Upper Endoscopy and Colonoscopy/ the PREP / Help/

[Kirby]

My mom is going to have a colonoscopy as soon as her heart doctor clears her. Her GI doctor told her to take a large bottle of Miralax that she can get at CVS.

 

[JESW]

I recently had both of these tests done and they weren't as bad as I thought they would be. My dr. put me completely out for both of them so the last thing I remembered was "...this might make you feel sleepy.." after the IV was put in - and then waking up in the recovery room!

CHUG the prep liquid - do NOT smell it or you will gag! And ask your dr. if you can drink cranberry juice after drinking it - that made all the difference in the world to me! When my dr. meant no red stuff he meant jello and cranberry juice was ok.

The day before I lived on chicken broth and jello - don't want to taste either one again for along, long time!

This is waaaay TMI, but while doing the prep work - never, ever think you just need to pass gas - just saying!

You will do fine - it is a good thing you are doing for yourself.

Jill

 

[smschex]

DH just had both EGD and colonoscopy done last week. He used Moviprep which is only 2 liters as opposed to the usual 4. He said it isn't something he would choose to drink, but it was tolerable. He had no problems with the test.

Here is the link with info:
http://www.salix.com/products/moviprep/index.aspx

 

[Bashful2]

I had my first colonoscopy last October and used Half-lytely for the prep. I mixed the orange and pineapple with water and kept it very cold. The first glass I vomited back up. Then I took some Phenergan left over from an intestinal bug and was able to keep the rest down.

My advice would be to ask your MD for a prescription for either oral Phenergan or Zofran just in case you have a problem, mix the solution early in the day with any or all of the flavors you like, keep it very cold, and drink it with a straw.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I have had both done no problem. I used the pills both time. My most recent was done in January and I did have the pills so I am surprised your doctor said they had been taken off the market.
I also experienced vomiting as well so I always kept a bucket near by.
Also carbonated clear liquids (i use tonic water and seltzer) held the pills go down much faster. It may help with the liquid stuff too.

 

[Inigo]

My mom is going to have a colonoscopy as soon as her heart doctor clears her. Her GI doctor told her to take a large bottle of Miralax that she can get at CVS.

Ohh, I forgot my gastro mentioned there is now a Miralax prep for a scope.

Miralax is COMPLETELY TASTELESS!!!! You just have to make sure you stir it really well into whatever liquid you are using. I mix it with orange juice, and don't even notice it's in there. (TMI alert!!!---My crohn's disease tends toward constipation, so I always have miralax in the house.)

If you stir it really well for a few minutes, there is no grit taste, there is nothing.

 

[PixieTopaz]

I have had both done no problem. I used the pills both time. My most recent was done in January and I did have the pills so I am surprised your doctor said they had been taken off the market.I also experienced vomiting as well so I always kept a bucket near by.
Also carbonated clear liquids (i use tonic water and seltzer) held the pills go down much faster. It may help with the liquid stuff too.

I think some Doctors simply dont like the pills because it "sometimes" doesnt clean you out as good


What a fun topic

 

[Christine]

I think some Doctors simply dont like the pills because it "sometimes" doesnt clean you out as good


What a fun topic

Actually my GI doc said he gets "cleaner" results with the pills because the patients are more compliant. When the pills first came out, they did leave a residue in the colon--it was kind of a white, powdery look. They pulled them off the market and reformulated the binders in the tablets and had no problem. The issue with the pills is the sodium that is used and possible kidney damage. They are fine if you have healthy kidneys--not fine if you don't. Some doctors have become very nervous about that and just won't use them rather than test for kidney function.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ohh, I forgot my gastro mentioned there is now a Miralax prep for a scope.

Miralax is COMPLETELY TASTELESS!!!! You just have to make sure you stir it really well into whatever liquid you are using. I mix it with orange juice, and don't even notice it's in there. (TMI alert!!!---My crohn's disease tends toward constipation, so I always have miralax in the house.)

If you stir it really well for a few minutes, there is no grit taste, there is nothing.

That is what I am getting this time around. The one I had 4yrs ago was the Fleet thing. Which I thought was easy.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

Ohh, I forgot my gastro mentioned there is now a Miralax prep for a scope.

Miralax is COMPLETELY TASTELESS!!!! You just have to make sure you stir it really well into whatever liquid you are using. I mix it with orange juice, and don't even notice it's in there. (TMI alert!!!---My crohn's disease tends toward constipation, so I always have miralax in the house.)

If you stir it really well for a few minutes, there is no grit taste, there is nothing.

you are not alone. I mix it with lemonade.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I’ve had to do these tests quite a few times (all together). The last time I had the prep, I used the HalffLytely. I mixed it with some homemade lemonade. My doctor also gave me some anti-nausea pills and told me to take about 10 ducolax (sp) stool softeners the day before I took the prep. That was the best prep ever! I did not feel like I had a horrible stomach bug, nor did I have much cramping. I just drank lemonade while reading. (with the occasional run to the bathroom).

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

im glad i read this. i will be asking my dr. about the miralex...i have had a few colon . but most of the stuff did not stay down. i have bad reflux...even the pills were awful. i had to cancel last falls apt, and i hate to say but i have not re scheduled it....I have to have it done. so i will check with him, nothing stays in my stomache...........

 

[JuneChickie]

.

 

[dispor]

Can you get the Miralax over the counter ?

Yes, Miralax has been available over the counter for a while now. It is what my doctor had me take before my recent colonoscopy. Please be sure to check with yours to make sure you are doing exactly what they want you to.

I had to mix the Miralax with Gatorade (specifically). I also had to take Dulcolax the night before and the morning of the colonoscopy.

I honestly did not think the prep was as bad as people make it sound. When I got there, the first thing the nurse said was "The worst part is already over." (The prep.)

Good luck to you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.......By the way, they have found polyps a few times when they did it, but not this last time. Do polyps always ultimately develop into cancer if not removed?

Not all, 100%, but yes, most do, at some point. Could be a year, maybe 20, but most will develop to be cancer, given enough time. Reason it is so important to do the diagnostic scopes.

Phos not longer used/recommended as it can cause kidney failure and require life of dialysis or transplant. The Nulytely/Tri-Lyte seems to be the gold standard today....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phospho_soda

 

[TaraPA]

I've done all the different preps other than the pills, the last being the OTC Miralax prep. The only way to get it all down was to freeze it - I mixed it with raspberry lemonade & ate it like italian ice - much better than drinking it! The taste was the best out of any of the other preps, it's just still a huge volume of liquid to get in.

 

[Inigo]

I know that Walgreens has the generic form of Miralax available, so you can save some money. (I'm sure other stores also have generic, but I'm a Walgreens shopper.)

 

[marcyinPA]

I've only done a barium swallow and an endoscopy. Never the colonoscopy (yet). Barium swallow was a little uncomfortable but manageable. Endoscopy was a piece of cake. I was put under "twilight" anesthesia and I don't remember a thing!

My BFF had a colonoscopy in her early 30's and she said the prep was AWFUL but the test wasn't bad. She had to stay home while doing the prep...she was in the bathroom all day long.

It's one of those things that are unpleasant, but unavoidable. Prayers for good results!!

 

[PixieTopaz]

I've done all the different preps other than the pills, the last being the OTC Miralax prep. The only way to get it all down was to freeze it - I mixed it with raspberry lemonade & ate it like italian ice - much better than drinking it! The taste was the best out of any of the other preps, it's just still a huge volume of liquid to get in.

Altho this sounds like a good idea-its just too much frozen stuff to digest, IMO

 

[Feralpeg]

June, I had both done about three years ago. While the prep isn't pleasant, it wasn't that bad. I had no problem drinking it. The day prior to the test, I ate chicken broth and green jello. Again, not great, but I managed.

The good part is that the tests are a breeze. One minute you're awake. The next minute you are waking up. You won't remember a thing. I was so worried about the endoscopy, but I had no memory of it at all.

My only word of warning to you is to be careful what you eat after the test. You'll be hungry and want to eat something heavy. Don't! My sister went out and ate a cheeseburger. She had terrible gas pains after. I ate light that night and was fine.

If you have any problems or concerns after the procedure, give me a call.

By the way, I'm supposed to have it done again this year. The only part of it I'm dreading this time is paying for it.