Having a Colonoscopy do I need to stop Apixaban

[gemsmum]

In just over two weeks I am having a colonoscopy do I need to stop apixaban, if so how many days before it happens, it says in my letter if I am on warfarin to let them know but doesn't mention apixaban, thanks again.

[jeanjeannie50]

It depends on what they're looking for and if they may need to remove something like polyps when they do the colonoscopy. I was told to stop my warfarin 5 days before the procedure.

All hospitals vary in what they require you to do regarding stopping anticoagulants. No matter what anyone says on here my advice to you would be to ring the department and get them to advise you. They are the people who will be carrying out the procedure and they are the only ones that can say for sure what you need to do.

Hope all goes well.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Don't ask us ask the hospital as we just don't know. Ring the department concerned on Monday and don't take no for an answer till you get to speak to somebody.

[gemsmum in reply to BobD]

Sorry for asking, just thought maybe someone on apixaban would have had a colonoscopy and could have advised me, thanks for replies.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to gemsmum]

Don't be sorry for asking, you were just trying to get a general idea.

I had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago and to begin with was told to carry on taking warfarin, but when I told them my sister was prone to polyps they told me to stop it 5 days before in case they needed to remove some from me. So you see, for me anyway, it depended on what they thought they were going to have to do and the only way you will know for sure what you should do is by telephoning and asking. That's what I did and they were really helpful.

Best wishes.

Jean

[gemsmum in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for good wishes, I am worried about what they will find but then I am a worrier which probably doesn't help my AF. I will ring Department next week.

[Barb1]

It will be a standard letter written before the NOAC's were in general use, so you will need to phone.

[MarkS]

Are you having a standard colonoscopy or a virtual one (i.e. with a CT scan)? The virtual colonoscopy seems to be the preferred option nowadays unless polyps are definitely present. It's what I had. because I was on warfarin and had had AF in the past they could not give me the relaxant which helps the muscles relax but it wasn't a real problem.

[gemsmum in reply to MarkS]

I am having a standard colonoscopy and can have it done with gas and air, nothing or something to help me relax, probably will have the relax one as I am not good with pain!!

[MarkS in reply to gemsmum]

OK but do tell them you have an irregular heart beat. It's not that bad!

[seasider18]

When I had a colonoscopy it put me back into AF after fifteen months as the probe stimulated my vagus nerve.

I was watching the screens and noticed my BP and heart rate rapidly dropping and was just thinking WHEN are they going to do something about this? At BP 40/27 and heart rate 30 bpm they noticed and panic set in. They sat me up, took my oxygen mask off and gave me water, Gellofusion was administered and .1ml of atropine given. An anaesthetist was called who then administered 1L of Hartman’s solution, an extra 3 mls of atropine and 20 mg of Boscopon .

I was there until evening when my BP and heart rates recovered. If I was in AF then as I went home I did not notice and they did not say. It was not until a day later when walking quickly up a slope that I noticed it. This was in a BMI hospital not an NHS one.