advice for coming off meds, before endoscopy procedure.

[Maidenhead1]

Firstly HNY everyone!

I had HA & 5 stents fitted 7 months ago. I now have an appointment to have a endoscopy procedure this week& have been told to come off the two blood thinners I’m on. Plavex & asprin, for one week, which I’m afraid to do.

I’ve tried getting in touch with the gastroenterologist, even the clinic are finding it impossible. Contacted my GP on Friday, he said he couldn’t call it. So I’m trying to find out if it’s safe to come off the meds, or has anyone on the forum done this to have the procedure.

I’m having this procedure done privately, as I’m still suffering with chest & back pain, & now going the gastric route.

Sorry for this long episode. 🙂

[Clerkenweller]

ive had the same procedure 3 times. The advice is safe and must be followed.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning.....I would think if this is hospital advice it is safe to follow for a short period of time. Maybe they carry on working for a few days in your system....I don't know. So frustrating not being able to talk to your GP. How about giving the BHF nurses a call....they are very efficient and knowledgeable. Or if not, phone the endoscopy unit. If the instruction has been directed by them they should be able to answer your question....or ....the cardiac team. Just suggestions and I hope you get an answer so that this is not such a worry for you x

[Hidden]

Blood thinning medication is prescribed long term for hearties to reduce their overall risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, whereas stopping the meds for a few days will certainly increase the risk temporarily it is, in my view, extremely unlikely to result in a catastrophic event occurring, although there is no guarantee of that. You have been advised to stop your meds by the endoscopy team for good reason, and if you continue to take your meds you may be exposing yourself to a bigger risk of a different kind if the procedure goes ahead, although the endoscopy team may decide it cannot go ahead on the day because you have not followed their instructions, and indeed since it is private health care you are dealing with you may be billed for the cancellation. I have had several invasive procedures since taking blood thinners and every time have been told to temporarily stop and so just embrace the instruction as part of the risks of going ahead.

[richard_jw]

You appear to be on dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidogrel).

I am not a doctor, but this article appears to define the regime you have been asked to follow temporarily.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

If you can run it past a doctor, that might help you

[Maidenhead1 in reply to richard_jw]

thanks for getting back to me. Unfortunately I cannot get in touch with the gastroenterologist, my GP is not very happy about coming off the two blood thinners, it’s NY Day not a good time to get an answer.

[Rogo23]

Hi I have been for two endos and a colonoscopy, and I had a cabgx4 eighteen months before the procedure.On all three occasions I was told to stop the thinners (aspirin and colopy d) because the risk of a bleed during the procedure is far greater than the long-term risk from the hart, it's a short term balance of risks.

If they think that sticking a tube down your throat is important, they will have considered the other problems and decided that the endoscopy is the most important issue.

It's only short term in my case five days, then endoscopy and take my meds as usual the next day.

Endoscopy is a common procedure and they have figured out how to reduce the risks involved, blood thinners add to the risks so they say stop for a short while.

Best wishes and happy new year.

Dan

[Hatchjd]

i had 2 stents in 2019 and have major GYN surgery later this month and have been told to continue the aspirin and take my beta blocker the am of surgery.

[Enwau in reply to Hatchjd]

I am having a gastroscopy and have been told to stop the Rivaroxaban the day before but continue with the Clopidogrel. I am concerned that I haven’t been told to come off the Copidogrel. I have questioned the decision but still not convinced. Any thoughts from anybody?

[Maidenhead1]

In the end Enwau, I came off the aspirin and stayed on the Clopidogrel, and all went ok, the gastroenterologist informed me before the procedure, that I could have stayed on both meds!!