I had a repeat colonoscopy because I had not been cleaned out the first time. It happened again! I took the colonic prep as directed: 20 pills the night before and 12 in the morning. I had eaten nothing the previous day. I had no bowel movement whatsoever after 32 pills! I called the Dr. before the procedure and told him what happened. He sent me to the store to pick up 2 bottles of magnesium citrate and drink it before the appointment. It resulted in some solid stool movement. I then had an enema before the procedure. I finally had liquid bowel movement and went ahead with the colonoscopy. Afterward the Dr. came back and told me I was still FOS (not cleaned out). He said I will have to schedule a more aggressive 3 day prep. I don't know if I can handle this for 3 days. :(

Any one else have an experience like this?

I think what the Doctor may want is to go on a liquid diet several days before giving you the laxative.

The only type I have had is where you are given a gallon of laxative-- Go Lytely and you can't get too far from the toilet --- it is refered to as the prep from Hell.

I have not heard of people that are not clean enough for a colonoscopy using this procedure!!

I had a light diet for 1 day, a liquid diet for day 2 and the the prep (senna granules the 2 sachets of picolax) on day 3 this worked fine for me.
best wishes
daisy xxx

Thanks Harry and Daisy for your replies. A 3 day liquid diet seems like it would be tough to get through. Wouldn't one get weak? I have a physically demanding job.
(I wonder how that frown face got on my post? I didn't put it there, but its appropriate!)

I didnt feel weak at all, but I alternated sweet drinks (isotonic) with savoury ones like Bovril. Plus once the air had escaped from my tum post colonoscopy I had lost around 2 inches so it was a real bonus in addition to getting the all clear in the biopsies.
take care
daisy

just out of curiousity are you a diabetic? if so do you take byetta?
this happened to my mom and it was because byetta delays the emptying of the stomach.

Nope, I am not a diabetic.