Warfarin

[dulvil]

Does anyone who is on warfarin carry a portable i.n.r. Testing machine
My levels go up and down so I keep having to be tested, and means having to find a g.p. Who can do it while we are away
We never know where so it’s hard to plan a test

 

[Darloman]

Yes I used to take Warfarin and used to carry and use a Roche Diagnsotics INR test machine which I used for the last five years whilst away. This model is similar to the machine used by my Doctors which is why I bought it though quite pricey. I obviously had sufficient test strips for self testing whilst away. I tested at the frequency dictated by my Nurse and once I had done a test I texted the reading to my Nurse at the Doctors who entered the reading into INRStar which then calculates the dosage for the next period. She then texted me back to let me know when the next test was due and what dosage of Warfarin to take each day. I recommend (if you have not already done so) discuss this with your Doctor and/Nurse to check they are satisfied with the arrangement - unless you already self dose?
I have now changed from Warfarin to Edoxaban so don’t need to self test. If you are interested my Roche INR test machine is for sale.

i appreciate how each persons INR can change based on lifestyle.

 

[Four of us]

My husband has his own machine and uses it weekly to monitor his levels both at home and when away. When he goes in for his 3 monthly check with the nurse he takes it in to calibrate with their machine. We bought the machine and our surgery provides the strips.

 

[Nyvern]

I bought my 7 years ago. Ideal for travelling.Different foods while on holidays give quite a different IRN result. The testing strips are getting expensive, our local surgery won't pay for them.

 

[sedge]

The testing strips are getting expensive, our local surgery won't pay for them.

This type of thing has always stressed me - if you need a gadget integral to your long term health condition and it costs, why oh why does a medical exemption not apply to it as well as to the drug(s)?

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[dulvil]

Yes I used to take Warfarin and used to carry and use a Roche Diagnsotics INR test machine which I used for the last five years whilst away. This model is similar to the machine used by my Doctors which is why I bought it though quite pricey. I obviously had sufficient test strips for self testing whilst away. I tested at the frequency dictated by my Nurse and once I had done a test I texted the reading to my Nurse at the Doctors who entered the reading into INRStar which then calculates the dosage for the next period. She then texted me back to let me know when the next test was due and what dosage of Warfarin to take each day. I recommend (if you have not already done so) discuss this with your Doctor and/Nurse to check they are satisfied with the arrangement - unless you already self dose?
I have now changed from Warfarin to Edoxaban so don’t need to self test. If you are interested my Roche INR test machine is for sale.

i appreciate how each persons INR can change based on lifestyle.

I will be asking my hospital when I get home in2 weeks if this is o.k.
Can you buy the strips if hospital won’t supply
What figure do you have in mind

 

[Imala615]

I have now changed from Warfarin to Edoxaban so don’t need to self test. If you are interested my Roche INR test machine is for sale.

i appreciate how each persons INR can change based on lifestyle.

I refused to go on warfarin a few years ago because you have to get tested regularly and as i travel regularly was offered Apixaban as an alternative which i took twice daily (amongst a few others) ,a few months ago the pharmacist recommended Edoxaban which is only one a day. (I believe they don't offer to everyone due to cost)

 

[dulvil]

I refused to go on warfarin a few years ago because you have to get tested regularly and as i travel regularly was offered Apixaban as an alternative which i took twice daily (amongst a few others) ,a few months ago the pharmacist recommended Edoxaban which is only one a day. (I believe they don't offer to everyone due to cost)

I was on apixaban for 10 years after my valve replacement, but now my other valve has calcified they can’t operate and apixaban isn’t working for me now so has to be warfarin

 

[Darloman]

I was lucky as my Doctor agreed to prescribe the test strips for me. When I priced them from reputable sources the strips were in the region of £80 for 24 strips which have a life of about 12 months. Clearly if more regular testing is required it could be costly.

 

[Nyvern]

I did ask my local surgery but they refused to pay for the strips. They claim they can't trust people to do their own testing. That's the excuse...

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[Nyvern]

you can buy them from Roche Diagnostic Limited. 01444256000. At least no VAT to pay.

 

[dulvil]

you can buy them from Roche Diagnostic Limited. 01444256000. At least no VAT to pay.

Thanks

 

[Nyvern]

Does anyone who is on warfarin carry a portable i.n.r. Testing machine
My levels go up and down so I keep having to be tested, and means having to find a g.p. Who can do it while we are away
We never know where so it’s hard to plan a test

When you’re abroad and need testing you’ll find some countries won’t give the result directly to you, you’ll have to pay for a doctor visit to get it.

Last time I had it done in Portugal to check my machine, even after 37 years on Warfarin they didn’t think I knew on how to balance the among of Warfarin I needed. Certainly worth being able to test yourself.

 

[dulvil]

Yes I used to take Warfarin and used to carry and use a Roche Diagnsotics INR test machine which I used for the last five years whilst away. This model is similar to the machine used by my Doctors which is why I bought it though quite pricey. I obviously had sufficient test strips for self testing whilst away. I tested at the frequency dictated by my Nurse and once I had done a test I texted the reading to my Nurse at the Doctors who entered the reading into INRStar which then calculates the dosage for the next period. She then texted me back to let me know when the next test was due and what dosage of Warfarin to take each day. I recommend (if you have not already done so) discuss this with your Doctor and/Nurse to check they are satisfied with the arrangement - unless you already self dose?
I have now changed from Warfarin to Edoxaban so don’t need to self test. If you are interested my Roche INR test machine is for sale.

i appreciate how each persons INR can change based on lifestyle.

Just been to see warfarin nurse who wants to know what model your machine is to see if it it compatible with the strips they would supply and if they can do updates.
What figure are you looking for, regards john

 

[The Wino]

This type of thing has always stressed me - if you need a gadget integral to your long term health condition and it costs, why oh why does a medical exemption not apply to it as well as to the drug(s)?

If they offer the testing at the GP surgery and someone decides to get a machine to fit in with their lifestyle I think it's fair enough they pay for their own machine. If having their own machine is essential to their care even if they would be happy to visit their GP then the nhs should provide.

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[Darloman]

Dulvil. Will pm you

 

[varaizian]

I was on apixaban for 10 years after my valve replacement, but now my other valve has calcified they can’t operate and apixaban isn’t working for me now so has to be warfarin

Is Warfarin used as an anticoagulant? I had a valve repaired here in France 13 years ago and had a course of injections for a couple of weeks followed by 160mg of soluble aspirin daily ever since. Still bleed and bruise easily but have had hernias fixed since.

 

[TheAleMan]

Is Warfarin used as an anticoagulant? I had a valve repaired here in France 13 years ago and had a course of injections for a couple of weeks followed by 160mg of soluble aspirin daily ever since. Still bleed and bruise easily but have had hernias fixed since.

Yes, Warfarin is still used for anti coagulant.

 

[carolyn]

Is Warfarin used as an anticoagulant? I had a valve repaired here in France 13 years ago and had a course of injections for a couple of weeks followed by 160mg of soluble aspirin daily ever since. Still bleed and bruise easily but have had hernias fixed since.

After repairs that’s all that’s usually required and also if you have a prosthetic valve that’s purely pig you might be on warfarin for 3 months and then just aspirin but if you have a prosthetic valve replacement you will currently need full anticoagulation for life and best practice is still Warfarin rather than Apixaban or Rivaroxaban. The target INR is also higher ie more likely to bleed so it would be good if the newer drugs were as effective as they would be safer.

The Swiss are trying to design less turbulent producing valves as well, fascinating stuff.

 

[varaizian]

After repairs that’s all that’s usually required and also if you have a prosthetic valve that’s purely pig you might be on warfarin for 3 months and then just aspirin but if you have a prosthetic valve replacement you will currently need full anticoagulation for life and best practice is still Warfarin rather than Apixaban or Rivaroxaban. The target INR is also higher ie more likely to bleed so it would be good if the newer drugs were as effective as they would be safer.

The Swiss are trying to design less turbulent producing valves as well, fascinating stuff.

Thank you; that's interesting. I remember the surgeons going through the options and concentrating like hell to understand! Mine was a ring to reshape the valve and correct a murmur. As a retired engineer, albeit in armaments, I am in awe of what is achieved in the world of medicine.

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[Pilote87]

Is Warfarin used as an anticoagulant? I had a valve repaired here in France 13 years ago and had a course of injections for a couple of weeks followed by 160mg of soluble aspirin daily ever since. Still bleed and bruise easily but have had hernias fixed since.

My wife and I have both been given post-op Lovenox. I have been on Warfarin since the mid Nineties. My wife hasn't had any regular anti-coags, but was prescribed daily Lovenox for around a month following her most recent surgery.

J

 

[dulvil]

Thanks for your replies but it looks like I’ve got to stay on warfarin . I’m getting a Roche portable machine and hospital will train me to use it and supply the test strips, then photograph results and email them the results
Save me going in for a lot of checks