New/Different Colonoscopy Prep

disneychrista

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Dec 26, 2002
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I am schedule for a diagnostic colonoscopy next Friday. The prep is different & longer than it was 3 years ago when I had my first routine colonoscopy. 3 years ago the instruction was to take 4 Dulcolax at 2pm and then the Peg 3350 at 5pm & 2am (5 hours before procedure). This time I am to start the prep 3 days before the procedure by taking MiraLax & Colace twice daily and then following the same for the Peg 3350.

Is this the new way they are doing things? Taking the MiraLax and Colace for 3 days is going to make me house bound for those 3 days. I am not happy.

What was your colonoscopy prep the last time you had one? Any tips for help with the raw bum from all the wiping? What do you find the best way to stay hydrated in the days before your procedure? What do you eat during the low residue diet and then the clear liquids?
 
Every place is different.
Did you have a conversation in which they asked you some questions like are you currently constipated or tend to be constipated?
If so that's likely why.
My mom swings back and forth from constipation to diarrhea and she happened to say she was currently slightly constipated so they had her on a liquid diet 2 days prior and was told to take mag citrate that day and then the regular prep the day before like usual.
It was completely unnecessary so next time she made sure to say she was not currently constipated.
She's had to have several in the past 2 years which was very much overkill and now she doesn't need one for 3 years.
 
This is the protocol if you tend to have a more slow moving colon. I was given instructions like that, I do not have trouble with my bowels in that regard, told them so, and indicated I would also be house band. They chuckled and told me to skip it then.

I think they run across many people who aren't properly cleaned and this is changing the way they do things. If you've historically been good with the traditional prep, stick to it.
 
3 days before kind of seems like overkill.

I had my first colonoscopy last year. I was given foods to stop 1-7 days before the procedure. I think it was after 12 or 1 the day before I had to stop solid food and go to liquid diet only. And then since my procedure was not until the afternoon, I was given a prep to start morning of. I think i started about 5 AM and my whole prep was done with miralax. I know I was mixing a strong miralax mixture and had to drink so much within 30 minutes before it was time for the next round of more miralax. I think I used about a bottle and a half of miralax. My biggest problem was getting dehydration and they had a lot of problems getting an IV in me (I had to go to sleep due to bad anxiety) - I think it took like 5 different people and trying both arms and hands.
 
Every place is different.
Did you have a conversation in which they asked you some questions like are you currently constipated or tend to be constipated?
If so that's likely why.

My issues is quite the opposite, which is why they want to do the diagnostic colonoscopy, most likely with biopsy. I will likely be on the toilet the better part of the 3 days. The Dulcolax pretty much cleaned me out before I even started the Peg last time. It is going to be a long 3 days that is for sure.
 
My issues is quite the opposite, which is why they want to do the diagnostic colonoscopy, most likely with biopsy. I will likely be on the toilet the better part of the 3 days. The Dulcolax pretty much cleaned me out before I even started the Peg last time. It is going to be a long 3 days that is for sure.
That's me. I wouldn't have been able to go to work/leave the house.
 
That's me. I wouldn't have been able to go to work/leave the house.

I was already scheduled to be off on Wednesday but had to cancel the plans I had. I then took Thursday & Friday off. I already decided I won't take the first does of the MiraLAX and Colace until I get home from work on Tuesday evening. I jokingly said I was going to set up a folding table for my laptop in the bathroom, since that is where I will be for 3 days.
 
Never experience a colonoscopy prep with over the counter products. First colonoscopy 15 years ago was the traditional prescription gallon jug of prep solution consumed over an hour. 5 years ago, I was given two prescription 16 ounce bottles of prep solution, drank one the night before, the second the morning of. 2 years ago my wife had the old gallon jug prescribed, and did not tolerate it well. Not sure what she will get in 3 years, she is on a 5 year schedule, I am on a 10 year schedule. I really think it depends on the Doctor what prep they use.
 
I'm also curious if it makes a difference if you are having a routine screening vs diagnostic exam & biopsy.
Not sure. My wife has a history of polyps, so all of her colonoscopies start out as routine screening, and then become diagnostic with a biopsy if something is found. They are one exam for her, not two different ones.
 
Not sure. My wife has a history of polyps, so all of her colonoscopies start out as routine screening, and then become diagnostic with a biopsy if something is found. They are one exam for her, not two different ones.
I am technically on the 5 year plan like your wife because they found polyps during my first exam 3 years ago. This exam is not explicitly looking for polyps but for anatomical differences, size, shape, anything that appears different than "normal.' Though I am sure they will also remove any polyps they may find during the exam.
 
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I am technically on the 5 year plan like your wife because they found polyps during my first exam 3 years ago. This exam is not explicitly looking for polyps but for anatomical differences, size, shape, anything that appears different then "normal.' Though I am sure they will also remove any polyps they may find during the exam.
My wife has asked for a different Doctor for the next one. She was still woozy after her last one when he scolded her for not taking fiber. Her mind wasn't clear enough to tell him she had been taking fiber every day for the previous five YEARS, apparently to no benefit. Although she had no polyps this time. And the Doctor did not talk to me afterwards, like he did the time before because I sure would have brought that up. Her Grandfather had colonoscopy issues, and in his case, HIS Doctor told him to AVOID fiber. It is confusing. Her colonoscopy wasn't perfect but better, but the fiber does cause issues in her daily life. Her Primary Care Doctor will only say the discomfort is a sign a good health. You can't win.
 
Since a lot of people answered - and I agree that each place is different - I’ll try to answer your other questions.

Raw bum from wiping: You could order a peri bottle off of Amazon, most delivered overnight, and inexpensive. Clean area gently first, then, while on toilet, spray with it by squeezing, using a firm “spray”, after filling it with some warm water and a little soap. (A bidet would also work well here.) Also try wetting the toilet paper or using a soft type of “flushable” wipe instead of dry toilet paper. (Equate brand at WalMart are good; but don’t flush.) You could also try some Vaseline to put on if sore. Pat dry, don’t “wipe”.

If incredibly sore, can do a sitz bath in the tub and also look for post-partum products that are available for “soothing” that area. There are some products that go in the sitz bath water if you want, and they make a basin (that goes on the toilet) just for this, too, if you prefer (but be prepared for lots of water everywhere.) There is a sitz bath spray that is very soothing and freshening called Motherlove postpartum to spray on afterward. (I had to figure this out during chemo this yr as 🚽 issues were a big problem for me.)

For hydration, just keep drinking water or Gatorade, but nothing with red, orange or purple dye, stick with clear. Watch it with apple juice as it can make you go more. Coffees and teas would have to be clear, but can be dehydrating. I was never a big Gatorade fan previously but someone got me the Gatorade Zero Glacier Cherry and I really like it, it’s clear.

Low Residue Diet
https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/low-residue-diet-foods

Good luck!!! 💩💩💩 :laughing:
 



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