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advice about getting a colonoscopy

Posted: Dec 6, 2011

I am having one done after the new year and just wondering about the stuff you have to drink. Other than water can it be flavored to taste better. How long before the procedure do you stop going? I know the day before you need to drink all liquids. I will stock up on apple juice and ginger ale.

;

My experience...sm - mb

[ In Reply To ..]
The last time I had a colonoscopy I can't remember what they gave me for a prep but it was a powder and they said I could mix it with 2 small bottles of Gatorade in any color but red. It really didn't have any taste and wasn't too bad compared to my first colonoscopy when I had to mix a powder with a GALLON of water and every time I brought it to my lips it smelled like sour milk. Yuck.

Anyway, they said I could eat Jello and popsicles(not red), and drink broth. If you start the prep in the late afternoon you pretty much are cleaned out by midnight and can go to bed with no problem, but you might want to sleep with a towel under you just in case. I found out the prep isn't as bad as it seems.

I watched my dad die of colon cancer and believe me, I'd much rather undergo a few hours of discomfort of the prep for a colonoscopy rather than a painful, lingering cancer death.

You'll do ok. Schedule something fun for afterwards, like lunch, because you will be hungry! Good luck!

Colonoscopy - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I had my last one in August. I was given the gallon of stuff - I added Gatorade and got it really cold and drank it really fast every 15 minutes. Not too bad with the Gatorade. Found it much more palatable than my first one more than 10 years ago. I do know that the prep is worse than the actual procedure but with many close relatives with colon cancer it was necessary. You will be fine and relieved when its all done. :)

Colonoscopy - Vera

[ In Reply To ..]
Really the worst part was the prep. Had to mix Miralax in the Gatorade and also had to drink 1 bottle of Citrucel. I put that in the fridge and got it icy cold. I also started the clear liquid diet also. I dreaded the procedure, but I never felt a thing as they gave me a light sedation like Versed. I do not remember any of it and I had 2 polyps removed also which were non-cancerous. I know people dread that procedure, but for me it was a breeze. I got tired of all the drinking though. I found it easier to pace myself somewhat with the liquid. To be honest though I have not drank Gatorade since, but I really did not drink it before the procedure anyway. Good luck.

old pro with colonoscopies - have had many, many done

[ In Reply To ..]
I had to drink Citracel that you get in the drug store, always drank that cold and the prep that they prescribe, I have to mix with water and get to pick the flavor at the pharmacy and also drink that cold, as I can tolerate them cold much easier. My GI office also told me I could mix the Crystal light yellow lemonade with it also. Usually I have jello (not red, as that makes everything look red in your colon and they can not pick out the problem areas) and popsicles. I do chicken broth for dinner and then the prep stuff. I can usually tell when I am cleaned out. About half way through the gallon of prep, I have to be right next to the bathroom because I literally drink it and then run straight to the bathroom, in fact the last time I had one, when I reached this point, it came flying back out of me in such a manner that I turned my but into a pressure washer. But pretty safe to say when it gets to the point that it comes right back out and is running clear, you are pretty clean. I have monitored anesthesia now with my colonoscopies as my intestines are so twisted and torqued that they need to use some sort of tubing along with the colonoscopy to help get through my intestines.

But I tell you, I would rather have a colonoscopy than have to go to the dentist for a cleaning!

You will do fine, good luck to you.

Info from friend - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
My friend just had a colonoscopy. She told me her doctor prescribed MiraLax mixed in juice. She said she mixed with with white grape juice and it didn't taste bad at all. That sounds better to me than the large amount of GoLytely that is usually prescribed, which is not always well tolerated. Good luck to you!

colonoscopy - boredwiththisjob

[ In Reply To ..]
My doc told me to flavor the water with crystal light (nothing red though). Also I could have brother and popsicles (not red ones). My biggest problem was not being able to eat regular food but it did not turn out to be so horrible. Kind of cool as they lightened the propofol just before the GI doc was done, so I got to see my innards on the TV screen. Not as bad as you may imagine it to be. The diarrhea stops soon after you take your last drink of the solution.

colonoscopy - boredwiththisjob

[ In Reply To ..]
Ooops forgot to proofread. "Brother" should be BROTH! DUH. Nothing to be scared of. Being pampered in the hospital room was kinda fun and having the day off----very nice!

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