Wellness

[Shelbelle]

I took the pills, I am a terrible gagger, and for me it was the only decent choice, doctor said my prep worked quite well.

My DH drank citrate magnesium mixed with ginger ale, and took 2 Ducolax pills with it, was very easy for him, but not my choice. Someone posted here not too long sgo a good choice now is to mix Miralax with iced tea, that would be a good possibility for me next time.

[GCR18]

I've done it both ways.  The way with the pills involves less liquid.  Pills and 16oz liquid.  A couple days before the procedure, I started eating very light.  The day before where you only eat jello and brooth, I did something similar.  I started prep at noon and was done by 10pm.  Procedure was 6am the following morning.  I found the process very easy and foolish that I put it off for two years.  Buy a small pack of baby wipes along with some Vaseline, then you won't get sore if you wipe a lot.

[sgraham30]

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@sipp wrote:

Well- that depends on your own body and it's usually your doctor's recommendation----My husband's doctor recommends a different concoction for him than mine does for me He has some gigundous bottle of something that he has to drink - I have the citrate of magnesia (lemon flavor)- and frankly he has no problem with clearing everything out in a short time- whereas I am still so sensitive to the prep that I wear an adult diaper (normally I do NOT wear adult diapers)to be able to make it to the procedure without messing all over the car! We both start early the previous day- follow instructions to the letter-- I've never heard of the "pills". but again- mostly it's your doctor who decides what they actually prefer since they know what works best to clear everything out. (I've never heard of "pills". Good luck though! It's not as awful a procedure as some people would have you believe!

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The prep was worse the the procedure, I slept through the procedure.

[RedTop]

The physicians in my area have a preference when it comes to colonoscopy preps, and it is usually the "latest and greatest" one being pushed by their drug rep.  Most physicians prefer prescription preps, because of their deep cleansing effect; knowing the bowel will be clean enough to do an accurate test.   After 3 colonoscopies in 10 years, my physician knows I don't have a problem emptying my bowel, so he is now open to letting me choose my prep.   Unless a very simple pill prep becomes available in the next few years, I will be choosing the Miralax and Gatorade prep next time.   I always ask to be the first patient scheduled for testing on my appointment day, so that I am in and out, home before 10 a.m.   

[novamc1]

I just drank  two little bottles of lemon-flavored magnesium citrate 'straight up" with no additives or dilution, plus some Dulcolax tablets. Wasn't bad at all, except for the extended period of going without  food---felt a little faint by the time I got to the hospital.

[June222]

I used the powder gallon bottle that you add liquid to...the insurance paid for it 100% so I just used that.  I fasted on just liquids and juices for five days prior to my colonoscopy so I would be totally clean when I started the prep.  Made the prep less of a bad experience since I did not have a lot in me to  clean out. 

I added lemon crystal lite lite to the prep and let it chill over night so it was real cold....then drank it down fast with a straw. Not too bad....

[Shelbelle]

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@june22 wrote:

I used the powder gallon bottle that you add liquid to...the insurance paid for it 100% so I just used that.  I fasted on just liquids and juices for five days prior to my colonoscopy so I would be totally clean when I started the prep.  Made the prep less of a bad experience since I did not have a lot in me to  clean out. 

I added lemon crystal lite lite to the prep and let it chill over night so it was real cold....then drank it down fast with a straw. Not too bad....

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I give you a lot of credit, between the only liquid diet for 5 days and the gallon of that horrid stuff, I could have never have put myself thru that!!

My doc is very laid back, his patients get to choose their own prep. And I only had to watch my food intake for 24 hours before the test. 

[springers]

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@fortune wrote:

What is the most tolerable preparation for a colonoscopy?  Is it the one with the pills or the one where you drink a bunch of liquid?

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I had my first last year, I ate light leading up to the prep., chilled prep and ate jello to satisfy taste. It isnt easy but manageable,  I loaded up dvr to divert mind.

[June222]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

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@june22 wrote:

I used the powder gallon bottle that you add liquid to...the insurance paid for it 100% so I just used that.  I fasted on just liquids and juices for five days prior to my colonoscopy so I would be totally clean when I started the prep.  Made the prep less of a bad experience since I did not have a lot in me to  clean out. 

I added lemon crystal lite lite to the prep and let it chill over night so it was real cold....then drank it down fast with a straw. Not too bad....

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I give you a lot of credit, between the only liquid diet for 5 days and the gallon of that horrid stuff, I could have never have put myself thru that!!

My doc is very laid back, his patients get to choose their own prep. And I only had to watch my food intake for 24 hours before the test. 

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Oh, I had the option on watching food  intake. 24 hours prior....I chose to fast. I also could have chosen another prep....but when you fast, drinking the prep is much less harsh. 

[jlkz]

Hate the Gatorade stuff so my GI Dr. said to take the Dulcolax and then drink Miralax mixed into Diet Peach Snapple.  Love this Snapple so only the last few ounces were hard to sip down through the straw.

Different from earlier preps, there was no diarrhea, no cramping, and no irritation.  I even got a good night's sleep !!!!

Good Luck with your prep and test.