INR testisng

Yesterday I had my PM check/doctors appointmeny (finally!)
All went well. I was told I have asout 1 1/2 -2 years left in my pm, wich is good because that's what the said a year ago. My cardiologist is the one monitoring my warfarin/INR results. I asked him if he thought I'd be on it for life or could switch back to taking an asprin a day. (which was much easier) He wasn't sure and said he'd have to look at a video of a trnsecho that I had done a few years ago first but most likeley I'd have to stay on it. He said may one day they'll come up with something that works the same but won't need to all the testing. He understands that it's a pain to go for the testing regularly. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to get to the lab. It's not too bad when it's 1ce a month but when it's more often it's a pain, plus with gas prices it's harder to afford it now, I'm not working for the summer and my husbands been out of work since November. My doctor said he could check and see if I would qualify for home testing (more would the insurance cover it) I didn't know they did home teasting. Does anyone have do it or heard about it? I'm guessing it's like the one they use in the office(wich I usually don't do. The labs more convient, don't need an appointment and no co-pay that they wanted me to do in the office) It looks like a diabetes monitor almost.

3 Comments

INR

by thomast - 2008-07-04 04:07:54

I have inquired about home testing, as I have to drive 60 miles round trip once a month for testing, It can be done but not sure about the costs. If the doctor oK's it you get the machine to take home but I understand there is a $35 charge for instructions on how to use it, and the supplies cost $30 per month. Not sure about who will pay for these items. I am on medicare. I have alot more checking to do. Good luck

Thomas

Coaguchek

by Bionic Beat - 2008-07-05 01:07:46

I have the home kit for INR testing.

The hospital gave me the machine (worth $500) and one cylinder of strips.

Each strip is $8, they want a test every 10 days or so, as my INR is all over the place.

My insurance won't cover any of it. That's why they gave me the machine. It's very similar to the diabetic testing, poke your finger and place the blood onto the very expensive strip.

Apparently it's not 100% accurate but it's fair enough.

I have a few strips left and then have to buy them myself, along with the lancets.

There are 24 strips in each cylinder @ $8 each.

Wish the strips were cheaper and that the tests could be done less often.

Might just take more coumadin and have the test once or twice a month. That would be do-able.

With the cost of gas and parking, it's cheaper to do it at home than to visit the downtown hospital. > sigh <

We won't be able to afford the strips when Hubby retires......
don't know how we'll manage then.

I feel fabulous!

Bionic Beat

Vampires - At home blood sucker. =)

by Smeagol22 - 2008-07-14 02:07:07

Hey,

I have been on coumadin since I was 11 yrs old. I am not 27 yrs old and I have been poked more than a drug abuser on heroin. XD A year ago I purchased an INR machine for 1500 bucks through my insurance, I paid 120 out of pocket and my strips are 150 a box, but after insurance I only pay like 20 bucks. I gotta tell you, I love this machine. I test myself once a month and I am in control of my INR level, I stopped using the Dr. to adjust my level about 4 yrs ago after a country doctor nearly killed me.

I will be on coumadin for the rest of my life.. if you are in the same boat, get the home kit - it rocks!

Cheers,

Michael ~Ticker~

You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

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I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.