I Canceled My Colonoscopy

[MarkU]

I was one who had a bad colonoscopy experience earlier this year. The central issue was that my (ex-)gastroenterologist told me to go off my Coumadin cold turkey for five days both before & after the colonoscopy. When I politely asked him to consult with my cardiologist to discuss a Lovenox bridge, he flat out REFUSED TO DO SO. He told me "I don't need to talk to him about anything". And to top if off, they are both members of the SAME large practice group!!!
Nevertheless, I went on the Lovenox bridge for the procedure, which pissed off the gastro doc big time when he found out.
Long story short, he removed three polyps and I had some bleeding a few days later which necessitated a 2nd colonscopy. That's when the doc discovered he had MISSED a pre-cancerous polyp and wanted me to schedule a 3rd procedure!
I had enough at that point.
I had a consultation with my NEW gastroenterologist this week. We talked about the Coumadin issue at length. He agrees that a Lovenox bridge, discontinued 12 hours prior to the colonscopy is the proper procedure. In addition, he wants to keep me on a clear liquid diet for a few more days afterwards to give the polypectomy site more time to heal and minimize any potential bleeding. He would check my INR both prior to and after. YES! -THERE ARE SOME GOOD DOCTORS OUT THERE THAT UNDERSTAND!

All I can say is be your own advocate! Educate yourself and ask questions. If you don't like the answer, go elsewhere!

Mark

 

[Barry]

What Ross said - need to give a specific citation from a reputable source if you're passing on info from the Internet. There's tons of bogus info on the 'net, so references to the Internet as an information source are commonly greeted with skepticism. Best is to track down a reputable source and then print it out and give it to the person.

I didn't know it was a high-risk procedure. I had one done, and the doc just went ahead and did it. No discontinuing warfarin, no bridging therapy - just did it. And, thankfully, no problems.

 

[Guest]

I heard back from the woman whose mother died 10 hours after her colonoscopy. I had advised her to contact the doctor to get the full story. It turned out that the mother had a GI bleed and her doctor had stopped the warfarin until the colonoscopy was done. (Makes sense) But the mother had also refused heart surgery one year before and had not discussed with her daughter. So it seems that while the daughter was of the opinion that her mother dropped dead, the doctor assured her that Mom had been failing for over a year but putting up a good front.

I'm glad that this was not another ridiculous stopping of warfarin for a long time for just a routine colonoscopy.

It was interesting too because the GI doc said that he had made no recommendation about warfarin it was the PCP who stopped it.

 

[bvdr]

Al says: It was interesting too because the GI doc said that he had made no recommendation about warfarin it was the PCP who stopped it.

I find that interesting too. Last winter when I had a GI bleed my aspirin was stopped but not my warfarin.

 

[McCln]

There is always a risk for any non-surgical procedure. But caution is best to be heeded, You need feel safe and secure for this and you weren't. As foe the nurse, that was cold hearted. She needs a compassion shot. It is always better to go with updated info than old anyway. You did right. Now talk with your doctor for alternatives. Good luck.