Colonoscopy 2/3 day prep? UPDATE on page 4!

[WDWEPCOT]

I l had to do it over 4 days with very little food - each day I lost more and more food until I was in liquids only - prescription prep - I threw it up - I much prefer pills - what I kept down didn’t work - so all it accomplished was making me hungry
Please call your Dr they should be able to provide instructions - good luck !!!

 

[disneychrista]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

 

[Christine]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

I was always a little off after the procedure. I swear it takes my intestines another week or so to feel normal. They tell you to eat light on your first and second day, but I know a lot of people who do some major eating after.

 

[Meriweather]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

Great after. Feel well rested and go home and eat what you want.
At least that was my experience in the 5 or so I have had

 

[RamblingMad]

My first colonoscopy is scheduled in September and I’m doing the Mira lax Gatorade prep. My doctor said I can stretch the prep over a few days as long as I do a liquid diet but I don’t have specific instructions for drinking the mixture. Has anyone broken up the prep over a few days? I can’t handle all that liquid at once I have slow digestion. Can I drink 32oz one day then 32oz the next? Anyone ever done this? Thanks

I did the same prep. I bought two separate miralax containers, so I didn't have to deal with measuring it out. I put the gatorade frost and miralax into one of my protein powder shakers. I drank one the night day before and the morning of. No big deal. I also had to take some pills as well the morning I took the miralax. You should have prep instructions. The whole process is super straight forward.

 

[KayMichigan]

My sister had a Whopper right after her procedure.

I didn't get any diet instructions for afterwards, I think you can resume your normal eating as soon as you feel up to it. But check with your doctor!!

 

[RamblingMad]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

I ate cream of wheat for breakfast afterwards. No big deal. Follow your doctor's instructions. I avoided high fiber and fatty foods for three days afterwards.

 

[tvguy]

It is no fun, and you will be on the toilet all night.

Oh man, my intestines aren't big enough to go all night. 60-90 minutes.....straight.......I was done.

 

[Travel60]

I have to have procedure every 2 -2 1/2 years (multiple polyps, no cancer so far). I've tried several different preps and they range from horrible to just bad. The one with miralax is probably the least bad. I find that eating a softer diet a couple of days before is helpful. (If they take out any polyps, you probably want to eat a soft diet for a few days afterwards, too.)

Your doctor should give you printed, detailed and timed instructions based on the time of your procedure. I try to schedule mine at 8 am. I miss one night's sleep because of drinking the stuff and treking to toilet. But, I sleep the next day. You have to follow the instructions to the letter because if you get there are are not completely clean you have wasted your time and the doctor's time (and gone through all that for nothing).

 

[Dan Murphy]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

Marie and I always go out for a big breakfast afterwards. I usually have eggs, bacon and French toast.

 

[slo]

My first colonoscopy is scheduled in September and I’m doing the Mira lax Gatorade prep. My doctor said I can stretch the prep over a few days as long as I do a liquid diet but I don’t have specific instructions for drinking the mixture. Has anyone broken up the prep over a few days? I can’t handle all that liquid at once I have slow digestion. Can I drink 32oz one day then 32oz the next? Anyone ever done this? Thanks

This is my favorite prep out of all the different ones I’ve had. I’ve never heard of breaking this up over 2 days. I’d call your Gastroenterologist for advice so you know you’re doing it right. Good luck!!

 

[slo]

Marie and I always go out for a big breakfast afterwards. I usually have eggs, bacon and French toast.

This is what I do too, normally with my mom since my DH is working on my colonoscopy days. We try to go somewhere different each time - it’s always something to look forward too

 

[slo]

Add on Question: How is it after the procedure and you resume a normal diet?

I always feel great (I’ve had seven in the last 8 years). It’s the best nap ever!!!

 

[disneychrista]

Marie and I always go out for a big breakfast afterwards. I usually have eggs, bacon and French toast.

My PC doctor said whatever you eat after the procedure will be the best meal you've ever had..

 

[TLSnell1981]

I have these every two years. It’s easier if you have a soft diet for a couple of days before the prep….liquid the day before.

 

[AMW86]

I also have an extremely slow digestive system and have had a few unsuccessful preps. Had one last year and did the prep over three days (after a full week of a clear liquids diet). Doc had me do a full dose Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and half a dose Monday morning before the procedure. It was absolutely brutal but it worked and I don't have to do it again for another 9 years. Here's hoping for an advancement in medicine before then!

I also took Reglan before the dose which helped. would suggest for those with slow systems if your doctor will prescribe it - it helped me keep the prep down

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I had my first one five years ago. Thanks to my sister, I am on the every five year plan, so I am due for another one now. I know the importance of get them done, even if they are unpleasant. My sister had her first one at 53 and the doc found a suspicious-looking spot, about the size of a quarter. A biopsy showed that it was cancerous. Since it was caught early and had not spread, the doc was able to get it all by removing a small section of her colon. She didn't need chemo or radiation, just frequent follow-up colonoscopies. She's been clear for several years and doesn't need her next one for three years. My first one was totally clear, but the doctor ordered me to come back in five years due to my sister's experience. I need to schedule it soon.

For the first one, I drank the awful, salty liquid and hated it. The instructions said I could add a packet of powered drink mix (not a red one). I used Crystal Light lemonade and it cut the salty taste a little. I would drink a glass of that stuff and follow it up with some diet ginger ale to cut the taste. I recall getting up at 5:30 a.m. to drink more of the stuff (my appointment was at 10:00 a.m.). My stomach wasn't enjoying it that early, so I didn't finish the entire last glass. The doc said my prep was good, so I guess I did well enough. I went home, ate some toast and went to sleep on the couch. I recall being awakened by my son who was jumping up and down and yelling that he'd been accepted to his dream college. That was an interesting day!

 

[GAN]

I did the Miralax prep with the Dulcolax pills and started it at 3:00 the day before the procedure (my procedure was at 8:00 the next morning). They gave me printed out instructions and there are also websites with advice on how to prep for a colonoscopy, including the best things to eat in the days before and such. There are also charts to let you know when you're done and your colon is all cleaned out (based on the color of what you'll be passing).

I seem to recall that I mixed up two quarts of Gatorade and Miralax and the instructions were to drink a certain amount every 15 minutes until it was gone. I also had to take a couple of Dulcolax. At first nothing was happening, but then suddenly it was!

My advice: Once you start taking the mixture, sit on the john and basically don't get off until you're done. Get some books and a radio. Because once things start moving you won't have time to get to the bathroom. Also get some disposable undies like Depends and wear them while you're prepping, just in case. That's what I did. If your prep goes like mine, you'll be passing mostly liquid and it will happen very suddenly with no warning.

My prep had no flavor except for the Gatorade (I used the lemon lime flavor). Miralax is flavorless.

Since it's your first, I'd suggest calling the doctor's office and ask for a detailed, exact schedule on when to do everything. If you're not cleaned out enough they won't be able to do the procedure and you'll have to reschedule and do it all over again, so you'll want to make sure it's done properly.

Good luck!

I’ve had a few now and going for another in a month …like you, the prep tastes like Gatorade.

I suppose if someone doesn’t like Gatorade it’s disgusting but otherwise it’s fine. Just drinking that much liquid can be tricky ..and no doubt you won’t be running to buy Gatorade any time soon after! I’m usually cleaned out in a couple hours then it’s just a normal night after that …but everyone is different obviously. Eat a bland diet a few days before and that usually helps.

 

[RamblingMad]

I’ve had a few now and going for another in a month …like you, the prep tastes like Gatorade.

I suppose if someone doesn’t like Gatorade it’s disgusting but otherwise it’s fine. Just drinking that much liquid can be tricky ..and no doubt you won’t be running to buy Gatorade any time soon after! I’m usually cleaned out in a couple hours then it’s just a normal night after that …but everyone is different obviously. Eat a bland diet a few days before and that usually helps.

Gatorade Frost is yummy. I did a Kayak trip within a week of doing this and drank Gatorade for part of that trip. It's really not all that bad. Probably the worse bit was the limited diet. I drank chicken and beef broth.

 

[GAN]

Gatorade Frost is yummy. I did a Kayak trip within a week of doing this and drank Gatorade for part of that trip. It's really not all that bad. Probably the worse bit was the limited diet. I drank chicken and beef broth.

I'll have to give the Frost a try this time around....