Has anyone been on Apixiban and referred for a colonoscopy after testing positive for blood in stool. I’m consumed with fear having had a call from my doctor saying I would be referred for a colonoscopy. Told me my FIT result was 24.8 and that referrals are made for anything over 10. She (my doctor) thinks it is likely to be the Apixiban or possibly results of an antibiotic I had to take a month ago. So sorry to be so feeble.
I live alone and anxiety takes over!
thank you x
Hallo Foxglove, you are not alone. I had a CT virtual colonoscopy last Thursday following a positive FIT test, mine was 46. I'm on Edoxoban. I haven't had the results of the scan yet but having done some research I've found that blood thinners can cause gastrointestinal bleeding so I'm trying not to worry. I do have some other symptoms, which is why I saw my GP, but again they might relate to some of the drugs that I am taking. Your result is very low and will carry a much lower risk of it being anything nasty, so try not to worry. I don't know if you are in the UK but if you were and had done the screening test, you would not have been called back for a colonoscopy as in England they look for a number over 120 (lower in Wales and Scotland 80 I think). Hopefully we are both cancer free.
Hi Borderterriorist
So kind to reply. Thank you. Yes I’m in the UK I didn’t know that about the screening test and 120
I didn’t even know that was how things were measured so was interesting.
I’ve got other gastro type problems and waiting for results of Pylori test I share your concern about blood thinners causing possible gastrointestinal bleeding and hope you are alright. At least we are being managed. I’ve been on Apixiban for years and relatively trouble free.
For info this all started when I had to go on a course of Flucloxacilin 5 weeks ago. Never again.
What was the virtual colonoscopy like? I’m very claustrophobic and hope not needed.
Wishing you well x
Sounds like the Flucloxacillin is the cause here. You have to take it on an empty stomach which is awful if you have gastric issues. I have a hiatus hernia and the last time l was prescribed Flucloxacillin, l only managed to take it for a day. The pain was unbearable. It sounds as if it has inflamed your stomach lining, causing the bleeding. I am not a medic. but have experienced the effects of this antibiotic.
A ct colonoscopy is not so invasive as the usual colonoscopy examination, so wouldn’t worry too much. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.
Chris.
Thanks Cavalierrubie and Wilson for Flucloxacillin info. I’ve had terrible burping and worst of all stomach rumbling 24/7 since. It’s been 5 or 6 weeks since taking the fluclox and thought woukd have cleared by now.
I’m waiting for a Pylori test to come back and thinking the worst about my stomach. Presumably both will be looked at at the same time. The colonoscopy date should be arriving soon and although not looking forward want to get this sorted.
I love this forum for the great help and advice it gives from friends like you. Hope you keep well and Have a lovely day. x
Gastritis can take at least 6 weeks or more to clear up so any inflammation of the stomach can take a long time. Stress on top………. Sending you hugs and well wishes.
Chris
I had Pylori years ago, and it was cured with a specific Pylori antibiotic and a massive dose of ampicillin.
Thank you another newbie
May I ask if one of your symptoms of Pylorie was strong rumbling in stomach all the time. Im consumed with all this and want the colonoscopy over x
No. I had sever bouts of UTI and diarrhoea every 12-14 days for 3 months. A variety of antibiotics had no effect so I was sent for a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy. A stomach sample was taken and tests showed Pylori.
The scanner was a doughnut type so just my abdominal area went in, I have a pacemaker but that was all OK too. The prep is fairly horrible as the day before and the day you have the colonoscopy it is clear fluids only. I felt pretty dreadful, v tired and headachy but apparently drinking Lucozade sport would have helped replace the electrolytes that I had lost. Unfortunately that wasn't on the prep sheet! I had buscopan initially and that relaxes your muscles, the dye they inject into you gives you a very weird feeling of warmth but it passes quickly and I found the rest of the procedure pain free, quite quick and absolutely no problem at all. The next day I was out with friends enjoying an art exhibition and lunch.
I had the same and was mentally preparing my funeral...fellow worrier. It was caused by .strong antibiotics for a tooth access . Try not to worry,very easy to say. I don't think your Dr helped by mentioning numbers,alarms us and isnt necessarily something sinister. Be of good cheer and I send you best wishes xx
When you go in to see your surgeon/specialist before your colonoscopy, tell him all of your medications, especially Blood Thinners. He'll tell you what the stop taking, and for how long before, and after, your procedure. Write out a list of all your tablets. Really, it's nothing to worry over once he knows.
I was called for colonoscopy following FIT test. That was cancelled at last minute as the bowel prep triggered AF, and was subsequently given CT colonography. Nothing abnormal found, traces of blood attributed to rivaroxaban, no further action.
My dad was taking Apixiban until a few weeks ago when his GP suddenly stoped it due to falling iron levels - he’s had endoscopy/colonoscopy recently to try to find where he was bleeding internally and why he kept needing iron infusions - both examinations were clear and GP thinks Apixiban is a cause - hope you get it sorted x
My husband takes Apixiban and has had numerous colonoscopy procedures done because of bowel cancer. They always tell him to stop the apixaban a couple of days before the appointment. They usually offer you a sedative before the procedure and, in my case, gas and air too. My husband refuses them though. It is a very routine procedure which they do lots and lots of so try not to worry too much.
i was recently in hospital for something unrelated to AF and suddenly had a day of blood in my urine. Last week i had a cystoscopy and the bladder was clear, I also had a FIT of 13 and in the end it was all put down to Apixaban.
This was good to know. I always have blood in urine test and Dr gives me an an antibiotic. It’s probably my Eliquis
Gastritis is really unpleasant & can drag on. I had it a few years back after overdoing ibuprofen. Soooooo much gas, stomach rumbling & pain. I found eating small amounts more regularly helped. It took over 2 months for it to start to subside.
I have been referred because of a failed FIT test of 26. Got mine next week so preparing for low fibre diet and the standard prep. A bit stressed more from a bad back. I'm on Apixaban and have to stop it two days prior to the colonoscopy. Had one before so know what to expect. I have permanent AF so will discuss use of sedatives and pain killers before the procedure to reduce any risks.
Thanks everyone for Apixiban info. Im not sure about stopping the Apixiban but understand the reason.
If the cause of bleeding is the Apixiban woukd thst mean changing the anticoagulant to prevent further issues?
btw I had an ablation in Jan 23 and touch wood no AF since. thanks again for replying x
yes I had that. After the colonoscopy it turned out to be internal haemorrhoids
Try not to worry until you have had exploration (not easy I know) x
hi Foxglove. I sympathise completely!!!!! I too , live alone and, it is not funny feeling under par with no one to confide in . Every time somrone says » WE … did this that or the other », I feel like I have been kicked. It is alright normally but , living alone and being told you need a colonoscopy is overwhelming . So I send mountains of sympathy!!!! But that said, my stomach is super sensitive to stress and some drugs. I am on Apixaban for life, have diverticulitis and RA. Suddenly stress bombarded from all sides, stomach went into rictus GP sent off poo test. Blood found !!! AF went into mega nonsense and the two week wait for fast track colonoscopy felt like a decade . I do not know of the « virtual « procedure.
But I the got into the ward and then the team took over and were super kind . They know how scared we are. Swallowing that premed is the worst bit. I take any sedation offered . I hope your procedure goes well , is over quickly and that like me , you are fine!!!! And thank full that the nhs acts SO quickly!!!
Let us know how you get on , lots of us here thinking of you!!
In the days after , do fun things for yourself, blot out those that stress you and enjoy the Spring!! Sending masses of support !!!!!!! Louise
Luludean what a reassuring ,message, as is everyone’s! The bit about living on one’s own. My friends are wonderful but unless you have what we’re going through it’s difficult to empathise!! My GP rang only yesterday with the news of colonoscopy and an hour ago I was in a shop when the hospital called!! Wanted to do pre admission. Inwardly felt sick and arranged for her to call when home which I now am! So guess won’t be long before Colonoscopy. Thank you for cheering me up. I’ll report back to you and everyone else - you’re stars!
My husband had all sorts of gastric problems and general malaise following the second dose of the Shingles jab. His GP asked for a QFIT test which came back at 17 and she said she had to refer him on the 2-week wait cancer pathway because it was over 10 but that he should not worry as cancer usually shows up over 100 or more. After a telephone appointment with the rapid response nurse, she recommended a virtual colonoscopy (my husband is 73 with other health problems) and he was told to take meds as normal apart from stopping Apixaban the night before, He had to follow a low fibre diet for 2 days with virtually nothing on the day before. He was given no sedation and they pumped him full of air and had to keep topping it up. He said it was very uncomfortable because his stomach ached. The findings were one small 5mm polyp in the lower bowel only which they then examined with a flexible sigmoidoscopy some weeks later. Again, no sedation and an enema given on the day. More air pumped in and if he had known how uncomfortable it was going to be, he would have insisted on sedation. They gave him the results at the time and this time they found 2 polyps, one 6mm and one 2mm plus 2 small haemorrhoids. Again no stopping of the Apixaban apart from the night before and now he is waiting for an OPA in May to discuss removal of the polyps which will mean he has to stop Apixaban 5 days before. If the hospital had got its act together, there was enough time to have stopped the Apixaban for the first sigmoidoscopy so they could have removed the polyps without having to go back a third time! Can't understand why this couldn't have been offered as it would save resources not to mention my husband's pain and discomfort. Hope all goes well for you
You will need to stop the apixaban the day before, I guess. You'll need to follow instructions on this.
Blood is almost always from internal piles or diverticula, made worse by the "blood thinner" (anticoagulant). Try not to worry - easier said than done, but you will almost certainly be fine.
Steve
Thanks Ppiman
Just finished Part 1 of the journey ie picking up the prep for my colonoscopy on Monday.
Im not too anxious about the procedure (well I am actually 🙃) but dreading the results. My doctor requested a Test for Pylori as well -I’ve got lots of awful burping - and worrying about that too!
At least the sun is shining in London. All the best to you
I’ve had the burping. The AF can irritate that whole region at times.
Steve
Sorry to go on Ppiman but what caused your burping, was it all the time and how was it solved. Im fixating on it being something nasty and must stop! Thank you for reading
It was at its worst in 2019 and I think the root cause was my fast atrial flutter. This reduced my heart efficiency and output and maybe that affected my diaphragm and stomach. Reduced heart output can do lots if things and none if them good.
But… it might also have been swallowed air as my anxiety back then was high. Also, I have acid reflux problems and a small hiatus hernia, so there’s another possibility. I’ll never know as doctors aren’t that interested and likely wouldn’t know either.
It just went away eventually. I can’t remember how long. Gastric and intestinal problems can, in my experience, take a long time to settle.
Feel free to ask any questions!
Steve
I take Apixiban and had similar concerns when a positive fecal test resulted in a colonoscopy and a polyp was found and deemed cancerous. Covid cancelled my op to have it removed so I had a wait in isolation until the op was rescheduled and completed successfully. In that interim, I took up drawing and painting to help the anxiety. I recommend this. From my experience, the virtual colonoscopy might demand a physical colonoscopy. The preparation is similar for both but the virtual does not demand someone to be with you after the procedure. A physical colonoscopy requires someone to take you home and stay for a time. I elected for a virtual as I was on my own, but had to go back for a physical colonoscopy which cost me time. A physical procedure is preferred by the hospital, as if a small polyp is found, it can be removed very simply. Hope this helps.
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