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Post by flanz on Jan 13, 2022 1:03:19 GMT
I had my first and only other scope 11 years ago.
The bathroom portion of the prep evening was really painful and exhausting.
I had to set up a table in there for about an hour and a half at one point.
Facing drinking 8 cups of this prep tonight, supposed to be one cup every 10 minutes so would take 80 minutes-ish.
I already have a headache and am feeling hangry.
any tips to help me have the best experience possible at this point?
I do have hemorrhoid wipes and coconut oil and am sitting in family room about 8 feet from the toilet.
Plastic bag and two thick towels on chair.
I think I need to meditate... now.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jan 13, 2022 1:08:21 GMT
Did you plan your prep about 4 days in advance?
I do by eating lightly, no red meat, no seeds or salad and drinking a lot of water in the days before the actual prep drink because there is a lot of sodium (usually) in these drinks. Going into drinking the prep while well hydrated does make it go easier.
Good luck!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 13, 2022 1:09:16 GMT
I just had my second colonoscopy in early December. I used a fairly new prep called Plenvu this time. It wasn't bad at all. The worst part for me was that is was super super sweet and I don't do sweet drinks. I had a hard time getting it down without wanting to heave.
You can do this. Just keep your eye on the finish line. It's important to get the screening and you'll be glad when its behind you.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,081 
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Post by pinklady on Jan 13, 2022 1:44:31 GMT
I just did my prep a couple weeks ago and choose to do the pills instead of the drink. It was so much easier but it was 24 pills and lots of water.
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Post by malibou on Jan 13, 2022 1:49:08 GMT
Did you plan your prep about 4 days in advance? I do by eating lightly, no red meat, no seeds or salad and drinking a lot of water in the days before the actual prep drink because there is a lot of sodium (usually) in these drinks. Going into drinking the prep while well hydrated does make it go easier. Good luck! This/\ A low residue diet a few days before will make a world of difference. |
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Post by andreasmom on Jan 13, 2022 1:50:44 GMT
I just did my prep a couple weeks ago and choose to do the pills instead of the drink. It was so much easier but it was 24 pills and lots of water. I didn’t know there was a pill option. Filing this info for when my turn comes. |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,081
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Post by pinklady on Jan 13, 2022 2:06:19 GMT
I just did my prep a couple weeks ago and choose to do the pills instead of the drink. It was so much easier but it was 24 pills and lots of water. I didn’t know there was a pill option. Filing this info for when my turn comes. I highly recommend it. www.sutab.com/HowtoPrep |
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Post by littlemama on Jan 13, 2022 2:06:37 GMT
Remember that you only have to drink until things are clear (looking like lemonade). Once you are there, stop drinking.
I set up a tray table in the bathroom, take my kindle and phone and a book amf a blanket. I also have a bottle of Vernors. Hold nose, suck down half of the glass of prep, sip of Vernors. Repeat. One glass down.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Jan 13, 2022 2:47:43 GMT
Hoping you drank a lot today. I thought I did snd still felt dehydrated after.
Chill the drink and use a straw to bypass tasting it as much as possible. I had to add more time in between each glass as I was getting too nauseous . Don’t move far from the bathroom. Good luck.
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styxgirl
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Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jan 13, 2022 3:34:18 GMT
Hoping you drank a lot today. I thought I did snd still felt dehydrated after. Chill the drink and use a straw to bypass tasting it as much as possible. I had to add more time in between each glass as I was getting too nauseous . Don’t move far from the bathroom. Good luck. I believe you gave me this advice for the chilled drink and STRAW, way back in your mouth to drink. Worked like a charm! I didn’t have the pain and stuff other people describe having. The whole things wasn’t as bad as I had heard it would be. I did go to the restroom a lot but it wasn’t uncontrollable poo all over like I thought! Hahah!! OP, best wishes! You’ve got this!! |
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Post by MichyM on Jan 13, 2022 3:36:19 GMT
I just did my prep a couple weeks ago and choose to do the pills instead of the drink. It was so much easier but it was 24 pills and lots of water. Oh, I had no idea there were pills, good to know as I don’t care for sweet drinks, and I’m on the 5 year plan due to polyps every darned time 😡 I’ll ask about pills next time, thanks. |
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 13, 2022 3:38:47 GMT
My PCP suggested I start the prep at noon so you can sleep through the night. I had an "excellent" cleanout.....lol
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Post by Scrapper100 on Jan 13, 2022 3:50:34 GMT
Hearing mention of pills. I had to take pills early in the day snd the nasty golytly stuff later in the day.
I ate lightly for a a couple of day snd then only liquids or two days. No nuts, seeds I think was for a week. I was cleaned out early and kept expecting more. I expected much worse.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 13, 2022 10:10:20 GMT
I found that sucking on a lemon slice after drinking the prep helped a lot. It cut the taste from my mouth immediately.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 13, 2022 12:05:13 GMT
I found that sucking on a lemon slice after drinking the prep helped a lot. It cut the taste from my mouth immediately. I’m going to remember that for next time. |
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Post by peasapie on Jan 13, 2022 12:12:40 GMT
My dr just told me to use ginger ale to mix the prep into. I’ll be trying that method next week…
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Post by hookturnian on Jan 13, 2022 12:32:44 GMT
Best of luck OP.
I know this advise is not helpful for now, but maybe for the future. I was prescribed Picoprep for my abdominal surgery. It was a lemony-tasting powder which was mixed with 250mL water. That's it, just 1 cup. I had to drink it at about 19:00, and then drink a glass of water or other clear fluids (e.g. broth, fruit juice without pulp, tea/coffee without milk) every hour. My surgery was scheduled for the following afternoon. The business end of the process wasn't too bad. No cramps at all.
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SweetieBsMom
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Posts: 4,789
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Jan 13, 2022 12:37:30 GMT
Did you plan your prep about 4 days in advance? I do by eating lightly, no red meat, no seeds or salad and drinking a lot of water in the days before the actual prep drink because there is a lot of sodium (usually) in these drinks. Going into drinking the prep while well hydrated does make it go easier. Good luck! This is what I’ve done too. Before any prep I eat light, seems to make it a bit easier. DH would eat like it was his last meal and prep was much worse for him, IMO. |
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Post by marzbar71 on Jan 13, 2022 13:21:10 GMT
I added Crystal Light to Go packets to my prep and it was a game changer. I used the plain lemonade flavor (yellow). Also yes to the super cold and use a straw. My score was a 9 for the procedure (out of a possible 9 for the prep)
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 13, 2022 14:03:33 GMT
I found that sucking on a lemon slice after drinking the prep helped a lot. It cut the taste from my mouth immediately. I’m going to remember that for next time. I read it here on one of the old threads about the prep. Because the drink is sweetened and salty, it doesn't give you that pucker power feel that it normally would have. My prep was a nightmare because I was having gastro issues before I even began the prep--it was the reason for the colonoscopy. Plus the time of my procedure was such that I had to get up at 3am to do the second glass of the prep. I was still running to the bathroom up until the time that they brought me in for the procedure. To me, that was the worst part of it all. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 13, 2022 14:04:20 GMT
My dr just told me to use ginger ale to mix the prep into. I’ll be trying that method next week… Be careful if you don't normally drink fizzy drinks! The fizz could contribute to the urgency and the bloating some experience. |
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Post by juanita on Jan 13, 2022 14:07:38 GMT
WOW you ladies are just the best.....my dr order my first colonoscopy and this thread has lots of information.......
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momto4kiddos
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jan 13, 2022 14:12:15 GMT
I didn’t know there was a pill option. Filing this info for when my turn comes. I highly recommend it. www.sutab.com/HowtoPrepThis is amazing! Saved it to ask my MD about. Last summer's prep is still fresh in my mind and I have to schedule another for this summer  I'd be so excited not to have to drink those gross drinks! |
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jan 13, 2022 14:13:49 GMT
I actually followed the newer guidance which says that you can eat the day before. You keep it to bland white and yellow foods (eggs with no dairy, plain noodles etc.). I didn't go crazy but I ate small amounts until about 12 pm the day before the procedure. Studies have shown that the small amount of ruffage actually helps to clean you out better. I didn't have any issues with the actual prep. It wasn't nearly as bad as I was told it would be. My dh had to drink way more water than me and he kept running to the bathroom but I only made maybe 8 trips the entire time. I was really nervous that I wouldn't be cleaned out but I was.
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Post by flanz on Jan 13, 2022 14:45:47 GMT
Did you plan your prep about 4 days in advance? I do by eating lightly, no red meat, no seeds or salad and drinking a lot of water in the days before the actual prep drink because there is a lot of sodium (usually) in these drinks. Going into drinking the prep while well hydrated does make it go easier. Good luck! This is what I’ve done too. Before any prep I eat light, seems to make it a bit easier. DH would eat like it was his last meal and prep was much worse for him, IMO. I made your DH's mistake 11 years ago and it was the stuff of nightmares. This year I got the same instructions as peppermintpatty and the difference has been amazing. However, CVS did not have the SUprep in stock and gave me PEG3350. It is a ridiculous 8 cups to drink between 6-7 pm and another 8cups, sometimes in the middle of the night, depending on time of scheduled colonoscopy. Mine isn't until 11:40 so I was to get up at 6 a.m. to start drinking it. I'm about 20 min late getting started. wish me luck! It's fairly disgusting to drink and I would def. add lemon Crystal Light if I had any at home marzbar71 ! I'll remember that for DH's procedure coming up soon. Praying for nice clean bowels and excellent, accurate report. Good luck to all anticipating your procedures and thanks to everyone for all of your great tips! |
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Jan 13, 2022 22:06:06 GMT
How timely. I just had my nurse's call before they schedule me for my first one, thankfully just routine screening. She was actually very thorough with the directions and general suggestions.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by mich5481 on Jan 13, 2022 22:19:07 GMT
I had the dulcolax, miralax, and Gatorade prep routine at the end of November. I definitely cut out high fiber a few days in advance, and that helped quite a bit. For the first part, I took 4 dulcolax and then drank half of the miralax/Gatorade combo in 8 ounce glasses every 30 minutes or so. I had to wake up in the middle of the night for the second half, so I just chugged it (well, it took about 20 minutes to get it all down) instead of spacing it out again (the directions said I could take up to 2 hours for the second half). To drink it, I pinched my nose and threw my head back to drink the prep, and then I followed it with some apple juice.
For what it's worth, the doctor said I did a great job with the prep. Unfortunately, he removed a 12 mm precancerous polyp with a high grade of dysplasia during the colonoscopy, so I get to have that fun all over again in 3 years. The letter with the pathology results said it was good I had the colonoscopy done when I did (I'm only 40, so I was early).
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Post by kmcginn on Jan 13, 2022 22:34:07 GMT
This is too late for some of you, and if you have/had polyps I'm pretty sure you can't use it.
I have used Cologard the last several times I was due for a colonoscopy, and it's super easy. You just put the kit on your toilet, do your business and then there are a few steps to do (pour liquid over over the sample, use the little q-tip think and add it to the tube and seal), pack it up, and send it back. They will even come get it if you want them to.
I told my doctor I couldn't do the prep and he let me do that instead. Ask about it and see if your doctor will let you do it instead. The doctor has to order it but mine was fine with that.
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Deleted
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Nov 27, 2024 14:30:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 0:14:44 GMT
This is very helpful.
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Deleted
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Nov 27, 2024 14:30:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2022 0:27:33 GMT
flanz : Ick. I'm so sorry. It's a disgusting necessity. I've done about 4 thusfar. I know that it tastes more like liquid death. I usually vomit from it and my stomach gets HUGE like I'm 9 mos pregnant. I've wound up in the ER the last 2 times I attempted to do it. I have bad stomach and throat issues. So, it could be worse........
As others said, 4 days ahead you should begin to eat lightly and avoid anything red. Have someone drive you there and back. I had such an awful migraine the last time I had it done because they said I couldn't take my pain meds. I hope that yours will be swift and easy. The best part is falling asleep-- it'll be a nice sleep that you'll get!
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I'd be so excited not to have to drink those gross drinks!
