Upper endoscopy or co.onoscopy

I will be due for my upper endoscopy in early 2024. With a PM, is it safe to have the procedure done at the Doctor's GI center, or should it be done at the hospital as an outpatient?---in case the unthinkable happens, the resources are closer.
 

I had my pm mplanted in February and am a little nervous.

3 Comments

Endoscopy

by Julros - 2023-03-16 12:05:33

Hi PMgirl. I had a colonoscopy last year at an outpatient surgery center and it went smoothly. They had me do an additional screening visit with a nurse practitioner, who gave me directions for hold my anticoagulant. On the day of the procedure I met with the doctor and he reassured me that any cautery needed would be safe. There was an anethesiologist present and I felt completely at ease. I need to go every 5 years due to having reoccurent polyps. 

Endoscopies

by AgentX86 - 2023-03-16 17:01:06

Not just related to colonoscopies but any procedure.  Make sure everyone knows (tell them) that you have a pacemaker and are on <name your anticoagulant here>. You don't have to be an a$$ about it but just mention it in passing so it sticks in their head.  You can just make it part of the conversation. Just make the suggestion. Insurance.

It's kinda like marking your good arm "THE OTHER  ONE" if you're having surgery on an arm. They often mark the one for surgery but, belt meet suspenders.

Also, as part of the surgical clearance from your cardiologist, he should have anticoagulation and sometimes even prophylactic antibiotic instructions (sometimes the instructions leave it up to the surgeon).

Don’t worry in advance

by Lavender - 2023-03-16 18:38:06

That's a long time off and rules can change by then. I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy in a hospital. All was fine. Maybe wait til closer to next year to see what your cardiologist recommends. 

You know you're wired when...

You have a T-shirt that reads “Wired4Sound”.

Member Quotes

Since I got my pacemaker, I don't pass out anymore! That's a blessing in itself.