Am a little anxious to stop Apixaban for 5 days

[canadiananna]

I have to go in to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy and instructions say to stop taking all Blood thinners 5 days in advance. This seems like a long time to be off them and makes me anxious. Any input is welcome please.

[10gingercats]

I think I would query that with the people who gave you those instructions.I am in the uk and stopped Apixaban,upon instruction for 2 days for a hip replacement with a general anaesthetic.

[canadiananna in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks - the information was given directly from the Specialist who is doing the procedures. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow to get his opinion also.

[doodle68]

Hi Anna I agree with gingercats.

I am going to post a link to a recent study that you may find helpful.

PAUSE Study Establishes Simple Approach to Perioperative Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants

ascopost.com/issues/februar...

[doodle68 in reply to doodle68]

This to...

The 2018 European Heart Rhythm Association Practical Guide on the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation

here is the link scroll down to item number 12.

''Patients undergoing a planned invasive procedure, surgery or ablation''

academic.oup.com/eurheartj/...

[canadiananna in reply to doodle68]

thank you I will watch this.

[rosyG]

check the NICE website it lists all the types of procedures and how long before one has to stop I think your specialist is thinking of warfarin- but do check

[canadiananna]

thanks .

[Johnboy64]

Hi, I had a shoulder operation and had to be off Apixiban for 48. It was quite intrusive but maybe your op has an increased risk of bleed. I’d ask for confirmation of timing and why 5 days. All the best

[Hidden]

Suggest you click on the link below for NICE guidance. Some doctors and dentists may not be fully familiar (but I wouldn't suggest you ever say that) with DOAC's such as Apixaban and they may be inclined to err on the side of what may cause them least problems. I suggest you tactfully raise the your concerns with your GP and if he shares your concerns, ask him the best way to approach your hospital.

cks.nice.org.uk/anticoagulation-oral#!scenarioRecommendation:7

ps the link didn't seem to work but if you cut and paste to your browser it should go to the right page

[Anna1511]

I stopped them for 2 days and then the day if the endoscopy, next day re started it.

I understand you but all i can tell you its to me nothing happened

Stay positive :)))

[siouxbee19]

I was off WARFARIN for 7 days total - before, during and after Breast lump surgery. It was concerning to me, but doctor's explained it all to me, making me feel better about it. I had a DVT/PE last year, on top of AFib, so was a bit worried. It all worked out, though. Wishing you well!

[Ppiman]

This seemed relevant: gut.bmj.com/content/65/3/374

Steve

[Gain]

I understand just how you feel because I had the same anxiety when I had a recent operation to remove my gallbladder. However, I think you will find that the medical team looking after you will have it all in hand. In my case I stopped taking Apixaban in Tuesday morning and I was given an injection on Wednesday by the pre-op team and another on Friday on the morning of the operation. These injections replaced the oral medication for anti coagulation and all went very well.

Try to remember the medical team look after people on anticoagulants all the time and know how to manage it without any adverse impact on their patients.

Very best of luck, have faith and a pain free recovery. God bless.

[seasider18]

If you are in Canada the rules may be different to here.

[Jem237]

I've had a number of endoscopies since I've been taking Apixaban. The first time there was some confusion around how long to stop taking it, and after querying the advice I was given I ended up missing just three doses - that's been the same for every subsequent endoscopy. As others have said, you should query what you've been told - I think Apixaban is relatively new and some specialists aren't so familiar with it (as they might be with Warfarin). I should also say that I have persistent permanent AF (or whatever the phrase is that describes constant AF for a few years) - just wondering if that would make a difference to how much anticoagulant it would be deemed safe for me to miss - your AF might be different? Hope it gets resolved for you.

[MydogBrandy]

Hi , I came off when I had my ablation, everything was fine. Then after the op I came off all my tablets altogether. Good luck x

[canadiananna in reply to MydogBrandy]

How wonderful that you are now medication free - long may it continue!

[MydogBrandy in reply to canadiananna]

Thanks, hope you get there too. Seems strange after 18 years taking tablets to not taking any now.....but it is great.

[canadiananna]

Thank you all for all the replies. I spoke to my GP today and he assures me that what I have been told is the protocol for our Canadian system, so I will follow orders! Glad to be able to read all your input though. again thanks.