Do I? Don’t I?

[Frances123]

I am so mad and upset with myself. I am due a gastroscopy 1:15pm today and have to miss this mornings dose of Apixaban. That’s fine and have had to do that before. Sod’s Law isn’t it, I’ve just woken up in Afib. Went to get a Flecainide and noticed I had forgotten to take yesterday evenings meds. That means I haven’t had Apixaban since yesterday morning. Hospital rang yesterday with cancellation for today and assume as I was running around sorting things I forgot to take them and maybe stress of procedure has caused it, albeit I don’t feel stressed.

Now what do I do? I am assuming the procedure is fine in Afib but it’s the Apixaban I am now concerned about. I can’t ring unit until it opens at 7:45am. If they refuse to do it today who’s to say the same thing won’t happen the next time?

I had a tooth extracted 10 days ago in Afib and and Apixaban was taken 10.5 hours before and all was good.

The gastroscopy is only investigative and no biospsies taken or anything done.

I know no one can advise as to the Apixaban but any insights would be welcome…..if anyone is awake.

Thanks all.

[Paulbounce]

Hi Frances.

I'm awake! Have been since 5 am - I tend to be more switched on early mornings and work much better.

The reason I'm posting is to tell you stop your worry. It is what it is, and you getting stressed about it won't make any difference. Call the hospital at 7.45 am and see what they say.

As for having an endoscopy - it's a walk in the park. I had 100s of them (slight exaggeration there!) during my last stay in hospital and they caused me no problems at all.

Paul

[Frances123 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks Paul. I’m not worried at all about the procedure as I have had a few before (and many the other end!) I was actually very happy when hospital rang with cancellation and could get it done sooner. I have succumbed after reading posts on the subject from 2 years ago and have taken anticoagulant half an hour ago. As it’s only investigative I don’t see a problem but endoscopist may, depending on his thinking.

[Paulbounce in reply to Frances123]

Hi Frances.

Sure, let the endoscopist know what has happened and let him/her decide. Personally, I think they will go ahead.

On a much lighter note! I had one 'the other end' - it made your eyes water slightly but it wasn't too bad. You can see the whole thing on the screen in front of you - it was like watching Coronation Street up your bum🤣🤣🤣

Paul

PS. I had one 'down the throat' and inserted into my lungs. You read all these scare stories on Google about the procedure - I had a good dose of sedation and didn't feel a thing.

[Frances123 in reply to Paulbounce]

Oh well, just rung endoscopy and they have refused to do it 😢. They said it was guidelines and because it was Apixaban. I am now booked in for Thursday morning and pray and hope Afib has stopped by then. Afib has being playing up a lot since abdo surgery end of July. I did say this could keep happening so what do I do. Apparently a nurse is going to call me and talk me through it.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Frances123]

You were so lucky to get another appointment so quickly. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you, so let us know how you get on.

Jean

[Frances123 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean. All done and dusted without a hitch. I happened to have the consultant who also happens to be the head honcho in gastro. I had heard years ago he was a lovely man and people always want him. He certainly lived up to his name. He was down to earth, friendly and caring. Easy on the eyes as well and darn it I opted for sedation. Dozed off quite happily….

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Frances123]

Well there you are, it was meant to be that you had the top man. Easy on the eye too. Who knows who you may have had earlier in the week. Were the findings all ok? Jean

[Paulbounce in reply to Frances123]

Hi Frances.

At least it's only a short wait. Good luck with it and I hope you can have the procedure on Thursday👍

Paul

[Frances123 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks Paul. Yes I had it done and alls well. Please see my reply to Jean. Must let uncle Barry know as well.

[Frances123]

absolutely bl@@#y typical!! Just gone into NSR. Second shortest in 18 year history of Afib. 🙄

[Paulbounce in reply to Frances123]

Hi Frances.

S@ds law.

Paul

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

With most operations I stopped PRADAXA110 x 2 3 x 24hr days. I have had 2 operations since 2020 and the one for thyroidectomy for cancer removal I had rapid heart rate. I had 2 anaesthetists and 2 drs in the operating room.

After that the other 2 I had controlled heart rate taking CCB Diltiazem.

Anaesthetists won't let surgeon with a rapid heart rate of more than 100.

I have persistent AF.

The medical staff will monitor you before the procedure.

When they say investigation, they are still likely to take off polopyts if they see them.

That is why stopping your anti-co.agulants is asked for.

cheri JOY 75. (NZ)

[Frances123 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you. Yes I know why they stop the anticoagulant but I am not having any biopsies or polyps taken, hence my disappointment they wouldn’t do the procedure. Luckily I am having it done tomorrow morning and in NSR at the moment so all is good.

[50568789]

I went into PAF in the early hours before a gastroscopy. Still went to hospital and was fully prepped, but consultant refused to go ahead, did not want to risk. A few weeks later I had a CT version done, as the bowel cleansing is much less stressful on the body. No AF this time, and no bleeding risk, although if they had found anything requiring biopsy I would have had to try standard gastroscopy again.

[Frances123 in reply to 50568789]

Thank you. I wasn’t worried about being in PAF and having the procedure. I was worried about being in PAF and not anticoagulated. In NSR now and scheduled for tomorrow so all good.

[DawnTX]

prior to I find different doctors have different thoughts on the medication as I have gone as long as three days without prior and yet pacemaker and AV ablation I was not even stopped on it. I know one of the biggest things risk, are all different. I had no issues when I didn’t take it. I was lucky at the time. Things were quiet in my heart. I think it’s more what each of our doctors is comfortable and also if they have operated before they know what your blood loss was.

if you forget your meds, they tell you just to take it when you realize although they don’t want you doubling it up. I will be on this the rest of my life. Every doctor has told me not to forget taking them and I don’t ever want to have a stroke if I can avoid it that’s why I take it however, don’t nothing you can do. You can’t turn back time a fib or flutter will stop again you might not even have it for that reason.

hang in there it’s a roller coaster for which there is no cure but you’re gonna be OK. It’s about a year and a half since I got my pacemaker. It has been overall a really good year and a half. I’ve learned what not to be afraid of with a fib knowledge is power.

[Frances123 in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you it does seem to be down to consultant, doctor or whoever is doing the procedure. I have had it done before and didn’t have to stop anticoagulant. I’m guessing being in Afib might have been the catalyst for their decision this time.

[Tapanac]

its fine I’ve had to stop my spixaban for a few days up to three weeks at a time. Please don’t worry.

[Frances123 in reply to Tapanac]

Thank you. I’m not worried and have had a few before. As I was in Afib there was no way I was stopping Apixaban this time. I have stopped before for other surgeries and procedures in NSR and I am fine doing that then. Have been told to take Apixaban with me so I can take it straight after.

[Tapanac]

good luck. At least that’s all painless. Xxx

[Gumbie_Cat]

I have just been wondering about that, as I may need some procedures soon. Thing is though, that I am in permanent AFib, so stopping Apixaban is going to be a real worry.

It feels like Catch 22, as it’s likely that apixaban might be the cause of the raised liver enzymes in the first place.

I did have an emergency with an oesophageal tear, early in the year. I ended up off the apixaban for about five days. It was all such a nightmare that I didn’t really think about it for the first few days.