Home monitoring in Norway?

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netrom

netrom

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
15
Location
Oslo, Norway
Hello everyone,

I found this forum by accident a couple of weeks ago, and I think its a great resource of information! :)

I am 25 years old, and had aortic valve replacement 2 years ago. Since surgery, my INR has been up and down like a rollercoaster.

I'm not doing home monitoring today, but I would definitly like to. The problem is, i'm from norway, and home monitoring is barely heard of here :( You cant even buy the devices in any pharmacy, so I'm wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation? If so, how did you get a device? Is there any training required, or is it enough to read the manual?

Anyone else from Norway, doing home monitoring? I could really use some help.

Regards,
Morten
 
Welcome Morten,

The usual training involves reading a booklet, viewing a VCR tape (probably a DVD now), and going through a test with a Nurse via telephone (or in your Doctor's office).

It is my understanding that Home Testing is VERY Common in Germany.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Morten:

Not sure if QAS (see link at top of the page) does business outside the United States. If not, you may want to contact Hemosense (maker of the INRatio) at www.hemosense.com or Roche (maker of CoaguChek) at www.coagucheck.com.

These are the two leading INR machines in the U.S. There's also the ProTime 3, but it's slightly larger and has a built-in battery; the INRatio and CoaguChek both have replaceable batteries.

There may be other companies that offer products in Europe that I'm not aware of.
 
ISMAAP website

ISMAAP website

Hello there in Norway,
There is an excellent website, based in the EU, ISMAAP. I think the letters stand for International Society Self Monitored Anti-coagulated Patients. This site is available in many languages.
It is surpring to learn Norway, being part of the EU, is not more enlightened about home monitoring.
I thought it was only in Canada that home monitoring is firmly mired in the Jurassaic era. Hee Hee!
Good luck. If one must be anti-coagulated for life, Do It Yourself is the only method to use.
 
Thanks Lance, I will check this site out. But for your information, Norway is not part of EU :) We have been offered membership several times, but have always declined. I guess I will vote "YES to EU membership" next time if it gets my home monitoring expenses refunded, hehe :D

By the way, I just learned that coagucheck has an office right here in Oslo!
I called them and squeduled a training session on thursday. Looking forward to it :)


Morten
 
This forum works

This forum works

netrom said:
Thanks Lance, I will check this site out. But for your information, Norway is not part of EU :) We have been offered membership several times, but have always declined. I guess I will vote "YES to EU membership" next time if it gets my home monitoring expenses refunded, hehe :D

By the way, I just learned that coagucheck has an office right here in Oslo!
I called them and squeduled a training session on thursday. Looking forward to it :)


Morten
Click to expand...

Hello again,
This forum works--we both learned something. Have you found ISMAAP? There is a link about Norway.
 
Thanks for the info Brendan.

Lance; I've checked the site, and it says they are working actively to put patients in Norway on home monitoring, so thats good :)

I visited Roche's office here in Oslo today, and ended up buying the Coagucheck XS! :) I'm looking forward to using it.

Thanks for all the input everyone! :)
It is appreciated!


Morten
 
Splendid news

Splendid news

netrom said:
Thanks for the info Brendan.

Lance; I've checked the site, and it says they are working actively to put patients in Norway on home monitoring, so thats good :)

I visited Roche's office here in Oslo today, and ended up buying the Coagucheck XS! :) I'm looking forward to using it.

Thanks for all the input everyone! :)
It is appreciated!


Morten
Click to expand...

Morten,
Give yourself a good pat on the back. Home monitoring is the best gift you could have given yourself. XS is a honey of a machine--not that others aren't, it's the one I'm familiar with.
Happy testing.
Cheers
 
netrom said:
Thanks for the info Brendan.

Lance; I've checked the site, and it says they are working actively to put patients in Norway on home monitoring, so thats good :)

I visited Roche's office here in Oslo today, and ended up buying the Coagucheck XS! :) I'm looking forward to using it.

Thanks for all the input everyone! :)
It is appreciated!


Morten
Click to expand...

Congratulations Morten!

Coaguchek has been making INR Testers for some time so they 'know the game'. Several of our members have the XS machine and seem to like it.

Out of curiosity, can you tell us the Price of your unit, in U.S. Dollars?

Thanks and ENJOY!

'AL Capshaw'
 
Thanks guys,

AlCapshaw; The price converted in US$ is 1,371.75. This is based on todays currency.

I was thinking about measuring my INR every day for a couple of weeks. I think it will help me understand a pattern when it comes to the INR dropping and increasing often. What do you guys think?
 
What do I think

What do I think

netrom said:
Thanks guys,

AlCapshaw; The price converted in US$ is 1,371.75. This is based on todays currency.

I was thinking about measuring my INR every day for a couple of weeks. I think it will help me understand a pattern when it comes to the INR dropping and increasing often. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Moreton,
INR doesn't change much in less than 4 days. However if you feel that you need the practice to feel comfortable and familiarize yourself with the routine then go ahead. Otherwise I think it is a waste of strips.
 
As you, I bought my own Coagucheck xs from Roche directly.
I had to pay for it myself too, but I get the cuvettes for free
on a prescripton, it´s paid by the public healthcare. How is it in
Norway? You´re gonna love selftesting as it gives you an idea of
how you are responding to warfarin, food, (Ringnes:) etc, etc.
I selftest every week, it´s quite enough if in range. Then I test
every 12 weeks in hospital to check the levels towards a hospital
lab. It gives you much more freedom then having to go more frequent
to the clinic for blood-draws. You also feel much more in command of
your own health-situation.

Martin
 
Maybe you are right and testing once a week is ok. After all, the strips are not on a prescription here in Norway, so they are really expensive :mad:

I'll check back here with some results and my overall experience after a while


Cheers everyone!


Morten
 
Morten I suggest once a week, but hey, if your in range 90% of the time at one week, you could stretch it to two. After two it gets hairy.
 
lance said:
Moreton,
INR doesn't change much in less than 4 days. However if you feel that you need the practice to feel comfortable and familiarize yourself with the routine then go ahead. Otherwise I think it is a waste of strips.
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced that it takes 4 days for changes to show up. I AGREE that it may take 4 days for any change to be FULLY recognized, but personally, I DO NOT subscribe to the notion that nothing happens for 3 days and then suddenly (Magically), everything happens on day 4.

FWIW, I DO Believe that INR DROPS faster (when Warfarin is reduced or discontinued) than it rises (when Warfarin is increased).

MY THEORY is that Coumadin is gradually metabolized over a 4 day period. Whether that is a Linear or Non-Linear process, I have NO idea. Does anyone have any information that can substantiate that theory? ...or dispell it?

AL Lodwick, would you care to weigh in on this subject?

'AL Capshaw'
 
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