Who Here Hates Colonoscopy Prep as Much as I Do?

[kiltubrid]

Prepping tonight for what will probably be about my 30th lifetime colonoscopy. Still haven't developed a taste for the electrolyte solution, although I have finally developed a method for keeping it down. Man, is that ever nasty stuff! :ywow:

My older sister just had her 2nd lifetime colonoscopy and she said she didn't think the prep was so bad.

Am I alone here in dreading the prep much more than the actual procedure?

 

[kittyp]

I hate the prep so much! I had a colonoscopy at the start of the year and have another in a few weeks and I'm dreading the prep already [emoji20] It's the drinking of it that I can't stand, not too bothered about the diarrhoea or scope itself.

What technique have you found to keep it down?

I hope it's all finished for you soon and the colonoscopy findings are ok x

 

[Pesachcrohns]

I hate the prep as well. I've noticed mixing the solution when it's at room temperature helps out dissolve better then I stick it in the freezer/fridge. If I mix it when it's cold it doesn't fully dissolve.
It's still bad tho..

Good luck!

 

[Jennifer]

Depends on the prep. There are so many different kinds out there. The easiest one for me to get down was Suprep. Had to drink A LOT less of it (two 8oz glasses) and it wasn't really salty either. Downed that and drank other clear fluids after. With preps like this one you need to drink a lot of liquids to make sure that you're fully cleaned out and to stay hydrated. Yet not eating the day of prep and possibly the day before can also help you make sure that you're fully cleaned out which can also mean less prep needed.

What prep did you use? Hope your scope goes well.

 

[kiltubrid]

I hate the prep so much! I had a colonoscopy at the start of the year and have another in a few weeks and I'm dreading the prep already [emoji20] It's the drinking of it that I can't stand, not too bothered about the diarrhoea or scope itself.

What technique have you found to keep it down?

I hope it's all finished for you soon and the colonoscopy findings are ok x

My doctor uses the electrolyte solution after a three-day low residue diet and then one day of clear liquids. Now the solution is split -- you drink half the gallon of stuff the evening before, then get up early in the morning to drink the other half.

The method I've developed over time is to chug the eight-ounce glassful all at once and then, while still holding my breath, I take a big swig of Listerine mouthwash, gargle and then spit it out into the sink. Not taking a breath while drinking or before the Listerine is key.

I'm up at 5 am right now to finish part two. At this point, I'm just looking forward to the deep sleep I'll get after the procedure.

 

[kiltubrid]

Depends on the prep. There are so many different kinds out there. The easiest one for me to get down was Suprep. Had to drink A LOT less of it (two 8oz glasses) and it wasn't really salty either. Downed that and drank other clear fluids after. With preps like this one you need to drink a lot of liquids to make sure that you're fully cleaned out and to stay hydrated. Yet not eating the day of prep and possibly the day before can also help you make sure that you're fully cleaned out which can also mean less prep needed.

What prep did you use? Hope your scope goes well.

Unfortunately, my doctor doesn't give a choice for preps. It's always been the electrolyte solution in the gallon jug.

 

[ShellK]

I'm in the group who think the prep is the worst part! Had mine last week (2nd ever) and vomited up the night lot of prep. Ended up at the hospital drinking 2 lots the next morning! They did give me anti sickness meds and fluid in a drip as I was feeling so off I thought I was going to vomit again. Hospital is not the place to need to dash to a shared toilet once or takes effect unfortunately. Also meant I was last on the list so all up I was at the hospital from 8.30am till after 6pm! What a long day! Apparently actually not keeping down the prep is fairly uncommon....trust me to be the one [emoji30]
Good luck with the rest of your prep and hope the procedure goes smoothly for you.

 

[The Real MC]

Depends on the prep. There are so many different kinds out there. The easiest one for me to get down was Suprep.

Suprep was the best prep I have had to date.

 

[dejavucandace]

I also dread it. The actual scope is a breeze compared to the torture of prep. And for some reason I almost always develop a fever. And then the worst of it is that it doesn't seem to even want to empty me out. And im so scared they will refuse to do the colonoscopy after all that hell!

 

[Scipio]

Help is on the way (maybe). A bowel prep done by eating a nutrition bar instead of drinking a gallon of liquid has been developed. It is currently undergoing clinical trials:

http://www.healio.com/gastroenterol...ve-new-approach-to-bowel-prep-for-colonoscopy

I figure it has to be better than what we have now.

 

[Al X]

I had to be admitted for the procedure to Kings...it is always a problem canulating me..it can get gruesome..LOL..I thought it would be easier being on site once I had got the rocket fuel down but no no no..being in a single isolated room for 36 hours prepping..the drip kept blocking so I was well hypo come the procedure..they used fentanil [spelling?] to sedate me so can't complain there..it works ! Then they had to keep me 12 hours longer so as to make sure I was safe ! It was my first as I have just been diagnosed..my colitis is still active and managing the condition is still a mystery..al x:ack:

 

[Grant]

I simply cannot tolerate Klearprep/Kleanprep or Fleet. I just vomit it up. So only one option for me now & thats Picolax. 2 or 3 glasses is doable(just).
But its hell for anyone out there who dreads it & I know exactly where you're coming from.
Best Wishes
Grant

 

[Gerbskis]

I personally believe that the colonoscopy prep is brutal. I have tried many things to stay positive, but when you cant eat and then you empty your body of everything and you are starving.... There is only so much you can do. But you always have to push through and stay positive. I usually stock up on lollipops and hard candies to keep me occupied through the prep. Stay strong! Hope all goes well with the procedure. :thumleft:

 

[Al X]

I simply cannot tolerate Klearprep/Kleanprep or Fleet. I just vomit it up. So only one option for me now & thats Picolax. 2 or 3 glasses is doable(just).
But its hell for anyone out there who dreads it & I know exactly where you're coming from.
Best Wishes
Grant

Have i done this right..? Pico lax that's the one..personally I found the relief of being completely evacuated better than being constant risk of an accident..started azathioprine 3 weeks ago..any idea if it works..here's hoping alex

 

[Grant]

Al X, Azathioprine definitely works for a lot of people. You'll need regular blood tests to monitor your white cells, a regular occurence for anyone on immunosuppressants.
Azathioprine is commonly used a lot for people who've had transplants as an anti rejection drug as well.
Best of luck
Grant

 

[Bufford]

The prep is a difficult step, none of them are easy. I found Peglyte the most effective, yet it is probably one of the hardest ones having to drink a whole gallon of the stuff. Going down is one half of the issue, coming out is an entirely another thing. Having a colostomy and when the prep hits that thing the result is quite violent and dirty.

As it is I use an outhouse simply because it is easier and far cleaner to do my business out there than it is to stink up the house and mess up the toilet. All I have to do is stand over the hole and unload.

This does not apply to the prep as drainage is fast and furious, I simply had to use the ground, and given the frequency it was better to stay out side until things passed.

One of the things hard about Peglyte is having to drink the final portion early in the morning prior to the colonoscopy, and having to make sudden roadside stops to deal with drainage. There is no warning when the bag starts filling, and one cannot ignore it for a moment or colostomy bag is easily breached.

The best part is the procedure itself, then waking up and getting something to eat. Knowing its over and now return to a regular life.... and food.

 

[Lucky One]

The gallon jug of salt/vinegary vile stuff made me barf so much. In recent years though it has improved so much and the 2-4 glasses of lemon/lime tasting stuff is manageable. I still feel Barfy when I drink it but it's so much easier than the whole gallon. I never actually got through the whole thing. I think half the problem is the thought of what's in that drink to make things come out so violently don't be afraid to ask your doc for the lesser volume mix these days. They may just prescribe the gallon one, because they are old school.

 

[Bufford]

I look forward to the day when a new procedure comes out that does not require the use of these purges. They are uncomfortable and hard on the body.

 

[SteffieB]

Whatever you do, DO NOT mix the Colonoscopy prep with apple juice! One of my nurses did that, and I couldn't drink apple juice for many years! I know that it sucks, but there is no easy way to take that stuff. The faster you drink it, the better!

 

[Benzh]

I had a camera the other day. The MOVIPREP stuff just gets worse and worse with every mouthful

 

[dPooh]

Prepping tonight for what will probably be about my 30th lifetime colonoscopy. Still haven't developed a taste for the electrolyte solution, although I have finally developed a method for keeping it down. Man, is that ever nasty stuff! :ywow:

My older sister just had her 2nd lifetime colonoscopy and she said she didn't think the prep was so bad.

Am I alone here in dreading the prep much more than the actual procedure?

Background: I live in Pittsburgh and go to one of the highlyregarded gastro teams in the country at UPMC (ranked #6 per US News & World Report as of today).

In the past, I have had Fleet prep (which they now feel is dangerous to your kidneys I believe) as well as GoLYTELY. Having never experienced problems with finishing the nasty Fleet prep, I just could not finish the GoLYTELY gallon. I told my doctor right before the procedure how much I did consume and he said I should be alright (I was clean). My doctor said they give you a gallon to ensure you ingest enough. Essentially, you need to finish at least 4/5 of it and you "should" be clean.

Since 2012 I believe, after years of trying different prep methods and dealing with people who cannot or would not finish their prep, my doctors have settled on a seemingly basic Miralax/Dulcolax prep. This is by far the easiest prep I have ever had. No more nasty taste and no more dread!

My doctor said since they have instituted this Miralax/Ducolax method, they have not had to redo a colonoscopy as a result of a patient who has not finished their prep or because their bowels were not empty.

If you search Google for "Miralax/Dulcolax prep" you will see other hospitals are also using it. Once you see how simple it is, with absolutely no bad taste, you will never dread prep again. :dance:

 

[jcashen87]

They give me Gavilyte and IT is nasty but I hate the not eating part the most. I'm pretty thin and frail. When I eat I have horrible pains from my stricture and when I don't eat I feel super weak and tired!! After I woke up from my first colonoscopy i had to be taken to my car in a wheelchair I was so weak and weird feeling. But I felt better after that, got some food down and remembered what my pain felt like. The only good thing about prep for me as I have another coming up in ten days, is I don't have the horrible pain of stool pushing through that stricture

 

[darubo]

I always feel like I'm being tortured to have to choke down the prep.
I had my last colonoscopy July 5 of this year; Moviprep. I couldn't get more than about 3/4 of the first container down; I started vomiting it up. I had several trips to the bathroom, but what was coming out wasn't "clear", which is what the nurse said it needed to be when I called the dr's office to see what I should do.
I was so afraid the doctor wouldn't do the test because I was still going to the bathroom & yellowish particles were coming out.
But the doctor told me "you did your best to drink the solution & now I'll do my best to do the test".
I just cried because she was so nice about it. She was able to do the test & see everything OK; but when I woke up, everytime I passed gas liquid came out, & that's never happened with past colonoscopies. I think this was about my 12th one.
The nurse who admitted me told me she couldn't drink the prep & keep it down so she heated it in the microwave & kept a peppermint candy in her mouth when she drank it & managed to get it down & keep it down that way.
I do hate the prep; it's horrible! I hope the bar you can eat becomes available soon!!

Dana B
Lufkin, TX

 

[Tony H]

I refused anything but picolax the last time , it worked perfectly , the only problem (not a real problem)is the cost about 30 euro
I remember years ago the prep I was given was epsom salts dissolved in a small glass , drink lots of water and it worked as well as anything (IMHO)NOT advising anyone to take this .

 

[Red Rabbit]

Picolax is manageable but took much longer to work (always does). The day after my scope, I pretty much cleared myself out! It always happens but they never ask me or listen. They just send an appointment and a surprise package in the post.
The 4 litres in four hours is impossible without having a long chat down the big white telephone. Again nobody is listening!

Now after three failed scopes, I have an appointment to chat about it. I really need this scope to keep on top of the Crohns. It has been getting on to 7 months or so now. I really despair!

 

[Hunt]

I just had a scope a week ago and I can honestly say the prep is the worst thing about it. My first ever scope for when I was diagnosed well over 5 years ago was horrible thankfully this time, the sedative was stronger couldn't remember a thing lol.

 

[RNGirl]

I had a colonoscopy about 10 days ago. 2nd time I have used "Prepopik". 2 small powder packs mixed with about 8 ounces of water, followed by (6) 8 ounce drinks. You divide the doses by 12 hours. Works great with minimal side effects. The problem is the cost: $150.00 What a rip off. Had to pay out of pocket for it, but at least not puking all day and night. Just hate this rotten disease!!!!

 

[Al X]

I refused anything but picolax the last time , it worked perfectly , the only problem (not a real problem)is the cost about 30 euro
I remember years ago the prep I was given was epsom salts dissolved in a small glass , drink lots of water and it worked as well as anything (IMHO)NOT advising anyone to take this .

Bi carb does the bizness and Andrews is even better but it sends your electrolytes subterranean LOL can make you very dijjy..I have to be an in patient or they canulate me..previous lifestyle ting completely obliterated my veins..Picolax and Fentanil for when your on the slab..I have been trying to get a life for a year now having active uc and needing to be near the smallest room..hoping not to speak to soon but 6 weeks of 200mg azathioprine 4.8mg mezavant ant a steroid clipper(bech?????)Once a day and maybe just maybe a light at the end of the tunnel..hang in there alex

 

[Newmomerin]

Since 2012 I believe, after years of trying different prep methods and dealing with people who cannot or would not finish their prep, my doctors have settled on a seemingly basic Miralax/Dulcolax prep. This is by far the easiest prep I have ever had. No more nasty taste and no more dread!

I AM SO RELIEVED TO READ THIS. I have my scope on Wednesday and I was told to do the miralax/dulcolax method.