Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) - SAY NO to Home INR and Finger Stick Machines!!

I recently purchased a self testing device called CoaguChek XS. It is
manufactured by Roche and I purchased it via Tapestry Medical in Livermore,
California.

I was so excited to finally convince my doctor to give me a prescription for
the device. Even though I had to pay for it myself (it cost $2300 and my
health plan would not pay for it), I thought it would help me to regulate my
INR.

My doctor suggested that I continue getting vein draws at the lab while I'm
also testing at home for a while to verify the reliability of the machine.
The first time I tested last week the difference between the lab draw and
the self test (conducted within 30 minutes of each other) was only 0.3 so I
was highly encouraged.

Unfortunately, a week later and the second time I tested, the CoguChek said
my INR was 4.3 but the vein draw said only 3.5. For me this is a
significant difference because at 4.3 my meds are reduced but at 3.5 I stay
at the same dosages until the next test.

I called Roche and expressed my concerns about the reliabilty of the
machine. They told me that at higher INRs (above 4.0) the machine becomes
less reliable. They also told me that the machine doesn't work very well
for people with Antiphospholipid Antibodies because these same antibodies
are on the test strips! She said that especially when someone with APS is
having a flare up the machine may not work well due to the high level of
antibodies in the blood.

I feel like I wasted $2300 and I think the company should have told me that
the machine doesn't work well for people with APS. I'm frustrated with
myself for making this purchase without doing more research.

I'm sharing this with all of you in hopes that I'll be able to prevent
someone else from wasting their hard-earned money.

By the way, I'm asking the company for a full refund and if they refuse I am
going to file a claim in Small Claims Court.

- Jeanette in California

Originally posted on APLSUK (registration required) http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/APLSUK/message/49519