Hey, Scribe - my first question is 'how long does the clinic spread tests out?'' If they stretch them more than a week -maybe two weeks, they're putting their patients at risk. I had a clinic that, once they were certain that my INR was stable (because I self-test, and self-manage) wanted to switch my testing to once a month and, perhaps, to once every two months. This was, and is, unacceptable.
I'm glad to see that you've upgraded to the new Coag-Sense model (I know that you had the original model). The results of the two are almost identical, if not actually the same. (They couldn't get FDA approval if the new meter's results didn't match those of the original). They may not offer it now, but some distributors gave you the meter if you bought three? boxes of test strips. These would expire before you could use them up - but, conceivably, you could also sell them and reduce the cost of the meter.
I've seen the original model for sale, new, for around $100. I've seen a liquidator selling strips (often strips, transfer tubes, and a case for less than $3 a strip. I've checked with Coagusense (manufacturer of the Coag-Sense meter) and they told me that the batches were accurate - they couldn't explain the price. But the strips are good.
Doctors seem to believe that they know better how to manage anticoagulation (most don't). My last PCP was uncomfortable prescibing warfarin, and wanted me to go an anticoagulation clinic. I switched doctors. I don't know if my new PCP is as narrow minded as my previous physician.
With the exception of my new Coag-Sense meter,, and a replacement of a defective Hemosense meter, I've bought all my meters on eBay (Protime Classic, Protime 3, Coaguchek S, Coaguchek XS, Coaguchek XS Pro, Hemochron, Coag-Sense) and haven't had issues with any of hem (aside from the inaccuracy of the Hemosense, which was not the seller's fault. The reason for all the meters was my search for one that I trust with my life. I had a TIA because of inaccurate results, and I tested meters against each other, and against blood draws.
The CoaguChek XS and Coag-Sense meters both, mostly, work right. The CoaguChek XS does less well than the Coag-Sense at INRs above 3 - but for most of us whose INR is in range, this shouldn't be an issue. I validated my meter results with hospital lab (or their finger stick using a Hemochron - used in operating rooms to get results of blood tests) and both meters correlated well. In fact, in many cases, the blood draw results were almost an average of the results of the two meters.
Recently, I've encountered a lab that gave multiple errors - as high as 5.1 when my meter showed 2.9. The lab got it wrong multiple times.
I'd rather trust my meter than trust some labs.
