Question- Colonoscopy Prep.

T o p i c : Colonoscopy Prep.

Q: I'm scheduled to have a colonscopy tomorrow morning and I am suddenly getting a cold. Runny nose and slight fever. Will I still be able to have the procedure or will all of this cleansing have been for nothing?

A: Contact your personal physician for advice regarding your individual care. As a general rule, in patients that I have scheduled for colonoscopy I defer to the patient's sense of well being in deciding whether or not to proceed with a scheduled elective examination. Certainly, if one has already completed the prep (which most people consider to be the worst part of the experience), then it is reasonable to do the exam provided there is no more significant associated symptom such as wheezing, high fever, sinus infection, shortness of breath etc. Ask your doctor about avoiding any cold medications containing aspirin or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (eg. ibuprofen) prior to an endoscopic examination as these may increase the risk of bleeding (especially if a biopsy is performed).