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[quote=Anonymous]After googling "colonoscopy experiences" for months before mine, I thought I would share and put a few of you at ease. This was my experience and I don't want folks to think this is the gospel, but may help a few. I can't sleep before a dental cleaning if that tells you anything about my anxiety!

3 days before, I went with white bread, bagels, white pasta, baked potatoes (no skin), chicken, baguettes--- no fruit, seeds, nuts, or veggies. I did eat tomato sauce, parm cheese, butter.

I purchased every color jello (except red/blue), lemon and mango itaian ice, a zillion clear liquids, and broth.

Prep - Clenpiq - 2, 6 ounce bottles - it says not to refigerate and I didn't - bottles were hard for me to open as I did not read the instructions until the 2nd bottle (read the insert instructions).

I had absoutely ZERO appetite the day of (probably anxiety/stress) but started day with black flavored hazelnut coffee (w/ splenda). I had a few bites of jello and a glass of apple juice (for the sugar) prior to my first clenpiq bottle at 5 p.m.

After the bottle was open, I was terrified of the taste - terrified of throwing up. It tasted like VERY sweet syrup/melted down smarties and cough syrup (it's clear---not salty, nor thick). I excpected MUCH worse. I did sips of clenpiq, sips of ginger ale (not diet) until I finished - took me 30 mins.

I drank about 40 ounces of sprite, fresca, ginger ale from 5 - 7 p.m. and then had a lemon italian ice at 9 p.m. (again, not hungry at all but wanted the sugar).

The bathroom trips are loose diarrhea but not like when you are sick- no nausea/cramps - it's a very odd liquidy sensation but manageable. At the end of all of this you are supposed to have clear yellow toilet where you can see the bottom of the bowl  - mine was NOT EVEN CLOSE ....I was terrified it was for nothing.

I did not sleep all night as I was afraid I would miss the 2nd bottle at 3 a.m. I am not going to lie, the second bottle was hard to get down as you are only allowed 3, 8 ounces of water vs. flavored clear liquids. I was also very full from all the liquids from earlier. If you are a Friends fan, I told myself "vanilla milkshake, just a vanilla milkshake" and watched a really fun TV show while trying to get it down.

The second bottle had me living on the toilet from 3:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - could have had my mail delivered. The bowl was still not clear and my appoimtment was 7:30 a.m. It also burns a little and wish I had soothing wipes. Finally at 6:30 a.m. - my bowl was clear and yellow like the pictures!

I brushed my teeth before heading out and my mouth was very parched and dry - I was not allowed water from 4 a.m. onwards so that was tough.

The actual procedure was less than an hour (they did have issues finding a vein as I was so dehydrated which made me lightheaded). However, nurses were great, wheeled me in, you get yourself on your side which was comically odd - sedation, lights out and recovery! EASY BREEZY and best nap ever. You will want to sleep longer than allowed in recovery :)

I was not hungry after I got home but apple juice was definitely and surprisingly my #1 drink of choice through the entire process. I had apple juice with some pasta and napped the rest of the day.

If I did it again, I liked apple juice, ginger ale and lemon italian ice - everything else grossed me out. The thought of broth was bleh. I was more tired and drained than anything else and yes, it's gross but you will feel proud of yourself when you are done - too many horror stories for no reason! Good luck!

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