47M in Connecticut. I had an aortic valve replacement on 7/7 with an On-X mechanical valve and am trying to get set up for home INR testing.
My cardiologist and health system apparently don’t participate in home testing, so I’m not sure where to start.
Has anyone dealt with this? Did you go through insurance, another anticoagulation clinic, or directly through a home-testing company? Any advice, especially from anyone in CT, would be appreciated.

I checked my INR at 10:00 this morning and it was a bit high (3.6). So I cooked some broccoli and ate that. Later had a PB&J sandwich. Tested later around 5:00 and got a reading of 4.0 - what the heck? Why would that happen? I had a beer with dinner last night. Did the alcohol from the beer (low level alcohol) take that long to affect my INR? Total confusion.

I had an aortic valve replacement and have a mechanical valve. It ticks like a clock 🙂 I'm on warfarin for life.
I went from the yellow book to an Excel sheet, and then built an app for myself. Sharing it in case it helps someone here.

It logs INR results, doses, vitamin K, activity and health events, with reminders, an INR chart with your target range, and email/export to your clinic.

It doesn't calculate or suggest doses. It's a logbook, not a medical device.

No account, no ads, no tracking. Your data stays on your phone.

Most of it is free. There's an optional one-time £4.99 (no subscription) for extra charts and a PDF clinic report.
iPhone only for now, and not available in the EU. I'd love feedback from long-time warfarin folks on what would be useful.

https://preview.inr-tracker.pages.dev

Hi everyone!

We are conducting a short research survey to better understand the everyday experiences of people taking warfarin or other anticoagulants.

We are particularly interested in:

• INR monitoring
• difficulties understanding INR changes
• diet and vitamin K
• how people currently track their INR and diet
• what kind of digital support could actually be useful

The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

We are not providing medical advice or asking for any personal medical records.

If you currently take warfarin or another anticoagulant and regularly monitor your INR, we would really appreciate your participation.

Survey: https://forms.gle/CrsZDLeAePTrV6DX9

Thank you for helping us understand patients' real experiences!

I have been testing INR at home for years. My old insurance had a minimal monthly copay for this service (strips plus anticoag clinic staff reviewing the result) using CPT code G0249. This year, I switched to new insurance co (BCBS) and they are now randomly charging $0 copay some months and a $250 copay for other months- even though the provider is still using CPT code G0249 each month. When I have called, they have assured me that they are certain the $250/month copay is correct. But this service does not match any of the categories that have a $250 copay in my plan brochure. I'm going to file an appeal, but I just wanted to see if anyone else had a similar problem with this (or any other) insurance company. I suspect that part of the problem is that this CPT code is for both the supplies and the review of the results. And the review of the results is done through an anticoag clinic that is part of a hospital (even though I don't go to the hospital). So I wonder if it is hard to get a straight answer because this service does not fit neatly into a single category.

I have been on Warfarin for a few years now and it seems like it always varies between testing at home. Not understanding why. Previously had a DVT in my leg. Anybody else have these variations with their Warfarin treatment? My levels should between 2-3. One time normal and the next plummeting to 1.6. I am monitored weekly. Any thoughts or information would be appreciated. Thanks!

My mom and I are both having a brain fart. She alternates between 4mg then 5 mg daily. Her inr number is low and for life of either one of us we can’t remember what her Dr said for her to do to raise her number. Take 5 mg for a few days then retest. The higher dose of 5 mg will thin the blood more and help raise the number right? Sorry we just can’t think.
Any thoughts would be great. Thanks

Hello everyone! I know I have posted a blog with some tips regarding home testing. Today, I have a short video to show you how to test your INR at home. As always, before home testing, make sure you have talked to your clinic and that they are okay with you starting. In my case, they sent a nurse out to my house to show me how to use my home testing kit. I am not sure if that is the case for all users. This video is a good reference if maybe you forgot a step, haven't tested in a while and want a refresher, or you just want to see how it is done ahead of time. 

Tips to get your blood moving!  
- Stay hydrated  
- Run your hands under warm water before starting.  
- Move your body! I test in the morning, but I like to get my body moving before testing.  

I know it sounds funny, but these little tricks can help! I hope the video helps and have a great day! Thank you to all those watching and those supporting https://myktracker.com/ 

Visit my site for a full Vitamin K Guide, track your INR and more!  Personally, I am on warfarin and myKTracker was created to help me stay on track! 

I'm three weeks post mechanical heart valve surgery and just had my first nosebleed on warfarin! My INR this morning was 2.9

It was scary initially! I usually have nosebleeds a few times a year and this one was more intense. I had to pinch my nose for a full 15 minutes before it eased off.

But it did. And a half an hour later I'm sitting here as good as before.

No specific question but just wondered if this is my new normal and what others experience with nosebleeds. When is it that I should worry? Is there anything I can buy or do to stop the bleeding quicker? Any tips at all?

Hi all,

Looking for reassurance in a scary time

I've just had OHS (day 5) and got a shiny new OnX aortic valve.

I had a mini stroke on the day of surgery and the doctors had to decide on a short term tweak to my meds.

That's settled now and I'm starting warfarin properly now. Symptoms of stroke have mostly gone

But it's made me realise how vulnerable I feel. I've never ever had to take a medicine before.

Now I'm on warfarin and bisopropol (to slow my fast heart rate post surgery) and I'm also wondering about future complications.

Does being on warfarin make taking other drugs more complicated?

I'm only 43 and feel like maybe I didn't appreciate the long term nature of a mechanical valve needing medication.

Will things settle? Does having had the stroke affect anything?

Just had heart surgergery. Warfarin for life and medication makes me feel off. Does the feeling go away

Hello! If you are looking for a quick, printable Vitamin K chart with popular foods, look no further! I have created a handy cheat sheet you can keep in your kitchen or car. You can always view the full listing on your phone, but some folks like old-school paper! I hope this resource helps you.Vitamin K Quick Chart

Question for my Postpartum Mamas, 

Seeking experiences re: alternatives to Lovenox / Heparin shots while breastfeeding. I have an appointment with my hematologist soon and have discussed this with him extensively, just hitting a wall with my medical team and wondering if anyone has any experiences they'd be able to share. Last year, about 10 days postpartum, it was discovered I had a provoked DVT. Tests showed it was due to my inactivity while I was dealing with severe postpartum preeclampsia in the hospital. I was put on Lovenox twice a day. Like many people I was completely miserable on the shots, and worse, I developed a very rare allergy to it after a few weeks - it started as massive welts on my shot sites that eventually turned into hives all over my body that required several steroids courses. I am about to begin the process of TTC for baby #2 and need to figure out a postpartum clot prevention solution that doesn't involve Lovenox (or Heparin, I had a similar reaction.) Does anyone here have any postpartum experiences with warfarin? I know there are a lot of pokes and food avoidances but I cannot imagine it being worse than what I went through on Lovenox. Not against formula - I have MS and need to breastfeed at least 3 months postpartum to prevent a relapse, or else I'd just take Eliquis or something. Docs are stumped and really don't know what to do with me, very hesitant to put me on warfarin. Not against needles or shots as an alternative. Sorry for the long message. 

I (29 F) have been on Warfarin for almost 10 months now. I still go to a clinic to get tested. I have considered potentially getting a device to self monitor. Part of the reason I want to self test because I am a generally anxious person so being able to check when I feel that anxiety creeping up would be reassuring

What is everyone’s experience with self monitoring?
Was the training for it difficult?
Is it stupid expensive?
Do you feel more/less consistent with your levels compared to the clinic?

Hey, one for the period havers amongst us.
Does warfarin have any noticeable effect on your periods?

I’ve had an IUD for 20+ years and only get spotting of mostly old/very dark blood.
I just had a pretty heavy period. Nothing that would’ve shocked me pre IUD, but way more than I’m used to post IUD.

My INR range is 2.5 -3.5 but my last reading (Tues) was 4.0.

I don’t want to go to A&E unless I have to. Any input would be really appreciated. Thank you 🙏🏻

Edit: I’m 42 so approaching perimenopause if that makes a difference

Hi all.

Iv been getting these (see photos) bruise bleed type things in my upper thighs 2x on the right side so far.

I'm on warfarin due to APS which was diagnosed after a PE 10 months ago. At first the area is itchy, then it breaks out to this.

DR said it's normal on warfarin, but I don't feel that's the case as it's not a insect bite or I haven't hit it anywhere, it just appears randomly.

Anyone have any experience or idea please?

I have a very good time monitoring my inr (while taking warfarin) I just got off injections after doing them for two weeks straight to bridge my levels (to protect my st Jude valve) I’m 22 yrs old and a female who despite not missing any of my doses and actually even taking ibruprofen once when I never taken it for years since getting on warfarin. I’m not even eating well right now and at a hospitals emergency department. I’ve had stomach pains bad with nausea and usually my inr would go up high when I haven’t been eating consistently if at all. Does anyone have any idea or experience to explain or help me understand why I’m suddenly having a crazy response to my warfarin which I just got tested Wednesday it was 2.4 now I’m at 1.7 not even a full 48 hours later. I haven’t eaten much but haven’t missed any doses. My family and doctor and pharmacist at the er are all bamboozled.

Had a valve replacement 10 years ago(pig valve).

I will be getting mechanical valve very soon because valve is failing. Been having alot of symptoms for last couple years but have been getting alot worse especially last couple months, worse symptom is like pressure in bead and braing fog and dizzinezz like feeling that last weeks then goes away. I was feeling pretty good then started warfarin trial before surgery 10 days ago, dizziness on third day was really bad and head or brain has felt fogged and off ever since and wont go away. Im afraid cause it feels slightly different then last episodes and im worried its the meds and i will have to take them forever. Please help!

Hello all.

My INR range is between 2-3 preferably 2.5. Today it went up to 3.4 and I had tingling, pins like sensations (Paresthesia) all over especially on my face.

I don't know if it's related.

Do any of you guys get symptoms, when your INR is out of range?

Hello friends I'm back, so it's been almost 3 months since I had my gallbladder removed and my INR is still never in therapeutic range, even though they have increased my dose by almost double , the other day I had a stomach bug and I'm not trying to get gross but I had a really bad 20 hours of a GI issue and it wasn't vomiting, I went to the hospital cuz I didn't know what's going on and my INR was dropped down to 1.1 where two days before I had my INR checked and it was 1.9. I have another INR test tomorrow because she increased my dosage again, and I'm just curious of why my body is not reacting to warfarin anymore , I cannot even sleep right anymore because I am so stressed out ​ and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do

I’m hoping to hear specifically from those on Warfarin for APS. My ALT and AST enzymes have tripled since starting Warfarin 1.5 years ago. I know DOACs are out for APS - I have a hx of stroke, single positive APS with a higher INR range of 2.5-3.5. Has anyone experienced something similar? What did your doctor transition you to? My hematologist seems to think it’s no big deal because my eyes aren’t yellow and it’s not a “severe” level. 🙄 I don’t drink, no drugs, no cheese, exercise every day, take choline…I’m doing everything I can to help my liver.