Colonoscopy Whilst on Steroids

[Songbird69]

Hello Again! I am wondering if you could let me have your opinions before I speak to the endoscopy unit.

I am having a colonoscopy later this month. I know how to live! 😊

My question is, on the day prior to the procedure, I am allowed a light breakfast - which is when I would normally take my 3mg of Pred. I take the enteric variety as my stomach doesn’t like the uncoated pred. If I am then to take the bowel preparation throughout the day, am I going to absorb the pred properly before the diarrhoea sets in?

I am due to have the actual procedure carried out at 8.30am the following day. Presumably I can still take the pred, but without food before I travel in? I don’t like taking it without food as my stomach suffers (probably because I also have Crohns)

Should I be upping the dose of pred either the day before - or on the day?

I am also wondering if there is an increased risk of bowel perforation whilst taking steroids. Should I be concerned?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated. x

[Hidden]

Hi songbird69, I probably have a colonoscopy in my future so will be interested in responses. In the meantime here's a thread of a question posed a while ago. Hopefully you will get more responses over the next few days.🌻

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Songbird69 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Poopadoop. I will have a read. X

[Hidden]

Hi Songbird

I had a Colonoscopy Post Chemo & l’d have been on 7.5mgPred, l had sedation so l was a bit oblivious.

I’m afraid l can’t really remember what l did Pred wise as it was Post Chemo & a lot of that time is now somewhat a blur, probably just as well.

Wishing You All The Best 🍀

MrsN 🌸

[Songbird69 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. The more blurry the memory of a colonoscopy the better .....

There must be a solution to the pred question - maybe I am just worrying too much. Worry is my middle name!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Songbird69]

If you look at your appointment letter there should be a telephone number to contact a member of the team if you have any queries, Give them a ring.

[Hidden in reply to Songbird69]

I am sure there's a way of adjusting when you take your pred on the lead up to the procedure. The day before you can take some uncoated pred with yogurt about four hours before you take the laxatives. They will disperse before the big clear out! Then you can.take the dose after the procedure. If you take uncoated with food your tummy should be ok. You are only looking for 24hr cover.

I think I had to do similar with my dad who was on steroids for copd at the time. The laxative isn't pleasant and I think it was zinc oxide or something like that to stop soreness.

[Hidden]

I had colonoscopy when taking 15 mg pred. No problems with the colonoscopy. Just make sure you tell anasthesiologist. I took pred the day before normally. Didn’t eat the day before other than broth. Colonoscopy was performed at 1100 am. Got home around 1300 then took prednisone. Started feeling the niggles, but once I got food and prednisone in me all was good. Basically just delayed taking my pred by 5 hours the day of the colonoscopy.

[Pippah45]

I was on I think 40 pred at the time but was allowed a light lunch of specific stuff the day before for 10'am procedure that happened about 12.30! I had some snacks with me and a glucose drink. (Juice with glucose powder home made). Took the pred on way home. It isn't as bad as one might think really!! But take your breakfast as late as you can! I managed with gas and air as I don't like anaesthetics if I can do without! I did have the canola ready though. Best of luck and do try not to worry I don't think worry is helpful! Says the one who was given "Worry" as a subject to talk on in my Primary School! My friends had nice things like "Ponies" to go for! That was a HUGE life lesson. Thank you Mrs B!

[5lupins]

I was on 20mg of coated pred, while they searched for what was wrong with me. So I rang the hospital and they said don't take any on the day before or on the day as the red dye could show up. ,!!!!!! How ill and unwise was I. I ended up in a@e in the middle of the night. 😡

So take uncoated the day before and take food and pred with you to take after procedure.

You maybe able to wipe red dye off coated ones?

Hope all goes well. J. ☺️

[Thomas45]

I've had two colonoscopies this year, one diagnostic and one to remove the polyps found. I had two colonoscopies because they didn't want to take me off the anticoagulant I take, warfarin, if there were no polyps there to cut out or cauterize.

Prior to each colonoscopy I had an appointment which went through everything including my current medication, what to take and when, how the procedure would take place, whether I could drive or not, and whether I wanted sedation. I didn't, nor did I want gas and air. I was also given written instructions about my diet for the days leading up to the procedure, when to take medication and a reiteration about when and how to take the laxative, and phone numbers if I had any queries. I remember there were separate additional instructions if you were diabetic. I no longer take prednisolone.

Both procedures were fascinating, seeing how most of the colon is triangular rather than round, looking like a Toblerone mould. There were only a couple of fleeting moments of discomfort.

So best thing is to ask, but prossibly take steroids after the procedure rather than during the laxative stage. I have one coated tablet which I took after the first dose of the laxative had worn off. The worst bit of the proocedure was the laxative, but nothing to worry about.

.

[Janstr]

A friend is having a colonoscopy this week, so I am up with all of this. His colonoscopy is at 7:30 on Thursday.

On Wed he has been told to have a light breakfast, then two laxatives & then only liquids until he starts on the horrible prep drink they give you at 4 pm. You could have your pred with some yogurt ( which is allowed until midday) sometime before breakfast & the laxatives to give it time to be absorbed.

On the day of the procedure, he has to have more of the horrible prep drink 3 hours before the appointment time & take regular medication 1.5 hours before that. He has also been advised that he could take his regular medication after the procedure p; he has been told he will be at the appointment for 2 to 3 hours. They give you sonething to eat , so you could have your pred then.

When you get all of your kit, there should be a number to ring with questions. I think you should ring & discuss your concerns.

[Songbird69]

Thank you everyone for all your help. I am instructed not to eat anything after the light breakfast, so think the answer is probably to find some uncoated pred for the preparation day. As long as my GP

will play ball. I’ll check with the endoscopy unit too - to see what they say - but always better to seek advice here first I reckon. Knowledge is power! Thanks again. Have a good day all.

[S4ndy]

Hi, I was on 8mg when I had my colonoscopy in March. I took my prednisolone at the normal time on the day before and the actual day. I was absolutely fine.

The worst part is the prep. I used a big straw and added orange squash to reduce the disgusting taste and get the prep into me.

Good luck xxx

[Songbird69 in reply to S4ndy]

Four litres of prep. I can’t bear the thought of that! Just hold my nose and hope for the best ☹️

[Hidden]

As l said l can’t remember a great deal about mine but l do remember making little squares of loo paper with Vaseline on for before & after each trip to the loo, that was very successful.

I’m pretty sure l’d have taken my Pred as normal plus an extra 5mg on the day. Remember l was still weak following Chemo & it’s side effects & l’d made them aware of that.

Good Luck

MrsN 🍀

[nuigini]

I too am having a colonoscopy in a week or so. The Gastroenterologist advised me to take an extra dose of prednisone the night before the procedure and my regular dose with a sip of water, in the morning two hours before the procedure. I'm a bit concerned about taking it without food, but will do as directed an hope for the best. The last solid food I'm allowed is a light breakfast the day before, then nothing but liquids for about 24 hours before the test. I'm currently on 10.5 mg of prednisone.

[Songbird69 in reply to nuigini]

Hi Nuigini, I telephoned the endoscopy unit this morning. They have told me not to do anything differently, and to take my normal dose of pred with breakfast. It’s difficult to know what is best with conflicting advice.

I will take the steroids on the day of the procedure when it’s finished - with food (I will be desperate to eat then!) as I am on the list for 8.30am.

Hope all goes well for you.

[nuigini in reply to Songbird69]

I know, there's no consistency whatsoever. It's very frustrating.

Best of luck to you.

[crafty_grannie]

I had colonoscopy when I was on 30mg Pred and the anesthetist gave me more during the procedure and everything was fine. I had my regular dose the day before and on the day of the procedure - no problems, I think I took it earlier than usual though. I had been very anxious to start with, but reassurance from folk on the forum helped a lot. Hope all goes well.