P
Perrster
Another Perfect 3.0 INR: For the third month in a row, I have nailed a perfect 3.0. Could it be that I have overcome the things that cause Coumadin irregularities or is it just dumb luck? It's most likely the latter.
I also had my Cholesterol checked again this time. Lipitor (after only 8 weeks) is doing its job:
Total Cholesterol dropped from 234 to 181
Triglycerides from 200 to 190
LDL from 156 to 101
A year's worth of Red Yeast Rice stopped working for me, so I gave-in for another ingredient in my daily medication cocktail which now includes 5 prescription drugs and a few supplements. (If I ever run out of insurance, I'm totally screwed! I guess I'm destined to work until the day I die!)
Nevertheless, I have definitely overcome my previous anal retentiveness about diet and Coumadin stuff and just try to live a normal(?), healthy life from day to day. Sure, I'm careful, but I try not to think about the Coumadin issues anymore. I feel good and I only test once every 6 weeks.
My cardiologist's office handles the tests and my nurse uses the smallest microfine butterfly needle available on the large inside vein of my wrist. This has been more pleasant than the arm and is not-painful at all. (Being close to Halloween, I enjoyed "jabbing" her with a little Dracula shaped candy.)
Relative to the recent "discussion" on the Protime/Coagucheck machines, I am sorry to say that I am a quitter. I just don't have the time (nor does my Cardiologist) to have to write more stuff so the friggin' insurance company can deny it again. Frankly, I'm happy to get out of work a couple of hours early once every six weeks and let an experienced nurse do all the work.
I hope this information is helpful to someone who is nervous about taking/testing for Coumadin. I was extremely nervous for my first few years after surgery, but feel I've now reached a stage where it has nearly become second nature and is no longer such a challenge.
My best to all.
I also had my Cholesterol checked again this time. Lipitor (after only 8 weeks) is doing its job:
Total Cholesterol dropped from 234 to 181
Triglycerides from 200 to 190
LDL from 156 to 101
A year's worth of Red Yeast Rice stopped working for me, so I gave-in for another ingredient in my daily medication cocktail which now includes 5 prescription drugs and a few supplements. (If I ever run out of insurance, I'm totally screwed! I guess I'm destined to work until the day I die!)
Nevertheless, I have definitely overcome my previous anal retentiveness about diet and Coumadin stuff and just try to live a normal(?), healthy life from day to day. Sure, I'm careful, but I try not to think about the Coumadin issues anymore. I feel good and I only test once every 6 weeks.
My cardiologist's office handles the tests and my nurse uses the smallest microfine butterfly needle available on the large inside vein of my wrist. This has been more pleasant than the arm and is not-painful at all. (Being close to Halloween, I enjoyed "jabbing" her with a little Dracula shaped candy.)
Relative to the recent "discussion" on the Protime/Coagucheck machines, I am sorry to say that I am a quitter. I just don't have the time (nor does my Cardiologist) to have to write more stuff so the friggin' insurance company can deny it again. Frankly, I'm happy to get out of work a couple of hours early once every six weeks and let an experienced nurse do all the work.
I hope this information is helpful to someone who is nervous about taking/testing for Coumadin. I was extremely nervous for my first few years after surgery, but feel I've now reached a stage where it has nearly become second nature and is no longer such a challenge.
My best to all.
