Had my colonoscopy today -- while on warfarin.
My INR last Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) was 3.4, and I had agreed to get it down to 2.5 for the procedure rather than going off warfarin with/without bridging.
I normally take 5.5mg X4 and 5mgX3, so I dropped to 4mg Thursday-Sunday. Before I started that wonderful, enjoyable prep procedure, I tested and was 2.5.
At the endoscopy center, I was asked why I was taking warfarin. When I said mechanical mitral valve, one employee said, "Oh, someone else here has a mechanical valve and is always having to go to her Dr. for tests and she has to pay a co-pay each time." I explained that I have my own home-tester and tested yesterday and my INR was 2.5. She noted that on the paperwork. Nothing else was said.
Just as I was wheeled into the procedure room and given the Versed and something else, I went to sleep. Didn't wake up until I was back in recovery and offered something to drink. Waited a bit to get ungroggy and then dressed & left.
Test results: no polyps. (2 or 3 were removed in 2001.) Come back in 5 years.
This morning I took 5mg warfarin and will take 6 on Tuesday and Wednesday. My guesstimate is that I'll come back up to around 3.5 by week's end.
Thank heavens my gastroenterologist agreed to doing the procedure with me on warfarin and also in an endoscopy center, not at a hospital. Saved me $ and also saved my employer some $$$.
My INR last Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) was 3.4, and I had agreed to get it down to 2.5 for the procedure rather than going off warfarin with/without bridging.
I normally take 5.5mg X4 and 5mgX3, so I dropped to 4mg Thursday-Sunday. Before I started that wonderful, enjoyable prep procedure, I tested and was 2.5.
At the endoscopy center, I was asked why I was taking warfarin. When I said mechanical mitral valve, one employee said, "Oh, someone else here has a mechanical valve and is always having to go to her Dr. for tests and she has to pay a co-pay each time." I explained that I have my own home-tester and tested yesterday and my INR was 2.5. She noted that on the paperwork. Nothing else was said.
Just as I was wheeled into the procedure room and given the Versed and something else, I went to sleep. Didn't wake up until I was back in recovery and offered something to drink. Waited a bit to get ungroggy and then dressed & left.
Test results: no polyps. (2 or 3 were removed in 2001.) Come back in 5 years.
This morning I took 5mg warfarin and will take 6 on Tuesday and Wednesday. My guesstimate is that I'll come back up to around 3.5 by week's end.
Thank heavens my gastroenterologist agreed to doing the procedure with me on warfarin and also in an endoscopy center, not at a hospital. Saved me $ and also saved my employer some $$$.
