AFib and colonoscopy

[lms0006]

In constant AFib...needing a colonosopy and on Coumadin...worried about holdi g it 3 days...cardiologist says ok...any thoughts?

[PJR1949]

I’m not sure if this is at all helpful but it may be reassuring to be told that I have afib, take anticoagulants and had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago without any problems. I think that if you have been told you need one and if your cardiologist/ EP is in the loop, then it would seem to me to be sensible to try not to worry about it. Take care. Penny

[Maggimunro in reply to PJR1949]

Absolutely agree with you. I am on Apixiban and had a successful colonoscopy 2 years ago and simply didn’t take it the morning of the procedure.

[Hidden]

I had one a couple of years ago. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting.

I spoke to the doctor just before the procedure and he couldn't guarantee that the sedation would not trigger AF so I decided to go ahead without.

It was an odd sensation but not painful.

Worst part was taking the bowel prep the day before 🤢

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Mirrored my husband’s experience last year.

[Maggimunro in reply to Hidden]

Yep, the prep is horrid. However I had the pain relief and the sedation. No problems at all.

[irene75359]

I asked for bridging (may have been fragmin or heparin) when I had a colonoscopy. Sometimes polyps are removed during the procedure which is why some (but not all!) doctors prefer patients to stop anti-coagulants.

[Maggimunro in reply to irene75359]

I had a polyp removed but no subsequent bleeding. I just didn’t take my Apixiban the morning of the procedure.

[R1100S1]

Shouldn’t worry too much

I had to come off anticoagulant for 3 days

They then removed most of pancreas, my duodenum, gallbladder and bile ducts etc.

Back on hospital anticoagulant for nearly 5 weeks before release from hospital and Bach on my own (Rivaroxiban)

AF no worse during the treatment

Keep safe

[Buffafly]

It is possible to have a CT colonoscopy (I have) but I don’t think it is as good as a physical one and if they find a little polyp or something that needs testing you would have to have it all over again, also probably more costly in the US? So I would take PJs good advice 💜

[JudyMarieC]

I think it depends on the doctor doing the colonoscopy. Mine agreed to let me continue on Pradaxa when we talked prior to the colonoscopy. I opted not to take my morning dose on the day of my procedure. I had 2 polyps removed and had no problems at all.

[Paulbounce]

I've had two colonoscopies - both before I was in afib (and before I was on med's). The first one found a small polyp which was 'hyperplastic' ie non cancerous and the doc whipped it out. The second one was fine and no problems.

Would I have problem having another, if needed, being on Pradaxia ? None at all. Follow your doc's advice and I'm sure you'll be fine.

The worst bit was the stuff to make you clear your bowels before hand. Two days on the loo made my eyes water!

That's another tale entirely. On a serious note to the OP - I think you'll be ok by following your doc's advise. If your cardio says you'll be ok then I'm sure you don't need to worry.

Paul

[Tapanac]

I had a colonoscopy last October and I just stopped my apixaban on the morning do the procedure. I did not have to take the prep before as a nurse gave me an enema just before the procedure. Think I would have preferred the prep as I’m sure the nurse who did it hadn’t a clue....... no problems with the apixaban and the colonoscopy was easy. Good luck

[Buffafly in reply to Tapanac]

Believe me, you wouldn’t 🤢😖😱

[Tapanac in reply to Buffafly]

Weeellll put it this way. I’ve had the pre-prep quite a few times and yes true didn’t want to leave the bathroom (just in case), but when I had the enema I believe the nurse who did it must have been a learner. She just didn’t know where to put it (???!!!)(pain). Then with no bowl or anything And the toilet was quite a way at the other side of a big room. She walked out of the room just saying keep it in for half hour - no way could I. She never came back, it was awful. I had to climb off the bed highly embarrassed at the mess and go searching the drawers/cupboards cleaning up, still leaking. SO SORRY TOO MUCH INFORMATION, so the prep in my circumstances was better.

Despite all of that thankfully during that time and the colonoscopy Afib behaved.

[Buffafly in reply to Tapanac]

I see what you mean 😬 I’ve noticed nurses and docs don’t care about your embarrassment at all, I suppose because bodily fluids are just part of the job (managed to resist the suitable emoji).

[Desanthony]

No problem at all. I was on apixaban when I had a colonoscopy and was told not to take my tablets for 24 hours before. I had the procedure early morning so stopped the morning before. As for afterwards it depends if they take biopsies - ie cutting out tiny pieces of any polyps etc to examine under a microscope or decide to go ahead and cut out any polyps found and sometimes tell you to not continue with the tablets until the next day. Though I think generally now they cauterise the little wounds left to avoid any problems with bleeding. Just go with what they say and follow instructions and you will be fine. Also if you have any problems after the procedure to let the hospital know. I was given a number to call during the day and afterhours if I was worried about anything.

[Thomas45]

I had 2 colonoscopies last year. The first was diagnostic, so I didn't need to stop taking Warfarin, to see if I had any polyps. The second meant coming off Warfarin to remove 4 polyps. I have had permanent AF, 24/7, for over four years.

I chose not to have sedation or Entonox for the procedures. On the second occasion I went back on Warfarin about five hours after the procedure. The worst part was the Moviprep. It was fascinating to see how the colon looks like a long moving mould for Toblerone.

[john-boy-92]

I have atrial flutter, I had a stroke four years ago, I'm on surveillance for prostate cancer and, I take Pradaxa. My colonoscopy will be on 24 June with staff in full PPE. I have a timetable from the team on when to stop and restart taking Pradaxa. Even with the short half life of Pradaxa, the greater risk for me is picking up COVID-19 in hospital. You've discussed it with the Cardiologist, I suggest talking to the clonoscopy team as well.