scared of colonoscopy prep - how bad is it?

[Anonymous]

I'll have my first colonoscopy next week. Family history dictates starting at age 40. I'm in excellent health, athletic, 5'4", 115 lb. I'm scared that the prep is going to leave me on the bathroom floor weeping in misery. I've taken prep once before years ago, to look in my kidneys to check if I had a freaky bacteria from a developing country (I did but it was only in my bladder). That prep was truly awful (like having cholera). The urologist said kidney prep is harder than colonoscopy prep. Please someone tell me the colonoscopy prep isn't that bad. I'm wondering if I can get away with not drinking the whole thing if I start to feel absolutely awful since I'm smaller than the average person. I asked the urologist and he looked like he didn't know and said "just drink it all." I'll do it but I'm scared.

[Anonymous]

I honestly didn't think the prep was too bad. I got the gallon jug and TriLyte with 5 flavor packets. (Not sure if they still make this, but you could ask your doctor.)

I thought I would be literally racing to the bathroom, but it wasn't anything like that--no bad cramps or pain. It's just that when you go, it's completely watery (sorry, TMI!).

My best advice--hold your nose when you chug the prep solution. It truly helps if you can't taste the stuff. And make sure the solution is chilled (make it ahead of time so you can stick it in the frig).

You can do this!

[Anonymous]

PP, here. Forgot to add that my doctor said you can stop drinking the prep solution when the "stuff" coming out is clear or very pale yellow. I drank all the prep because I wanted to make sure I could have the test (if you don't follow the directions, there's a chance they won't do the colonscopy).

[Anonymous]

OP, are you drinking magnesium citrate or something else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, here. Forgot to add that my doctor said you can stop drinking the prep solution when the "stuff" coming out is clear or very pale yellow. I drank all the prep because I wanted to make sure I could have the test (if you don't follow the directions, there's a chance they won't do the colonscopy).

Try to drink all of it since that's what your Dr. said so you can go through with the test and make the ickiness worthwhile. For me, the prep was unpleasant, but not horrible.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, you do have to drink all of it. I'm smaller than you and have done this a dozen times and have asked that question every time! Believe me, you want to drink it all so that the doc can see clearly, or you'll have to do it all over again!

BTW, you are asking advice of your gastroenterologist, not a urologist, right?

Yes, you will spend the night in the bathroom, so collect a bunch of trashy magazines, some extra soft toilet paper, and your ipod. It's not fun, but it's tolerable for one night.

Some of the prep solutions taste pretty foul. If you have to use one of them, try using a straw and rinsing your mouth with water afterward. Many doctors these days will give you a large container of laxative powder to mix with a super large bottle of Gatorade instead, and that is a huge improvement. Inquire about this.

All in all, I bet it's not as bad as you're expecting. Follow the instructions to a T, though. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

i found it pretty bad but its a necessary evil!

[Anonymous]

I didn't find it bad at all...I guess it depends on the person. I agree on the reading materials suggestion, tho!

[Anonymous]

I've done it twice (same family history issue as you, I guess) and found it weird that it was so, well, refined: the prep is adjusted so you aren't desperate or miserable, just clean. Get the pictures: it's kind of exciting to see your own pink insides. And do drink it all - I was an overachiever the first time, and it's a bit easier for the patient as well as easier to see everything. If you don't get perfectly pink in there, it's possible they'll pump water in to clear you out a bit more, which isn't a great way to spend your time. And it's, um, embarrassing that you didn't do your job.

And when you're done you'll feel safe and virtuous.

[Anonymous]

I helped my mom. Just diarrhea. She was 70 so it was a little hard to run fast. But it was all good.

[Anonymous]

Hi..just did..used medi prep..and it was no biggie. I has to do a prep seven years ago that was awful but they have apparently refined the process. Here are my tips..I know the day of you only have clear liquids but the day before that I ate lightly and I feel it helped. Also some stuff to ask your dov (forgive me for getting personal but with family stuff could be important and I Apologize if you already know). Ask doc if you should take an aspirin a day which studies have shown to lesson chances for colorectal cancer. Also ask about flat polyp (which can grow outside of the colon)..should you be a candidate for yearly MRI to lesson the chances of a flat polyp that is missed. Even if the MRI or cats an isn't covered..maybe something you want to pay for. Good luck and think about where you want to eat when done..I went to rio grande!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi..just did..used medi prep..and it was no biggie. I has to do a prep seven years ago that was awful but they have apparently refined the process. Here are my tips..I know the day of you only have clear liquids but the day before that I ate lightly and I feel it helped. Also some stuff to ask your dov (forgive me for getting personal but with family stuff could be important and I Apologize if you already know). Ask doc if you should take an aspirin a day which studies have shown to lesson chances for colorectal cancer. Also ask about flat polyp (which can grow outside of the colon)..should you be a candidate for yearly MRI to lesson the chances of a flat polyp that is missed. Even if the MRI or cats an isn't covered..maybe something you want to pay for. Good luck and think about where you want to eat when done..I went to rio grande!!

Im happy to hear the prep wasnt that bad for you. Ive done the miralax prep before and found it to be tolerable. In speaking to my parents, anything more than 5 years ago, tasted horrible and treated your intestines like hell. The key though is the cleanout. If you dont get adequate cleansing of the large bowel, they cannot take a good look at the mucosal lining and truly rule out/identify potential issues. and then .... sigh .... you have to do it again or be comfortable knowing that you didnt get a full "inspection."

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I thought it was pretty darn awful. I suggest having not just soft toilet paper but also some type of soft cleansing wipes. My butt never hurt as much as it did during my prep. An awful experience. Truly awful. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I also had to start young because of family history. I found the worst part to be drinking the stuff, not going to the bathroom, which was tolerable. There is now a pill prep that you should ask your doctor about. I could not get all the liquid down due to gagging.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. First colonoscopy coming up so this thread has been helpful. I have to do pills starting at 11 a.m. the day before. Then miralax and Gatorade later. Anyone know how fast the pills start working? I'm trying to work at home part of that day at least.