I bought one myself because I have a rare hypercoagulation blood disorder and my insurance would not cover it. With all the supplies and the unit it was about $1800 but it was WELL worth it. I don't have to run to the clinic every 5 minutes and I have been able to better predict my own INR levels. The unit is called a coaguchek xs and it is easy to use and I love it. They have come out with an even smaller and better unit but I don't know the name. They send someone out to train you on the unit. Good luck. Just google the name of the unit.

I own an INR machine and I don't know what I would have done without it. My mum is a nurse and purchased it for me. Before she gave it to me she tested the difference between vein blood and the INR machine, and came up with a .2 INR difference, which really isn't all that much.

You can order the same machine as me online. It's VERY easy to use and keeps a memory of all your INR results. It's called the CoaguChek XS. If you don't like ordering online speak to your doctors surgery or nearest hospital, as they could very well order it for you. Mum got my machine through her workplace, and I just went to my doctors surgery when I needed new strips and they were able to order them with their medical supplies. They're not all that cheap (looking at over $895AU, test strips and finger pricks are recurring costs), but if you'll be on coumadin for a long time it'll be worth it. Purchase it here: http://www.towers.net.au/shop.asp?id=2905&action=viewproduct. If the link doesn't take you to the item, hit 'home' and then in the top left-hand search bar type "Coaguchek XS INR Monitoring System Bundle". If you just type Coaguchek XS you'll see the cost of test strips as well.

http://www.coaguchek.com/landing/. Official website to the CoaguChek XS. Any other questions just ask :)

Oh and here's the link for the other thread that Sophie was refering to. You might find it an interesting read.

http://dailystrength.org/c/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis_DVT/forum/6085820-vein-vs-finger-prick-inr

Melani,

Here's a patient newsletter discussing Home INR Monitoring that my organization sent out in Winter 2007 that discusses their use:

http://stoptheclot.org/Newsletters/NATT_Winter_07_Newsletter_Final.pdf

A lot of the Coumadin clinics are now using these machine in lieu of the blood draw; which I'm happy about since I've been doing this since the 90's. The machines can be a little off, especially when your INR is shown as being high (3.7 or greater). A PT/INR will show you are actually lower then that. This may be a manufacturer variance and not something which other machines have problems with.

This past year, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid approved the use of Home INR testing machines for DVT patients. Here is some general information about this along with the link to the CMS article:

http://stoptheclot.org/News/article108.htm

Regards,
Tom in Connecticut

Hi all, Afte a few letters and phone calls and pointing out to them that they would be saving money by allowing me to test at home, the insurance company finally paid for my monitor and alll the supplies. I pointed out to them that they pay for a diabetic that has to be monitored for life, so what was the difference. The machine is called Coagucheck XS and they are used by a lot of Dr. offices. My Dr.checked it up against the lab and venous as well as fingerstick blood for almost 2 months before he was satisfied that it was accurate enough -only ever off by 0.1, I do know someone else who has one that has a little more varience that me -like up to 0.3 off. At any rate, my currnt PCP aloows me monitor myself, and I only need to call him if I am below 2 or above 3.5. Not had to do that yet-even survived a lovenox bridge and antibiotics on my own -was a little whacked out, but within range, and now I know how to regulate it myself. One doctor told me that they were guessing anyway, and they have lots of patiernts to think of where you only have to think of yourself. The monitoe is made bya company called ROCHE, and distributed by a company called QAS -Quality Assured Systems? Hope that helps, Blessings, Teri

I also have the Coaguchek XS machine and love it! My Dr thought it might heighten my anxiety but in reality it's put my mind more at ease. I love being able to check whenever I want. I've found that my machine is consistently .2-.4 below what the lab always reports. I had another machine and it was getting more extreme fluctuations from the lab. All I had to do was document it and call up Roche and they sent me a new one. I highly recommend anyone who's a lifer get one.

I also have a coagucheck and it eases my life so much. No more trying to get time to make it to the lab or MD office and IF I suspect that I may be too high or low I can check it myself. It gave me a peace of mind about my Coumadin that is hard to express.

I purchased mine through a distributor call... Tapestry Medical... they have all the forms on line to be downloaded and did all the foot work to get mine covered under insurance. They send a trainer (RN) to you with the machine and sent a DVD to pre-teach as well.

When you call your INR in to your doctor, do they charge you for that? Do they want to see you if your INR is out of range? Or do they just tell you over the phone how to adjust your dose?
I ask because I'm considering trying to get a home INR machine, and am running into big resistance from my doc. I'm arming myself with as much info as I can in preparation for a battle I do not intend to lose. I would like to present your experiences as well as any other support I can find.
Thanks!