Extrapred for colonoscopy?

[SID3]

I would appreciate advice on whether I should add to my normal 3mg for the day of a colonoscopy. The endocrine advice line at my hospital seems overwhelmed. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't but I suppose it depends on how uptight you are about it. Are you having sedation?

[SID3]

Thanks. I was thinking only of the adrenals aspect, remembering the advice for some procedures being to take a little more. The lack of food for 24 hours beforehand presumably makes one a bit weaker.

[MrsNails]

l had a Sigmoidoscopy recently, while l was in hospital & didn’t need any additional Pred Cover. l am on 5mg but there isn’t the Big Prep & Liquid Diet.

I’ve had a Colonoscopy in the past but can’t for the life of me remember if l increased my dose or not, sorry……

[Broseley in reply to MrsNails]

I had a sigmoidoscopy 4 weeks after a colonoscopy. The prep was exactly the same.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Broseley]

Depends on the hospital - many just require an enema for a sigmoidoscopy because they aren't looking any further up.

[MrsNails in reply to Broseley]

As per PMRpro says they may only need an enema for a Sigmoidoscopy. Due to my condition l didn’t even need that.

However, they did explain they don’t do Colonoscopies on InPatients due to the Prep & needing a Toilet especially for that Patient, so they are done as OutPatients.

[Broseley in reply to MrsNails]

I don't know why they didn't do that for me; I was just having polyps removed from the descending colon.

[MrsNails in reply to Broseley]

Every Hospital/Dr has differing procedures……

[SID3]

Thank you. I supposed they would advise on things like this, but silos being silos…

[agingfeminist]

I had a colonoscopy last year on 4mg. I took some extra pred in my bag and made sure the people doing it knew that I did have adrenal insufficiency. The sedation was brilliant...lasted exactly the 30 minutes of the procedure. No extra pred needed. The colonoscopy was a doddle the preparation was hell. Can I recomment that you get a small pack of adult diapers and wear one on your way to the colocnoscopy and one on the way back. I didn't need them but I felt more secure...one less thing to worry about.

Good luck!

[SID3 in reply to agingfeminist]

Thank you very much for this practical advice. Much appreciated.

[Broseley]

I had a colonoscopy followed by a sigmoidoscopy 4 weeks later. I didn't adjust my pred though I was not allowed to take my meds on the morning of the procedure so I took them with me and had them with my cup of tea afterwards. No sedation.

[SID3]

Yes, timing is another issue. My appointment is 8am and I intend to take my pred beforehand, absent any contra-information.

[CricketMonkey in reply to SID3]

I was on 5mg when I had a colonoscopy last year: I took 10mg on each of the two days before the procedure at my normal breakfast time. I took 5mg after the procedure with the coffee and biscuits, and then carried on as normal.

Mine was an afternoon procedure, so didn’t have to start the prep until early evening the day before, so figured I should have had most of that day’s dose absorbed beforehand. There seemed little point taking any once the prep had started, as a) it would likely have been out of the system before it was absorbed, and b) the instructions were very clear about no solids even including things like jelly sweets once the prep had started, and particularly in the last couple of hours when I couldn’t even drink … so I didn’t want to run the risk (however small) of confusing the results or giving them a reason not to go ahead!

[SID3 in reply to CricketMonkey]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[NCStateLine]

I am now in month 3 of PMR at 10 mg now down from 20 at the start. Had a colonoscopy a month ago and I was at 12.5!mg. Took it as usual in the AM before the procedure and no issues at all. I was told to eat fortune cookies the night prior so the doctor would have something to read. Hope all goes well.

[Suffererc]

I have had two endesvcopes recently both without sedation. Those two one on Pred and one not. Having another on Friday again without sedation. I have a high pain tolerance so won’t be having sedation again. The pain was negligible and only lasted seconds. Went shopping when discharged. No after affects. Didn’t increase Pred . Good luck 😊

[Dance62]

Hi

I had a colonoscopy in November having started prednisolone in September. I didn't need to increase my dose, but I wasn't allowed to take it on the day until after the procedure. Hope this helps and hope it goes ok for you.

[1951grumpa]

Here in the USA I have had multiple colonoscopies with sedation since being on Prednisone and never had an issue. The prep is always the worst part. Although if I understand correctly , on the other side of the pond sedation isn’t always used. I would forgo it if I weren’t sedated. I woke up once and I thought I had stomach cramps.

[Tahiri]

I’ve had 4 without sedation and although I had 7 polyps removed didn’t need to increase my Pred from the 2 mg I’m on currently. I told the staff about my being on steroids, but thankfully all went well.