I am booked for a colonoscopy on 21 December at 2:40 pm. I have no other details and await a nurse to ring prior to the procedure. This news has not helped my anxiety, which has, of late increased to a high level for various reasons. I’ve read, and heard from friends, many horror stories about the medication required prior to the procedure and the procedure itself. I admit I’m a bit of a wuss where pain and discomfort is concerned. My question is how and when should I take pred and adcal. Currently I’m at the start of a second attempt of a slow taper, 10mg to 9.5mg which I take around 9am after breakfast followed by 2 adcal at 11:45, the 2 more adcal at 10:30pm.
I understand the medication I need to take prior to the colonoscopy causes complete evacuation of the bowels and I’m worried I may not absorb the pred/adcal. Any advice would be welcome.
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Now you have asked you will see related posts- but taking Pred at 9am shouldn’t be an issue - if it’s the plain uncoated it should be in system within an hour. If it’s GR/EC might be different as it takes longer get into system . .. as for Adcal, missing the am dose is no great shakes…
..and I wouldn’t be thinking about tapering now -wait until after procedure, preferably after Xmas.
Thank you. I take uncoated prednisolone. I wondered if I should split the dose. I’m guessing I take the solution on 20th and have the procedure on the 21st. Do you think I should and if so how to split it? Or just carry on as normal?
I hope you don’t need a colonoscopy because of constipation; any calcium-adcal- can be very constipating especially when one needs a good clean out before hand..
Usually sedation is given for this to relax the gut; the anesthetist can give steroids IV although taking yours earlier is also OK.
Colonoscopy is a wonderful life saving procedure that can find any problem early and treatable.
Not to worry; I’ve had at least 4 in my long life.
Did you not get sedation? That’s crazy. In the US mostly everyone gets light sedation to relax the gut and facilitate the scoping. Part of my anesthetic was practice was administering such sedation. All my patients were satisfied. I’m talking also of my own experience. Can you demand sedation?
A nurse is due to call today. I just wanted to be prepared and ask the right questions. I am aware that, although she is obviously a medical professional, she may not have all the answers where prednisolone is concerned and certainly won’t have as much experience as many of those on this forum.
DL has given you advice. I’ll just say that I understand your fear. I dread ever having one even though I know so many people who have had one. Many say, “not nice” but not the end of the world. Some were sedated and said they didn’t know much and some didn’t have that at all. They said it was gripey like very bad wind and a bit embarrassing. My sister has had about 10 of the things and doesn’t enjoy it but doesn’t lose sleep. USA relatives bowl up for theirs on annual basis like it’s just one of those things! I’ve seen a number of them and the people doing it, do it all day every day. I will try to concentrate on those nuggets and try to put it into perspective, if it’s ever me.
I’m a total wuss these days; too many procedures! If it becomes my turn I will, as usual, try to concentrate on breathing like giving birth. Deep breath in and concentrate on a long, loud outbreath. It has got me through some horrible procedures like a botched bone marrow biopsy in the hip that took an hour. I recommend you try this because it helps you keep control of something at a time when you feel you have none, and gives you something to do. Or you will have sedation of course. You will be out the other side in no time that’s for sure.
Thank you for your reply. Glad I’m not the only wuss! Thanks for your suggestion about the breathing techniques. I did think I might try that. Also I am definitely going to ask for sedation. I just have 3 weeks now to prepare/worry about it!
Sedation was optional for both when I had one of each this summer. I didn’t have it for either … although if I had to have another gastroscope I’d seriously consider it for that: didn’t like it at all! The colonoscopy was really not too bad: they did make gas and air available as well, and a couple of breathes of that dealt with the slight discomfort.
I’m awaiting a date for mine and having read about it on HU I’m opting for a morning appointment if possible , sedation and gas and air if offered. I understand I can take my meds early that morning but I’m not on pred or anything time sensitive. I’m dreading the prep procedure but it’s unavoidable. Reason for seeking the sedation is I found the endoscopy extremely painful in my throat which is perhaps just me as I have a constant sore throat as part of Stills Disease (RD). Wishing you all the best.
I have regular gastroscopes, with sedation. No problem at all. The colonoscopy was the worst experience of my life. I had minimal sedation and could not have had and air.
I wholeheartedly agree with Snazzy’s advice regarding breathing/ mindfulness during the procedure: it really does help enormously. I suggest you practise in the days beforehand. Here is a simple method which worked for me during my colonoscopy:
1. Eyes closed to block out distractions.
2. Two or three slow deep breaths..breathe out slowly after each.
3. Continue to take normal breaths concentrating on each one. If unwanted thoughts come into your head concentrate on listening to your own breathing.
(This works for me at bedtime: I can get off to sleep in seconds. It did take practise but I persevered.)
4. One more thing- be mindfully aware of the surface you are lying on and feel it taking the weight of your body as you breathe.
Maybe you could practise something like this during the days before your procedure so that you really get the hang of it 🙂. The more you are able to relax the easier it will be for you as well as the person performing the colonoscopy and you will cope with any discomfort admirably.
Thank you so much for your helpful advice. I’ve been trying to find out how to actually do this and you have supplied the answer. 8 do practice the breathing at bedtime which help me get off to sleep. This is so useful, thank you. 💐
Certain things can be daunting if you haven’t previously experienced them. Have confidence in the colonoscopist who will very likely have performed many, many procedures prior to yours and could probably do it blindfolded - might be best if he doesn’t 😂😂.
Stop worrying - the most unpleasant part IS the bowel prep you have to take because if there is "stuff" left in the bowel they can't see what they are looking for but once the gut is empty it all calms down. Not sure how they time the prep for an afternoon scope but once they give you the details you can plan for the pred, Ditch the AdCal for the day, that is not going to matter. Ask us after the phone call. And WRITE IT DOWN!!
I didn't find the procedure half as bad as many claim. Here we are rarely offered sedatives or pain relief - which I think means the doctor is far gentler. I watched the entire process on the screen which I found fascinating and took my mind off anything else.
Thanks for your reply. The nurse said I shouldn’t take any of my medication. When I questioned what would happen if I didn’t take prednisolone each day he didn’t know. He is speaking to a doctor and ringing me on Wednesday with an answer. I don’t feel happy not taking the pred if that is what is recommended.
My appointment was also early afternoon, on a Monday. Looking back at my records, I was on 5mg at the time, and took 10 on Saturday and Sunday. The bowel prep started mid-afternoon on Sunday, with a second dose early Monday morning. I took no pred on the Monday morning, but took 5 after I got home with some food, then carried on as normal.
Idiot ... Him, not you!!!! He could make someone very unwell with that sort of blanket instruction and it isn't correct. Had you had a morning appointment you could have just delayed until the procedure was to start or was done.
I'm trying to get a better bit of advice from my endoscopy nurse daughter - as usual she's disappeared when needed ...
I have recently had a colonoscopy. My hospital letter gave me the exact timings for the prep and meds. The prep is not nice, but I survived, and it was good to know exactly when to take what.
I had recent colonoscopy, endoscopy and the camera endoscopy. I don’t think I would be frightened again. I actually found a complete bowel clear out quite satisfying. My bowel has been sluggish of late.The copious drinks I had to have were unnecessarily unpleasant to taste, I felt. Why can’t they taste better? Like faint slightly nasty, gloopy, lime juice.I think they are working on it. I just pretended it was something else - like booze in the good old wicked days.
The actual colonoscopy was not as bad as I had feared. I had taken my Pred as usual a few hours before but the doctor put hydrocortisone in my IV to ensure my adrenals were fully supported I guess. I watched the procedure on the screen and was pleased to see how pink and healthy my insides were. I saw them remove 6 polyps - absolutely painless.. all I felt was a slight ache when they went deep but they stopped when I complained.
The only sour note was a rather officious, cold nurse who seemed to intimidate the doctor and the younger nurse. She just irritated me - that is not efficiency and kindness goes a long way.
Of all three procedures I would choose the camera. I simply had to swallow a large capsule ( again with some self convincing therapy) . It was attached to nothing and its progress was followed throughout my GI system - completely painless. I think it was guided magnetically but I was distracted by a ridiculously handsome Gastroenterologist. It is passed out naturally after the procedure. A great improvement and very good pictures.
Good luck and do breathe. I am the biggest coward and it wasn’t bad at all. Your so called friends telling you horror stories is just a base example of human nature.
Glad this question has cropped up..my 24 year old granddaughter is phoning me later, she is having a colonoscopy on 15th, she is petrified, she knows I have had them done in the past....my son says don't mention polyps, which I won't, they can tell her that if they find them.......I always feared the bowel clear out drink before! Trouble is she faints at needles, and she will want anaesthetic, so although she will be lying down it won't be a good start!....but it's fairly quick, and they usually say what they find......I know four people who have had this done in the last fortnight.....To distract her I hope she gets a very handsome member of the team too!
Thanks for your reassuring message. It is a colonoscopy I will be having. I’m anxious about the medication as much as the procedure! I will be glad when it’s over! The nurse said I would have a diagnosis on the day.
Yes I got my diverticular disease, small hiatus hernia diagnosis on the day. I am glad you found my account reassuring. I was so scared before hand and it was honestly more interesting than any other feelings. The anticipation was worse. I just go slightly “ out of body” like meditation which I can do. I hope to hear it was fine for you and nothing nasty was found. Can’t promise a gorgeous gastroenterologist though, he was just a distracting bonus. 😁
Thank you for that very reassuring reply. I too am awaiting a colonoscopy, having been referred in April, the screening appointment is on 21st December. I am hoping that the date for the procedure will follow quickly as the waiting is stressful.
Don't know about the Pred because I wasn't on it for mine, but the procedure itself is nothing..you are asleep and it's short. Even the prep the night before wasn't bad at all (and I have IBS so was fearing cramping pains)..just a lot of bathroom trips- so you won't sleep too much that night..but that is it. Many here in the US get them starting age 45 now..definitely age 50. Don't worry!
Being asleep is not an option in the UK. You can have a sedative but I think mine was knocked out by the hydrocortisone. Mind you, reading my post back, I do sound unnaturally cocky.
Often the waiting and expectation is much worse than the actual procedure. The trouble is that we are hardly ever supported mentally over these things. It always amazes me how they change appointments around etc and never bother to think about the effect it has on the poor patient’s anxiety.
I was told Friday that my ablation on Tuesday is postponed to Jan 8th. Only irritation was I'd just been shopping so I have easy food for post op. Will have to eat it before xmas as need the space for food for xmas visitors and do it again in January.
I have had several colonoscopies, one since I have been on prednisone. I just took my prednisolone like normal in the morning several hours prior to the procedure. I find the bowel prep more of an inconvenience rather than being particularly unpleasant. First time I had a colonoscopy I took sedation but since then I always just take gas and air. I don’t find the procedure painful just a bit uncomfortable. The good thing about gas and air is that you get out right away rather than having to hang around in the recovery area. Don’t worry, it really is a routine procedure and not a big deal. I have also had two gastroscopies where I opted for a throat numbing spray instead of sedation, that is a bit more uncomfortable than a colonoscopy but is over much more quickly and there is only a few hours fasting needed and no bowel prep.
I would take an Endoscopy over a Colonoscopy any day. I have them every 3 months and have really good sedation, which I was not allowed for the Colonoscopy.
Yes, I haven't seen the coated stuff for a couple of years now. I am sure the leaflet they gave me said to take any medication as normal, I figured one morning on an empty stomach wouldn't hurt.
I was given mild sedation beforehand which I strongly recommend. It meant i went into a light sleep for about 40 minutes and felt nothing.
The prep is very unpleasant. Mine was done in the morning before the afternoon so it was very fast. Perhaps use some pads in pants or diapers...it is sometimes hard to get to the loo fast enough. I stayed with about 10 steps of the loo for the couple of hours it took.
I wore a diaper on my journey to the colonoscopy to feel more secure.
Thanks for the advice. The nurse said I should take the first dose at 6pm which indicates I may have a night of running to the loo, then the second dose at 8am the following morning. The procedure is at 2:40pm. I really am dreading it!
I’ve just had a colonoscopy and it was fine. Follow the instructions for the powders, don’t go far from a toilet and when the powders have done their job, everything will settle down. For myself it was about 2 hours after the second lot of powders when I felt confident to leave the vicinity of the toilet. As I had a early morning procedure I didn’t take my prednisone until I left the hospital. I also had the conscious sedative, I felt very relaxed and apart from a minor bit of discomfort never felt anything.
Although the procedure is daunting if you’ve never had one, don’t forget it is the medical staff’s day job. I found that they were very good and nothing was too much trouble.
I recently had a colonoscopy and had no reaction re the pred not being absorbed. I was also very nervous about the drugs they want you to take during the procedure and asked not to have them. They agreed and put in a cannula in my arm and said I could change my mind anytime through the procedure. I didn’t and was so glad. Maybe I was lucky but had no pain and was able to watch the whole thing on the big screen by the bed - fascinating! Hope all goes well for you. 🤞🤞
I would follow up regarding the issue of pred not being absorbed due to the diarrhoea and whether your adrenals might struggle as a result. Sick day rules do suggest like SheffieldJane some IV hydrocortisone might be a wise preventative measure.
I'm due to have one but I postponed it till after Christmas. I am far too busy and my chronic diarrhoea has now stopped. The leaflet said take your pred as normal but don't take loperamide (imodium). The last time I had one I was on the loo ALL night. It was horrid because you're sitting there in the cold and just want to sleep. I asked the consultant about it and yes that's to be expected. A very sore anus - have plenty of vaseline handy. I was just producing water for most of the time. This time I won't drink so much.
For the procedure there was no sedation, but it was painless. The worst bit was the air they pump into you. Afterwards I felt like I was going to soil myself. I drove home, legged it into the bathroom, sat on the loo, only to produce very long and loud "bottom burp"!
It's unpleasant, but it's only less than 24 hours in your life, not painful and might actually help your problem.
I am anxious about most procedures. I had a colonoscopy years ago. Vomited the liquid prep but managed to keep enough down. I tried to do the procedure without sedative, but at the first turn in the colon, I asked for something. Watching it on the screen was distracting and interesting. Would I want another one? Probably not, but the pros outway the cons.
I have had 3 colonoscopies and polyps removed and share what others have said. It wasn’t the way I’d choose to spend 24 hours but it really isn’t a major deal although I accepted sedation. It was totally painless and interesting to watch! Can’t understand why they don’t make the drink taste better. The anticipation was worse than the reality.
My rheumatologist told me to take my Pred as normal.
Thanks for your reply. I am learning what to expect now from all the helpful people on here. I hope to be given the green light to take the pred when the nurse calls on Wednesday but just wonder about the timings. It’s good to know your rheumatologist advised taking the pred as normal. I start the treatment on 20th at 6pm then the 2nd dose at 8am the following morning then the colonoscopy at 2:40 that day. I normally take my pred around 9am. The nurse said not to eat after breakfast on 20th, just drinks without milk. He also said I was to follow a low fibre diet for 5 days prior to, the procedure.
The usual advice I'd give there is to take the pred before bed after the evening prep is through or wake early and take your pred about 6am which will allow plenty of time for it to be absorbed before breakfast if you eat it. It's fine if you take it with plenty of water.
Thanks for replying, don’t want to appear stupid but just to be clear -
19th take pred as normal 9am (just a normal day)
20th - 6pm instructed to take solution and only eat breakfast, no more food until after the procedure on 21st at 2:40. Shall I take pred at 9am with breakfast on 20th or later in day?
21st - 8am instructed to take 2nd solution. Procedure at 2:40pm. When shall I take the pred?
You shouldn't take BP meds or ibuprofen before the procedure - pred is OK. You would have been given a "pred plan" in my daughter's department and a decision made whether you needed hydrocortisone in a drip for the procedure so do ask when you get there, just in case. If you have had your morning pred you will probably be fine.
As I say, I would take the pred about 6am on the 21st with plenty of water and that will be well absorbed before you take the prep at 8am and any leftovers will be gone after the prep.
One thing I learnt is that different hospitals treat the whole procedure differently. I was scheduled for a morning procedure and actually had it done after 2pm so it was a long wait while being empty! Because it was supposed to be morning I had left taking the Pred until afterwards. I don't think its a really big deal to be late with a dosage though. At that time I was on 40mg of Pred. My hospital offered a canula to be inserted in case I wanted pain relief. I just used the gas and air in the end as I don't react well to pain relief and can be quite brave after many years of practice! I did nearly give in though. They discovered a couple of polyps which I hardly felt being removed and diagnosed diverticulitis. Good luck with yours and don't waste energy worrying about it, they do the procedure every day.
PS I stopped going to the loo about 12 hours before the procedure was due if that helps so had a reasonable night's sleep.
I am going for one on Thursday so I will let you know how I get on !To be honest I am not worried at all. A slightly modified diet for 2 days and then 24 hours no food and two doses of Picolax to empty your bowel.... which if you are not eating it won't be much ! They give you a pre med and you can have entonox during the procedure which only lasts 40 mins . It won't affect your pred because you don't start taking the Picolax until late morning so you pred will be in your system. They will answer any questions you have when you get your letter. Don't worry. There is a good you tube video which explains everything. youtu.be/KPonli3DrqE?si=nxS... look at all the other ones with the gory details .😀
Just come back from the procedure. Really nothing to worry about. Declined the sedation and just had a few gasps of gas and air when the camera went around the bends ! 3 in all 😀. Watched it on the big screen and chatted to the surgeon throughout. Took my pred as normal. No pain either during or after. Just a bit uncomfortable but nothing else. Thirty mins and it was over . Good luck !
I have recently had a colonoscopy. The pre op procedure is not nice but you get over it quickly. I received a whole pack of ‘stuff’ and the instructions were very clear. I was on 2.5 mls of pred but was told to take 20mls the day before, on the day and the day after. I believe this to be guarding you against a flare. I was also on a very bland diet the day before. You will also have to drink litres of water. It make you feel very bloated but it’s not for long. Good luck.
Thanks for your good wishes. I have my pack now. I’m instructed to eat a low fibre diet for 5 DAYS before the procedure. In the accompanying sheet from the hospital . The manufacturer’s instructions say 3 days. The nurse just said to take my pred as normal. Everyone seems to be told different things.
The longer you eat the low residue diet the better the result will be - some people have much slower gut transit times. And it is easier for you and them when they don't have to say sorry - but there was still stuff left and we couldn't see so we have to do it all again ...
I think I must be a tad weird, when I had a colonoscopy they asked me if I wanted to watch. I said yes, so they brought the screen over next to me. Very interesting. Think it’s because back in the day I worked at a Veterinary Hospital & used to love watching the ops. 🙁
Hi Lclmlbls. I can understand your concern about the procedure, in my experience it's straight forward and painless.I've had it done three times during my 81 years and on two occassions they did a gastroscopy at the same time.
I was admitted in the morning and discharged in the afternoon, with no real side effects other having to take a mild laxative on one occassion after the procedure to get the system moving.
The most unpleasant part was drinking the mixture a few days before to clean out the system, it wasn't a pleasant taste.I believe that they have improved the flavour of the drink and reduced the quantity you have to take from 4 litres to about two.
It is a straight forward simple procedure. When I was discharge we went straight from the hospital to our local restaurant for a meal as I was famished from the fasting the day before. I hope this helps reassure you. It will be nice to hear about your experience once it's all over. Best wishes
I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the trouble to reply and tried to allay my fears. I feel well prepared about what I may expect both pre procedure and during it. I will report back to this post when it's all over! This is such a valuable resource and I appreciate everyone's kindness and care.
You'd be better doing a new post to tell us how you get on - only people who actively followed the thread will be notified. One of HU's irritating tics ...
I took my prednisone like usual in the morning but without food - chances are you wont screw up your stomach from one day of prednisone on an empty stomach; I didn't.
I'd been avoiding a colonoscopy all my life even though my sister, my husband, and one of my daughters told me it was really no big deal. And guess what? It was really no big deal.
Yes, I went to the bathroom about 20 times when I took the cleansing medication but some people pay lots of money in fancy places for a detox process that's not all that different. I stayed home, read, watched some tv, and stayed close to the bathroom. No biggie.
The procedure itself was 100% not painful. If you feel anything you need to tell them to give you more of the good stuff. I felt zero before, during, and after. ZERO.
the nurse will be able to answer your concerns. I’ve had two and fell asleep both times! I did have a great tip from a pre op nurse as you can’t eat beforehand … you can however eat jelly, which gives you something to chew on and if you make a clear stock (even from a stock cube) so you feel vaguely satisfied …rather just having water and tea!
Hi, I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago and had no problems. You can give the Adcal a miss. I took my levothyroxine about 6 am and my pred at 8.30. I am on long term 5mg and I doubled my dose on the day of the procedure I chose to be anaesthetised so the anaesthetist recommended I take the 10mg. I didn't split my dose and I was fine. I also wouldn't consider reducing until after Christmas, it's a stressful time of year without having to undergo procedures. Xxxx
she wasn’t happy when I upped it to deal with the sudden death of a family member followed by a burglary, and my mother’s fall! I think she just would like it if I committed to reducing. I did get down to 8 once, but couldn’t walk properly- 10 seems to be the best for me.
hi. I have a colonoscopy due this coming Wednesday. I have one every 18 months or so.
My prep is split over two days as I have an afternoon appointment. Yours will probably be the same. So I take my Gastro coated pred in the morning of the day before the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, I take my meds with me and take as soon as I come round from the procedure.
For me, the worst part is the prep, but as you are having Picolax, that is a breeze compared to the litres I have to drink!
You will be fine. You will have some sedation (I choose light sedation as I like to know what’s going on!) but it’s not a bad experience.
Many thanks. The preparation I am being sent is plenvu. I know nothing about the liquid quantities. Apparently 3 sachets, the large one to be taken the 6pm before the day of the procedure and two sachets mixed for 8am next morning.
I'm an Anesthetist and i give sedation for colonoscopies and endoscopies. Been doing doing for 15 years, done thousands.
No need to change your prednisone medication regime. Follow prep per instructions. Won't do a stress dose for colo. Sedation is optional, but very very few deny it. Recommend it. Low risk procedure. You will be fine.
We will give IV steroids during high stress surgeries (not colo) understanding the adrenals will not have a capability to respond effectively due taking prednisone.
Medical language:
A stress dose intraoperative will be given to prevent adenal crisis secondary to adrenal insufficiency due to exogenous prednisone use.
Many anesthetist have stopped giving stress doses despite the type of surgeries, but stress the patients remain on there normal medication regime up until surgery.
So, no, a stress dose is typically give by a medical professional, and not the patient increasing the dose before surgery. Typically.......
So are you saying the Pred will be absorbed despite taking the Prep? Mine is Gastro resistant so I had always assumed that taking it in the morning of an afternoon procedure, would just end up going straight through my system with the early morning prep.
If it is taken 1-2 hours before starting the prep plain pred will be absorbed. Enteric coated would not, it will be washed out with the prep if that is started within 4 to 5 hours of taking the e/c pred.
One time I took the morning dose as normal, and then another dose at night to tied me over for the following day. And another after the afternoon procedure.
The e/c pred can actually be taken without H2 blockers as it isn't absorbed in the stomach but much lower down in the gut after leaving the stomach, hence the delay
Brill. Thanks Pro. So I can take Pred at the same time as the H2 blockers. That makes a huge difference as I thought I had to leave a two hour gap before taking other meds.
I can't see why not. No, there are other things that need a gap but pred and calcium are the ones where 2 hours is important for us as they interfere with each other.
The gut-cleaner liquid is really quite vile. I have had it twice. It is like drinking seawater. The second time, I added elderflower cordial, which made it palatable. We are allowed to drink clear liquid, no bits in it. Food stops one or two days before the colonoscopy, can't remember which. I took my meds as usual. It is the last bit of your guts, the colon, that they want spotless. Mine was clean. Good job as they had to remove a polyp which had been bleeding. A sandwich arrived while I was waiting for the nod to go home. Be aware that you will need the loo a lot.
It's weird how the procedure differs. I have to take two doses of Moviprep at 6pm and 9pm then spend the night on the loo having been on a special low fibre diet for two days before. I'm allowed water, nothing else, no mention of jelly. They did say not to have anything blackcurrant - no idea why. I was also sent a video, but it wasn't much help. Just showing you being moved from room to room!I've been told to take my pred in the morning as usual.
I have had several of these procedures. I carried on as normal with the pred and Adcal with no bad effects. The procudure is a bit uncomfortable, but it's soon over. As for taking the sedation, no side effects. Just think of the reason your having the procedure and look forward to the outcome. You'll be ok!
My recent experience of colonoscopy was absolutely fine. Restricted diet fo a couple of days, drinking disgusting solution the night before procedure then going to the loo continuously so little sleep, procedure in the morning with sedation. Very straightforward and I didn't feel anything and could look at the monitor. Just took my pred afterwards , a couple of hours later than usual. Then off for coffee and cake as a reward!Do make sure you ask for sedation, it was optional for me but I said yes please.
I was really worried about the thought of the procedure, terrified, actually, but all was well and I hope it will be for you too. I decided to up my pred for the 2 days before as I was stressing.
I do hope you have had the advice you need. If not, message me and I can photocopy fasting instructions. Really important to follow them, get in loads of interesting drinks (avoiding purple - lucozade ok). I got some heavy duty pads in case I was caught short getting to the loo and on my way to the hospital. Ask for sedation if they don’t offer it - it takes the edge off the discomfort, You’ll need someone to take you home and be with you for 24 hours. Watch the screen as a distraction (optional 😂) - it’s fascinating. I just took my Pred as usual but you’ll have advice here. These are suggestions not commands! Good luck and don’t worry. It’s a fairly disgusting process but not life threatening and you will be fine 👍🏻❤️
Thank you for that sound advice. I’m waiting for the medication to arrive in the post and hope that the instructions will be included along with fasting info. I’ve seen videos and advice other hospitals produced which have been quite useful but my local hospital has no such information - maybe that’s one of the reasons they are in the category “requires improvement”!!
One of my colonoscopy experiences was enhanced by a wonderful Italian nurse. He and I decided that we both liked to sing. Throughout the procedure he held my hand and we sang Bohemian Rhapsody. Made it feel like a party!!
UPDATE - not sure I’ve added the update in the right place, but here goes. After the colonoscopy in December and follow on virtual colonoscopy early January, I’m pleased to say that no serious disease was found. It was confirmed that I have diverticular disease. My symptoms which prompted the investigation , I feel sure, were brought on by PPI side effects.
I’ve been following this thread. My colonoscopy is tomorrow after scan suggesting diverticulitis. I’ve been taking omeprazole this year following gastric issues . Prep starts at high noon today 😜
You have updated the thread - but only the few of us that follow it will see your update. If you want more to know then it means a new post really - just because of the way HU works (or doesn't ...)
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