How long for Crohn's Disease diagnosis after colonoscopy

[ssttpp]

Hi everyone,

I had my first GI appointment yesterday (I posted before about this) and she thinks I most likely have Crohn's and scheduled me for a colonoscopy next week. I have a few questions about it. First, will the doctor be able to tell me anything that day? I guess during the test, she can see if I have any inflammation, right? Or will I have to wait a little while before she can tell me if I have Crohn's or not?

Also, how soon can I eat after the test? Or will I not want to for awhile? I'm having it done very early in the morning and my boyfriend wants to take me out for dinner that evening.

And my last question-does everyone have to go on prednisone? I've been reading up on it around here and the side effects sound absolutely dreadful. Are there any other drugs I could try first? Can I refuse prednisone? I mean, I'd rather take it than be horribly ill but it sounds like the side effects are worse than all my stomach problems right now.

Thanks in advance for all the help. Everyone on here is so nice and informative. I really appreciate it!

 

[Rebecca85]

If you have sedation rather than anastesia(sp) for the scope you will see for yourself and hear the drs comments which is interesting. They will tell you in a few words what they see straight after (mine said "small bowel inflamed- likely Crohn's disease") but you may have to wait for biopsies to come back before they give you a diagnosis. You can eat as soon as you have come round enough- as I had sedation and it didn't affect me much I was demanding food as they wheeled me into recovery room!

Don't worry too much about the pred side effects- you only hear from the people who have bad experiences. Personally I had the munchies (not a bad thing when you have lost a stone in a month) and was a bit more emotional than normal (not surprising when you have been in and out of hospital and told you have an incurable disease). Also it gave me more energy, I am on a low dose now and want my energy back!

 

[belle1999]

Exactly what Rebecca said. You can eat as soon as you want to. I took steroids for a bit and they did a number on me in terms of appetite as well as some muscle issues. However, they were temporary for me. Hopefully, they can be for you too. Just talk to your doctor about your concerns and see what he/she says.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Yep, if your Gi does the scope they will tell you right after. Depends on your drugs that put you out, you should be able to eat but dont go crazy..little and chew well. Depending on the severity of your disease, you may only need Entocort and/or Pentasa, they usually start out with the milder drugs.

 

[Astra]

Yeah I got to watch my scope on the big screen, amazing! I was told there and then
As regards to Pred, no, you don't have to go on it, there are many alternatives, but don't be too put off, it worked wonders for me and saved my life! Yeah, I had side effects but I coped and I quite (weirdly) enjoyed the buzz and energy it gave me, I didn't like the insomnia tho, but I would certainly try it again if need be.
xx

 

[ssttpp]

Thanks for the info!

 

[sunflower]

Okay, I am one of the ones that moans and groans about Prednisone, but the truth is - it has saved my life more than once, and I will take it again if I need to.

When you have to be on it for a year or more, it really takes a toll. Still, I would rather put up with it than die on the toilet. oo:

 

[Zalanicht]

I ate right away after then fell asleep for like 2 days.
I was diagnosed with CD.
As for medication I started with Budesonide but then a week later I was in the hospital on Prednisone. I wish I started with the hard hitting drugs like pred in the first place.

 

[Regular Joe]

Hi ssttp,

I started seeing a GI who was my "second opinion" after I had problems with my first GI.

I had the colonoscopy, and I got the diagnosis after the scoping. I was also precribed Entocort, not prednisone. I was not under heavy sedation, and I conversed with the GI and his nurses as they were doing the procedure. Talking was difficult at first, but I heard everything they were saying. I also felt some pain, too, and flinched a couple times. Then I went to my girlfriend's house and passed out for several hours, and I forgot most of the whole experience.

I wasn't too hungry afterwards, I ate a half-sandwich in the car on the way home. After I woke up, she fixed a nice dinner and we enjoyed watching a brisk thunderstorm together. If your boyfriend isn't used to Crohn's Disease yet, start "training" so that he knows that plans can and will change fast when you have this disease. It will ease hard feelings if you both have something planned (like a big dinner afterwards) and you're not feeling up to it.