Gastroscopy and Warfarin

[AvsG]

I am getting a Gastroscopy done on 5 September to check for Coeliac Disease. I am taking Warfarin and Aspirin daily. I self test and dose with good control, my INR range is 3.5 - 4.5. My APS consultant suggested I come off Warfarin about 5 days before procedure and bridge with Fragmin. The advice given by Gastro Consultant is to keep on taking Warfarin and stay within normal range. I'm concerned about staying on Warfarin in case of bleeding when they take a biopsy. Has anyone else had this done?

I cut down on eating gluten for two and a half years and have started again. It will just be under 8 weeks of eating gluten when I get biopsy done. Is this long enough to show anything?

[MaryF Administrator]

Best of luck with all this, please be aware it is possible to have gluten intolerance without having fully blown Coeliac Disease and some people who are also on thyroid meds are unaware that gluten is one of the fillers!! MaryF

[AvsG in reply to MaryF]

Thanks Mary, I have an under active thyroid and Sjögren's syndrome so I guess gluten intolerance/Coeliac could be added to my list : )

Avril

[Manofmendip]

Hi

I've had several gastroscopies, at least one on Warfarin and others on Fragmin, which I am now on instead of Warfarin.

Dave

[AvsG in reply to Manofmendip]

Hi Dave, did you stop warfarin before the procedure? Did you have a biopsy taken?

Avril

[Manofmendip in reply to AvsG]

Hi Avril

No, I didn't stop Warfarin and I did have a biopsy taken.

Dave

[AvsG in reply to Manofmendip]

Thanks Dave : )

[Lesley61 in reply to Manofmendip]

I had one same as Dave I never stop my warfin and they took a biopsy x

[AvsG in reply to Lesley61]

That' reassuring to know Lesley61 : )

[AvsG]

Hi ApsnotFab, I emailed my Gastro consultant and he advises that I stay on warfarin. I have spoken to my APS consultants secretary as he's on holiday so hopefully he'll get back to me soon. At my appointment with him and in his letter to my GP he suggests stopping warfarin and bridging with Fragmin. I would prefer this since they will be taking a biopsy. I think it's odd that the Gastro leaflet advises people to carry on with warfarin and to stay in their normal range.

Do you inject once or twice a day and how much do you take?

Avril

[AvsG]

Yes, I think that's the best plan. I would feel safer coming off warfarin. Just hope I'm brave enough to go for the throat spray and avoid sedation! : )

My daughter had this done 2 weeks ago so we're waiting on her results. She has Type 1 Diabetes but thankfully showing no signs of APS.

[AvsG]

Hahaha! Maybe I'll go for sedation then! : )