Need some advice

[twinmaker]

Ok, here's what's going on. I was told today by my PCP that I need to have an endoscopy done. I haven't called my cardiologist or the gastro doc yet to schedule the appointment. I wanted to have some info in hand before I do. What's the normal procedure for those of us on Coumadin and having to have this procedure done? I've had a colonoscopy done and had to stop the Coumadin and bridge with Lovenox. Since I've had really bad experiences with Lovenox (and I mean bad), does that mean I should push to have a heparin drip? I know that entails a hospital stay. Or will I even have to come off the Coumadin for this procedure? My PCP thought I would in case they would have to take any tissue samples from my esophagus. I also need to find out what needs to be done about my defibrillator. Seems I remember them having to turn it off during my colonoscopy. Any help would be appreciated. LINDA

 

[briansmom]

I don't think that you will need to stop the coumadin for this at all. My son had both a colonoscopy and endoscopy with an INR of 5.1. They were not at all worried about doing the endoscopy and only mildly worried about the colonoscopy.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Linda,

My Gastroenterologist refused to do an Upper Endoscopy and Colonoscopy on me without going OFF Coumadin because he wanted to be free to remove any polyps and take a tissue sample of my esophagus. He did agree to Bridging with Lovenox which was managed by my Coumadin Clinic Nurse Practicioneer. In the end, there were NO polyps and he did NOT take a tissue sample from my esophagus.

Sorry to hear you had a 'problem' with Lovenox. I don't remember that story and am curious what sort of problem you had.

It sounds like a discussion with your Coumadin Clinic and Cardiologist might be in order BEFORE you set a date with your Gastroenterologist.

This is the hastle with being on Coumadin. Unfortunately, there's no getting around it. Grin and bear it, gripe and moan, and eventually you will get back to your normal life. Nobody said it would be fun. Sorry about that...

'AL Capshaw'

 

[briansmom]

They did tell us that they would not be able to remove any polyps from my son while anti-coagulated. They were looking for ulcers so that was ok for him.

 

[Ross]

I had mine done fully anticoagulated and a polyp removed too. Nothing major happened and no bleeding afterward. The plan was to go look and if he found something, do it again off of Coumadin, but he said the heck with it and did it anyhow. I'm fairly certain the newest suggested guidelines don't require coming off of Coumadin. Don't hold me to that though.