New/Different Colonoscopy Prep

[disneychrista]

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?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

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.

 

[Christine]

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.

 

[KPeterso]

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.

 

[Disneylover99]

I think they run across many people who aren't properly cleaned and this is changing the way they do things.

Yes. I believe this is the main reason.

 

[disneychrista]

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.

 

[Christine]

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.

 

[disneychrista]

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.

 

[tvguy]

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.

 

[disneychrista]

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.

 

[tvguy]

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.

 

[disneychrista]

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.

 

[tvguy]

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.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

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!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

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 had to pick my own, because I was supposed to do it over the weekend for a Monday morning appointment, but discovered when I started that the very salty Rx solution would not stay down at all, and I couldn't reach my doctor. I checked PubMed, and discovered that NIH studies had shown that the Miralax/Gatorade method worked just as well for most people as the prescription preps, so I went with it. I used the "recipe" from the University of Michigan School of Medicine.

I found it pretty easy to do, all things considered, and after the test my doc told me it had worked perfectly well.

 

[Genie+]

We’ve done 3 colonoscopies in my household over the last 2 years. The current protocol at that office:

Clear liquid diet starting the full day before procedure (nothing with red, blue, purple or any solids/pulp). Procedure is to start the next morning at 7-8am.

At 3pm the day before procedure take 4 tablets of Dulcolax.

Between 5-7pm drink a half gallon of liquid with 238gm of MiraLAX mixed in.

At 9:30pm drink 10 fluid ounce bottle of Magnesium Citrate Oral Solution.

They were given a little squeeze tube of vaseline to protect their bum. And also given 2 tablets of some type of anti-nausea just in case they needed (I can’t remember the specific name and they didn’t end up taking them).

The office has 4 alternate preps for patients who can’t do this method.

We also received instruction not to eat certain in the last 72 hours (like raspberries and some other things).

This seemed easier and quicker than what older members of my family had to do years ago.

 

[Skippy918]

I was given a choice between the liquid drink vs the suprep pills. I chose the pills. Those worked really well but I did get queasy because you have to drink them with a lot of water and by the 2nd round of pills I was also hungry cause at that point I hadn’t had any food in over a day.

 

[tvguy]

I had to pick my own, because I was supposed to do it over the weekend for a Monday morning appointment, but discovered when I started that the very salty Rx solution would not stay down at all, and I couldn't reach my doctor. I checked PubMed, and discovered that NIH studies had shown that the Miralax/Gatorade method worked just as well for most people as the prescription preps, so I went with it. I used the "recipe" from the University of Michigan School of Medicine.

I found it pretty easy to do, all things considered, and after the test my doc told me it had worked perfectly well.

Yeah, that is pretty much my wife's last experience too, but she powered through and got a good enough prep with the jug solution that she kept down. But she told her Doctor she won't use that again.

 

[disneychrista]

It is crazy to me at how may different prep procedures there are.

I am not sure what the deal is with 3 days of prep before the big prep. Seems like overkill to me. But if this is what they need me to do it is what I will do.

 

[kanne323]

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?

I think it ranges. When I had mine last year at this time, I received a packet of info from my doctor that mentioned four or five different preps, and mine was very different from anything I'd heard before. I started two nights before the procedure with a double dose of Milk of Magnesia followed by a double dose of Dulcolax. Then on the day before the procedure, starting at noon (? I think?), same regimen every four hours, each time followed by at least 16 oz of water. I found it to be tolerable. I think the last dose was around 8pm the night before and then I had a regular dose of just one of them (I can't remember which) at 6am the morning of the procedure. I didn't get nauseated, which had been my fear, and I didn't have any cramping. The MoM taste is less than desirable, but overall, it wasn't too bad.

For the rawness, I used unscented baby wipes, and to be honest, Boudreaux's Butt Paste. For hydration, I purchased tons of options, and honestly drank mostly just water, with some tea and some sparkling water. I tried one serving of broth and didn't like it. I had coconut water, Gatorade powder to mix in, ginger ale on hand but never touched it. Mine was a diagnostic colonoscopy, too, (it was six months before I qualified for a screening.) I didn't have GI issues but I was super sick and didn't have much of an appetite to begin with, so water was pretty much all I wanted. I did struggle with the low residue diet as I don't typically eat like that, but again, little appetite meant not much of a struggle. I was eating a lot of eggs at the time, anyway, as that was one of the more tolerable foods then, and just had them on their own without the veggies I usually added. And toast. I don't know if this was allowed or not, but I had sourdough. I don't like white bread so I felt like it was better than having the multigrain I would've gotten. For clear liquids, just the water, tea, and seltzer.