Miralax Prep for Colonoscopy

[MCPayne]

Hi everyone.

I have to have a colonoscopy this coming Thursday. This is my second or third time using the Miralax prep method. I was just wondering how you guys go about preparing the solution. My plan was to mix the Miralax and the Gatorade that Wednesday before, then put in the refrigerator to let it chill before I have to start drinking it. My instructions state to start drinking it around 3:00.

I thought about mixing the Miralax and Gatorade that Tuesday night, then refrigerating it, but wasn't sure if that would make the Miralax less effective. Another option I thought about was chilling the Gatorade first, then mixing in the Miralax, then drinking it right after I mixed the Miralax.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[sawdust]

Do your prep instructions give you times to mix and refrigerate it? You should follow the prep instructions provided to you from your GI! If it's not clear, I'd call and ask your GI's office. None of this is fun enough to have any reason that they'd want you to do it again. :stinks:

I just did this last week (again, I'd call your GI and not listen to me!) and my instructions were to take provided tablets at 1:00 pm and mix/refrigerate your solution. I used orange Gatorade (already cool in the fridge) because it's not one of the good-tasting colors they said not to use.

Then, according to my instructions, I was to start drinking the solution once I had my first BM, unless you made it all the way to 6:00pm, at which point, it said to start drinking then. I made it aaaaalmost to 1:20. I have a glass I use that I know is the right size according to my instructions. I usually fill it, drink it, and set the kitchen timer for the next one. It's good to distract yourself while waiting for the timer. Watching the time tick down is more nerve-wracking for some reason. Good luck!

 

[MCPayne]

All the instructions state is "Mix and stir the entire bottle of Miralax with the 64 oz Gatorade in a separate container. At around 4:00 pm, start drinking 8 oz of the solution every 30 minutes until you finish the solution completely. One hour after you are finished drinking the solution, take all the Dulcolax tablets at once with water." I have to take 4 Dulcolax tablets.

 

[MCPayne]

Sawdust, yes, I know to distract myself. My plan is to have some kind of DVD marathon, whether it's movies or TV shows.

 

[sawdust]

All the instructions state is "Mix and stir the entire bottle of Miralax with the 64 oz Gatorade in a separate container. At around 4:00 pm, start drinking 8 oz of the solution every 30 minutes until you finish the solution completely. One hour after you are finished drinking the solution, take all the Dulcolax tablets at once with water." I have to take 4 Dulcolax tablets.

I guess I'd still give them a call if you're worried about how long it's mixed. I used cold gatorade to mix mine about 20 min before starting to drink it. I had a wooden spoon right there to stir before pouring each glass. oo:

 

[xJillx]

I have a colonoscopy on Thursday, too! We'll be suffering through prep together.

This will be my second time taking the Miralax prep. I mix mine first thing that morning and then throw in the fridge. My instructions are to take 2 laxatives at 3pm and drink 1/2 of the Miralax/Gatorade at 5pm and the other 1/2 3 hours before my procedure. However, with consent from my GI, I am altering my schedule because my procedure is 8am on Thursday, so I can't be taking the second half in the AM (I have an hour drive, as well). So, I am taking the laxatives at noon, first dose at 3pm and second dose at 11pm.

Last time, I was actually instructed to drink all the prep at once, but this made me pretty ill. I am hoping splitting the dose will make the going a little easier.

 

[MCPayne]

Hi xJillx.

Last time I did the Miralax, when it got to the last glass or two I also got really nauseous and threw up. I mentioned this to my GI that morning of the procedure, and he asked if I was having clear stools. I answered yes, and he stated that with as much of the solution as I drank, and the fact that I had clear stools, it shouldn't be a problem, which it wasn't.

Sawdust, love your emotion icons!

xJillx, here's hoping for the best for you and me come Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[scoutfinch]

Is the Miralax prep really the least gross tasting one? To what extent does it change the flavor and/or consistency of the Gatorade (or tea, or whatever you're mixing it into)?

I've only used MoviPrep and SuPrep for my colonoscopy cleanses and they taste HORRIBLE. Like salty lemon furniture cleanser. I am getting nauseous just thinking about it. If Miralax really is as "tasteless" as people say, I might ask my GI to prescribe that for the next scope.

 

[LindaS]

Believe me, the Miralax prep is by far the easiest one! I started years ago with the Go-Lightly which was 100% disgusting, and through the years have tried many different preps. The Miralax is the best prep. I didn't taste the Miralax in the apple juice I mixed it in.

My sister has constipation problems and drinks a glass of juice every day with Miralax and she'd never do that if it tasted nasty.

 

[billyjoel]

There should be no problem with when you mix the prep, it is only a suspended solution meaning there is no chemical reaction taking place when the miralax is mixed in the liquid, it just sits in there. Just shake it up good when you are ready to drink it, don't worry, it will still make you poop water

 

[SarahAnne]

Dear heavens THANK YOU! I just got my surgery bowel prep instructions, and I've never done the Miralax prep w/gatorade before. I have always vomited the other preps up, maybe this one will be a little easier on me. I'm supposed to take 4 Dulcolax and then start drinking the prep. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to stand up the next morning to get into the car. :yfrown:

 

[Jandeacs]

Good Luck to all of you having colonoscopies this weeek , My thoughts are with you .. its not nice , but Id like to make to smile if i can .. My G said to me I need you tyo have a sigmoidoscopy before I reverse your Stome . Ohh My face Dropped its not too bad he said .. only goes up a little way .. I said no picolax drink .?. (think thats the same as yours in the US .. ) he looked at me .. bit strange like , and said and'where would that go !! ' I felt like a scholl girl .. lol and im 66 , My colon isnt joined yet .. ummmmm I went red and said oh no , good job you know what your doing .. go on have a lil giggle cos it is funny .. dozy woman ..
Jan & Miss Piggy

 

[Lacy Dawn]

Good luck with the procedures guys!!! Miralax doesn't taste horrible at all!!!! I mixed mine with blue Gatorade. Mixed it up about 30 minutes before and stuck it in the fridge. I used a wooden spoon to mix it prior to drinking each cup!! Movie marathon is a GREAT idea!! Me and my step son watched all of the Spiderman's!!!!!!!

 

[MCPayne]

scoutfinch

Yes, after all the colonoscopies that I've had, I've found Miralax to be the one with the least awful taste, if that makes any sense. Both the Go-Lytely and Phospho Soda were HORRIBLE!

I guess this might be something to ask my GI, but I'm wondering if I can get by with a store brand of Miralax, as opposed to the brand name. Specifically, it's the Target brand that I was looking at. As of today, they didn't have the 238 gram bottle in stock at the one closest to me. I'll see what happens on Tuesday, when I go get it. I already have the Dulcolax, and various liquids to drink throughout the day.

SarahAnne, that's interesting. My instructions are the opposite of yours. Drink the Miralax / Gatorade solution first, then take the Dulcolax tablets.

 

[Lacy Dawn]

I was considering a store brand too! I ended up going over to Wally world and they had Miralax, so I didn't risk it. Did you happen to look at the ingredients and see if there were any differences?

 

[LindaS]

You can use the store brand. It is no different than the Miralax brand, except several dollars cheaper.

 

[SarahAnne]

MCPayne - Not sure why my prep would be different, I'm having surgery, not a colonoscopy, but it's still a bowel prep. The nurse going over the prep in the office with me thought that it was a little weird that it said to take all 4 dulcolax instead of 2 first, then 2 later. But right after I'm supposed to start drinking 8 oz. of mix every 10-15 minutes. My prep orders say no red or orange gatorade. I despise the yellow. I guess blue or light purple would be okay?

 

[Terri]

I was hospitalized when I had mine done. it was this nasty coconut flavored laxative with electrolytes I had to drink 2 liters of it!! Having crohn's I found out is rare in us asians..but I think maybe geographical areas plays a role because i'm american born Japanese.

 

[MCPayne]

MCPayne - Not sure why my prep would be different, I'm having surgery, not a colonoscopy, but it's still a bowel prep. The nurse going over the prep in the office with me thought that it was a little weird that it said to take all 4 dulcolax instead of 2 first, then 2 later. But right after I'm supposed to start drinking 8 oz. of mix every 10-15 minutes. My prep orders say no red or orange gatorade. I despise the yellow. I guess blue or light purple would be okay?

SaraAnne, you may want to check with your GI. My prep states no red or purple colored Gatorade, so I'm not sure if purple would be okay. Blue should be fine.

 

[MCPayne]

Well, Jill, while you're prepping I'll be having my procedure. My doctor called me today, asking if I could move the scope to Wednesday, which I said yes to after making sure my mom could take me.

There was one thing I overlooked in the instructions, and I'm hoping it won't be too much of a problem. The instructions stated to stop taking iron 5 days before the test, however, in my case, it will be 2 days before. This was my fault, as I didn't see that first part of the prep instructions. The last time I took my iron supplement was yesterday (Sunday). Seeing as how I have colonoscopies every couple years, I'm hoping this won't be too much of a problem, but we'll see on Wednesday after he does the procedure.