topic Re: tips for colonoscopy prep in Wellness

tips for colonoscopy prep

Helen Bach — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 10:52:46 GMT

I have to drink the gallon. Somebody tell me what could make it easier.

Also, I'm having the colonoscopy in the hospital this time and not the Clinic, which makes me very afraid. I just need to get done with the prep, and the procedure and get on with my life. Please please please give me some tips on how to drink so much liquid so fast! Thank you

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

SeaMaiden — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 10:56:26 GMT

Make sure it is COLD COLD COLD! Then drink each portion with a straw....aimed at your back throat....suck it down FAST. No taste that way....worked for me!

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Flying Dove — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:14:58 GMT

I drink a full glass, give it a little time, then another full glass, give it a little time, until the gallon of liquid is gone. Also, with every glass, remind myself that this process will help the doctor see any polyps in the colon, so they can be removed. It's a good thing.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

AngelPuppy1 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:19:03 GMT

@Helen Bach

The drinking of the stuff is the worst part, so once you do that, no worries! Yes, I know -- I always get very nervous, too. Unfortunately, I have no tips to make it easier but just swig it down quickly and try to put your mind on something else while you are doing it. Play some music you like and maybe have a good book handy and try to distract yourself as muh as possible. Maybe chew on a piece of mint gum for a tiny bit to clear the taste out of your mouth. It's not very pleasant but thankfully we only have to do it every 5 years, right? Hang in there -- you can do it!

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

LindaSal — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 11:39:00 GMT

What I found worked well for me was I started the prep as early as was allowed and sipped on it for hours and hours. I know it makes you feel so full but you'll get through it.

There really is no easy way out, just put your mind to it and it will be over before you know it. Good luck, I have mine in December

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Flopsy — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:06:57 GMT

Great advice from everyone, especially drinking the prep cold which I prepare and put in the fridge hours before. I go for it with the first batch then drink/sip the rest. In between I drink a clear chicken broth as I prefer savory to sweet and then I drink flavored water. The prep with Gatorade I find is the best but different doctors do prep differently.

I have always had mine done in hospital and I've always experienced friendly staff who do this all day every day and have reassuring conversation with a little humor thrown in! My mum died of colon cancer (she never had a colonoscopy) so I believe the day and a half is worth all the effort. I've had one four times and find it's better if you get an early appointment if you are lucky. Waiting until the afternoon I want to eat a horse lol. Good luck, you will do great.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

newjerseygirl — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:10:40 GMT

@Helen Bach If you have the time, read this funny article by Dave Barry about his colonoscopy.

Good Luck with your prep.

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:26:04 GMT

@LindaSal @Helen Bach As well, I find it really helps to follow the bland diet starting 3-4 days prior to taking your prep. A much lighter diet with just liquids 1.5 to 2 days just prior to is so much easier on your system.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Peep67 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:28:32 GMT

As someone who has to get a colonoscopy annually, I feel your pain. I usually eat light 2-3 days prior to starting the prep and it makes things go much easier. In my experience eating up until the last moment before the day you start your prep makes the prep more difficult. Eat light, drink the prep cold and through a straw! Much good luck to you!

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Reilley — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:29:47 GMT

I will jump in this too! The worst part of a colonoscopy is prior to the first one because you don't know what to expect! Drink cold one glass at a time, gulp down and don't even try to taste it on purpose! The worst part is tasting it and smelling it! After that it's roses! One of the comments was to use a straw which I admit sounds like a good idea! My first colonoscopy was done in a hospital! Before that I was so nervous because I thought I was going to be awake when they did it UNTIL a coworker told me that you are asleep! So you go first into a room, put your hospital gown on, then lie down for they can get you ready to sleep and the next thing, you wake up! You are only in there for a couple of hours! And those couple of hours involve any paperwork, changes in clothing, waiting for your "turn", the colonoscopy, waking up and waiting for your ride home! It is actually quick and easy! I have had four of them only because I am over 55. Never had any problems. Oh, I found not to eat a lot two days before I take that terrible drink!

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

SeaMaiden — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:30:31 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
@LindaSal @Helen Bach As well, I find it really helps to follow the bland diet starting 3-4 days prior to taking your prep. A much lighter diet with just liquids 1.5 to 2 days just prior to is so much easier on your system.

I fasted for two full days prior and used herbal laxatives to clean out. Made the ACTUAL PREP easy....and FAST.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Coquille — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:45:16 GMT

@Helen Bach I make sure it's really, really cold, drink one glass fast, 3 or 4 swallows at a time, then after the 3rd or 4th swallow, I gargle (just gargle, then spit it out) with either cold ginger ale or coke. Just remember to spit the soda out! I find that the soda cleanses my pallet and the horrible taste is hardly there. That makes it easier to keep drinking, so I can get it all down. I don't drink soda anymore but years ago, when I did, I tried that and it worked for me then and still does.

Good Luck! You'll do and be fine.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

chrystaltree — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:45:41 GMT

Talk to your doctor. I knew the prep would be the hardest part of a colonoscopy for. I had to do the prep many years ago prior to abdominal surgery and I could not get all the Golytley down. I got about half a gallon down. The nurse said they'd have to reschedule the surgery but the surgeon said since I hadn't eaten any solid food in two days (I had Bern to I'll to eat) I didn't have drink the entire gallon. Definitely it has to be cold to get it down. There are smaller volume preps which is why you should talk to your doctor. The small volume prep is something like 16oz of prep and then you drink a lot of clear water.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Teddixat — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:11:21 GMT

i'll jump in too. My doc wants me to have one also. I've had several of them and it doesn't get easier. I think the idea of eating light a couple of days in advance and an herbal laxatives will make it easier. I just don't know why they makes the stuff so horrible tasting. I think it's full of artificial sweetner which to me makes it even worse.

good luck.

I found this doing a search. There is a pill

https://www.ccalliance.org/blog/prevention/new-colonoscopy-prep-tablet-approved-fda

https://www.samhealth.org/about-samaritan/news-search/2021/03/09/prepping-for-a-colonoscopy-is-better-than-it-used-to-be

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

CAcableGirl2 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:29:38 GMT

@Helen Bach It wasn't as bad as I expected. I had the huge container and finished it. I added 2 of the packets (looks like small tubes) yellow Crystal Light lemonade powder to the container and then filled it with water. My procedure was scheduled the the next morning.

I started at 1 pm and drank 6 oz every 20 minutes until it was gone. It really wasn't as bad as I was told. I just drank it down quickly every 20 minutes, and by 6-6:30 I was done, took the two pills they gave me (I was emptied out by then), and slept through the night. Didn't get up in the night if I recall.

You will be fine - thinking about drinking that liquid was much worse then it was.

Next time, I would start about 12-12:30, but that would be the only thing I would change.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Icegoddess — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:46:38 GMT

I just can't drink large amounts of liquid. My last one I ended up throwing up and I was done. I refuse to rush getting that stuff down. I'll drink it at my own pace. I see no reason to rush it.

My tip would be to actually start a day or two ahead by cutting back on eating the things that take longer to digest. That way there won't be so much to clean out.

Oh, and when you feel the urge, run, don't walk, to the bathroom. You won't be able to hold it.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

queendiva — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:02:16 GMT

It could be worse- I am having my third colonoscopy in as many months two weeks from now. Large, benign tumor found, surgical removal scheduled.

I asked my DR's office about the pill, which my sister-in-law took. They did not allow it for possible long term problems.

I agree about distracting yourself as much as possible. I must dring smaller amounts more often as "chugging " the cocktail down is not an option. Also agree to start eating light several days pre-prep. That will also help a lot.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

Karie2022 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:24:48 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Talk to your doctor. I knew the prep would be the hardest part of a colonoscopy for. I had to do the prep many years ago prior to abdominal surgery and I could not get all the Golytley down. I got about half a gallon down. The nurse said they'd have to reschedule the surgery but the surgeon said since I hadn't eaten any solid food in two days (I had Bern to I'll to eat) I didn't have drink the entire gallon. Definitely it has to be cold to get it down. There are smaller volume preps which is why you should talk to your doctor. The small volume prep is something like 16oz of prep and then you drink a lot of clear water.

Totally agree, talk to your doctor...my husband only had to drink a much smaller amount, I had to drink the gallon which I barely finished. He found it very reasonable. I guess it depends on the doctor.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

lynnie61 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:29:27 GMT

First colonoscopy at 50, I had to drink the gallon. Was throwing up by half of it, but ate light several days, so I was good for the procedure. Didn’t know the straw tip at that time.

Second colonoscopy I asked for something different prep, had 2 / 10 oz preps. Also, on my second, I waited until I could get 1st or 2nd appt. and was walking out of the hospital by 830 am. On my first, I had an 11 am appt, and didn’t get my procedure until 230. Nope, wasn’t doing that again.

Eating lightly days prior really helps.

Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

lgfan — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:08:23 GMT

@Icegoddess "Oh, and when you feel the urge, run, don't walk, to the bathroom. You won't be able to hold it."

You also must go to the bathroom even if you think it is only gas. Usually it is more than gas and you can have a messy accident if you dont use the bathroom to release what you think is only gas.

For me the hardest part wasn't drinking that awful medicine it was going constantly to the bathroom. I now regret not using moistened towlettes instead of toilet paper because after a few trips to the bathroom you do become chafed with so much toilet paper use.