On Feb. 17, I tested at home and my INR was 3.6.
I received a new box of strips a day or two later (bought on e-Bay) and tested again on Feb. 21. My INR was 2.0.
Thinking it was due to the e-Bay strips, I retested, using the last strip from the box I got from QAS.
INR: 2.1.
Perplexed, I took an extra 2mg of warfarin for that day (for a total of 7mg). My usual dosage is 5 mg X 3 + 5.5 mg X 4.
Even though I use a 7-day Rx box, perhaps I somehow missed a dose on the day I was refilling the box.
I retested several days later and it was 3.0, which is a little lower than my usual INR. I took my INRatio with me to Beaumont TX last weekend (cat show weekend) and retested and it was still at 3.0.
Whatever the reason for the drop, it made me really appreciate the fact that I was lucky to have my own INR tester and be able to detect a drop. Of course, it went back up. However, had it not and had I been relying on going to my PCP's office every 3-4 weeks, I could have missed being able to correct a downward trend in my INR.
Finances and insurance do factor into the equation when considering an INR tester for home use. And of course there's your doctor -- PCP, cardio or whoever -- who must sign forms (at least in the U.S.) for you to purchase one.
I just thought my recent experience might be fuel for some people or an argument they can offer their doctors in persuading them to sign paperwork to get one.
I received a new box of strips a day or two later (bought on e-Bay) and tested again on Feb. 21. My INR was 2.0.
Thinking it was due to the e-Bay strips, I retested, using the last strip from the box I got from QAS.INR: 2.1.
Perplexed, I took an extra 2mg of warfarin for that day (for a total of 7mg). My usual dosage is 5 mg X 3 + 5.5 mg X 4.
Even though I use a 7-day Rx box, perhaps I somehow missed a dose on the day I was refilling the box.
I retested several days later and it was 3.0, which is a little lower than my usual INR. I took my INRatio with me to Beaumont TX last weekend (cat show weekend) and retested and it was still at 3.0.
Whatever the reason for the drop, it made me really appreciate the fact that I was lucky to have my own INR tester and be able to detect a drop. Of course, it went back up. However, had it not and had I been relying on going to my PCP's office every 3-4 weeks, I could have missed being able to correct a downward trend in my INR.
Finances and insurance do factor into the equation when considering an INR tester for home use. And of course there's your doctor -- PCP, cardio or whoever -- who must sign forms (at least in the U.S.) for you to purchase one.
I just thought my recent experience might be fuel for some people or an argument they can offer their doctors in persuading them to sign paperwork to get one.
