Home testing machines

9 comments

Manofmendip Admin

1 Feb 2013

Hi

I used to be on Warfarin but am now on Fragmin.

I self tested and self managed and I used a Roche CoaguChek XS machine. I found this was very good apart from three months after open heart surgery when it was not accurate but it gradually came back into sync with the lab and was reliable from then on.

I know that others on here have had mixed results; some good, like me, and others not good.

Best wishes.

Dave

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noodlesrita123

1 Feb 2013

Do you know where the best place to buy one is as they are very expensive? Thanks

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APsnotFab Admin

1 Feb 2013

Roche Diagnostics 0808 100 7666 usually have an offer on at around £300. However I would check that you can get the test strips on prescription first as they can be expensive and some PCT's have been cutting back and stopping this.

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noodlesrita123

1 Feb 2013

I'll have to save up that's 3 weeks wages yes I will enquire at my doctors they can be a nightmare so wouldn't be surprised if they said no thanks x

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tim47

1 Feb 2013

Are you on warfarin for Hughes/APS? For some with Hughes they may not be suitable though I and many others get on well with them and wouldn't be without them.
There is lots more about the issues amongst past postings and I'd suggest you trawl through a few to get the fuller picture. Personally they have been worth every penny but I am able to get my test strips on script.

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noodlesrita123

1 Feb 2013

Yes I have aps and lupus anticoagulant but I am fed up of the way I'm being treated at the hospital they just don't understand. As I said I would have to save up to get one so it won't be for a while. Thanks or your reply x

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MJLC

2 Feb 2013

I have had one for a few months now and I have struggled. The INR is different by quite a lot compared to the one my GP clinic uses. This has given cause for concern for my GP and therefore until things have got better or the INR becomes closer to what there's does I'm stuck having wasted £300 plus the cost of the strips for nothing. I am still going once a week as my levels keep changing. I think in the long run it will be worth it as I too am life long warfarin. I got mine from the Coaguchek XS website for £299.

MJ x

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Lure

2 Feb 2013

Hi there,

I am on lifelong Warfarin and I have Lupus Anticoagulant. There is a difference between the lab and the Choaguchek machine. The hier INR the bigger difference. I do not know what I would do without it but i have excellent help from a professional nurse at the hospital in
Stockholm. I learn and I eat a lot of broccoli when it is a too high INR. I am rather sensitive to the warfarinchanges.I feel safe with the machine.

Kerstin

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ddhl

5 Feb 2013

At first, I was doing finger sticks in the doctor's office. Then another doctor ordered some tests which also had the INR test. It was almost a point off. Told my hematologist and we tried the finger stick in his office then he sent me downstairs to lab and had a vein draw. Just over a point difference. Now I only do the vein draw at the lab.

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