Has any one had a uterine biopsy while on plavix and warfarin? I am awaiting my hemotologist's answer to if I need to bridge for a uterine biopsy and am getting impatient, it has only been twenty minutes but my anxiety is spiking cause I hate the heperin shots and I was really hoping my other tests were going to rule out the need to biopsy but as has been the case the last year no tests turn out to rule out serious things and every test keeps leading to yet another serious issue. Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Roarah
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I’ve had a uterine biopsy at the same time as insertion of a mirena coil and I was kept fully anticoagulated but my aspirin was stopped a week prior for the procedure and it went without issue.
However, I was put under a full general anaesthetic which was the Doctors decision so he had full control of the situation (I wasn’t complaining!)
I’ve since had a hysterectomy that I was obviously bridged for. Thankfully them days are behind me.
Thank you I like the idea of fully under not sure if they will consider that but imitate pm asking about that as an option. My GYn wants to defer to hemotologist. Glad yours has resolved. I am most likely just finishing up but my fsh, LH and endometrial lining are all higher than they like to see with perimenapausal irregular bleeding.
Yes my gynaecologist ensured he took full advice from my haematologist and it was a very well planned procedure.
I guess we all have slightly different circumstances and reasons why they choose certain options and roots.
I run a very high inr of 3.5-4.5 as I have had a spinal cord infarct, TIAs and other neurological symptoms that appear as my inr lowers so they found this the safest option for me as they didn’t want any further damage to my CNS. I’m known to have problems when I’m 3.4 and lower.
What is your INR target? It may also depend on the reason for the procedure as well. I had no issues other than severe bleeding from being on warfarin so it was a very catch 22 situation!
As you may have guessed my biopsy was clear and my IUD failed (twice!) which is why I ended up with a hysterectomy.
I am target of 2 to 3 and have been 2.5 for two months now. I had two strokes last fall and had a pfo closure so need an antiplatelet thus the plavix. I went five months without a period last year then had irregular bleeding but resumed periods. I was menstruating when I had my strokes. Then stopped for 8 months until end of may . Now have spotting and one real period. But my fsh is over 30 and my uterine lining is at 6mm, they like under 5. It is most likely just perimenopause stuff but uterine cancer by the numbers warrants a biopsy.
Oh you definitely need the biopsy to make absolutely certain there’s nothing more untoward going on.
I’m not a doctor in the slightest, but if they did mine with a very high inr then hopefully you won’t need to be bridged either.
I did have to come off my aspirin though (is that similar to plavix? I’m not familiar with that drug). It’s not nice having Gynae issues and comes with its own worries let alone having to deal with lupus / APS on top of it!
I’ve only just finished with Gynae and now I’ve been referred to urology for recurrent UTI! I will have to bridge for a cystoscopy they said urgh x
OH I am so sorry, I hope everything comes back clear.
Plavix is clopidogrel. My cardiologist likes to use it instead of aspirin. Less chance of stomach bleeds long term compared to aspirin, but I think aspirin helped my aches and pains better so might go back to aspirin at 81mg
I am thinking positive thoughts for your cystoscope. Xo
So sorry you have this to deal with on top of all your other issues. I know you have excellent care and they will get you through this with no problem. It is anxiety-provoking, though, particularly when they are not sure what is going on.
Thanks Kay, most likely just normal peri menopause issues. I go five months without a friendly visit than get regular, then go 9 months without being pregnant and than I start again. If my fsh were a little lower and my lining was 1 mm thinner there would be no need for the biopsy but I always fall slightly out of the safe numbers when tested. I am hopeful nothing bad is going to show up.
Sorry you have to have a procedure. I have been taking blood thinners for 26 years. Had a large clot and was found to have a genetic clotting disorder. Want to put your mind at ease regarding bridging ( using Lovenox or other similar things) for surgeries.. I have had several surgeries over the past 25 years without incident. Wishing you peace of mind🥰
Thank you! I am coming off both blood thinners for five days and hopefully only have to bridge a day or two before hand, when my INR falls to under 2 with lovenox and then continue with lovenox, warfarin and plavix directly afterwards until I hit 2 again. I start back at work on Tuesday, I work for the school system, so going to wait until the 12 th for the biopsy. I might try to book n my tooth cleaning and colonoscopy all for that week
You have a great outlook and what fun things you are trying to add during that time😉. Hopefully checking your INR post procedure, until you get to 2, will be finger sticks instead of blood draws. Our elbow veins get so hard to draw when on warfarin due to frequent tests. I was blessed to only take warfarin for 22 years and have been on Xarelto since. Lovely because no more worrying about INRs. Just checking the liver during my every 3 month bloodwork. During the pregnancies with our two children used heparin injections twice daily. I injected myself in the abdomen. Injections were started before we could have fun trying. Only took one cycle for each, thank goodness, which made the heparin use a about a year each time. What a fight to inform/share with my doctors that we will be having the second risk or not
Beyond nice to ‘meet’ someone who identifies with the world of anticoagulation from the patient perspective. Wishing you all the best!
P.s... I worked in education for 27 years. Fun we are in the same profession. Had to stop teaching ( university) this May due to my health. This Fall is my first semester not teaching just resting at home. One child in university and the other is having his first year of teaching. My next task is to file for disability ... sigh. ( in U.S.).
Ebaymama, I am sorry to hear your health is not great at the moment. I hope a remission is in your near future! I do not mind the warfarin as much as I thought I would. I have maintained a 2.5 for quite a few weeks so only need INR checked every other week usually. I have only needed blood thinners since October, so early days still.
I did have two miscarriages after a perfect pregnancy. I was 36, almost 37 during the first pregnancy and 39 and 40 during the miscarriages so maybe age or maybe lupus related. But heparin Shots were never mentioned. I am happy with one lovely 12 year old daughter though so it all turned out fine.
I am in the states too, Ct! I was told by my doctors last year I would qualify for disability and I was doing well so you should hopefully have no issues qualifying. I have not applied but if things get worse I would not hesitate to apply.
My heart goes out to you ... miscarriages are so hard but you are correct that a wonderful daughter makes your life so blessed! I have severe Fibromyalgia, fused spine, blood clot disorder/history of DVT ( went from knee to crest of aorta) and am being treated for Lupus. Sort of a circus I am waiting for a firm diagnosis of Lupus before filing for medical disability. Just wish for my former salary that I paid into to support the 17 years I have until social security. My doctor has shared by email that she does not ‘do’ disability😦. Will see her next week to chat about it. My Rheumatologist will only see patients once every 6 months as Western Kansas is an under served area for Rheum. and other specialties. He comes near my town on a rotational basis. I have all the symptoms but a neg ANA. He is very cautious with assigning labels but aggressive with treatment.
It will all work out how it is meant to be but can be frustrating if I give into it. My dad was a doctor & my brother is, too. I understand my doctors thoughts from a cautious response to sticking their necks out. Stress is not good for my health so I hesitate to enter the fray of denials in the possibly years long wait. Have a company to use for filing/attorneys that just collect a percentage of the back pay if granted payment.
Have you been tested for a blood clot disorder? I had mine clot/clog at 25 while on birth control and a nasty fall in my classroom that was covered by workman’s comp. afterwards tested positive for a disorder on the the factor V Leiden for protein C. Have activated resistance to protein C. Was told that the fall ( leg damage perm) led to diagnosis prevented me from miscarrying in future. Had two boys at age 27 and 30. Wonder if something similar could affect you or if it is Lupus for both of us?
So very glad to ‘meet’ you! Hard to find other anticoagulated autoimmune friends! Wishing you all the best!
A social worker at the hospital was the one who mentioned I would qualify and if I want to apply she would help with my filing. Seeing a social worker might help sort through how to apply. I assume you doctors' notes, hospital records and diagnosis will be enough. Good luck I hope it is approved. I think even with out a lupus diagnosis you could apply it is just easier but not impossible if you have one of the listed diseases.
Have you had all Antiphospholipid antibodies tested? There are two that are not included in the criteria and are often not tested for. It could explain your illnesses if you test negative for lupus.
I do not have a clotting factor, they were all negative. And at the time of my stroke I was negative for antiphospholip antibodies. i had the stroke while on holiday in Florida so had to find a stroke specialist in Connecticut and he retested APLAs and my beta2 glycoprotein was highly elevated, 150 . Three months later it was only 35 but still positive. I am having it tested in September and I think it will be gone but with a stroke under fifty, history of miscarriage, history of lupus and two positive tests my team of doctors want to continue as if I have it forever. Better safe than sorry is their motto. I am covered in bruises from being on both warfarin and plavix. I need plavix for my pfo closure. I would love to come off the warfarin. I do not feel that safe inregards to a bleed :(.
I hope you do apply for disability and sometimes it takes two tries so do not get discouraged if at first you do not succeed.
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not sure if they will consider that but imitate pm asking about that as an option. My GYn wants to defer to hemotologist. Glad yours has resolved. I am most likely just finishing up but my fsh, LH and endometrial lining are all higher than they like to see with perimenapausal irregular bleeding. 
Warfarin 
Still UCTD
To PANIC or not to PANIC that is the question
Diet & Lupus
