pausing supplements (curcumin, fish oil) before colonoscopy

Hi, folks. I have a much-needed surveillance colonoscopy next week (my first since 2017, if we don't count last year's flex sigmoidoscopy when I was badly flaring--thanks, underfunded public health system). I'm in symptomatic remission, so I'm hoping it will confirm good things.

BUT! This is my first scope since I started taking curcumin (extracted from turmeric) and fish oil, both of which I understand to be blood thinners. My letter from the gastro says to pause blood thinning medications a week before the scope. Today my GP told me she didn't think I needed to pause the supplements at all, but several reputable internet sources say they can be quite potent blood thinners and should be treated cautiously. My gastro generally doesn't have updated information on diet or supplements.

My question: has anyone received trustworthy/informed advice about best practice around these supplements and bleeding risk with colonoscopies with biopsies or surgeries? I take them not just for my UC but also for arthritis and mental health, so I'd prefer not to skip any more doses than I must.

Thank you!

My dr's written instructions state no prescription blood thinners or supplements that can thin the blood 7 days prior to the scope. The anesthesiologist always asks too.

Myself, I would not take the risk but only you can decide what to do.

Good luck with your scope.

I agree with Clo2014. Please call your PCP for guidance.

Thanks, folks. Michelejc, my PCP was the one who told me not to worry about stopping the supplements. There’s no anesthesiologist to call, as they aren’t involved in colonoscopies here—just conscious sedation with nurses and the gastro doc.

I find that doctors who aren’t up on the research on supplements underestimate their potency—both for benefits and risks. So I have to take their advice with a grain of salt. Thanks to you all, I decided to take a full week off the curcumin and fish oil. I really appreciate your insights!

Hi, quincy! My doctor has me doing Colyte. It's a midday scope, so he has me doing split prep. I've only every done Colyte for my past colonoscopies, and I've never had trouble, so I'm hoping for similarly positive outcomes this time. I have bone broth, clear juices, and electrolyte solutions to hydrate the day before, too.

Hi, everyone! Just popping back to say that my scope Monday looked really good. I’m still waiting on biopsy results, but my doctor said everything looked great and so we’ll stay the course with Entyvio every eight weeks for now.

The Colyte gallon split prep was also just fine. I found fasting a little hard, but the dehydration was the worst part—I probably wasn’t that dehydrated, but not drinking four hours before the procedure was a challenge as I rely on being extra hydrated to deal with low blood pressure / POTS. I slept off the sedation and then had an awful headache, but I’m feeling better now.

…just in time for my husband to have Covid for the first time (we’ve been so careful all these years!), and my kids are sick too but not testing positive. So I’ll welcome all cheering for the good scope and good thoughts for the Covid in the house!

Yay on the scope...boo on your husband's Covid. Good you're testing.
Take good care, and keep us updated.
q

Thanks, Sara14 and quincy! FlowersGal, my family doctor told me recently that I don't qualify for Paxlovid in our province's system, even with the Entyvio and multiple autoimmune conditions. Otherwise I would be all over it if I test positive (still negative today, but I'm having periods of major fatigue and a slightly runny nose).

Husband and kids are doing great. We're all carefully isolating on different floors of the house, though, and I'm playing caregiver to everyone.

Since we can't access Paxlovid, I have us on modified supplement regimen based on the medical studies / advice I've seen (like from this pharmacist who studies long covid and ME/CFS: https://pharmd.substack.com/p/i-have-covid-what-should-my-kids)—just in case it's helpful for anyone else. We're taking fish oil, curcumin, multivitamins, vitamin D, and b-complex, as well as vitamin C. The adults are also taking zinc, plus EGCG (green tea extract) and green tea. I'll add in lactoferrin (it's expensive!) if I test positive. My BP is already low, so I'm not doing nattokinase, but we might try it if anyone ends up with post-covid issues.

And l-theanine is helping me CHILL THE HECK OUT.

Thanks, all.