Where are you getting your supplies?

[Protimenow]

As many of you know, I've somehow wound up with a few meters - two or three (I think) XS and an XS Pro. When I compare the results, they are always within .1 of each other. Even a meter that my doctor said a patient left in the lab 'because it was too inaccurate' gave a good test result.

As far as labs being .4 below the meter - this is within the 20% acceptable result -- so, in effect, the results are equal. If your INR is high - probably 3.5 and above, your meter loses its accuracy - the results are slightly higher than they lab result - and the error increases the higher your INR is - it's a known issue. I suspect, though, that you keep your INR around 2.5, so a .4 difference with the lab shouldn't be seen as a major issue.]

 

[pellicle]

My most recent one was 1.9 at the lab with the meters being 2.3

Plural

 

[TbirdZ2Maz]

I am pleased that I have found others with the same issues with self testing. Since 2007 I have been self testing and dosing and have had much success in managing my INR. After Ebay quit selling the strips I have been using SelfCareDepot and have been very pleased with the product and service. They even respond to my emails. I really don't want to have a service monitor my INR and am willing to pay to keep the freedom. After all these years I am better at managing my dosing that a doctor could.

 

[Chuck C]

Welcome to the forum TbirdZ2Maz!

I have been using SelfCareDepot and have been very pleased with the product and service.

Thanks for sharing this. I just checked out their website and their prices seem about what I was paying on Ebay- a little more than $5 per strip for the 24 count batch.

After all these years I am better at managing my dosing that a doctor could.

That is what I have found myself, and many others here who self manage have found this to be true as well. Just a heads up word of caution: We have 2 members on the forum who come out of the woodwork every few months and like to YELL at everyone that we are all just random internet people who don't know anything and only doctors understand INR management. So, brace yourself. But, hey, I'm just a random internet person, so what do I know?

 

[Jeff Lebowski]

After a month of waiting, I finally got Roche CoaguChek XS and strips. Now it's time to learn how to use it from Roche's YouTube channel.

 

[Chuck C]

After a month of waiting, I finally got Roche CoaguChek XS and strips. Now it's time to learn how to use it from Roche's YouTube channel.

Fantastic!

 

[3mm]

Most of the time, the lab is 0.4 less than my CoaguChek

Try a different lab? However, if it is part of the same medical network in the same area, the various "labs" may actually send all their samples to the same processing center for the actual tests to be run. There could be a lab error in collecting the blood sample, or a processing center error in running the test.

 

[pellicle]

My most recent one was 1.9 at the lab with the meters being 2.3.

well firstly I'm going to say "go with the Roche"; secondly I'm going to say "that lab seems like its a problem".

 

[pellicle]

There could be a lab error in collecting the blood sample, or a processing center error in running the test

or a failure to tune the ISI for the test reagent properly ...

 

[Lisa from LJ]

Since I haven't been on a forum in many moons (I was one of the original members of this group, but left several years ago), I wasn't aware that eBay wouldn't be selling supplies anymore. When I couldn't find anything, I feared it was going to be like my first monitor - the INRatio, which ended up recalling the strips and stopped selling to the general public practically overnight. Now I have the XS. I usually buy 24 strips and it lasts about a year. My last purchase on eBay was from Integramart, but I didn't know they had another name on their website. This time I bought my strips from diabeticstreatment.com. I know the name is confusing, but I guess they decided that there was money to be made outside of the diabetes market. I was able to use my Flexible Spending Account card and haven't been questioned or had to submit any documentation so far. They were delivered quickly and have a 5/25 expiration date so I'm happy.

 

[Chuck C]

Since I haven't been on a forum in many moons (I was one of the original members of this group, but left several years ago), I wasn't aware that eBay wouldn't be selling supplies anymore. When I couldn't find anything, I feared it was going to be like my first monitor - the INRatio, which ended up recalling the strips and stopped selling to the general public practically overnight. Now I have the XS. I usually buy 24 strips and it lasts about a year. My last purchase on eBay was from Integramart, but I didn't know they had another name on their website. This time I bought my strips from diabeticstreatment.com. I know the name is confusing, but I guess they decided that there was money to be made outside of the diabetes market. I was able to use my Flexible Spending Account card and haven't been questioned or had to submit any documentation so far. They were delivered quickly and have a 5/25 expiration date so I'm happy.

Thanks for sharing the info Lisa and welcome back to the forum.

I see that diabeticstreatment.com also sells new Coaguchek xs meters for $591:

https://www.diabeticstreatment.com/roche-diagnostics-04837975001-coaguchek-xs-meter-care-kit

 

[slc]

This thread is so helpful! I went to purchase strips on eBay today and see they aren’t available. I ordered them easily on Reliaston. Phew!
I have been self testing for years and am SO resentful of having to pay my doctor’s office for my own test plus the cost of the strips. After I meet my deductible, it costs almost $19/test plus the cost of the strip (about $5); about $25 total each time I call in my result, it adds up and I do it by myself.
As an RN, I have managed several cardiology departments and cath labs. I fully understand my INR results and make adjustments without guidance. The exception is when I need to bridge with lovenox. I don’t do that very often and work with my cardiologist on that (despite none of my cardiologists staying in town for my next annual visit.) I told them diabetics can get into a lot of trouble really quickly with their self testing of blood glucose and they aren’t beholden to pay for each test. My cardio won’t renew my coumadin if I don’t call in my results. Thanks for letting me rant. I agree it’s an evil, greedy insurance ploy. One of these days we will collectively rise up to fight these costs. I wonder if Canada has any solutions for us. Thanks again everyone for your guidance.

 

[slc]

Since I haven't been on a forum in many moons (I was one of the original members of this group, but left several years ago), I wasn't aware that eBay wouldn't be selling supplies anymore. When I couldn't find anything, I feared it was going to be like my first monitor - the INRatio, which ended up recalling the strips and stopped selling to the general public practically overnight. Now I have the XS. I usually buy 24 strips and it lasts about a year. My last purchase on eBay was from Integramart, but I didn't know they had another name on their website. This time I bought my strips from diabeticstreatment.com. I know the name is confusing, but I guess they decided that there was money to be made outside of the diabetes market. I was able to use my Flexible Spending Account card and haven't been questioned or had to submit any documentation so far. They were delivered quickly and have a 5/25 expiration date so I'm happy.

Good to know you were able to use your flexible spending account card. I tried to order strips on reliaston.com using my health savings account card and it didn’t take it. I thought Reliaston should have accepted an HSA card.

 

[Protimenow]

I bought 48 strips from Reliaston and used their discount code (I posted this in an earlier message).

You might want to find another cardiologist, but you might be able to convince your current cardiologist that you're able to do your own testing and management by showing a spreadsheet or other record that demonstrates this.

FWIW - I don't usually bridge - especially for small procedures -- after the procedure, I go back to my normal dosing schedule and my INR is back to normal in about 3 days. A few days below 2.0 don't seem like that big a risk (and I HATE Lovenox)