Colonoscopy and sick day rules

[MDT1]

I am having a colonoscopy and am very stressed about it - I am thinking I should follow sick day rules as it is quite an assault on the body, what with all the bowel prep. Also other investigations to come. I am finally down to 1mg which I am sticking on for now as each attempt to go to 0.5 has meant an increase in symptoms.

My question is wether I should take an extra 2.5 or 5 for the 'sick days' as I am at such a low level and am very sensitive to any change. Might 2.5 be enough??

Thanks in anticipation

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think you should speak to your medical team as it isn't really appropriate to use Sick Day Rules for such a procedure. Most appropriate would be an anxiolytic of some sort to deal with the anxiety it obviously engenders for you.

[MDT1 in reply to PMRpro]

OK?? - but I thought you had previously advised sick day rules in stressful times? I have a raft of tests ahead for this issue and another?? My mistake

thanks for the reply

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MDT1]

I don't think I did - maybe you misread something?

[MDT1 in reply to PMRpro]

OK

[Queenie1901]

When I was sent for a colonoscopy 2-3 ,months ago I asked both my GP and the Endoscopy dept consultant about this. GP said it was the responsibility of the doctor carrying out the procedure to decide whether my pred should be increased. In the end my GP had a chat with the consultant and was advised that as I was only on 2mg per day he felt I would not need any increase. So I assume they would advise you what they required.

[MDT1 in reply to Queenie1901]

Thank you x

[SheffieldJane]

When I had one recently the doctor took charge of giving me hydrocortisone through my cannula . It wasn’t as bad as I had feared. I even watched the procedure on the screen and was heartened to see healthy pink tissue. They removed 6 polyps which was painless. They do offer a sedative which I didn’t feel, I think the hydrocortisone cancelled it out. I had a camera endoscopy next which I preferred apart from the copious amounts of unpleasant fluid I had to consume. No tubes anywhere for upper or lower GI.

[MDT1 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you x

[pmac22]

I had a colonoscopy in August, I was at 8mg prednisone, I was told just to take my 8mg in AM as usual. Also mentioned it to anesthesia person and she said it should not be an issue but good to know. I had no issue with procedure.

Peggy

[MDT1 in reply to pmac22]

Thank you Peggy x

[Lclmlbls]

I’ve just read your post and am interested to know how you dealt with the stress of the colonoscopy. I’ve been informed I need one and to say I’m extremely stressed is an understatement. The reason for my FIT test was blood in my stools due (I’m convinced) to changing my PPI to pantoprazole. Once I stopped the drug all was ok. So I’m not convinced I need the colonoscopy. Neither do I need a PPI. I’d be grateful for any tips on getting through the procedure, unless I can convince the GP to do another FIT test now and hope it comes back clear. I hope your other investigations went well.