Colonoscopy and apixaban.
Just been told I will be having this procedure.
I had one four years ago approx. Before my afib episode and put on apixaban.
I'm just wondering, as it's not been mentioned, will I need to stop the anticoag?
Not concerned about stopping as I've only ever had the one episode and a few ectopic hear and there, usually food related, even less now I've cut a lot out like wheat dairy etc
I also have this scheduled. I've been told to stop my edoxaban the day before.
Thanks thinking of seeing my gp about this
I had to stop 2_days before, which is standard. I had to wait 3_days to begin as I had a polyp removed. Like you, my episodes are extremely infrequent, like one every couple of years or more.
Thanks. Was not even mentioned to me even though I told him my list of meds
I had one while on warfarin with an INR of 3-4. I refused to stop warfarin as was far too dangerous for me so they did it anyway with no problems.
Think I may call my gp for clarification. Have too many other health issues to deal with anything else
That's pretty much my issue. However, I wouldn't trust my GP to make that call. It's between me and my consultant and any other medic has to deal with it and find ways round it. I know that's quite stroppy but it's not worth the risk of stroke tbh
My EP told me I didn't have to stop apixaban
Thanks for your reply. Will clear things with my gp would prefer not to have this but can't deal with the gastro side of life any more
Had this procedure 2 week's ago and stopped apixaban 48.hour's before I had to stay overnight and they gave me a heparin injection at 3am but then continued with the apixaban
I was told to stop warfarin a week beforehand but I was too concerned to be totally without anticoagulation. After discussion I was bridged with either fragmin or heparin (can't remember!)
Thanks. Deffo going to ask about this situation
I suggest you contact the colonoscopy people and they will be able to advise you. With any procedure like that there is a slight chance of perforation and being on apixaban would not help controlling the problem. Always best to get professional advice although this site is brilliant for guiding us in the right direction.
Thanks, and one of my other conditions is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with is faulty collagen. Pretty sure between multiple food allergies and that, its causing most of my issues but this got ignored in my appt
I've had two colonoscopies this year
The attitude the hospital had was if there was nothing to remove why take me off anticoagulation. So I didn't stop anticoagulation. The colonoscopy found 4 small polyps so I had another when I had to come off anticoagulation . 3 of the polyps were cut out with a cold blade and the other was cauterized.
I have Permanent AF, and was allowed to resume anticoagulation on the evening of that afternoon's procedure. Incidentally I chose not to have any sedation both times.
Oh. That's brave, I had sedation and still couldn't cope last time so they eventually stopped.
Gues I'm a bit of a wuss
I don't know the relation in "ingredients" between sedation and general anaesthetics but the last time I had a general anaesthetic my heart rate went over 200 beats per minute. It took 2.5 days for my heart to get down to its normal range which for me is between 70 and 110 bpm
Oh. Good grief.
Not sure I want to go through this.
I'm not the best of patients lol
You'll be fine. Don't worry about it. You have a pre-op appointment when they talk you through everything
Best to check with the Doctor that will be carrying out the procedure, as you can see there are mand different answers here.
Just FYI, when I had one last year I spoke to the team beforehand and they could not guarantee that the sedation would not trigger AF, so I elected to have the procedure done with no sedation.
It was not painful, and quite interesting to be alert for the procedure and able to see the images
That's good to know. Being an ex nurse I think I'm a really bad patient 😊 plus have no idea who o will see. Last time it was at spire hospital, not my local NHS one, such a better experience as staff were lovely. Do you think I could request the same doctor and hospital?
I had to stop my eliquis and use a self injectable drug for 3days prior. It was too dangerous to stop completely. Can't remember the name of the injectible but it was a drug that they have a blessing anoecdote for it.
Oh. I'm definately going to see my gp.
Also the prep would always cause palpitations even before I was diagnosed. So I drank electrolytes water during prep and that was wonderful...why hadn't I learned of that years ago?
How does that work?
Feeling panic rising already and haven't even got an appt yet 😢
The prep just makes you have diarrhea to clean you out in preparation for the colonoscopy. That can cause dehydration. And dehydration is very bad on my AFib. I was told dehydration was a common concern for anyone with AFib so I had been cautious all Summer so as to not get dehydrated. Now when the colonoscopy was scheduled,I knew dehydration happens. My insurance nurse suggested gaterade to drink during the prep but I wasn't too excited about all that sugar. So it was suggested that electrolyte water (I used brand name Propel - but that was brand available around here). So even though the prep caused diarrhea and dehydration, the electrolyte water helped the palpitations allot.
Oh. Thanks for explaining. Will have a look for something like that in advance
Just Google and coconut water has electrolytes in. I'm happy with that as not keen on energy drinks and have never really used things like that
I discussed my concerns with my gastroenterologist about discontinuing Pradaxa prior to my recent colonoscopy. He agreed to let me continue Pradaxa. The procedure went well and he removed 2 small polyps. I had no problems at all. He did tell me, however, that if he had found a large polyp that needed removal, I would have to have the procedure repeated and would not be able to take Pradaxa.
Oh. I hope all goes well for you
Yes you will be asked stop you Coag. I had it done approx a month ago and stopped my Warfarin 3 days before. Good luck.
Thankyou
Whenever I have an invasive procedure of any sort I always ask the health professional in charge about Apixaban. Usually they are clued up on what to do, but if unsure they contact my EP or cardiologist- which is as it should be. There is also normally written advice with most operations and procedures regarding anticoagulants. I wouldn’t bother with a GP.
Thankyou. Don't honestly trust the hospital, have had bad experiences before for both myself and my daughter
Oh. That's useful to know. I'd rather prefer to say with the single episode
By far the worst bit of a colonoscopy, (and I had both of mine without sedation, nor gas and air), is the laxative. Movieprep caused me no problems. I drank extra water, but the diarrhoea is far worse than the colonoscopy.
When I asked my EP about having a colonoscopy (I've had polyps removed in the past), he said that I should stop the Eliqus (apixaban) three days in advance. Apparently it leaves your system very quickly.
He also mentioned to be aware of dehydration and to keep my electrolytes up with a drink that contains them as part of the prep.
It is always a good idea for your cardiologist/EP to coordinate with whomever is performing the colonoscopy. Be prepared to provide contact info to both sides and make sure they connect in advance of your procedure.
Best of luck!
Thankyou
Yes usually you have to stop apixaban at least 24 hours before hand depending on the hospital they sometimes say 48 hours. This should all be done on your pre-procedure appointment with a nurse - some hospitals do this over the phone.
For life ?
Irregular heartbeat after AF episode 
