Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

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colonoscopy worry

jackie1972
jackie1972
I have been on warfarin since March 2012, going off twice once in September 2012 and once in March 2013, only to have PE's return both times within a week. Hence, I am now a lifer. My initial PEs were after a varicose vein surgery and the following two episodes just happened when I went off Warfarin. I worry every single day what is wrong with me. I am overweight, but I don't think that in itself is the cause of my PEs. I may never know. I did see a hematologist and had several tests done with everything coming back negative. Since being on Warfarin I have never had any procedures and have never had to come off of it for any surgeries. I have felt extremely lucky because my INR remains stable. I am now freaking out because I have a colonoscopy scheduled for 1/15/2015. I will have to come off the Warfarin and bridge with enoxaparin until the AM of 1/14/2015 at which time I will take nothing until the evening after my procedure on 1/15/2015. I have horrible anxiety, which is completely uncontrolled when it comes to anything "medical". I think I suffer from post traumatic disorder status post my initial PEs in March 2012. If anyone is able provide any experience or advice to help with my colonoscopy procedure anxiety and going off Warfarin I would greatly appreciate it. I don't want to clot again and I am scared to death of having a massive PE and dying. Thank you
rmb
rmb
Hi, I just had a colonoscopy last week; I've had about 6 since being on warfarin. I've never had a problem. I don't think a colonoscopy itself is associated with being a risk for PEs or DVTs and I think the risk is low to suddenly have a clot because you're off anticoagulants for a short amount of time. Try to see it as a reasonable risk. I know it's not easy but that's how I try to look at it. No one wants to have another clot but we also still have to take care of all aspects of our health which may mean we have to go off warfarin for a bit sometimes.

It'll be ok.
mj568
mj568
Hi,
I had a colonoscopy earlier this year and an hysteroscopy a couple of weeks ago. I am also a repeat clotter and on warfarin for life.
I get very anxious over procedures. However, these procedures were necessary so despite my panic I did them.
I have taken to asking many questions to both the surgeons and the anaesthetists. It helps to settle how I am feeling about the procedures. They have been great at making me feel more at ease.
I've also had tooth extractions under general anaesthetic and knee surgery since clotting.
You will be fine
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I understand your fear completely. I had my PE Nov 30 of last year and had to have an an angioplasty and stent Placement in Feb. Of this year, during warfarin therapy. In June I had open heart surgery and my aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical one. I just keep telling myself that if I can actually have OHS surgery without clotting, I should be able to manage all these other proceedures with no problems. I also had two teeth pulled and crowned in Nov of this year without stopping the warfarin at all. Talk to your doctor about your worries and I believe he can allay some of your fears.
Thatch
Thatch
FYI I had a colonoscopy without going off my blood thinner (Xeralto). The doctors made sure I understood if they found anything they would not be able to remove it and I'd have to go off the blood thinner for removal at a later time. My test came up negative so I lucked out.
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