My Primary Care Doc says I need a colonoscopy in a few weeks, but I have Parkinson's and I'm on a cocktail of drugs: Sinemet 25/100, Baclofen, Amantadine, Clonazepam, ad Sinemet 50/200 Extended Release ER (ER taken at night). I am hearing 2 different stories as to whether or not I can stay on my meds before the colonoscopy. One camp says I can continue to take my meds up to the time of the colonoscopy, and another camp says I should discontinue any meds 5 hours before the colonoscopy procedure. I'm on a strict schedule to take my meds, and if I take a 5 hour break from taking my PD meds, my PD symptoms will flare up. Anyone know if it's okay to continue taking PD meds up to the time of the colonoscopy procedure? Appreciate any feedback, thanks.
Colonoscopy while on Parkinson's Meds - Cure Parkinson's
Colonoscopy while on Parkinson's Meds
My doctor recommended it to me also but I am going to wait. Now, the gastroenterologist told me something interesting. It seems that they use propofol as the anesthetic. Parkinson’s patients have reported to her consistently that they see great improvement from Parkinson’s for a long time after the procedure! Go figure!
Interesting that Propofol has that positive effect...that would be great. So, you're putting off your colonoscopy. I'm not sure what I will do. My Primary Care Doc really thinks I should proceed with the colonoscopy, but I'm nervous to stop taking my PD meds for such a long period of time because my PD symptoms (mostly extreme toe curling of both feet) is very uncomfortable, and even painful. Don't know what to do.
It really depends. If you don’t have a family history of colon issues, then there’s a more non-invasive test that your PCP could offer. It is just a stool test and various labs have their own testing provider or you can get your doctor to order Cologuard :
cologuardtest.com/?gclid=Cj...
I am going to do the stool test.
I've seen TV commercials on Cologuard...will do some research on that. Thanks for your input!
And one more thing. The Gastroenterologist told me that I would take the Parkinson’s medication on the morning of the procedure. I was only taking Carbidopa/Levodopa at that time (I still am). They would have been able to schedule the procedure first thing in the morning. You might want to meet with the gastroenterologist anyway and ask him or her these questions. I just lucked out that I found a gastroenterologist who was well informed about Parkinson's. It turns out that her mom has Parkinson's. You might want to check with the group if they could meet you up with someone who is well informed about the disease or better still have performed procedures on such patients.
You don't have to go through with the procedure after you meet with them. It is still your decision.
So the GE Doc said that it was okay to take the Sinemet the morning of the colonoscopy, even if you took a dose prior to the procedure? Or after the procedure? Well, for now I'm going to postpone the colonoscopy until I get more info. I'm going to look into Cologuard for now...and see how that works. Thanks again.
Home screening vs colonoscopy
So here’s how it works. 24 to 48 hours prior to the colonoscopy, the doctor will give you either Miralax or Golytely and ask you to mix it with Gatorade and cleanse out your bowels. You would take Sinemet through the 48 hours. On the day of the procedure, you should be scheduled for a early morning appointment. They do this usually for Parkinson’s patients. So you’re going to take the first dose of the day , say at 5am. If your procedure is at 6 am then you are all set. The procedure takes 15 minutes. So, including intake and other stuff, you should be out in an hour. So, you will be able to take your next dose at the scheduled time. If your medication lasts for 5 hours, you should be good for the 10 am dose.
I am not doing it now because I don't have a family history and I am dealing with a lot of stress right now. I am just kicking the can down the road. To be honest, the thought of Propofol giving me a few days of Parkinson's free relief does sound tempting to me sometimes. But, who knows? The information that the doctor gave me is just anectodal. I can't find any literature to support that. Unless the amnesia somehow allows the brain to forget that one has Parkinson's.
I have decided to proceed with the colonoscopy, partially based on the info you provided, so thank you for that. I also spoke with some medical personnel who eased my concerns. I will schedule an early morning appointment that will allow me to continue taking my PD medication up to the time of the colonoscopy. I'm still a little nervous about the colonoscopy procedure itself...and whether or not I will feel any pain from it, but oh well, I will soldier on, I always have in my life. Thanks again!
I wish you the very best. I am sure you will be fine. Do update us after.
I apologize it's be,en longer than a year since we last communicated...a lot's been going on and I just haven't checked into this site for quite some time. But I wanted to let you know that my colonoscopy last year went well, no polyps, and I don't have to go back in for another colonoscopy for 10 years. I belatedly thank you for your input during that time last year, and hope all is well.
Propofol is a very interesting drug. Most studies focus on side effects and adverse events, as these can be quite terrible. However, a while ago I came across an article on propofol's persistent effects on purinergic signalling (the P2X7 receptor) ...
and unfortunately I can't locate it... {grr}
~
Thanks for posting that very interesting piece of information.
Still can't find it...
But I did find a news article on ketamine (which has similar activities) as a treatment for dyskinesia:
Whether you need to take your meds or not don't put off a colonoscopy. If you've been advised to have one it's because you need one. Taking a stool test yes seems easier but is around 70-80% able to detect problems whereas a colonoscopy is near 100%. The benefit to your life of detecting an issue far outweighs any discomfort you may feel if you need to stop meds, hopefully you'd be back to 'normal' the next day. A family member recently died after having signs of bowel cancer and only being stool tested, stool test was negative yet cancer was in bowel and liver. Bowel cancer is detectable and treatable if found in time. Good luck.
There's no reason to stop your meds.
I agree, and I won't. Thanks.
I just had a colonoscopy last month. Was able to take my morning meds including sinemet with water a few hours before the procedure. My gastro MD did not use propofol but used IV Ativan. I had no problems during or after the procedure. I had a great sleep the rest of the day and remember little of what happened once I recovered and was discharged since Ativan has amnesic properties. Thus bring someone dependable with you to recount what the Docs and staff tell you.
I wonder why your gastro MD used IV Ativan instead of propofol. I thought propofol was the gold standard. I will call the gastro office tomorrow and ask about this. Also, it sounds like the colonoscopy procedure itself is nothing to get nervous about because you're basically "Knocked out" and you don't feel anything? I hope that's the case. Thanks.
I've had several done. Pretty much the same way. Never a problem. The prep as they say is worse than the procedure. Anesthetic is up to the individual MD. Varies with practices and different parts of the country. I would easily to consent to propofol if that were offered also. It is effective and wears off fast.
I had mine done several years ago before PD..They used propofol on..
me. It was wonderful. they woke me up when it was over and I felt fine, no after affects it was if I took a long nap.
Nothing to get nervous about except those cases where they punch a hole in your intestine and you end up with a bag for life. I know of two of these, one a former school mate. He died young, later.
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