If you have any of the following pre-existing medical conditions, please read the information below and contact the Endoscopy Department on 01270 277929 so that we can make suitable arrangements for your procedure. 

Diabetes 

If you are having an endoscopy and also have diabetes, we will send you information about how to manage your diabetes while preparing for your procedure.  This is so that your endoscopy procedure can be booked at a suitable time. 

If you have already had your diabetes advice with your appointment, then we already know you have diabetes and there is no need to ring us unless you have any questions. 

Blood thinning medication 

It is important you tell us if you are taking any blood thinning medication (see the list below). Often the doctor who has asked us to give you an endoscopy will have told us about this medication and whether you need to continue it before you have your test.  Some patients need to come off their medication before their test. We will tell you if you need to stop taking it in your appointment letter. 

Occasionally, we ask some patients to stop taking their warfarin or anticoagulant tablets and take another drug instead.  If you need to do this, we will let you know. 

Below is a list of blood thinning drugs: 

  • Warfarin, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Edoxaban 

  • Aspirin (this does not usually need to be stopped for endoscopy) 

  • Clopidogrel (Plavix), Ticegralor (Brilligue), Dipyridamole (Persantin), Prasugrel (Efient), Acenocoumarol (Sinthrome) 

  • Heparin (usually injected under the skin). 

It is important you tell us if you are taking any of these medications (except aspirin alone) and have not been told what to do before your endoscopy. 

Once you have had your endoscopy, we will tell you what you need to do about restarting your medication and/or when you need to have a repeat blood test to check your INR level (how long it takes your blood to clot).  If you do not get any instructions, please tell us. 

If you have already been given advice about blood thinners with your appointment letter, then there is no need to ring us unless you have any questions. 

Pacemakers or implantable defibrillators 

Having a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator does not stop you having an endoscopic procedure.  However, it is important that we know whether you have one before we do your endoscopy. Often the doctor who has asked us to do your endoscopy will have told us whether you have a pacemaker or defibrillator. 

If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator but this was not discussed when we booked your endoscopy, please contact the pre-assessment nurses who will give you some advice. 

Sleep apnoea 

Having sleep apnoea can affect your endoscopic procedure as we often give patients sedatives to relax them, and these can affect your breathing.  Often the doctor who has asked us to do your endoscopy will have told us whether you have sleep apnoea, but if you have any doubts then it is important you contact the pre-assessment team to tell them. 

Sedative drugs have a stronger effect on breathing in patients with sleep apnoea, so we often recommend reduced doses and longer monitoring in recovery after an endoscopy.  Otherwise, you may wish to have your endoscopy without sedation. We can talk more about this when you come for your appointment or when you see the pre-assessment nurses. 

If you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, please bring this with you when you come for your endoscopy.  After the procedure, you must be monitored in the Endoscopy Department for four hours before we do more tests to make sure you are fit to leave hospital.  If you have sedation for your endoscopy, someone will need to come with you and look after you for 24 hours afterwards. 

Long-term steroid usage 

If you have been taking steroids for longer than three weeks or have recently completed a long course (longer than three weeks) of oral steroids, please let us know by leaving a message on the pre-assessment phone line (01270 277929).  We might tell you to take more steroids before your endoscopy. 

Steroid medication includes:  

  • Prednisolone 5mgs or more  

  • Hydrocortisone 15mgs or more  

  • Dexamethasone 0.5mg or more