Worries sick about colonoscopy prep

[tummy.troubles]

Hi Guys/Gals,

This is my first post and I feel like I've been posting all over the place, as far as forums go. I'm in that position where I feel like I don't quite fit in anywhere, I have so many random/overlapping symptoms and, in the end, my gastro wants me to do the colonoscopy to finalize a diagnosis.

So what are my symptoms:
Diagnosed with IBS in high school (I'm 23 now)
Had gallbladder removed last year
lost 15 pounds since gallbladder surgery
Lower right side pain, feels like a knot
Rumbly stomach
Infrequent Diarrhea
Infrequent Constipation
Burning in stomach
Some Nausea
Tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in blood test; doctor still doesn't know what autoimmune disease I have

Good news is, after going on the gluten-free diet, I don't have diarrhea, nausea, or stomach cramps...now I'm constipated. Is it possible to have constipation and crohn's? I thought the symptoms included diarrhea and not constipation? (I'm clueless)

Ok...so I'm getting the colonoscopy in December (waiting for my husband to get a break from law school). I'm soooooooo scared of the prep. I wasn't scared for my gallbladder surgery, or even the endoscopy, but I dread THE PREP!

I HATE having diarrhea. I think my negative association with the toilet is what's holding me back, that and the fear of having stomach cramps from taking all those crazy laxatives that they give you for the prep....

So...can I please hear your prep stories and words of wisdom regarding the prep? I'd really appreciate it. Also, do I even seem like a candidate for crohn's based on my symptoms? Because that's pretty much all the doctor wants to rule out with this colonoscopy.

Thanks! I really appreciate any tips/advice/informative comments

 

[katiesue1506]

Welcome... and yes, you can have constipation with Crohn's. Usually constipation is a sign that you have a narrowing or stricture in your bowels OR you are super dehydrated from diarrhea that it turns to constipation.

The prep is the worst part about the colonoscopy but that thing thats bad about it is the taste. I couldn't swallow it which is why next time I'll be asking for the pill pack of prep instead of the liquid gallon of sloosh. I honestly don't remember the diarrhea part of it, because lets face it... I already was going a ton of times a day anyhow. Don't worry too much about it. Some pointers would be to prep yourself before the prep. Don't eat too much the days before you go if you can manage... and ify ou do eat, eat lightly colored and clear liquid things like chicken noodle soup, jello, pudding. That way if you can't get all the prep down, you are more likely to be cleaned all the way out.

Good luck!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Yeah, the prep sucks, but it is SO worth it if you get a diagnosis.
I have had 4 4different ones, and 2 were not that bad to drink.
GoLytlely sucks, it's like salt water. (Several other brands with similar names taste the same kleenprep, halflytley, etc)
Fleet phospho soda sucks, mix it with clear juice, but it still tastes like salt water.
A few months ago I had 2 dulcolax tablets then miralax mixed into Gatorade. It tasted fine, but I was up all during the night running to the bathroom.
Last week I had a 10 oz. bottle of citrate of magnesia. I only ate a light lunch that day, so I was pretty empty before I even started. It tastes like very sour sparkly lime juice. The nice thing is that it was only 10 oz, not 1/2 gallon like the other ones.
I don't know if you can talk your Dr. into any certain one, they seem to like the ones they prescribe.
Also, December seems like a really long time away. Can't someone else drive you to your exam so you can get it in sooner?
Welcome, and good luck.

 

[RHOV]

I took Miralax powder for my prep. It has no taste and dissolves into any liquid. It was less unpleasant than a lot of the preps out there! No matter what kind of prep you do, make sure you drink a lot of clear liquids and STAY NEAR A BATHROOM! that goes without saying!

And the day before you start the prep, eat lightly. The less you eat, the less has to come out!

 

[art_nj]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum, but I've suffered for a long time with pain and symptoms. I too am hoping to finally be diagnosed. I just read your symptoms, many of mine are similar except I my "knot" of pain is on the lower left side.

I had a colonoscopy done 6 years ago, and I did NOT want to do it again. Simply because the prep was the worst part of it.

As posted above, GoLytlely does suck! I got 3/4 of the way through when I started vomiting it. About 2 days before the colonoscopy I ate lightly, chicken (no beef), salad, etc. I should have mixed the GoLytley with very cold water, but I didn't know that. It tastes like salt water. They told me to suck on a lemon before I drank it to kill the taste...gee thanks!!!!! It didn't help.

This time I have to be on a clear liquid diet the day before. They have me doing the Miralax powder and they told me to mix it with Mango flavored Gatorade. Then I have to take a bunch of Dulcolax pills. Anyway, the nurse said that the Miralax and Mango gatorade is a great mix that they've been successful with. Even she cringed when I told her that the last time I had to take GoLytley.

Anyway, good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine.

Art