Re: tips for colonoscopy prep

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@Helen Bach wrote:
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

@Helen Bach

I have drank 21 gallons of Go/NuLytely since 2008. 16 for Colonoscopies and 5 for Double Balloon Enteroscopies. Every drop stayed down, even the the one 1/2 gallon I was forced to drink in 20 minutes because of a procedure time change when an inpatient at the hospital.

Find the flavor that you like best, that is not Red(choice usually comes with the gallon prep). I made sure I was on liquids only at least for a total of 2 days prior to the procedure, when possible.

I kept the gallon mixture in a huge bucket of ice. For me the colder the better. Where the procedure called for 8oz. to be drank, I drank 16 oz. and doubled the time between glasses.

When in the hospital, I had the nurses keep the gallon jug where I could not see it. When at home, I had my wife pour each glass. It's a Psychological ploy because when you see the gallon and how little it seems to go down? It messes with your head because one always thinks they have drank more than they have.

Who told you that you have to drink it fast? When I first started it as an inpatient, they wanted the whole gallon to be drank in 8 hours. They then changed the procedure for me where I drank half a gallon the evening prior to the procedure. Then I drank the other 1/2 gallon 4 hours before the procedure.

On 1 of the inpatient Double Balloon Enteroscopies, they moved the time up 3+ hours, so I had a little over 20 minutes to drink the last 1/2 gallon. That took a lot of mental manipulation for me! 😉

That was my procedure for most of them, except when inpatient procedures were changed.

I hope your prep and your Colonoscopy is uneventful for you. It can be a life changing, maybe saving, procedure.

My best to you,

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

okaywitheasypay · ‎03-27-2011

I have had at least 3 since my 40s as my mother died of an inoperable tumour. I am glad that insurance finally started covering the $$s. The prep is the worst part. You have recieved a lot of good advice here. I found eating light a few days before helped as many have posted. A package of good quality, unscented for sensitive wipes -- very helpful --do not flush. I had Drs. recommend petroleum jelly.

Keep in mind the positive for the prep --pretend you are a celebrity undergoing an exotic cleanse advised by a health guru .

Small polyps if discovered and removed are so much better than large growths down the road that are inoperable. The majority of people wake up and ask --is it over--with no recollection. Personally, the evening of and the next day -I sleep like a baby.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@Flying Dove wrote:
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.

@Flying Dove

Will add this to your tips. If ones Colon is not completely clean, the Gastro Doctor may not be able to complete the Colonoscopy. Thus! You have to do a repeat at a later date.

The Doctor has to be able to see your complete and Entire length of your Colon, and if obstructed? A Do Over, including another Gallon.

hckynut(john)🥅🏒 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

beckyb1012 · ‎03-09-2010

I worried and planned for it way more than I should have. I did do it my way as far as the timing of the gallon I drank. My ride for the hospital was coming at seven a.m. and they wanted me to start the first prep at 5:00 in the afternoon before. I know my body so I went home from work at noon and started by 12:30. Instead of trying to sleep then get up during the night and start the second part I just stayed up and began again at 11:00 pm and finished a little after 1:00 a.m. I had my last trip to the bathroom only 30 minutes before my SIL picked me up. If I had done their time frame of drinking I would not have been wearing a diaper to the hospital. As far as the drink I did not add anything but just drank it as fast as I could. I only had one bite of jello and did not eat any of the Popsicles or broth I bought. The drink made me way too full. Good luck and seriously it is not as bad as you are thinking it will be.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@Helen Bach All good advice has been given.

I am just curious, why are you afraid to have the procedure done in the hospital?

In my area all are done at the local hospital.

lgfan · ‎10-19-2012

@okaywitheasypay "The majority of people wake up and ask --is it over--with no recollection."

The best part of the procedure is the doctor telling you that you are fine and "I will see you in ten years".

Reilley · ‎10-24-2010

@CAcableGirl2 I forgot about crystal light! My first colonoscopy liquid drink actually contained a pouch of Crystal light. The following colonoscopy drinks throughout the years didn't. Probably depends on who writes the prescription. Might be worth it to purchase a package.

beckyb1012 · ‎03-09-2010

@lgfan wrote:
@okaywitheasypay "The majority of people wake up and ask --is it over--with no recollection."

The best part of the procedure is the doctor telling you that you are fine and "I will see you in ten years".

I got told be back in three. Nov. 4th will mark one year and I bet the next two will go by in a blink of an eye. Oh well I will face it less stressed out for sure.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."

lgfan · ‎10-19-2012

@beckyb1012 "I got told be back in three. Nov. 4th will mark one year and I bet the next two will go by in a blink of an eye. Oh well I will face it less stressed out for sure."

I am sorry to hear about that beckyb1012. The good thing is that the doctors have not found anything bad when you have had the procedures done.