Warfarin Tests at the Chemists

[Trevbet]

One hears that the new system is showing up odd readings and people are going back for Hospital testing. Hs anyone any experience.

[moonshadow]

My hubby has his test done by the practise nurse at our GP's surgery, why are people going to the local chemist or Hospital ?

[boxtops]

Moonshadow, not every GP practice has opted to run an anti-coagulation service, so some patients still have to go elsewhere. My own GP doesn't do any phlebotomy either - when I have a blood test, I have to go to the local hospital. It's up to each GP practice what services they offer.

[askyourgran]

My husband goes to the GP practice nurse for his Warfarin check every week, two weeks depending on the reading. He receives his results and how much dosage he has to take, through the post. I didn't know it could be done a the Chemist, but I think he would prefer to have it done at the Doctors' surgery.

[moonshadow]

I didn't know that boxtops, we are very fortunate then. Just to let you know askyour gran, in August a new medication called Dabigatran (brand name Pradaxa) will be available on prescription instead of Warfarin. It has less side effects with no measuring or monitoring and has shown 30% reduction in strokes in the research group. NICE have put off allowing the NHS prescribing it as it's far more expensive, but due to pressure from a number of Cardiologists they have recently allowed it's use.

[askyourgran]

That is nice to know, hope it's not going to be a post code lottery getting it, I'll tell MrAsk about it, he's doing oK on the Wafarin but the new one sounds better for long term use if there are less side effects.

[piggynose]

isn´t warfarin rat poison'

[bednobs]

yes.
some people can do finger prick tests if they are on long term stable warfarin (bit like testing for sugars) I wonder if that's what this poster means?

[mike11111]

Warfarin is used as rat poison. It thins the blood which is fatal to rats, not humans fortunately.

[mike11111]

Although I don't take Warfarin it was a very common prescription for those at risk of strokes. Because it had been used for so long it developed a reputation for being an old-fashioned remedy. I remember a dear old colleague who had been on Warfarin for years. His GP retired and the new, young replacement scorned such treatment and stopped his Warfarin. Although by then in his late 70s he was very fit and active. 6 days later he died of a massive stroke. There is a lesson here: the fact that something may have been prevalent for ages does not lessen its efficiency.

[boxtops]

I'll let my sister know about the alternative drug, moonshadow, thank you for that too - she's on Warfarin following a stroke last year. She's doing fine on it but it's always useful to know what else might be on offer.

[carlton23]

Mixed with crushed chocolate it will soon rid your loft of any squirrels also, but put a saucer of water nearby as well.

[moonshadow]

We are hoping my hubby will fare better on the new drug boxtops, as he has lost so much weight and picks at his food. Warfarin doesn't suite everyone. He has no choice but to take it as he has had a heart attack and stroke within seven weeks of each other.