On Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:31:16 +0100, Broadback
> wrote:

>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.

Same here. Perhaps not all facilities in the US have that handy
machine.
Janet US