Colonoscopy Friday - Terrified!

[Bellasaurus]

I have my first colonoscopy scheduled this Friday and I am absolutely terrified. Not so much of the actual procedure (although that does worry me too) but of the prep. I have emetophobia and I can't imagine getting sick and drinking on an empty stomach and ugh... And what if it doesn't even work to clean me out?!

Any advice or anyone doing a prep this Thursday?

 

[Daisy123]

What is the prep? If it helps, I have had loads of colonoscopies and never thrown up the prep.

 

[Bellasaurus]

I think it is called prepopik - two sachets of powder. My GI suggested it due to the lower volume compared to other preps. She also kindly gave me ten zofran 4mg pills in case I need it. But I am still so so scared and I read sometimes prepopik doesn't even work to fully clean!

I'm already losing sleep. I had a flex sig two years ago and just used an enema but the cramping with just that was severe, I was in horrible pain for a few hours! I can't imagine this...

 

[Daisy123]

I think it is the same one that I have. I tried Kleanprep once but struggled to drink it all. With this it is usually two doses or one full dose and two half dose. If there is some clear fluid that you find easy to drink, wash it down with that. The more fluid you drink, the easier it is. You might want to consider a sports drink or something similar. Make sure you take the sickness tablets regularly and don't wait to see if it is going to make you feel sick. My other advice is not to eat anything too heavy leading up to the prep. I go on a bland diet about three days before. Once you get to the hospital for the test, the drugs they give you will slow it all down. Good luck.

 

[Bellasaurus]

Did you have cramping or nausea? Thanks for your kind words

 

[Daisy123]

I haven't got a great deal of colon left and as soon as I stop the anti-diarrhoea medication my stool becomes liquid. I am on codeine for the diarrhoea so I get to go through withdrawal which sucks, so I don't get much sleep for about three days. I suspect it will be much easier for you. I do sometimes takes a Valium to help with the cramps, but they are not too bad. Just keep the diet light both before and after and that shouldn't irritate your bowel too much. Just remember lots of water and lots of reading material in the bathroom. Make sure you have some sudocream or barrier cream in case you get sore.