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Pre-existing medical conditions

If you have any of the following pre-existing medical conditions, please read the information below and telephone the Endoscopy Department on 01752 438407 so that we can make suitable arrangements for your procedure.

Diabetes

If you are having an endoscopic procedure and have diabetes, we will send you information about how to manage your diabetes whilst preparing for your procedure.

If you have diabetes, we will give you a morning appointment so that it your procedure will cause as little disruption to your routine as possible.

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

If you have diabetes and you have not received any specific instructions, please call the endoscopy department.

Please call the endoscopy department on 01752 438407 to provide us with any information or to ask any questions.

Blood thinning medication

It is important to tell us if you are taking any blood thinning medication.

Often the doctor who has asked us to do your Endoscopic procedure will have told us if you are taking blood thinning medication and if you need to continue it for your test. Some patients need to come off their medication before their test - we will let you know if you need to stop taking it in your appointment letter.

If you take blood thinning medication and haven’t received specific information, then please let us know on 01752 438407.

Occasionally some patients are asked to stop their Warfarin or anticoagulant tablets and instead take an alternative injected medicine (heparin) to thin their blood. Again, if you need to do this then we will let you know.

Below is a list of blood thinning drugs:

Warfarin, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, Edoxaban.

Aspirin (this does not need 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 notify us if you are taking any of these medications (except aspirin alone) and have not received instructions on what to do before the endoscopy.

You will be told when to restart your medication and/or when you need to have blood tests to check your INR level after your procedure. If you do not receive instructions, please ask.

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

You can call the department on 01752 438407 if you have any questions.

Pacemakers or Implantable Defibrillators

If you have a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator it is important that we know in advance of your appointment.

Often the doctor who has asked us to do your Endoscopic procedure will have informed us if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator. We will let you know on your appointment letter if there are any special instructions or if it needs re-programming for your procedure. If the device is re-programmed, we will ensure that it is reset before you go home.

If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator but do not receive any instructions with your letter, then please contact the pre assessment nurses who will then provide you with further advice by calling 01752 438407.

Sleep Apnoea

Having sleep apnoea can affect your endoscopic procedure as we often offer patients sedative drugs to relax them. These sedative drugs can affect your breathing.

Often the doctor who has asked us to do your Endoscopic procedure will have told us if you have sleep apnoea, but it is important you contact the pre-assessment team to inform them. You can contact the endoscopy department on 01752 438407.

Sedative drugs have a stronger effect on breathing in patients with sleep apnoea, so we often recommend reduced doses and prolonged monitoring in recovery after an endoscopy. Alternatively, you may wish to have the endoscopic procedure without sedation. You can ask the preassessment nurses for advice in advance, or when you come for your appointment.

If you use a CPAP machine, then please ensure that you bring this with you on the day of your endoscopy procedure.

After the procedure you will need to be monitored in the endoscopy department for four hours before being re-assessed to ensure that you are fit to be discharged. As with any patient who has been given sedation for their endoscopic procedure, you will need to be accompanied and have somebody to look after you for 24 hours after the procedure.