Arrhythmia and Prep for Colonoscopy

@summerrobin I have paroxysmal A-fib and take Eliquis as a blood thinner ( since 2021) for stroke risk reduction. I have had several colonoscopies since 2022 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had a colon resection which got all the cancer, with no need for chemotherapy ( Stage II, limited to the colon) and have had two colonoscopies for surveillance purposes, one in 2023 and the last one in March 2026. I did have to stop taking the Eliquis for 3 days prior to my colon resection surgery ( they resumed it three days after the surgery), but the general surgeon who does my colonoscopies has never required me to stop the Eliquis prior to these procedure. In fact, the written instructions are to continue taking the Eliquis, just not take it the morning of the colonoscopy- it can be taken later in the day. The surgeon says if there's bleeding going on, he wants to be able to locate it and thinks the Eliquis may enhance that bleeding enough for that to happen. In any case, I've never had any issues at all continuing the Eliquis up to the day of the colonoscopy. In the event they take biopsies or polyps, they have surgical instruments that can be fed through the colonoscope that will stop any bleeding that may occur.

In general, each doctor will give specific instructions regarding stopping, or not stopping blood thinner use prior to any procedure, and these instructions will vary. It's best to discuss those instructions and various options with the doctor that will be doing your procedure(s). In our neck of the woods, doctors who want their patients to stop their anticoagulant before surgery/dental procedures/endoscopies, etc. contact the patient's provider ( generally a cardiologist) to get the approval for the patient to stop the anticoagulant for a specific length of time.

Suprep for a colonoscopy caused new onset Afib for me, which quickly turned into heart failure. I had no heart conditions prior to the prep and was very healthy. I’ve recovered from the heart failure with a high dose of Metoprolol to control my heart rate. Had a CardioVersion which stuck for 45 days. One day back to work and I went back into Afib 4 hours into the day. My job is very physically dangerous and emotionally stressful (teacher of 14-22 year old students with autism with violent behaviors and schizophrenia), but I’ve been doing it since 1991, love it, and have never had a problem dealing with the stress. Flipped out of Afib on my own 4 days later. Now on Amidarone and need an Ablation in a month with no work now until 2 weeks after that. That will be 3 and a half months total off of work! My gastroenterologist never warned me of this debilitating side effect! Has anyone sued the prep maker? This is ridiculous. I was completely healthy and now I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded. And on blood thinner.

@tiggerdodd This is what I am worried about. I had an episode of Afib with RVR during recovery after hip replacement surgery. My EP cardiologist and the anesthesia department think I should be okay for an upcoming Endoscopy/colonoscopy. I have asked gastro about an alternative prep - no response so far. Part of me wants to just cancel the procedure, but I have some symptoms, my dad died of colon cancer, and I am a two-time cancer survivor so that would be fool hardy.

Both my PCP and my EP/Cardiologist have advised me not to do a colonoscopy at this time. I had my ablation November 25, 2025 and they said the risk of the prep putting me in to A-Fib is too high right now. Because I never had polyps with previous colonoscopies and considered average risk even though 3 of my siblings had colon cancer, I am scheduled at my next appointment in June to do the Shield blood test instead. If the results come back positive, then they will order a Cologuard and see where I'm at with that. If positive I will do the prep for the standard colonoscopies. I'm not expecting to having to do this. Hope this helps you some.