Husband has recently been prescribed Warfarin medication. How do people manage INR testing while travelling with no regular doctor and different pathology labs? We have been travelling for about a year and plan another year> Any info would be appreciated.

Hello Petmar.I am sorry that I can't help you directly.Have you tried Google with your query.I am sure that they will have an answer.I hope that other G/N's can assist you.Welcome to our Forum,you are amongst friends and a few nice nongs.lol.Cheers.Ibbo.

petmar wrote:

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Husband has recently been prescribed Warfarin medication. How do people manage INR testing while travelling with no regular doctor and different pathology labs? We have been travelling for about a year and plan another year> Any info would be appreciated.

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Check with your Dr or path lab for the appropriate paperwork to take with you. The lab or collection centre may also be able to give you details of labs in the areas you'll be visiting. Also see if you can get the results directly and if they can give you the necessary dosage adjustments without having to go through a doctor each time. Your doctor may advise delaying travel plans until the INR has stabilised, only he/she can advise you on this. I was faced with a similar situation several years ago and was able to do this.

Sincere best  wishes,

Jim

(Disclaimer...I have no medical background and I'm going on personal experience only)

 

Ditto what Jim said!

And welcome to the forum Petmar

I set out to be a nomad from Broome in 2007. To do that I had to get my medical records summarised, and the maximum amount of prescriptions allowed. When I have tests and images, the results go into my "medical records" folder, and all my history is in that folder for anyone to peruse, should the need arise. I had a condition which caused massively high blood pressure, so I have a monitor to keep an eye on it, and if it gets too high I go to see a doctor wherever I am. When the time came to get new scripts I went to a local clinic wherever I was, spoke to the Dr and they just provided new scripts. One of those is Panadiene Forte - so they have to get an authority to subscribe a maximum amount and the maximum number of repeats. It all went well until the Doctor at Atherton decided he needed to review my blood tests, and as you know the rest is hisotry. I found a great doctor in Cairns who bulk bills, there are several pathology labs to handle the tests, and medical imaging clinics as well as a big hospital to undertake more treatment. Regular tests and filling scripts for ongoing chronic health issues are fairly easily managed in all states. Even if you're under regular medical monitoring most hospitals or medical clinics can help you. There are many people travelling these days, even those who need constant oxygen for lung issues, and they cope very well. We all have to take responsibility for our health management, and it's quite easy to get medical support as you continue your travels. Safe and happy travel, and take care.

-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Saturday 16th of January 2010 12:36:47 PM

We to will be facing this issue next year and looking at purchasing our own machine - believe they are about $1000 (have spoken to GP about it) - expensive but will save having to find a hospital or GP and having to be places we don't really want to go. And the security knowing levels are OK ,as sometimes for no apparant reason the level is too high or too low - then all is OK for months. Cheers Jenny and Barry Perth