On 26/06/2013 15:38, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 26/06/2013 9:54 AM, S Viemeister wrote:
>>
>> There are some interesting new anti-coagulants now, but they're very
>> expensive, and not recommended for older patients - so warfarin is still
>> extensively prescribed.
>
>
> And it can be a PITA. I was taking it for a while after my heart
> surgery. When I was discharged from the hospital I was given a
> prescription for the pills and needles. I had to inject myself a couple
> times a day. I had to go to a lab every Monday morning before 9 am for
> a blood test. The results were forwarded to the hospital who got back to
> me about changing my dosage. I had to do the needles for a bout a week
> and was able to stop the Warfarin after a month.
I must say that in the UK, at least here, they have the checking down to
a fine art. I go to a clinic periodically, the (nurse) pricks my thumb,
take as little blood puts it into a machine which does a count down. The
associated computer prints out the new dosage and next appointment, that
is then stuck in my little book. Job done 4 minutes.