Endoscopy & Pred.

[Carol-mc]

I am having an Endoscopy this Sunday, my appointment is at 1pm, am not to eat for at least 6hrs previous to this, so have been wondering when I can have my 15mg Pred? Normally have this at breakfast, 8am, with porridge & toast. Doctor says I can get up really early, 6am, have it with slice of toast, Hospital have said I can bring it with me and have it after the procedure, but that could be late afternoon if there is a lengthy waiting time. Really don’t know what to do, and is a solitary slice of toast enough to eat with the pred? Thought about splitting it up, maybe take 10mg early morning, 5mg in afternoon, have other people had this dilemma, and can I go back to my usual routine the following morning? Still relatively new to Pred, 2 months in, so would appreciate any advice.

[SheffieldJane]

Hi, I take my Pred with organic, live Greek Yoghurt and a bit of local honey. You could set your alarm, do that and then go back to sleep. I don’t get tummy trouble. Good luck with your test! There seems to be something to dread every other week these days, but these things are never as bad as they sound.

[Carol-mc in reply to SheffieldJane]

That sounds like a plan! I’ll try the yoghurt and honey. Thank you so much, think I was more anxious at missing my Pred than the procedure, just want Sunday over with now!

[Rosbud in reply to Carol-mc]

To lease don't have yoghurt before your endoscopy , they will cancel the procedure if you do !

[piglette in reply to Carol-mc]

Dear Carol, you should really only have liquids after midnight until six hours before. Liquids would include water, clear broth, apple juice, soda for example.

[CT-5012]

Yes, me too. Just got up early and had toast and spoonful of yogurt, no problems. It’s a one off you are not going to do this every day so shouldn’t cause a problem long term. All good wishes.

[Carol-mc in reply to CT-5012]

Yes, will set alarm and have the yogurt & honey, as you say it’s a one-off. Many thanks for replying, this has got to be the best support group on-line, so glad I found it!

[CT-5012 in reply to Carol-mc]

No problem, if this is your first endoscopy just remember to breathe.

[Carol-mc in reply to CT-5012]

I’ll try and remember that! (Yes, it’s my first)

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A lot of people do get up early and take their pred with a small snack (a glass of milk is actually enough) and then go back to bed to allow it to kick in by the time they get up. It gives them a good morning instead of having to wait until midday to get going.

[Carol-mc in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou, something else I have learned today!

[GCA1947]

Hi Carol-mc

I had an Endoscopy with sedation on Monday 18th June 2018 and I asked the nurses 2 weeks before how I could take my Prednisolone explaining about Giant Cell Arteritis and steroids. She said take it as you normally do and at your usual time, even if it's within the 6 hours beforehand. I'm also taking Omeprazole for excess stomach acid and she said just don't have that on the morning of the test. All went well the Midazalan has been improved and I went off almost instantly and don't remember a thing. Nothing was found thankfully. If still in doubt give the Endoscopy Suite a ring.

Good luck with your examination

Regards

Colin

[Carol-mc in reply to GCA1947]

When I asked the hospital they said to take it after the procedure, but I think I’d rather take it that morning, one less thing to worry about! I also take Omeprzole, it said in the letter to stop it when the letter arrived, which I did. Glad your endoscopy went well, I found your reply very re-assuring, thank you!

[jinasc]

I had my pred with a cup of tea and slice of toast at 5am and went back to sleep. No problem at all.

[Carol-mc in reply to jinasc]

Maybe just do that then, there seems a difference of opinion about using yoghurt beforehand. Spent ages choosing my yoghurt this morning in the supermarket but will use it during the week!

[GCA1947]

Dear Carol-mc

Along with my other problems I using the British Heart Foundation diet to lose weight. The Dietitian at local Hospital recommended Tesco Greek Style Natural Yogurt as part of my intake. It took a bit of getting used to but I persevered and dropped from 18 stones 00 pounds to 15 st 3 pounds in a year. I've gone up a bit since then but I'm still eating the yogurt and not a lot of the bad things and most days the weight continues to reduce. It goes a wow with fresh strawberries because it's unsweetened.

I'm on 9 mg of Prednisolone because I found out I was having my second flare when I reduced Paracetamol and when I got to 4 capsules (2000 mg) per day the pain in my forehead was revealed. Now I'm back to 6 capsules (3000 mg) and and the pain is just manageable. Greek Style Natural is £1.00 a 500 g pot in my local Tesco.

Best wishes

Colin

[Carol-mc in reply to GCA1947]

Hello Colin, I have also bought Greek style natural yoghurt just yesterday, haven’t tried it yet. You are doing great with the weight loss. When the hospital said you could have your Pred at the usual time, did you have anything with it. ( to eat or drink?} I am on 15mg, hoping to reduce next week, after the endoscopy.

Many thanks for the info!

Carol

[GCA1947]

Dear Carol

So great minds think alike. I hope you enjoy the yogurt. I normally have my pills with flavoured water. The British Heart Foundation diet recommends that I drink a lot with the diet, and tap water is so uninspiring so, when I discovered Tesco's flavoured water, water took on a whole new interest and now it seems as though I drink it by the gallon. That's a bit of an exaggeration but getting through 2 x 1-litre bottles a day plus 500ml during the night. If I can I will paste a picture of the current "two fruits" to this post.

No sorry I can't get it to paste, 1 litre is 45p so you may find you like it. There are several different flavours. I started with Apple & Elderflower, added Lemon and Lime as my preferred night time drink and then was sent Sparkling Summer Fruits because Apple & Elderflower was in short supply.

Please let me know how you get on with the yogurt

Best wishes

Colin