PT/INR selftesting machines vs. local doctor / clinic when travelling
 

Just wondering if anybody has had positive or negative experiences using self-testing machines for checking INR when travelling. I'm on warfarin (aka Coumadin) after a pulmonary embolism but have been given ok for long-haul travel again subject to various restrictions from my anti-coagulation team - one of which is getting my INR checked after a long-haul flight (and again before the return)

As my next trip takes me to Hong Kong, China and Japan I've been trying to work out what makes most sense - going to a local doctor / clinic is one option, and should be fairly easy in Hong Kong at least (have emailed the private firm that runs medical centre in HKIA, I'm a former customer of theirs when severe food poisoning hit me on a flight from BKK a few years back!), but obviously a bit of a pain if schedules change, language etc.

Other option is a self check machine, not cheap, but certain offerings appear to be well regarded, and would free me from trying to schedule appointments from several thousand miles away! (I also have one eye on the long-term as I usually take 3-4 long haul trips a year)

To be clear, machine would be a "first line of defence", if my INR was marginal I'd head to a doctor for a professional test ASAP

Thanks

A friend's husband just used one for the first time a few weeks ago. I think he had a good experience with it. I don't know if they "borrowed" one or purchased one though.