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Need colonoscopy advice for child

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/30/2008 1:08 AM (GMT 0)

Hi. I am not new to this website or to Crohn's Disease. But I am a nanny to a new child with Crohn's Disease. She is only 3 years old, and somehow she is supposed to have her first colonoscopy on Monday. I'm really worried about how I am going to get her to drink the prep. The child's mother isn't really all that involved with her (if you know what I mean.) The father seems to always be at work when I am around and the child is awake. How do I get her to drink the phosphosoda? I have gone to several other websites, and the only one where people could offer real advice was at http://www.colonoscopyforum.com. It's a really cool site for anyone that has experienced a colonoscopy. The people there recommended making phosphosoda and gatoraid popsicles, using an ice tray. Others said the only way is to hold the child down and pour it down their throat. I couldn't do that to her! I wouldn't want it done to me!!!! But it just sounds awful. confused Anyway, I hope someone on here has experience with a child that young. I can't even get her to drink Pediasure, much less something awful tasting like phosposoda. nono I am really hoping you can help.

Sincerely yours,

Nanny Nancy

Post Edited (nannynancy) : 1/29/2008 7:14:17 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/30/2008 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Alrighty to tell you the truth the child wont take the phosphosoda because it is disgusting. For one of my colonoscopies my GI had me drink a ginormous about of Miralax mixed with 64 ounces of gatorade. The Miralax is tasteless, and the only thing that bugged me was that drinking 64 ounces of gatorade in 2 hours got kinda gross, but it was much better than the other junk. I would definitely ask the childs GI if they would consider doing this prep because it worked just the same for me. Clearly the two of us are different sizes so she would probably only require half the amount of Miralax that I did.
Posted 1/30/2008 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I used Pico-Salax for my recent colonoscopy and think that it is much better than any of the other preps that I have had.  You only have to drink two glasses of the liquid, and it tastes like orange so it is very palatable.  The product website says that it is safe for children over one year of age.  Hope that you can use this instead.  Good luck!
Posted 1/30/2008 4:54 AM (GMT 0)

It's great that you are asking for help on this site! Another good site, targeted more at caregivers and parents, is www.dragonpack.com (Look for and click onto IBD Support Community) 

Posted 1/30/2008 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
my granddaughter was a year old when she had hers. she was on a restricted diet before it (several days) and then we used miralax. all in all, what i found so sad was after it she hoarded food awhile, apparently thinking we ran out and she needed to hide it because she wasnt allowed to eat.

she slept most of the day of it, arfed a lot after it, and had a bit of bleeding from the biopsies.

but she didnt have the bad prep, i think they are too young and its too dangerous on their bodies.

i would check with the ped gastro and ask........they can easily have dehydration and electrolytes upset at this age. best of luck to you and her.

Posted 1/30/2008 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
i looked on the walgreens website but it didnt say anything about phosphosoda but i know ive seen signs at my local Walgreens for them to add flavoring to certain types of medicine for kids .... maybe look into that.... that stuff is hard to take even for an adult.... but i took mine with sprite (still nasty) Like i said im not sure if phosphosoda applies but its worth a shot! Good Luck!!
Posted 1/30/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
There are other preps that aren't as bad, is it possible to pressure the parents to ask the doctors for a different prep? I used 4 dulcolax pills + 2 liters miralax/gatorade and I didn't find it unpleasant as there is no taste to the miralax). Also both of those items can be purchased OTC. BUT I would not do anything unless the doctor has been consulted, it may be the other preps have not been tested thoroughly in children.

If you do the phosphosoda prep, make sure to keep her well hydrated. That stuff is very hard on the kidneys.

Good luck :)
Posted 1/30/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Our GI told us to Milk of Magnesia(Magnesium Citrate) in small qtys multiple
time throughout the day before the colonoscopy. It was relatively easy to administer
because of not-so-bad taste. Also, our daughter was going through major CD flare
and having frequent BMs. So, instead of administering the prep right from the
morning, we started a little late in the day and still got all her systems
cleaned by the end of the same day.

Best Wishes to you and your granddaughter.
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Posted 1/30/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that it would be great if you can get an easier prep. But if you can't, try having her practice swallowing while holding her nose. If she can't smell what she is drinking, she can't taste it as much. This trick has gotten me through many nasty procedures! But she will probably need to practice a bit first.
Posted 1/30/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
my daughter is a little older than your little one but she has had to drink a prep twice now.
She finds the best way of drinking it is through a straw and if i recall you can get some funky straws nowadays.

good luck
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