topic Re: question about colonoscopy prep in Wellness

question about colonoscopy prep

SeaMaiden — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:41:19 GMT

My DH will be using Dulcolax and Gatoraid instead of the old method of using that awful powder prep drink that you have to drink so much of. Thjis is something new I guess...

Can the cost of the Dulcolax be paid by insurance as it is a required thing? How would that work?

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:45:27 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
My DH will be using Dulcolax and Gatoraid instead of the old method of using that awful powder prep drink that you have to drink so much of. Thjis is something new I guess...

Can the cost of the Dulcolax be paid by insurance as it is a required thing? How would that work?

You need to check with your provider. If you have a flexible spending account, you can likely use those funds for the Dulcolax. Some companies give an actual CC to use for those purchases, others make you submit a form and receipt. Don't forget - NO RED Gatorade.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

Love my grandkids — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:45:42 GMT

@SeaMaiden When I've had to buy this at Safeway for prep it's actually pretty cheap as it's over the counter.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

lgfan — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 18:46:38 GMT

When I went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription for the awful liquid prep I was told that the Dulcolax was an over the counter medication and that my health insurance did not cover it.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

SeaMaiden — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 19:00:14 GMT

@Love my grandkids wrote:
@SeaMaiden When I've had to buy this at Safeway for prep it's actually pretty cheap as it's over the counter.

@Love my grandkids did you also drink gatorade? Did you have to mix Miralax into the Gatorade?

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

RedTop — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:46:02 GMT

@SeaMaiden

Everyone I know who has prepped with Miralax and Gatorade, has to mix the 2 liquids for an oral prep.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

Shelbelle — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:05:14 GMT

I took citrate magnesium pills, my DH used Dulcolax pills and cit mag liquid. Our gastro doc provided us with all the items we needed, maybe he added it to our bill, dont know but we each had the test done twice and never paid for any preps out of our own pockets.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

Love my grandkids — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:10:01 GMT

@SeaMaiden Yep! All three and it worked out just fine.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

sann — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 22:41:13 GMT

A package of 6 Dulcolax tablets cost 1.98 at Walmart.... When I had a colonoscopy I had to take 4 tablets and drink the powder stuff....total cost for both was 6.98...

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

gertrudecloset — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 22:59:04 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
My DH will be using Dulcolax and Gatoraid instead of the old method of using that awful powder prep drink that you have to drink so much of. Thjis is something new I guess...

Can the cost of the Dulcolax be paid by insurance as it is a required thing? How would that work?

@SeaMaiden Typically health insurance will not cover over the counter drugs. I do know some Advantage Plans give people an allowance for the year to purchase some OTC needs.

It's an over the counter laxative and you can get a box for just for this purpose that should not cost more than $20.00 bucks.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:23:24 GMT

@SeaMaiden You don't need to claim for insurance, none of these products cost hardly anything.

You can keep the remaining Dulcolax on hand if anyone ever needs it later. Mix with the 8.4oz of Miralax and 2 32oz bottles of a LIGHT colored Gatorade.

It's easier to mix and drink at room temp. My best advice is to start your drinking early enough during the DAY, not at late afternoon nor early evening because each person is different. You don't know how long it may take for this mix to get you going.

If you start this late afternoon, you could be up for hours into the night.

As well, be sure to stop eating regular meals days before you drink your mix. A much lighter stomach is so much easier to totally empty your tract for the exam.

Good luck - really this test is very easy, takes about 30-45 minutes, you don't feel a thing AND it's very necessary for your health.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

hckynutjohn — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:58:22 GMT

Only prep I have ever used was Go or NuLytely, which are 1 gallon preps. Had Endo and Colon at the same time in July. Since 2008 that now adds up to 21 gallons. Didn't have an option, but with my familiarity with the above 2 preps? Why would I change.

My next Double Procedure, Upper and Lower, will be in 2025, every 3 years. I have no plans on changing my prep. My doctor gives me the mix, but like someone else mentioned! It may be on the tab. I have never looked for the minute' details on any of my long listed EOB's. The big $$$ codes are what my wife goes through.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

tends2dogs — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:21:00 GMT

@hckynutjohn That is what I used, too, a couple years ago. People suggested adding powdered lemonade to it. I tried one glass that way and was so glad I didn't add it to the whole jug. It was terrible. I just mixed up the NuLytely and put it in the fridge. I kept pouring it over ice in a big tumbler starting in the late afternoon and was done by midnight. I have to have another test done next summer and I will request the NuLytely.

I also ate very light the days prior to the test. That helped a lot, but I don't eat meat or poultry.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

deeva — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 19:45:47 GMT

I had to take this regimen for my last colonoscopy. The cost was so low that I never considered checking for reimbursement.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

RetRN — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 19:51:58 GMT

@hckynutjohn, your prep is by far the best and most effective one. Not pleasant but the only one I would do. I had my colonscopy a year ago today.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

Shelbelle — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 22:23:10 GMT

I took all pills both times and my gastro doc said my prep was just perfect, no need to suffer thru the prep any worse than it already is.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

CritterKeeper — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:32:39 GMT

Ugh! I wish I could have done this. I had to take these pills (like 20 of them) and that nasty Citrate of Mag.

The Citrate of Mag made me really sick so I'll never take that again. About 15 minutes after taking it I felt like I was having a heart attack. I got so dizzy that I had to lay on the bathroom floor (not an attractive look) and I got super hot. Never again!

I've had bariatric surgery so taking all of those pills wasn't easy, but doable.

Re: question about colonoscopy prep

hckynutjohn — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 17:28:18 GMT

@CritterKeeper wrote:
Ugh! I wish I could have done this. I had to take these pills (like 20 of them) and that nasty Citrate of Mag.

The Citrate of Mag made me really sick so I'll never take that again. About 15 minutes after taking it I felt like I was having a heart attack. I got so dizzy that I had to lay on the bathroom floor (not an attractive look) and I got super hot. Never again!

I've had bariatric surgery so taking all of those pills wasn't easy, but doable.

@CritterKeeper

Since you mentioned bariatric surgery and that large number of pills.

My wife had Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery in 2008. Since that time she has had 2 Colonoscopies. She goes to the same Gastro Doctors as I, and with them your choices are: Go or NuLytely, 1 gallon prep. That's it. She never had a problem with either, other than the typical "tastes like cr*p" complaint.

She has since had 13 small intestine surgeries for blockages and other reasons. You didn't say, but I am assuming your Colonoscopy, came back with good results.

Might be a good idea to check with your Gastroenterologist about the Lytely Preps for your next Colonoscopy. Still surprised at the "20" pills. Never went that route in my 16 Colonoscopies, but I never thought "pills" would mean taking 20 of them!

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸