Colonoscopy questions

[Tom91]

I have my first colonoscopy scheduled for the 23rd (2 days) and wanted to get some advice. I keep reading that the prep is worse than the actual scope itself, but why is that? Does the drink just taste really bad or does it make you constantly have to go to the bathroom? My scope is scheduled for 7:45 on Wednesday and I was wondering if I would be well enough to go out and eat/whatnot afterwards (same day). Do people usually feel fine once the sedative wears off? I can't believe this is actually happening

 

[Natalie38]

Hi,

I can only speak from my own personal experience.
The prep was really tough for me the first time I had my colonoscopy. I had a 2 day prep, and drank the drink 2 nights in a row. I felt so sick, had a fever, basically layed in the bathroom both nights on and off the toilet. I experienced pain from my system cleaning itself out. Felt like there was nothing else to poop but still felt like I had to go. The nights were very long, physicall and mentally draining for me. I don't know why, but nightime is always worse for me when I don't feel well.

After my colonoscopy, I went back to my regular routine with food. The sedative didn't bother me afterwards. By the time I left the hospital, I felt fine.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!!

 

[Denise]

I can speak from my colonoscopy.

My scope was on a Monday so the Sunday was hard. I could only be on clear fluids for Sunday (water, jello, broth - basically anything you can see through). Then from 8 to 12 I had to drink 2L of Peglyte (golytely). Have a break and then from 4pm to 8pm, drink another 2L. So it's 4L (gallon) of laxative all together. So you are having to drink a ton of fluid and then you are pooping everything out until it's clear. Mild cramping for me though, the hard part was drinking all the fluid because you felt nausea with it.

Here are some hints if you have the prep of peglyte (golytely). Make sure it's super super cold and that you have mixed up a while before you need it. I mixed mine up the night before (saturday night) and let it cool in the fridge for the next morning.

The procedure itself, you are sedated so you don't remember anything. So it's a non issue. When I left the hospital I ate a little bit of food. The next day I was back on my regular diet. (my scope wasn't until the afternoon)

Good luck to you!

 

[Crohn's 35]

I have had many scopes and it depends on the prep. My last 3 times have been Picosalax, only 1 cup and then water to follow and the next morning another cup before the actual scope. I take 2 dulcolax the night prior to the prep. As mentioned the clear fluids (no red or grape jello) is the hardest part for me. What country are you from Tom, it depends on the prep. Do you know what you are supposed to have as a prep? Good luck.

 

[lookame]

Hey. Yes the prep is worse on 2 parts. It tastes like very salty sea water(and the one you flavor if you flavor it tastes worse) a lot of people vomet from the taste alone plus it's a gallon which you have to try to gulp down. The second reason it sucks is your in a constant rush to the bathroom every 5 minutes you have to go until your passing clear liquid.

The best way to get it down is take a big gulp then wash the taste out with a guld of flavored water or sprite. Start earlier in the day(shortly afternoon) so you can sleep without getting up to much during the night. Keep drinking fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.

The colonoscopy itsself isn't bad because your asleep(I had a sigmoidoscopy earlier today without sedation and THAT SUCKED!) You feel like you just got in the room and their already taking the scope out. I felt very woosey after both my colonoscopies. Instead of feeling up to going out I went home(or back to the hospital room) and slept for anouther hour or two. I tried going out to eat after my first scope and it was very difficulte, we ended up avoiding eating until I felt better(especially since I had so much air up there I kept farting which was embarressed.)

 

[Tom91]

Thanks for the great replies guys. I'm from the U.S.. I'm supposed to take some bisacodyl tablets tomorrow and then start drinking moviprep solution. I got some sort of kit, so i'm not entirely sure what's in it

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Make sure you have a laptop or book in the bathroom, you will be spending alot of time in there! A nice soothing bath is good before you leave for the Hospital.

Once the prep is done you are home free, the procedure is easy peasy after having survived prep!

 

[brianncc]

I have had three now. And I have found that you really do not need to finish the whole prep. Just make sure you are passing clear (ish) fluid and stop. I usually only drink have the bottle and stop taking in non clear foods, jello, apple juice, and broth about 15 hours prior. I think they overkill you on that.

 

[Richard414]

colonoscopy

Before my colon was removed due to UC, I had colonoscopies every 6 months. Got so used to them I did them without sedative. I liked to be awake to know what they were doing and watch the camera monitor.
The first preps I did were the gallon of golitely. Horrible stuff! Then I switched to a better prep involving a lot of clear liquids like apple and grape juice with a much smaller amount of the bad tasting stuff. Sounds similar to the prep you will be doing. Good luck! Hope you will still be able to enjoy Thanksgiving.

 

[moogie]

Like everybody said the prep is bad I also had the Picosalax and tablets. It just taste bad and you feel like the toilette is your new hiding place. When I do mine The toilet is block to all other users. They go downstairs LOL

As for the camera itself
In Quebec you always do them awake. They do not put you to sleep. You are givien something that makes you feel gaga. I wish I had some of that at home for personal use. it,s rpetty cool seeing the camera.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

You need to be running clear every time to stop- I was running clear 2 out of 3 times but decided to have half my last dose just in case. Good thing I did as alot more dark brown came out!

 

[14Girl96]

I had to drink 2L of Moviprep (one the night before, one in the morning) and I was pretty much fine apart from serious bum burn. However I had to drink Moviprep again for a barium x ray, only 1L and I threw up and almost fainted. I don't know why I had such different experiences but I literally think it just depends on what your body can tolerate that day. I hope you're doing okay with it! The colonoscopy was the better part ( I was knocked out for it anyway ) but I'd much rather have the actual scope than do the prep.

 

[AdamJC]

I can't remember the name of the lax i was given but it wasn't too bad.

I had a endoscopy and a colonoscopy in the same sitting. I was really really scared and didnt know what to expect. They gave me a dose of some sedative and I was barely conscious for the procedures. My memory from that day is very hazy and I'm glad I had someone to drive me home! All in all as above - the prep is worse than the procedure. Nothing to worry about

 

[Tom91]

Thanks again everyone. I'm also having the colo/endo at the same time. I just took the ducolax, t-minus 2 hours until I start moviprep.

 

[archie]

Hi I've had both done at the same time and it was all fine just like having a nice afternoon kip, although you'll be tired after the sedation. One positive I can say about the prep is I always feel great for a good few days after with loads of energy!!!! I must be full of crap (lol). Good luck and keep us posted

 

[Johnnysmom]

I think the Dulcolax/ Miralax prep is the best. Dulcolax is just a pill and miralax is mixed with gatorade so there is no taste at all. I also kept taking it until everything runs clear then stop, I didn't finish with the last of the Miralax. My son had one done and he continued to have a little color in his stool up until the procedure but they could see everything fine and were not concerned that he had a bit of stool left. The hardest part is just being hungry (which makes me cranky). It's not fun but not terrible either. Good luck!!!

 

[ChefShazzy]

Hope the prep is going well, Tom! I agree, as everyone else said, the prep taste and effects are yucky... the scope itself, not so bad... treating yourself to something delicious when you're done - most def. the best part!!

 

[Lisa]

I agree - after too many to count....(over 20???)....

Prep is the worst- tyring to drink all that fluid....the procedure itself, out like a light, wake up after and sometimes stop for a burger or something on the way home...then I just take it easy the rest of the day.

Hubby has his FIRST scheduled in just under a month lol....

 

[Tom91]

I just finished my second bottle of moviprep, and am currently stuck on the toilet. I can't wait to get this over with and eat some food! If prep is supposed to the be worst part, I think i'll be in good shape for tomorrow. I'm slightly worried what the scopes might find, but I'd rather get some sort of diagnosis. Thanks for the support and advice everyone!

 

[Entchen]

Hang in there, Tom! This too shall pass (ehm, too soon?).
Tomorrow will be over before you know it.
Best wishes.

 

[KayleighK]

I didn't find the prep to bad as i'm used to running to the loo. There was one point during the procedure where they couldnt get the camera round a bend and had to call in another doctor to help out. I had biopsies taken (16) which were a bit nippy but as for the sedation it didnt effect me at all. I didn't need to sleep afterwards and about an hour later I was given some food. Only advice I'd give anyone ( think this was because I had the biopsies) but they do pump you full of air so you need to pass wind a lot which was followed with blood...so i suggest going to the loo if you need a fart ha! Lovely

 

[Pipergirl]

i had a horrible experience with mine. i could not drink the drink they give you. i just couldnt get past the taste, so i opted for the feeding tube thing but that was extremely horrible. i then had the whole running to the bathroom every 2 seconds feeling. i was just overly stressed out that i started having a panic attack and they gave me some form of a sedative and put the tube in. after that whole experience the actual procedure took place. i had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy so they couldnt put me out as much as i wouldve liked. Im sure you will be fine because i was just so freaked out because it was all within when i got diagnosed and admitted to the hospital. my dad had multiple and had no such experience and didnt mind the drink stuff. best of luck!