Any thoughts about using self check CoaguCheck device?

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Comment by evelyn sandilands on February 8, 2011 at 20:49

My son uses the machine,finds it tricky to get blood onto the exact spot right enough & takes him all his time to come off his x-box to get it done yes he,s at that age,a teen,had it now for about 2 mths handy as it saves in hospital trips plus i think kids find it upsetting getting it took from their veins so its a good thing took me about a year to get it, a lot of huffing and puffing but finally got it off the hospital as we stayed quite far away had to wait on a list for one but so glad of it,wasted 3 slides last night trying to get the blood onto the exact spot on slide bit of a hassle but worth it !

Comment by Tracie Reynolds on November 2, 2010 at 17:24

im hoping to get a machine as some weeks im at the inr clinic 3 times a week, trying to find some help with funding roch diagnostic refered me to www.guch.org.uk to see if they can help. will let you know the respose as soon as i get one. take care all :)

Comment by liz dooley on October 3, 2010 at 17:25

we have had a coagucheck xs machine donated to mia from the childrens heart federation,so hopefully less trips to the hospital from now on !!!!!! ;)

Comment by saz123 on September 13, 2010 at 21:04

Finally I have bought this kit. Thanks Garry for the advice.
My recommended range is 2.5 - 3 and its really very hard to keep it within this range. I hardly used to eat any greens but now I have started eating regular greens on similar portion everyday.
The main reason for me buying this kit is my vain. Its very hard to get blood out of my vain and it almost takes 2 -3 tries on either hands to get the blood.
Also I would like to travel the world without getting to worry about the blood test labs.
Last week just to get the match between the lab test and the Coaguchek XS I did the test on both and found a difference as the lab result an self test. Lab showed 2.2 and machine showed 2.5. I phoned the lab and they suggested to get a average of both and increase the dose to 7mg. They also suggested that to follow the machine as its something which they trust. I can only think the difference might be due to the time of day when the blood was taken out as I took the lab test in the morning and the machine in the evening. I hope I am correct.
I am not sure if I can get the strips and the needles under prescription but I would speak to my GP with regards to the same.
But I would feel a bit more secure if I can control my own blood test as per my time and connivence.

Comment by Suzy prosser on September 13, 2010 at 19:15

Hi i have just bought the coaguchek xs it is accurate and so much better than having to go to the hospital every week. All I do now is phone my gps with my inr reading and they tell me what dose to take, amazing ! wish id bought it years ago. oh yes and my drs give me the strips on perscripion. My INR HAS NOT BEEN THIS GOOD FOR YEARS.i LOVE IT !

Comment by Gerry on September 8, 2010 at 12:56

Saz,
I also use the Roche Diagnostics Coaguchek XS machine to self monitor my INR. I am now nearly 2 years post op ( AVR Oct 2008) and have used this machine for well over a year very successfully.
A couple of things to bear in mind when considering getting your own machine;
They are expensive but it depends on your lifestyle.
What cost do you put on the price of being independent and not being continually reliant on visiting the surgery to get a conventional blood test done.
They are very convenient to take with you when you go on holiday.
You can check your INR regularly ( I tend to do mine every two to three weeks) and then just ring in the results. My surgery then ring back and leave a message so its completely hassle free. If my INR is fluctuates the surgery just ask me to check after a week but its no hassle.

Its convenient as you can check your INR yourself before visiting the dentist instead of having to physically go and get a blood test.

It does save your veins !!! A finger prick is alot more acceptable.

Do check with your doctor that you can get the lancets and the testing strips on prescription on NHS in your before you buy.

I would also say it is very very important to callibrate your personal machine with a venous blood draw a couple of times a year just to give you peace of mind that your machine is accurate. On the occasions I have done this the machine has been within 0.1 degree accuracy.You also need to know your safety range for your condition . My target is 3 but anything between 2.5 and 3.5 is okay and I have usually been in this range. I would also make sure that if you had a high reading( again you need to check with your doctor what would be considered high for you personally) that you contacted your doctor for advice as this could be dangerous. Never try altering your dose without consulting your doctor. I can now predict pretty accurately what my dosage of warfarin will be within my range but I always take the amount prescribed by the doctor.My dosage will vary between 3/4/5 and sometines 6 mg daily.
I would also say that I have had very good support and follow up from the people at Roche Diagnostics when I first started.
All in all a very worthwhile investment but it really depend on your local setup and if you access at your clinic to a finger prick test.
Gerry

Comment by Richard Deal on September 7, 2010 at 0:45

hey saz,
i use the coaguchek xs system to regulate my INR, and wouldn't have it any other way. it is definitely helpful, mostly accurate (at least the comparison readings i have had done have always been within the stated accuracies), and it is expensive - but it is a price worth paying to be my own master where INR is concerned!
hope that this helps,
r