No Prep Colonoscopy

[Zzz]

Has anyone ever gotten a colonoscopy without doing a prep the day before? I'm getting one on the 15th and my gastro said he can clean me out while I'm on the table. When I booked the appointment through is assistant she told me that she's never scheduled a colonoscopy where the patient didn't need to prepare the day before. I find it odd since she's been with him for 15+ years. Don't get me wrong, I'm uber excited that I don't need to drink the disgusting solution and cr@p my brains out for several hours. Has anyone else had a colonoscopy without the prep?

 

[ronroush7]

I have never heard of a colonoscopy without prep.

 

[Kat123]

I think I had one once without prep as I was at the clinic seeing gastro and he said he could do the colonoscopy that afternoon. I said but didn't I need to do the prep and he said no it would be fine. I think they just did an enema and then he kind of washed the bits away whilst he was doing it. I'm not sure - it was years ago and I had sedation so can't remember clearly.

I'm surprised they wouldn't do the prep if it's planned in though. Do you need to fast and do low-residue diet?

For a flexi-sig it's just an enema, so they definitely can clear out the first part of the bowel enough with just that. Or the last part, depending on what end you're coming at it from!

 

[Christi]

Hi i never heard of colonoscopy without prep , i know you are supposed to prep coz how clean are your bowels going to be and how are they going to see inside

 

[Jennifer]

No never. Sounds more like a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (only reaches the sigmoid colon) than a colonoscopy (goes up to the terminal ileum which is needed in a scope) but even that requires some sort of prep. To my knowledge they aren't able to suck the entire contents of your colon up to where it connects to the small intestine in office (unless they're doing a colonic but that would take a really long time and isn't safe or practical in any way).

With a liquid diet a couple days before your scope you could get away with less prep. Everyone is different but ever since I've joined the forum no one has ever mentioned having a colonoscopy without prep unless they were already on a strict liquid diet and with frequent bowel movements. Scopes are able to blow air at fecal matter to move it out of the way if needed but if there's too much then the patient is sent home to reschedule and do the prep again (this I see often on here).

There is a virtual colonoscopy but uses a CT scan and doesn't take biopsies: http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/laxative-free-colonoscopy-on-the-way-201205144685

Good luck with your scope!

 

[valleysangel92]

I've only ever heard of this in cases of manual evacuation, where the patient cannot pass stool even with laxatives and the doctor uses a scope to guide getting it out mannually. I suppose in an emergency situation it must happen, so it could well be possible, but there might well be reduced visibility due to the extra stool in the gut.

 

[Ian_H]

I had one done a few years ago with no prep. It was during a bad flare and had not eaten anything for 24-48 hours anyway along with watery diarrhea, so I guess it was kinda like a crohn's prep . The day of my appointment they had an opening and he got me in with him that afternoon.

 

[Zzz]

Thanks for the replies. I'll post an update with details after my procedure.

I had one done a few years ago with no prep. It was during a bad flare and had not eaten anything for 24-48 hours anyway along with watery diarrhea, so I guess it was kinda like a crohn's prep . The day of my appointment they had an opening and he got me in with him that afternoon.

I'm currently having a bad flare. I was told to follow the standard clear liquid diet protocol the day before.

 

[ronroush7]

Best to you.

 

[Ian_H]

Thanks for the replies. I'll post an update with details after my procedure.



I'm currently having a bad flare. I was told to follow the standard clear liquid diet protocol the day before.

I hope it all goes well for you. I have one on the 19th this month :shifty: Mainly to see how well the Remicade treatment is going. Let me know how yours goes.

You on prednisone for your flare currently?

 

[DJW]

Never heard of a no prep colonoscopy.
Mine are no prep but I have an ileostomy.

 

[Zzz]

You on prednisone for your flare currently?

Prednisone & Asacol HD are my primary meds.

 

[Ian_H]

Prednisone & Asacol HD are my primary meds.

I think everyone feels like this but I HATE PREDNISON! Luckily or unluckily depending how you look at it, I cant take it at all anymore due to severe bone density problems from long term use.

 

[MelindaA]

Just had one this way around Thanksgiving.. however I have a minimum of 20 bowel moments a day... The doctor didn't want to irritate me more than I already am. He suggested liquids the day prior and nothing by mouth (NPO) from 10 pm on since my apt was at 7am. I'm sure this isn't common for my doctor to do since his nurse had the "NO WAY!" look on her face. Good luck!