Biopsy and Apixaban - do I need to miss a dose?

[Buffafly]

This is probably a stupid question but I really need to know! I am booked for an urgent appointment for a biopsy of a skin lesion - 2.30 pm over an hour's drive away. My letter says nothing except 'turn up here at 2.30'. My worry is that I'm sent away because of the anticoagulation and my husband and I will both have a melt down for different reasons 😠😨 . So I'm wondering if I should skip the morning dose to be on the safe side, or am I being ridiculous? I suspect this thing has a good blood supply (rather not explain further) and it is too big to totally remove without real surgery. Yes, I'm panicking 😱

[Finvola]

Is there someone where you are due to have the procedure who would be well enough informed to answer your query by phone, Buffafly? They are bound to have had experience with other patients on anticoagulants.

Best wishes

[Buffafly in reply to Finvola]

Tried that, got Outpatients who said they had no idea, carry on as normal and if they can't do it tomorrow they'll arrange another appointment 😬 I should have thought of this sooner.....

[Finvola in reply to Buffafly]

😩😡

[Hidden]

No link available but the BSDS have a download on this. For a very vascular lesion, I expect the dermatologist will want you to miss two doses.

I'm guessing you have rung him by now 🤔

[Buffafly in reply to Hidden]

Not a dermatologist actually, as I said, I'm in the dark at the mo.

[Buffafly in reply to Hidden]

Thanks anyway, decided to miss one dose and have an almighty tantrum if told to rebook.

[BobD Volunteer]

The normal DOAC advice is two doses I believe but please call the centre where it is bening done and explain.

[Buffafly in reply to BobD]

I did but got Outpatients receptionist who asked a nurse who said they can't answer that. If I had thought of it earlier I would have said they must find someone who can, silly me.

[jennydog]

I had to have a lumbar puncture earlier this year. It was delayed for 24 hrs so that I could miss 2 doses of dabigatran. I was absolutely furious that I hadn't been told that this was necessary. This is minor on the possible blood loss front when compared to a biopsy.

[Buffafly in reply to jennydog]

I believe it is very dangerous to have any spinal procedure while taking an anticoagulant - I think it is in the leaflet!

[Vonnieruth]

Hope all goes well Buffafly and you have procedure done Sometimes our worry makes us forget questions to ask

[wilsond]

Hope you get it done ok, surely the person who saw you had your notes with them and could have seen your meds list? Quandary for you.best wishes

[Buffafly in reply to wilsond]

Thanks, not 'seen' anyone yet. I have a worrying mystery skin lump but there is no dermatologist in the area so my GP has decided the only thing she can do is send me for a biopsy and so I am travelling to have one today - unless the person I see knows what it is?

[Hidden]

I agree that the person who has sent you would be my port of call as they will have taken your meds into consideration.

Not all ops/procedures want you to stop anything but it is usually the anticoagulant that is stopped for a couple of days. However my EP has told me to take my Riveroxyban as normal when I go in for my ablation in a couple of weeks.