prep for colonscopy dont make any sense --asked several times

[PrincessShmoo]

you drink huge amounts of foul tasking liquid

That's not exactly right. I did the Golytely prep. Yes, I had to drink a gallon of water - over a 10 hour period. And I could flavor it as I wanted. I didn't use the flavor packet provided as I don't care for lemonade-type drinks. I used Crystal Lite Peach tea.

The biggest issue I had was the amount of fluid, not the flavor. But that's only what that doctor does. Other doctors use other methods not requiring large amounts of fluid. That's the doctor's preference. Neither way is the "only" way, and neither way is the "right" way. Just different ways.

 

[Jennasis]

Gatorade isn't "foul tasting". The Magnesium Citrate is (but it's a teeny little bottle). My prep was two laxative pills, plus a large tub of Mirralax mixed with Gatorad, drunk over several hours. Then a few hours before the procedure I had to drink the magnesium citrate (gross).

The only really unpleasant thing was being hungry. The rest isn't a big deal.

 

[ImprovGal]

Gatorade isn't "foul tasting". The Magnesium Citrate is (but it's a teeny little bottle). My prep was two laxative pills, plus a large tub of Mirralax mixed with Gatorad, drunk over several hours. Then a few hours before the procedure I had to drink the magnesium citrate (gross).

The only really unpleasant thing was being hungry. The rest isn't a big deal.

My prep was the Miralax prep. It wasn't 5he most pleasant way to spend an afternoon and evening, but I did what I could to make it as comfortable for myself as possible.

1) flavor of Gatorade was important for me. I don't like the lemon-lime, so I found arctic cherry (it's white, not red).

2) After mixing that stuff, I made sure it was ice cold and poured it over ice for each serving. I also drank it with a straw.

3) I broke up the taste by sipping bone broth in between. The protein also helped ease my hunger.

4) I staved off nausea with a sip of real ginger ale or a ginger mint.

 

[Alpental]

For anyone who is interested a good article online is called, "A gastroenterologist cheats on the prep and wins.

 

[Hrhpd]

First of all I'm new on this. I looked for Colonoscopy and got this. I don't know how to start "my own thread" or understand why that is different than this. I also don't know what you mean when you ask why I'm quoting people without offering a response?

 

[Hrhpd]

Taking over someone else's thread with your own stuff is often called "hijacking a thread." You are free to do so, however you said you wanted a discussion. You are more apt to get a better discussion with your own thread with a thread title that asks your question. Many people probably don't realize that you have started a different conversation from Dznypal's original conversation, so may not even open the thread. That is why I suggested that if you do want a discussion, you might be more successful with your thread. To start one, go to the top of the posts and right above the first post (Show your face) on the right hand side is a big blue box that says "start new thread." That is all you need to do.

I have had 8 colonoscopies in the past 4 years, with everything from golytely to miralax as the prep. I have never had 2 days of not being able to eat. The day before could have a good breakfast, then about noon start the liquid diet. Evening did half the prep, did other half a few hours before the arrival time. Was on typical no food for several hours before the procedure. But never, ever 2 or more days before.

My personal opinion is that none of them are so horrible that you can't do it for a few hours out of your life to possibly save your life.


Just pick a gastro that does the type of prep you prefer. Many docs have this info on their websites (they often have a tab for instructions for different procedures, which will give you an idea of what they do) so you shouldn't have to pay for an office visit each time.

Good luck with your decision on whether or not to have a colonoscopy.

 

[mom2rtk]

For anyone who is interested a good article online is called, "A gastroenterologist cheats on the prep and wins.

I doubt it's some medical community conspiracy to put everyone through an unneeded miserable experience. There probably just is not scientific proof that the cheat system works with enough consistency to be adopted across the board. And GI docs need it to work every single time. Test failure would be an expensive risk to be taking over the entire population.

 

[Hrhpd]

For anyone who is interested a good article online is called, "A gastroenterologist cheats on the prep and wins.

Link please?

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Different doctors are going to do different things. GPs probably don't need the colon as cleaned out as a GI doctor. My GI doctor has photos in his office of colons using different preps and there definitely is a difference.
I've had at least 5 colonoscopies over the last 12 years and 3 different preps. The first's beverage was the easiest. It was the two small bottles and a laxative. The second I had to drink the gallon of ick, well I was supposed to. I drank one glass full and started vomiting it up. Every sip I would gag. I called the dr.'s after hours number and they said they can take care of emptying me when I arrive at the hospital. The last 3 procedures I've used Suprep. It's not terrible and it apparently cleans me out well. I have a liquid diet the day before. Sure, it sucks, but I'd take that any day over getting colon cancer.
And I'm always under general anesthesia when I get mine done. I love the feeling of falling asleep, especially in the room when my dr. is listening to his heavy metal lol. My dad has had them done and they let him stay awake. I'd rather not feel something moving around up and inside my colon. I've also had a friend who woke up during the procedure and said it was the most painful thing she's ever experienced. That still won't stop me from having a procedure done that could potentially save my life.

 

[Alpental]

Link please?

http://retroflexions.com/endoscopy/a-gastroenterologist-cheats-on-the-colonoscopy-prep-and-wins/

let me know if this works

 

[Alpental]

Different doctors are going to do different things. GPs probably don't need the colon as cleaned out as a GI doctor. My GI doctor has photos in his office of colons using different preps and there definitely is a difference.
I've had at least 5 colonoscopies over the last 12 years and 3 different preps. The first's beverage was the easiest. It was the two small bottles and a laxative. The second I had to drink the gallon of ick, well I was supposed to. I drank one glass full and started vomiting it up. Every sip I would gag. I called the dr.'s after hours number and they said they can take care of emptying me when I arrive at the hospital. The last 3 procedures I've used Suprep. It's not terrible and it apparently cleans me out well. I have a liquid diet the day before. Sure, it sucks, but I'd take that any day over getting colon cancer.
And I'm always under general anesthesia when I get mine done. I love the feeling of falling asleep, especially in the room when my dr. is listening to his heavy metal lol. My dad has had them done and they let him stay awake. I'd rather not feel something moving around up and inside my colon. I've also had a friend who woke up during the procedure and said it was the most painful thing she's ever experienced. That still won't stop me from having a procedure done that could potentially save my life.

It's interesting that even though you knew the first prep you had worked that you didn't just keep using that one. You are not the only one. If the doctor says do this one........then that is what the patient does. The most important thing is that you are cleaned out when you arrive. Have you thought about expressing a desire to use the first prep when you go in for instructions?

 

[jaiminee krikit]

It's interesting that even though you knew the first prep you had worked that you didn't just keep using that one. You are not the only one. If the doctor says do this one........then that is what the patient does. The most important thing is that you are cleaned out when you arrive. Have you thought about expressing a desire to use the first prep when you go in for instructions?

No I won’t. I trust my doctor and what he thinks is best for my situation. If I was unable to finish the Suprep I might.

 

[Alpental]

No I won’t. I trust my doctor and what he thinks is best for my situation. If I was unable to finish the Suprep I might.

It's not a question of if you trust your doctor or not. The preps all have one goal, a clean colon. Your doctor has no way of knowing if any one particular prep will make you vomit. Everyone is different. If you could bring yourself to have a discussion about it you might find him very open to trying the prep you know has worked for you in the past. You have nothing to lose, except 5 minutes, by asking.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

It's not a question of if you trust your doctor or not. The preps all have one goal, a clean colon. Your doctor has no way of knowing if any one particular prep will make you vomit. Everyone is different. If you could bring yourself to have a discussion about it you might find him very open to trying the prep you know has worked for you in the past. You have nothing to lose, except 5 minutes, by asking.

The prep I currently use does not make me vomit - the gallon of crap I had to drink one time did. The Suprep isn't that bad. And some preps do work differently for different people, as pointed out in my comment about photos in my doctor's office showing colons using different preps.