What is the Prep work for Colonoscopy? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Jaypey · 05-12-2007, 04:24 AM

I have to have Colonscopy/Gastroscopy tests next Tuesday and have read a lot on here about the 'prep'. Could anyone tell me what this involves?

andreanna · 05-12-2007, 12:31 PM

I actually had 2 pres becasue my first colonoscopy was cancelled ( I was ****ed).

The first time I was prescribed this liquid it looks like about a gallon or less. They give you flavor but it doesnt do much trust me. The taste is very salty and thick. I didnt finish it. You drink 8 oz like ever 15 minutes I think it was I cant remember exactly. But I had to drink plain water between to make it not taste too bad. I spent 7 hours sitting on the toilet drinking this stuff. AT LEAST. Make sure you dont have to take car of anything that day you WILL be busy.

The second time I told them that that liquid was too rough for me and I actually cried while drinking it. That is me though I have heard better experiences. They prescribed me pills this time. YOu still spend all your time on the toilet once you start going. And still get full from the water and ginger ale they have you drink. but the next day for my colonoscoy they didnt get clear pictures as they said I was not cleaned out enough. So I think maybe the pills aren't as good who knows. Anyway its not a fun day but it will help you to know the colonoscopy is a breeze I didnt even know it was over when I woke I though it had only been a couple seconds. i felt nothing and had no effect at all of any of it.

Good Luck.

Jaypey · 05-13-2007, 12:08 AM

Hi Andreanna,

Thank you, I understand now what all the prep is.

I have been given a small bottle of Senna Liquid (50 mls) to take around 16.00 tomorrow. Two hours later I prepare something called Citramag which is to be drank in one go. At 21.00 I make up half the contents of the second sachet of Citramag, drink that and leave the second half to drink a few hours before I leave on the day of the test.
Sounds like fun, huh?, but not as bad as your experience I would say!. I think the fasting will be hard as I cannot eat any solids from 14.30 the day before, right up until the time of the tests, which are at 12.30pm. That will be hard, especially as the reason I am having this test is because my stomach makes the most awful noises when it becomes empty and food is the only thing that shuts it up.

Anyway, thanks for sharing that with me as it has made me wiser in what to expect in the lead up to this test. Just want to get it over with now.

J

dogmom · 05-13-2007, 02:06 PM

As we "speak" I'm in the midst of the dreaded prep! I had to take two pills, then at 6 pm I start drinking that HalfLytley junk (ummm, cherry flavor.) Gotta drink 8oz. every 15 mins. until it's gone. Then no water until the procedures are done...at 9:30 tomorrow morning!! I'm having an endoscopy and colonoscopy due to family history of colon cancer and recent abnormal weight loss and problems with my, er, plumbing.
I told the doc all these meds I take are causing my tummy woes but he didn't buy it.
ugh.

Good luck with your test J!

Jaypey · 05-14-2007, 03:11 AM

It's amazing how the preparation to this test varies. I have been advised the oposite to you in that I must drink lots of fluids leading up to this. Did you have to eat certain foods one and a half days before? All day yesterday I could only eat; fish, white meat, cheese, white bread, butter, plain yoghurt, honey, potato(no skin), eggs, clear jelly and ice cream. Today I could have a breakfast from the list but after a light lunch at 12.00 I start the fast right up until 12.30 tomorrow. The dreaded meds start at 16.00 today.

I also wondered if taking continued prescriped meds in the form of antibiotic had contributed to my digestive problem, but I guess they can't tell until they have been in and had a look. Kinda daunting isn't it?

Hope you get on OK, Dogmom.

J