Tips for Colonoscopy Prep

[GemmaH]

My first colonoscopy is booked for 22nd January 2016 and I' more worried about the Prep than anything else.

I have been given Klean Prep - has anyone else used this?

I have to drink 3 litres mixed with the prep the night before (in 3 hours!) and then 1 litre on the morning of my procedure.

How can I drink that much? I drink about a litre of water through the day at work and my stomach feels like a goldfish bowl!

Also, will it go through me really fast? Will I be in the bathroom all night?

Also, my procedure is at 1:30pm - will the litre in the morning have stopped "coming out of me" so I can get the hospital without any accidents?

Sorry for all the questions but I really just want to know what to expect.

 

[kiny]

It's quite east to drink the prep if you're not in any flare. The time I did have issues with it is when I was really sick and drinking physically hurt me.

But if you're not in pain, the prep is not a big deal, your body can handle 3 or 4 liters without any issues, you're not eating anything at the same time.

The prep goes through the body in 2 or 3 hours, the water you discharge should look very clean after a few hours, the only point of the prep is so everything is clean during the colono, so the little camera can actually see everything.

 

[GemmaH]

I can only assume I am in "flare" but I don't really know as I am undiagnosed at the moment. My family GP tells me she thinks it is Crohn's or UC seen as I have been having a lot of problems since June. I had a fecal calprotecin test which came back "elevated" and then they have rushed me through for an urgent colonoscopy - I don't like the word urgent! It makes me think they know there is a problem but don't want to tell me until they are in there and can see it! :ybatty:

 

[kiny]

Well, CRP and fecal calprotectin only indicate your body's immune system is responding to something, they can't diagnose you without a colonoscopy. They could give you a laundry list of possible causes but you'd just end up worrying and scouring the internet. The colonoscopy will tell them what's going on.

 

[Ian_H]

My first colonoscopy is booked for 22nd January 2016 and I' more worried about the Prep than anything else.

I have been given Klean Prep - has anyone else used this?

I have to drink 3 litres mixed with the prep the night before (in 3 hours!) and then 1 litre on the morning of my procedure.

How can I drink that much? I drink about a litre of water through the day at work and my stomach feels like a goldfish bowl!

Also, will it go through me really fast? Will I be in the bathroom all night?

Also, my procedure is at 1:30pm - will the litre in the morning have stopped "coming out of me" so I can get the hospital without any accidents?

Sorry for all the questions but I really just want to know what to expect.

Your prep is not that bad. I wouldnt worry to much about it. The urgency to use the bathroom isnt as bad as you think. I had no accidents, just lost of bowel movements. The hardest part is the volume of liquid, but if you pace yourself you will be good!

You can ask about other preps that have less of a volume of fluid.

 

[EvieBaby]

It's not too bad.. for me after the 3rd time of having it I refused to have it and asked for something else. Just stay at home and be near the bathroom and you'll be fine. My biggest problem was having a sore bottom after all the wiping but I got the moist wipes and they were much better!

 

[The Real MC]

The first time is the hardest. Definitely stay close to a bathroom after you start the prep, and don't leave the house until the procedure. The discharges will be frequent and urgent!