Any other Warfarin users on here ?
Discussion
Im going to be on Warfarin for the rest of my natural.
That doesnt bother me so much,but what does is haivng to have an INR check every 12 weeks.
This means lost time at work, which is hard to make up, and also loss of income.
I can buy the exact same machine the clinic uses to test INR and get the test strips on Script.
However, my clinic told me they would still need to see me every 12 weeks.
Im trying to contact the dept head to discuss goig it alone.
I know what my INR range is, and if I test within range every 12 weeks, I see no did to waste mine and the clinics time.
IN this day and age, surely I ought to be able to self test and just report my results online ?
Any thoughts ?
That doesnt bother me so much,but what does is haivng to have an INR check every 12 weeks.
This means lost time at work, which is hard to make up, and also loss of income.
I can buy the exact same machine the clinic uses to test INR and get the test strips on Script.
However, my clinic told me they would still need to see me every 12 weeks.
Im trying to contact the dept head to discuss goig it alone.
I know what my INR range is, and if I test within range every 12 weeks, I see no did to waste mine and the clinics time.
IN this day and age, surely I ought to be able to self test and just report my results online ?
Any thoughts ?
.55palfers said:
Be careful shaving!
Seriously, it's weird stuff. Watch what you eat. A small cut can bleed for ages.
Keep an eye on bruises and the like too.
I'd keep the 12 week appointment.
As someone who has now had three DVT's, Im well versed in warfarin treatment and what to expect.....+Seriously, it's weird stuff. Watch what you eat. A small cut can bleed for ages.
Keep an eye on bruises and the like too.
I'd keep the 12 week appointment.
As for shaving...I have a samll mole that I inevitably catch when shaving...currently waiting for the NHS to remove it....
The ****-aban family of drugs are quickly replacing warfarin.
Eg Rivaroxaban or Xarelto to give it its trade name.
http://www.pharmatimes.com/article/13-04-22/Xarelt...
I'd ask my GP about it if I was lifelong warfarin. Cost is higher, but savings occur as there is no blood level testing, ever.
Not a perfect replacement for warfarin though, but it is NICE approved in many situations
HTH
Eg Rivaroxaban or Xarelto to give it its trade name.
http://www.pharmatimes.com/article/13-04-22/Xarelt...
I'd ask my GP about it if I was lifelong warfarin. Cost is higher, but savings occur as there is no blood level testing, ever.
Not a perfect replacement for warfarin though, but it is NICE approved in many situations
HTH
Apologies to those unaffected by such things, but I've just been prescribed Warfarin and thought I'd look in here for any others.
I was diagnosed with blood clots on my lungs in December. I coughed up two clots in two days. The first scared the life out of me, so that got me to the doctor and the second was the morning after seeing the anticoagulant nurse at the hospital. I went straight to A&E that time, but was released after 30 minutes following a blood test and ECG and was told only to worry if I coughed up more than a cupful.
I've just come off the Heparin stomach injections to get the Warfarin started and am on a dosage of 8.5mg daily.
I agree the INR tests can be rather inconvenient, although mine are now every two weeks rather than weekly. My last INR result was 2.0. I've just accepted this as I don't wish to consider the consequences.
This whole episode to an otherwise reasonably healthy and active 44 year-old has really shaken me.
Would be interested to read of other members' experiences.
I was diagnosed with blood clots on my lungs in December. I coughed up two clots in two days. The first scared the life out of me, so that got me to the doctor and the second was the morning after seeing the anticoagulant nurse at the hospital. I went straight to A&E that time, but was released after 30 minutes following a blood test and ECG and was told only to worry if I coughed up more than a cupful.
I've just come off the Heparin stomach injections to get the Warfarin started and am on a dosage of 8.5mg daily.
I agree the INR tests can be rather inconvenient, although mine are now every two weeks rather than weekly. My last INR result was 2.0. I've just accepted this as I don't wish to consider the consequences.
This whole episode to an otherwise reasonably healthy and active 44 year-old has really shaken me.
Would be interested to read of other members' experiences.
Edited by SimesJH on Tuesday 13th January 13:48
I had a bi-lateral pulmonary 9 years ago ( blood clots in both lungs ) and dropped unconscious on a football field.
Happened a second time 2.5 years ago, that time I had been feeling bad fora coupe of weeks and was finally concerned enough to head to A&E.
I am now on warfarin for life as a result.
My INR levels have been up and down over time , I've yet to have a break of more than 3 weeks between blood tests.
I can tell when levels aren't right , I seem to feel 'lethargic' in body and mind - maybe I'm reading too much into that though.
On a very sad note, one of the INR nurses I see on a regular basis was killed in a car accident the week before last , her husband is a member of the same golf club as me and he is in a very critical condition in a London hospital. Life can be so cruel.......
Happened a second time 2.5 years ago, that time I had been feeling bad fora coupe of weeks and was finally concerned enough to head to A&E.
I am now on warfarin for life as a result.
My INR levels have been up and down over time , I've yet to have a break of more than 3 weeks between blood tests.
I can tell when levels aren't right , I seem to feel 'lethargic' in body and mind - maybe I'm reading too much into that though.
On a very sad note, one of the INR nurses I see on a regular basis was killed in a car accident the week before last , her husband is a member of the same golf club as me and he is in a very critical condition in a London hospital. Life can be so cruel.......
Thank-you.
Gents, have your everyday lives been affected by the medication?
I've been told to lead a 'normal life', so I don't envision any changes, although I don't know if this affects activities such as flying, for instance.
I did suggest eating a diet that was rich in blood thinning foods, such as more oats, ginger, garlic, etc, but was advised that the Warfarin didn't require this. However, should I ever be allowed to stop the tablets, this type of diet would be recommended. I eat a reasonably balanced, reasonably healthy diet anyway.
As far as an any other changes, all that was advised encompassed preventing being too immobile for any prolonged period, such as sitting at my work desk. So I now get up more regularly than before and walk around for a few minutes.
I'm reasonably active beyond work and swim over 1,000m before work, 5 days a week. It just makes the symptoms even more confusing.
Gents, have your everyday lives been affected by the medication?
I've been told to lead a 'normal life', so I don't envision any changes, although I don't know if this affects activities such as flying, for instance.
I did suggest eating a diet that was rich in blood thinning foods, such as more oats, ginger, garlic, etc, but was advised that the Warfarin didn't require this. However, should I ever be allowed to stop the tablets, this type of diet would be recommended. I eat a reasonably balanced, reasonably healthy diet anyway.
As far as an any other changes, all that was advised encompassed preventing being too immobile for any prolonged period, such as sitting at my work desk. So I now get up more regularly than before and walk around for a few minutes.
I'm reasonably active beyond work and swim over 1,000m before work, 5 days a week. It just makes the symptoms even more confusing.
There is a move towards moving most if not all patients towards the NOAC (new oral anticoagulants).
This is being pushed for patient convenience and lower cost for primary care as no monitoring is possible with these drugs.
However these are a class of drugs that you can't check levels on but just assume they are working hmmmmm.
Also reversal can be very difficult and I predict some problems ahead.
This is being pushed for patient convenience and lower cost for primary care as no monitoring is possible with these drugs.
However these are a class of drugs that you can't check levels on but just assume they are working hmmmmm.
Also reversal can be very difficult and I predict some problems ahead.
Buy the machine, I presume your talking about the CoaguChek XS?
I've had one of these machines for at least 10 years (on warfarin for 30 years), the XS is excellent as the strips can be stored at room temp and are self QA checking each time.
I work away a lot, so blood tests were a complete pain... I've not had a yellow book or been to the hospital for a specific anti-coag check for years - I'm (was) classed as "self medicating" which is still pretty rare by all accounts, but is allowed.
I've just been re-plumbed with a new heart, so I'm now off the anti-coags now - if you're stuck trying to fight your corner I can lend you my XS and a few tubs a test strips to prove to the powers that be you can keep stuff in check between the hospital checks. The hospital will presume you're incompetent, as some people are when it comes to following medication rules.
It terms of impact to life-style... good luck with getting a race license... it took me a lot of grief to get my ACU Enduro license, also if your INR is high and you're not aware of it, bashing a hip / knee can be painful as you'll potentially bleed until the joint is full - I had this a couple of times in the early days...
Going on a booze bender is probably best avoided - though I have done extensive testing on this topic and INR levels have been inconsistent at best :-)
RTS
I've had one of these machines for at least 10 years (on warfarin for 30 years), the XS is excellent as the strips can be stored at room temp and are self QA checking each time.
I work away a lot, so blood tests were a complete pain... I've not had a yellow book or been to the hospital for a specific anti-coag check for years - I'm (was) classed as "self medicating" which is still pretty rare by all accounts, but is allowed.
I've just been re-plumbed with a new heart, so I'm now off the anti-coags now - if you're stuck trying to fight your corner I can lend you my XS and a few tubs a test strips to prove to the powers that be you can keep stuff in check between the hospital checks. The hospital will presume you're incompetent, as some people are when it comes to following medication rules.
It terms of impact to life-style... good luck with getting a race license... it took me a lot of grief to get my ACU Enduro license, also if your INR is high and you're not aware of it, bashing a hip / knee can be painful as you'll potentially bleed until the joint is full - I had this a couple of times in the early days...
Going on a booze bender is probably best avoided - though I have done extensive testing on this topic and INR levels have been inconsistent at best :-)
RTS
Saw a consultant at AC clinic who has finally given me the go ahead to self check INR, after doing four tests that maatch results I will be allowed to email INR reading through.
She didnt have a lot of good to say about the new NOAC stuff, altho it was with the understanding her primarey experience witht he new drugs was in stroke control.
Si I think I will be buying a Coaguchek machine very soon and then be eventually free of the balleache that is regualar INR testing at clinic.
She didnt have a lot of good to say about the new NOAC stuff, altho it was with the understanding her primarey experience witht he new drugs was in stroke control.
Si I think I will be buying a Coaguchek machine very soon and then be eventually free of the balleache that is regualar INR testing at clinic.
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