Who's on their 2nd home testing unit?

[Karlynn]

I was just wondering if anyone here is on their 2nd (or more) home testing unit and whether your insurance covered the cost for the 2nd?

I have a ProTime and I'm getting really tired of burning cuvettes with error messages. It took 3 today! (machine error, air bubble error and then the "money" test) It's either "air-bubble" because it's next to impossible to get the drop to actually "drop" in. (I do tap the lancette a few times, even tho' it says not to. Had way more air-bubble errors when I didn't) Or I get a machine error message. My battery doesn't hold for more than 4 or 5 tests and I have always waited until the battery ran out and then fully charged it. (I was never happy with the battery on my machine. Even when it said it had fully charged, the display never showed more than a 2/3 charge.)

I can send in the machine and get it over-hauled for $325. ITC sends a replacement while mine is being worked on. But I'd really really like to get one of the cool INRation machines.

The insurer we had when I got my machine (UHC - covered 100% 3 years ago, but got to be real stinkers on supplies - right Marcia?) is not the one we have now. We have Empire BC/BS and they cover 90% of my supplies after deductible.

I know that those of you with the INRatio machine use the capillary tubes to collect your blood. Is this something that would work well with the ProTime lancettes?

 

[Ross]

If you can get your finger to bleed, the cap tubes are a piece of cake. You'll need a lot bigger one for the Protime test though. What comes with INRatio is only 15MuL Just touch it to the blood and up the tube she goes. (Ooo, somehow that excited me!)

 

[Mary]

. . . Just touch it to the blood and up the tube she goes. (Ooo, somehow that excited me!)

*censored*
*censored*
*censored*

 

[Diesel]

I HAVE A QUESTION:

I have the INRatio (new) machine and i dont have any capilary tubes things to catch my blood. ... um... should i???

All i do is prick my finger with a lancet gun.. and drop my blood on to a test strip.... Am i doing something wrong??

Diesel

 

[Natanni]

Test Strips...

Test Strips...

Wondering same thing as Diesel. Nathan is the new owner of INRatio (4 days now) and the test strips seem to suck up the blood as described above with capillary tubes....are they the same thing?

The Protime 3 Nathan's coumadin clinic uses does require a bit more blood to fill the well of the tenderlettes.

We have the lancettes as well, and the lancette gun, which is exactly what I used for checking diabetics blood sugars. Our QAS support said to place it on setting number 5. We were getting good results with setting #3!

 

[Karlynn]

My understanding with the INRation is that some use the pipettes to collect their blood because they find it somewhat difficult to drop it right on to the strip. I don't think it's required.

 

[catwoman]

I know that those of you with the INRatio machine use the capillary tubes to collect your blood. Is this something that would work well with the ProTime lancettes?

Karlynn:
Check with ITC (or Raytel or QAS or whoever you get supplies from) about using capillary tubes. I think I have been told or have read that something in the capillary tubes wreaks havoc on blood samples for use with ProTime 3 cuvettes. But ... I don't have my paperwork with me to verify that.

 

[Ross]

Hey now, maybe you people have disciplined blood, but I do not. I can make that nice big hanging drop of red stuff drip all around the well, but not into it. Perhaps I should be aggressive in my disciplinary measures? This is why I use the tubes. Put the point of the tube in the well and squirt. (Ooo, somehow this excited me too!) No more blood everywhere but where it should be.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Please don't shoot me for the following comment.
I never did care for the ProTime unit.

Hence, purchased the CoaguChek. It's been extremely accurate for the last five years.

It's a shame the manufacturer will no longer sell to consumers "patients" in the US.

When and if my unit kicks it.....I would go to extreme "European" lengths to get a hold of another one!

 

[Karlynn]

Please don't shoot me for the following comment.
I never did care for the ProTime unit.

Hence, purchased the CoaguChek. It's been extremely accurate for the last five years.

It's a shame the manufacturer will no longer sell to consumers "patients" in the US.

When and if my unit kicks it.....I would go to extreme "European" lengths to get a hold of another one!

Gina, did you test drive the ProTime? I didn't have a choice when I got mine. UHC said ProTime, and that's what I got. I probably would have gone Coag - simply because that's what my dr's office uses. The test strips seem to be a little easier to navigate than the little cups on the Tenderlets (which is an oxymoron - they hurt!) It's also one of the reasons I'd like an INRatio.