a great time saver!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Diesel
It's been great to be able to test when ever I want. Not going to the hospital for a draw all the time has been a great time saver!Happy Holidays Everyone!
Diesel
G
Gemma
Emma,
When I said "agree", I meant the two results are close enough to be within the margin of error. Occasionally they've been exactly the same, sometimes up to 0.5 either side but usually just a few points apart.
As for the hospital testing (actually he goes to the nurse at his GP's surgery who sends the blood sample to the hospital lab), we had a long and ridiculous battle with the clinic and GP to allow Jim to just home test and call in his results, and they came up with some frankly baffling reasons against it (yes, it's a really long story!), but both agreed he could home test in addition to going for the blood tests at the surgery (I think mainly to shut us up). I think the 12 weeks is the same as for anyone who was purely being tested by the clinic as they don't recognise his home testing as really "counting".
I'm hoping when we buy a house it'll be under another Primary Care Trust who will again hopefully have a different view!
When I said "agree", I meant the two results are close enough to be within the margin of error. Occasionally they've been exactly the same, sometimes up to 0.5 either side but usually just a few points apart.
As for the hospital testing (actually he goes to the nurse at his GP's surgery who sends the blood sample to the hospital lab), we had a long and ridiculous battle with the clinic and GP to allow Jim to just home test and call in his results, and they came up with some frankly baffling reasons against it (yes, it's a really long story!), but both agreed he could home test in addition to going for the blood tests at the surgery (I think mainly to shut us up). I think the 12 weeks is the same as for anyone who was purely being tested by the clinic as they don't recognise his home testing as really "counting".
I'm hoping when we buy a house it'll be under another Primary Care Trust who will again hopefully have a different view!
J
johnM
EmmaCornish (much to my doctors annoyance when he has to write lots of strip prescriptions!)
Yup there are plenty of lazy overpaid GPs in the Uk earn 3x or even 4x as much as Gps in Germany/ France ( lovely inflation proofed pensions at 60)and of course the quality of service is often unspeakable - I can't speak academically only from personal experience!!! One can't beat a market situation (with an adaquate supply of medics - don't let their trade association control entry to the trade ) Too many GPs in the UK act as though they are doing you the favour by seeing you - as indeed they are with their payments being totally unconnected with service.
Yup there are plenty of lazy overpaid GPs in the Uk earn 3x or even 4x as much as Gps in Germany/ France ( lovely inflation proofed pensions at 60)and of course the quality of service is often unspeakable - I can't speak academically only from personal experience!!! One can't beat a market situation (with an adaquate supply of medics - don't let their trade association control entry to the trade ) Too many GPs in the UK act as though they are doing you the favour by seeing you - as indeed they are with their payments being totally unconnected with service.
I chose the Protime for
I chose the Protime for
2 primary reasons. I'm having trouble reconciling the INRatio apparent recommendation that the INR should be .6 higher than target as was discussed in the "Welcome Brendan from Hemosense" thread. The other is the collection method... it seems to be a little bit easier with the Protime than INRatio - but I don't have any experience.
I haven't yet turned in my paperwork (waiting for the 1st of the year so I can use my flex spending money for deductible) and so I am still have a somewhat open mind.
Cris
I chose the Protime for
2 primary reasons. I'm having trouble reconciling the INRatio apparent recommendation that the INR should be .6 higher than target as was discussed in the "Welcome Brendan from Hemosense" thread. The other is the collection method... it seems to be a little bit easier with the Protime than INRatio - but I don't have any experience.
I haven't yet turned in my paperwork (waiting for the 1st of the year so I can use my flex spending money for deductible) and so I am still have a somewhat open mind.
Cris
gijanet
Well-known member
We went with the INRatio............
We went with the INRatio............
based on previous discussions on this forum........mainly due to the smaller amount of blood required. As it is , we still have to "milk" Katie's finger, even after following Bonnie's suggestion about running her finger under warm water. Funny, she bleeds like a stuck pig from the littlest cut (on aspirin and coumadin both), yet we still have to milk her fingers for blood. We, too, average .6 to .8 higher on the INRatio than the lab draws, even when done simulatenously. Inquiring minds want to know.............
Hugs. J.
We went with the INRatio............
based on previous discussions on this forum........mainly due to the smaller amount of blood required. As it is , we still have to "milk" Katie's finger, even after following Bonnie's suggestion about running her finger under warm water. Funny, she bleeds like a stuck pig from the littlest cut (on aspirin and coumadin both), yet we still have to milk her fingers for blood.
We, too, average .6 to .8 higher on the INRatio than the lab draws, even when done simulatenously. Inquiring minds want to know.............Hugs. J.
K
Karlynn
Cris N said:
I don't have an INRatio yet, but the collection method is one of the reasons I'd rather get a new INRatio than refurbish my ProTime 3 machine. After almost 4 years of using it, I still find it hard to get the blood into the little cup without getting an air bubble error reading. There have been days when I've burned 3 tests getting those errors. The instructions say not to tap the lancette before placing it in the monitor, but I've found that giving it 3 soft taps does decrease the chance of bubble errors.
Size was another reason. The INRation is much smaller, and easier to travel with. The test strips don't have to be refrigerated. Also, from what I've read, the supplies are less expensive. I've also never been happy with the battery life on my ProTime, but others here have not had that issue. I'm not thrilled that the INRatio gives a .6 higher reading, however, I'll just factor that in to my INR results.
That being said - if I don't get my new INRatio, I will still be pleased that I have the ability to home test and be grateful to have my ProTime machine.
A
Amy
CoaguChek S
CoaguChek S
Is there anyone in the U.S. that has one of these analyzers? If so, where do you get supplies? I've been trying to get one and have been told it's only sold to "Professionals"???
Well, I think I'm a professional but Roche doesn't think so..
I've cleared the purchase through my insurance and am now trying to decide which one to get. Anyone have any preference of one over the other? I was leaning toward the INRatio until I found information on the CoaguChek S. As others have said, I'm not too crazy about the .6 difference in readings from the lab. with the INRatio.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
CoaguChek S
Is there anyone in the U.S. that has one of these analyzers? If so, where do you get supplies? I've been trying to get one and have been told it's only sold to "Professionals"???
Well, I think I'm a professional but Roche doesn't think so..
I've cleared the purchase through my insurance and am now trying to decide which one to get. Anyone have any preference of one over the other? I was leaning toward the INRatio until I found information on the CoaguChek S. As others have said, I'm not too crazy about the .6 difference in readings from the lab. with the INRatio.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
twinmaker
Well-known member
I love my INRatio machine. I was out of town for the last two weeks and it went with me and I tested twice while I was gone. It's small, so it doesn't take up much room. It's one of the best inventions to "come down the pike" in a long time. LINDA
G
geebee
INRatio here. LOVE it. Like Linda, I take it on trips, takes up no room, doesn't require refrigeration for the strips, easy to use.
I would only REALLY recommend to new users to use capillary tubes instead of trying to get a drop of blood in the "well". The tubes allow control of the blood and prevent errors.
Just curious - do other INRatio owners use the tubes?
I would only REALLY recommend to new users to use capillary tubes instead of trying to get a drop of blood in the "well". The tubes allow control of the blood and prevent errors.
Just curious - do other INRatio owners use the tubes?
9
901
I'm using the INRatio. I haven't seen any others except in pictures. Sure beats trying to coordinate with the clinic for an arm draw!
I don't use a tube. I just cranked the lance up another notch. So far, only my first try didn't get enough of a drop for the capillaries to test.
I don't use a tube. I just cranked the lance up another notch. So far, only my first try didn't get enough of a drop for the capillaries to test.
