question about cumadin

[mykidsmom2000]

my mother will be with us on our visit and has been on cumadin for 6weeks and still need frequently blood monitoring, were can i get this done done there?

 

[teri]

When we had our medical emergency in 1996 they sent us to Orlando Regional Medical Center (I am pretty sure that was the name) but that was before they opened the medical center in Celebration, Florida. Here is a link to their website, just click here --> Celebration Health

You might also call WDW Resort Special Reservations, (407) 939-7807, and ask for their recommendations.

 

[Nanajo1]

Last Nov we used the Centra Care Walk-In Medical Care. We called the number in the OKW "Keynotes". They provided complimentary transportation. They have 5 sites so they call ahead and take you to the one with the least wait. The write up stated most insurances accepted. The number is 407-239-6463. There was also a listing for in room services for non emergencies 407-238-200 for appointments.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi. Looks like you already got good advice on where you might go for testing. You might also want to talk to her doctor for any other suggestions of where to go. Sometimes doctors know of a clinic in the area you are visiting or know a doctor in that area.
I also wanted to remind you that she should get a letter from her doctor that outlines her medical history, why she is taking Coumadin (the correct spelling) and gives a little history about her previous tests/doses of medication. That information will help a doctor to interpret the tests and decide what (if any) changes to her medication are needed. The doctor in Florida might also find it helpful to talk with your mother's doctor about her care.
She should also carry something with her at all times that indicates she is on Coumadin, in case of emergency.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[lynr]

My husband's doctor put him on Lovanox shots because he said they don't require monitoring while we are away. I don't know if you would be interested in checking into that, but I must warn you they are very expensive if you don't have a prescription plan.

 

[littleducksmom]

speaking from the point of view of a nurse who ran a large anticoagulation clinic for a group of cardiologists, who had patients go on vacations and needed blood work. here are some tips:

1) VERY IMPORTANT-get the labs phone number where your lab results can be obtained by your doctor. even better get a person's name at the lab that your doctor's office can contact in case the lab results dont make it to your doctor's office. this happens frequently especially when you go to lab that you dont usually go to.

2)make sure you have your doctor's # and fax # to give to the lab.

3)please go as early in the morning to lab that you can.

4)make sure your doctor has a number to contact you at in florida or make arrangements to call in for the results later that day to your doctor.

5)going on vacation can cause your protimes to change very easily. this is due to stress or lack of it(since you are at wdw ), changes in your diet while on vacation, and even using different labs.

6)have a rx for the lab worked filled out completely by your doctor including the drg code........so that it makes the billing easier for the lab. just a rx on regular rx sheet works well.

7)IMPORTANT ALSO..........call you doctor within 24 hours if you have not gotten your results. in the best scenario(and also my preference) you would hear back before the end of the day that your blood work was drawn.


8)having had several patients that we followed who spent their winters in florida. i can say from experience that labs located in hospitals have the fastest turn around time. i would recommend a hospital lab to get your protimes drawn at. although i cant recommend a specific one in orlando.

hope this helps,
debbie

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks, littleducksmom for the very specific info. I'm sure that will help a lot.

 

[Poohnatic]

I had first hand experience with the hospital in Celebration last year (for my son), and you may want to give them a ring ahead of time to see if they'll do the prothrombin times for you. It was a top notch facility, and they billed at 2/3 less of what I expected!

I had to travel when I was on Coumadin, and my Dr. gave me the range he was shooting for with the meds. It got to the point where I could tell the lab tech how much my meds were going to be adjusted while I was being drawn!

Also, leafy greens can really skew the times (due to the vitamin K). Take them out and the times go sky high, add them back in and they go down. Something to consider in planning meals. A well meaning nurse when I was in the hospital told me absolutely No Broccoli or salads and I was then trying to figure out what I was going to eat. The surgeon (after seeing my crazy ptt's) then said to eat what I wanted and he'd adjust the meds.

I will say, that I much preferred the Heparin that I used later on. My belly didn't like it, though!

Enjoy your trip, and hopefully it will go smoothly for you and your mom!

Suzanne