scared of colonoscopy prep - how bad is it?

[Anonymous]

I do the hemocrit tests for blood every year. Not sure if I'm going in for one when those are negative. I think it's a money-maker and that's about it, unless you have a family history.

The reality is, unless you have a family history, the types of polyps they find have only a 1% chance of being cancerous.

In some countries, they simply do the hemo test yearly or a sigmoid in-office, because 98% of all issues are found in the lower colon.

[Anonymous]

NP here with newly scheduled first colonoscopy. Boo.

I am supposed to do laxative the afternoon before and the magnesium citrate at 6pm the day before. Another bottle in morning of procedure. It is scheduled for the afternoon, unfortunately.

My question is how long until the diarrhea starts. I'm supposed to be at an event the evening before from 6:30 to 7:30. I've got a call in to the office but thought I'd ask here, too.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I just drank the magnesium solution and diarrhea started a half hour later. But, after a mere ten minutes of thinking "Hm, that wasn't so bad, I'll just do a little picking up around here," I was laying on the bed feeling nauseated. That said, I didn't think bowel prep was all that terrible or dramatic. I was able to relax and watch TV, chat with my family, etc. between trips to the bathroom. I would not, however, leave the house and didn't feel like it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I've rescheduled but now it is a long way off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do the hemocrit tests for blood every year. Not sure if I'm going in for one when those are negative. I think it's a money-maker and that's about it, unless you have a family history.

The reality is, unless you have a family history, the types of polyps they find have only a 1% chance of being cancerous.

In some countries, they simply do the hemo test yearly or a sigmoid in-office, because 98% of all issues are found in the lower colon.

Trust me, you do not want the sigmoidoscopy. It is barbaric.

[Anonymous]

I'll weigh in here. I was prescibed the Supraprep bowl cleanser. I took the first dose (8 oz medicine and 8 oz water) at 8:30 last night, followed by another 32 oz of water. I'm a small person so I felt like I was going to puke and/or explode! I tried to read a book while sitting on the toilet but it started making my back hurt. So I got my laptop and watched a few episodes of Mad Men. That made the time go by way faster. The voiding ended by 12:30 so I got a good nights sleep. Then up at 7am for the next dose. Appointment's at 2:30 today. I thought that hunger was going to be my enemy but the bloated feeling masks that.

[Anonymous]

Its interesting because it seems like there are several different types of prep that are recommended out there. Mine was relatively easy. All I had to do is buy a bottle of Miralax and mix it with a big bottle of Gatorade. Yes towards the end of it I was getting a little bit tired of drinking it - but it was not bad. The only other thing they told me to do was take a couple of Dulcolax a few hours before I started the drink.

So anyway, you are basically just sitting on the toilet until all that is coming out is liquid.

I have heard of other doctors still making their patients drink that gigantic gallon of disgusting liquid. If I were you, I'd make sure you have a doctor who is OK with the Miralax/Gatorade option. I really don't see why you wouldn't' be able to do that instead of the gallon prep.

I have to go back in 3 years because I did have 3 polyps - but honestly, it was not that big of a deal. I'd certainly rather do that for one night than have colon cancer.

[Anonymous]

A family member has to have it every year, and he gets some sort of pill from the dr now (the liquid was making him nauseous). It's not fun but not too too bad.

[Anonymous]

I am scheduled for a regular colonoscopy, and am wondering if anyone has had a virtual colonoscopy. If so, what made you choose that versus a regular one?

[Anonymous]

I thew up while having to shit myself. Good times.

[Anonymous]

The worst part was drinking the stuff - it tasted really gross. Set up a little table in your bathroom and make sure your iPad is charged and WiFi is working. God made Netflix for just such an occasion. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

When my dad had one, on a friend's advice he stopped solid foods a day earlier than prescribed and only had liquids--broth, smoothies, etc. He said it made prep a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

Your colon is 6 feet long. It takes a lot to decompress all that fecal matter. Gross but necessary. Towards the end it doesn't stink. Also weird to poop clear water. It's like peeing out of your butt.

[Anonymous]

Anyone recommend their dr that they used for the colonoscopy that went smooth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thew up while having to shit myself. Good times.

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