Thursday, March 22, 2012

ANTICOAGULANT CLINIC



I frequent an anticoagulant clinic in order
to keep track of my INR.
 I take Warfarin in order to keep my blood from
clotting. Having my blood tested regularly
is a very important part of regulating my INR.

This is the sign that greets me every few weeks.
I happen to know it greets about 120 other people each day.
Sometimes more, and this isn't the only
Anticoagulant Clinic here in Boise.




PREP!


This little machine is amazing!
The Pharmacist just draws a little blood and
inserts it into this tiny machine and within
minutes we know my INR.

Here we go!



The machine is showing my INR at 3.4. That is above my range but down from two weeks ago. My range should be 2.5 to 3.00.
I take 7.5 MG of Warfarin per day, except for one day, which I half the tablet. We are still working with my diet and this dosage.
My diet limits me in some of our most nutritous foods, such as greens etc., etc.
But consistency is very important.
An INR means International Normalized Ratio which measures the time for blood to clot and compares it to an average.

This sweet Pharmacist is writing out my dosage, again, until
we can get into range of my INR.
My INR was determined after my Pulmonary Embolism.
Each person has a different range accordingly.

3 comments:

  1. An education you never wanted, huh, Karen?
    xxoooo

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  2. I am really sorry to hear of your condition. However, I am always amazed and grateful for the wonderful health care that is available. I'm so glad you have access to this facility. God bless you.

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  3. Cheri, your right, never wanted, but agree with Sandy's statement and am thankful for our health care.

    ReplyDelete