Patrick7651
Active member
So about three weeks ago I obtained my own monitor to start self testing to get a better handle on my levels. The first month or so out of the hospital my INR was all over the place from 3.7 to 2.1 with testing every week. Prior to getting my meter I was reluctant to eat any salads or drink any alcohol for fear of having an unknown change in my INR. Now with the self testing I feel much more confident and in control. I have been testing every other day (picked up a 48 test strip pack) and tracking my diet as it affects INR and adjusting accordingly. My doctor wants me to test weekly and call in my results to get my dosing guidelines, which is fine for me. The problem is my INR was fluctuating too much. Last week it dropped to 2.1 which was a little to low for my liking at this point. My doctor recommended dose was 6 mg which I had been taking through the week. Well I bumped up to 6.75 and got my reading to 2.4. Over the past five days I have stuck to the new dose and have had a stable INR at 2.4. I know when I test in two days for my call in I will have to confess that I upped my dose. I hope They don't read me the riot act, but I feel much more comfortable managing my own dose as I can react more quickly and effectively to changes. Now I am back to eating salads and having a relaxing drink after work.