What does magnesium citrate do?

[calmygal]

So i have to do the pillcam on monday and they told me at 7pm sunday i have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate and 1tsp of simethicione and i can only have a clear liquid dinner and then nothing after dinner. So i was wondering if the magnesium citrate is going to do to me what the colonoscopy prep does or is it not going to be that bad? Cause my prep was horrible i was puking and everything and was so dehydrated and couldn't sleep and i just wanted to prepare myself for it thanks so much for any info you can give me!

 

[lynx]

The magnesium citrate will make you go to the bathroom, it is a strong laxative. Be sure to drink LOTS and LOTS of water when you take it. The simethicone is a chemical that helps move gas through your digestive track.

 

[Squadinho]

From the stories I had read before taking my prep for my colonoscopy, I was dreading drinking the prep. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

It took about 4 hours for the first batch to have any affect on me, and in total that evening I used the toilet about 4 times. Yes, I had the runs but it wasn't explosive like I had been warned, and I slept through the night.

I took the next lot the following morning, and went to the loo about 5 times. Again, no so called explosions like I had been told would happen, just the runs, which I'm used to anyway from having CD.

As Lynx said, drink plenty of clear fluids to keep you hydrated, and use some wet wipes when wiping, and use some form of bum cream to prevent hemmies and general soreness.

 

[calmygal]

I am so scared i am going to have a long night and then i have to get up at 430am to drive 2hrs to get to where my GI's office is this is not going to be good...

 

[lmk1226]

Whenever I have used magnesium citrate for colonoscopy prep I have had to drink 3 bottles, so maybe 1 bottle won't be as bad as colonoscopy prep. I would just drink a lot of liquids with it. I would think you would probably get at least some sleep. I had a pillcam this summer and didn't have to drink any prep beforehand just had to be on clear liquids for a day. I don't think they need as much of the intestines clear as the camera doesn't go all the way down when it still has enough battery to record. I also had a colonoscopy recently and my doctor gave me zofran which helped with the nausea from the prep. You may be able to call and ask if they can give you something like that.

Also, where are you going for your doctor? If you are living in Plainfield and ever wanted to switch doctors I found that Connecticut GI was pretty good and they have offices in Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, and a few other places. Just thought I would mention it in case you ever need to switch doctors.

 

[calmygal]

sorry just saw your post i am going to an office in guilford but i really like my dr!

 

[girn]

I had a pillcam this summer and didn't have to drink any prep beforehand just had to be on clear liquids for a day. I don't think they need as much of the intestines clear as the camera doesn't go all the way down when it still has enough battery to record.

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FYI, I work in the GI Lab and do capsule endoscopies all the time on patients; I also am lucky enough to have Crohn's myself.
The doctors by me that use prep for capsules get a much better picture than the one who doesn't use prep. The pill camera does indeed "go all the way down". It will record for 8 hours. Everyone's transit time is different; some will poop it out in a few hours, some won't poop it out for days.

 

[calmygal]

thank you yes they did find some things with my pillcam so i guess it was good we did a prep..