topic Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours...... in Wellness

Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

June222 — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:01:06 GMT

I have to drink 4 liters( about a gallon) of a vial liquid over a 4 hour period . I see why people do not want to have a colonoscopy. I have fasted on liquids for 4 days hoping having no food in my intestinal track will make the cleanse out faster so I can drink less of the VIAL disgusting liquid. I will be on the toilet for hours..... Googled everything on how to drink this thick gross liquid down.... Know all the tricks.... Most people vomit it back up. Might be the last time I ever go through this again unless they come up with an easier cleanse process. This one seems barbaric!

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

violann — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:07:52 GMT

I think you may mean "vile", but you're right , the prep is a PITA. HOWEVER, there is no better feeling than being told when it's over that "You're all clear" or "We've caught it early".
I had one Saturday, now not again for TEN YEARS.
Hope you do JUST FINE!!!!!

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

depglass — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:07:55 GMT

My sympathy, I had to go through this twice within four days last year. (had barium enema after colonoscopy) You did well by going on liquids for a few days first, it won't be nearly as bad as if you hadn't. I actually thought this stuff tasted pretty good at the start. Only on this board would I talk about this subject. Good luck, and that word is "vile," by the way.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

Mrs Pez Head — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:12:13 GMT

By now you have completed your procedure. I am one of the few people on the planet,that actually LIKES the taste of that prep. The key is to chill it first and put a glass in the freezer to use with each gulp. I am like you in that I comsu,e liquids several"days prior on the theory that the less food in you the easier the cleansing process is. The prep that works best for me is called GoLightly aso is known as Colyte. Another trick is to have a piece of hard lemon candy and before each gulp of the prep, lick the candy. I know that this is too late for your procedure, but perhaps it will help others,,

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

June222 — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:13:54 GMT

Thanks for the spell correction.....spell check did not work for some reason! I also have to have a scope down my throat as well.....looking for a possible bleed causing anemia. I hope they find no tumors....I am pretty freaked out.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

June222 — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:15:51 GMT

My colonoscopy is tomorrow - Tuesday.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

Vivian — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 14:29:09 GMT

I have an inherited condition that requires I have an upper GI endoscopy. I'd rather have ten of those than a colonoscopy, since the only "prep" is to stop eating the after midnight the night before. I did have my colonoscopy this year. The doctor found two small benign polyps, which means I must return in five years for another delightful procedure. I complain about the prep but I know how important these tests are. We have to be grown-ups about colonoscopies. If we refuse to schedule a colonoscopy because the prep is unpleasant, we incur a risk that is far worse than the procedure.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

Goodie2shoes — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:05:04 GMT

I sympathize with you but let me tell you how important this test is. I am 64, my son who is now 43 had colon cancer @ the age of 35. He had surgery and is doing fine, no chemo needed. Because he had colon cancer at such an early age, they suggested I have a colonoscopy and my daughter have one also. She was only 24. My daughter had small polyps removed and negative for cancer. I had a huge polyp removed, neg for cancer but 2 yrs later it returned and was cancer so I had a colon resection, found early, no chemo or radiation. I have no problem with having a colonoscopy done every 3 yrs. I tell people my son saved my life although it was due to him having colon cancer at 35. Good luck to you, the test is for your benefit

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

seashoregal — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:06:21 GMT

As someone who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 44, I understand your feelings regarding the prep necessary for a successful colonoscopy. It has been 11 years since my diagnosis and I have endured many of the procedures but I know they are a necessary evil and definitely saved my life. Over the years I have learned a few tricks that help get me prepared. I always ask my doctor for a small prescription of anti-nausea medication that I take before drinking that "vile" liquid (I totally agree with your description). I also start eating a light diet 3 days before my procedure and take 3 laxative pills 2 nights before my procedure. This helps get rid of a majority of the bulk and I usually only have to drink about half the amount of the liquid before I'm clean. Obviously you need to check with your doctor to see if he feels these options are o.k. for you, but they have made an unpleasant test a little more palatable for me. As I said my cancer was diagnosed 11 years ago and I thank God every day that my disease was found before it spread. I had none of the classic symptoms of colon cancer but just a vague feeling that something was off. Because of my age I really had to insist that I be allowed to have a colonoscopy because I wasn't experiencing normal symptoms. I do have a family history of colon cancer in 3 of my grandmother's siblings but was told by my first doctor that that wasn't a close enough history to indicate a problem (not true!). Anyway, my first colonoscopy saved my life and enabled me to only need surgery but not chemo. Good luck with your procedure and just keep reminding yourself that it is worth the trouble!

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

Brittany-QVC — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:40:23 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC. Disagreement is fine, but please try to word it more kind fashion.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

spent2much — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 16:34:29 GMT

I had to have 2 colonoscopies at age 35 (for diverticulitis). All I had to do back was take the Dulcolax tablets and drink one 10 oz. bottle of citrite of magnesia. Just chill it and it is quite tolerable.

On the other hand, the prep for the colonoscopy I had a few years ago was BRUTAL. Different stuff... I don't remember exactly what. But I decided that when I need another one, I will do what I did at age 35 - Dulcolax and citrite of magnesia. Those did a very good clean out.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

RedTop — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 17:08:15 GMT

Due to family history of colon cancer, I do colonoscopies every 3 years. After trying several prescription preps, which were nasty, and expensive as far as my co-pay, my prep of choice is Miralax and Gatorade. I do a soft diet 2 days before the colon prep, and never have an issue. The Miralax is not harsh, and I like lemon lime flavored Gatorade, plus I drink a lot of sweet tea and ginger ale as well, so I make it thru just fine. I think prescription colon preps can be very harsh.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

GCR18 — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 00:06:43 GMT

I didn't mind the taste of the prep. I ate light for a couple days and only liquid on the last day of food. It was a breeze. I was really scared, but nothing terrible happened to me. I had polyps, so I go back in 5 years.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

June222 — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:33:46 GMT

UPDATE: Well it is over and done with.... Had the procedure and I have to say that the nurses and the "Dr who lead me through the procedure were SO WONDERFUL and caring. I was nervous up to when they put me into twilight sleep and pretty much remember nothing about the procedure itself. Dr. said Everything looked good. One polyp was taken out...

They did not discover the reason for my anemia( The reason I went in to have both procedures done( endoscopy and colonoscopy). I was found to be anemic from a blood work up and no bleeding was found in my stomach or colon...... So, Now I may have to have the camera you swallow procedure done to check out the part of the intestine that the colonoscopy does not reach. Another 2 day liquid clear fast will be done... I do not have to drink the prep solution( yea!) This great way to lose weight! I fit in my size 2 jeans this morning with all the fasting I did over the last 5 days. So there is an upside to coloscopy! Now I do not fear the produre as I did before.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

poocher — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:42:56 GMT

I have to have a colonoscopy every year as i am 3 time colon cancer surviver. I asked my doctor if it was possible to substitute Propel. it is a flavored water with some vitamens included. He gave the okay and said it was important that no coloring be used. Propel is clear and great tasting. No sicky sweet taste like gater aid that was making me so sick.

I cant stress how important this test is. It has saved my life 3 times over the coarse of 25 years. Check with your doctor.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

hckynutjohn — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:30:35 GMT

June2 wrote:

Glad to hear your procedure went well for you and a polyp was removed. That 1 polyp could have led to colon cancer at some future point. Pretty much the reason for why everyone, depending on their age and family history, should not avoid having this procedure.

I was not too nice in my other reply to you, but too many of my friends and a few co-workers, died needlessly from this disease. Why? They overlooked symtoms, which many never experience, and none of them had a Colonoscopy until their chances to beat this were very slim.

They were all over age 50, but chose to take the risk. I lost 2 very close friends that I almost begged for them to have the procedure done. Both males saying "they ain't putting that

thing in THERE", but eventually they did, but too danged late for them.

I did the camera thing also during my 3+ weeks I

in the hospital when they couldn't find where my colon was bleeding after 4 Colonoscpies, 3 of which were the same week. They had to wait between them because I needed blood transfusions in between each ptocedure, otherwise the would have done them on consecutive days.

Camera took 6 hours worth of video and it also did not locate where my colon was bleeding. So! Then came the Double Balloon Enteroscopies.

Too many fear this procedure for many different reasons. I am glad you now realize those fears, for most, can be relieved a bit by hearing from others that have had it done.

I hope all continues to go well for you.

hckynut(john)

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

June222 — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:53:45 GMT

Thank-you John for your input. I was a bit taken back by your harshness on that one post... but reading what I wrote and reading what you wrote... I did feel you were right in my moaning and groaning about drinking the prep. It was the rebellious little side of me... I do have a grown up side and I let that little rebellious side come out in my fear of taking the test.

Thanks for your appology. I realize that you have been throught a lot of medical issues and I should not complain. Wishing you only the best and hope we can continue to be friendly on this site. Take care.

Re: Have to start my colonoscopy prep here in a few hours......

Rabbit — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:42:25 GMT

thank you, thank you, thank you to the person who suggested drinking the prep with a straw, I did the prep yesterday & this morning for my procedure today & the straw works. I would never have gotten it all down without using it. I tried drinking it without a straw and it left a nasty taste in my mouth - did the rest with the straw. Sure hope I can rember this in 5 years when I have to do this again btw, I had to take the go lightly or something like that.