Tips to make Golytly more tolerable

Hey all...well I have a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Tuesday, and of course I was prescribed golytly for my prep. I haven't had this in 5 years because my GI's have since used other preps for my other 3 colonoscopies. However I do remember that it tastes horrific and made me want to vomit. Does anyone have any tips or advice to make this process less painful? I am already so nauseous as it is, and this will make it worse. Any advice would be glorious!!

Show your doctor this abstract of this study from the journal "Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics." Basically it says that the pills are better-tolerated than the liquid preps, and other studies have shown the pills are equally effective. This might be greek to laypeople but your doctor will appreciate the jargon.

Clinical trial: sodium phosphate tablets are preferred and better tolerated by patients compared to polyethylene glycol solution plus bisacodyl tablets for bowel preparation.

Lichtenstein GR, Grandhi N, Schmalz M, Lottes SR, Forbes WP, Walker K, Zhang B.
University of Pennsylvania, Gastroenterology Division, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA. [email protected]
BACKGROUND: Patient acceptance of bowel preparation can affect colon cancer screening compliance. Aim To compare patient acceptance, preference and tolerability of 32-sodium phosphate tablets vs. 2L polyethylene glycol solution plus 4 bisacodyl tablets for bowel preparation. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, multicentre trial was performed. Results were based on responses to a patient questionnaire. RESULTS: 411 patients (205 sodium phosphate; 206 polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl) completed the study preparation and patient questionnaire prior to colonoscopy. More patients receiving sodium phosphate vs. polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl found it easy to take (77% vs. 42%), reported it to be without taste (47% vs. 6%), found it easy to take with respect to volume of liquid prescribed (72% vs. 27%) and indicated they would take the same preparation again in the future (96% vs. 74%, P < 0.0001 for all). Fewer patients receiving sodium phosphate vs. polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl had to take time off work or change ordinary activities to take the study preparation (18% vs. 52%, P < 0.0001). Nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain were reported less frequently with sodium phosphate (P < 0.0013). CONCLUSION: The 32-tablet sodium phosphate dosing regimen was easier to take and better tolerated, when compared to 2L polyethylene glycol plus bisacodyl tablets for bowel preparation.

I agree with ChronieToo. Before I became the patient from H$%l and demanded the pill prep. I did my own with clear liquids for several days and then laxatives until I was clear. I did this at least 5 times. Not one doctor knew. I can not even think about the Lytly's without gaging. There is no way I can get them down. I just about have panic attacks buying them. I did always buy the preps just in case my own version didn't do the job. Good Luck.

I can't use the pills, so I get stuck with the liquid - but I will ONLY use MIRALAX. I don't remember if that's the brand name or the generic, but it is much more tolerable than that golytly crap. The miralax is good mixed with gatorade. It has the same consistency as gatorade - not that syrup-ey gag-o-rific texture like golytely. So, if you must do the liquid, I would ask your doc to switch your RX to miralax.

I think I would try the Miralex.......
no there is no good way to do this and it is always hades IMHO.
Wishing you all the best and hoping you find a way not to unpleasant for you this time
Keep us posted if you try the miralex plz

LYN

I've never had to use the liquid stuff before a colonoscopy...just the pills. I'm curious as to why someone wouldn't be able to take the pill prep over the liquid prep?

Hi,

I have had lots of colonoscopies over the years and because I have had so many parts of my digestive tract removed due to crohn's flares/strictures. I can't tolerate the large quantities they like you to consume. So what helps me is that if I know that I will be doing a prep I start days before the cleansing, I eat as little or no solids. So I end up having to drink less of the nasty coctail thay prescribe. I have even asks the Dr's if the colon was clean enough to get a good look and they said it was fine, hope this helps.

Oh boy! THAT I can't tell you. I was just given the instructions for a "half" dose since this prep is only for a pill camera endoscopy for the small intestine and not the colon that needs to be "squeaky clean" for a colonoscopy. That doesn't necessarily mean that you would need a double dose tho so it is best to ask your pharmacist as he/she would most likely know the colonoscopy prep dosage. Good luck!

Phospho Soda actually in the past has caused my colon to appear red and inflammed during colonoscopy. I do not nor have I ever had crohn's of the colon. Biopsies were taken to be on the safe side, and it was proven to be the prep that did this. So, I would say different things work for different people as people have different effects of each. I would love to try the pills next time. My GI prefers golytly as I call it. She definately knew that I chose to prep my own way because of the reaction to the phosphosoda........ oops! =o)

Well I decided to do the Miralax/Dulcolax prep because I just hate golytly, and couldnt bring myself to do it. So I took the dulcolax at 1:00, and I start the Miralax at 4:00....I had diarriah even before I started any prep so I am sure that the process will be quite exciting. I have my scopes tommorow at 11:00am and I will update when I hear the news.

Well, in case anyone reads this in the future, I would like to add a couple of cents...

I was on here looking up tips myself because I am currently prepping for my own lovely procedure. I think next time I'll definitely try the pills if I can find them... but, I wanted to say that I have a hard time with even the thought of doing the prep as I have now done them all. I agree the miralax is a lot better, but I have such a "gut" reaction to any prep because I've had so many c-scopes and so many gross experiences I do everything I can to make it go easier.

I think if you can tolerate a liquid diet for about 3 days, I would do that. I also stick toilet paper in my nose so that it diminishes the taste (I don't even like the taste of Gatorade). I also thought for those of us that vomit when taking this stuff, that it may help to train your stomach like competition eaters do before hand (plus I think it would help clean out your system). I would say about a week before the test try drinking as close to the same amount of water as you do for prep. I think the people that vomit (besides the gag reflex with just the thought of how gross the whole thing is) do not have the stomach capacity to deal with all that volume. Therefore, if you train your stomach to stretch out, it stands that you will have an easier time with the prep.

One other thing I thought of, but haven't tried, is using the miralax in a variety of drinks, perhaps even making jello with it. I think half of my problem is I get really disgusted with drinking the same thing for 3 hours. You can make 7 different things to drink with the Miralax. 2 caps for each 9 oz drink. As long as you drink them in the required time, I don't see why it would matter as long as they're not red and are still considered clear liquids.

Hope this will help somebody out, I just know there has to be a better way!!!

Best of Luck!
Laura

The miralax and gatorade mine prescribed was not bad at all.  The light diet, then switch to liquid diet made things easy as well.  ON the plus side the gatorade helps keep you hydrated and electrolytes balanced while you go through this.  I felt pretty ok coming out the other side of it all.  Did the golytely years ago and hated every second of it.

Coat your lips and under your nose with mentholatum and then brush your teeth and use mouthwash as soon as you finish with the stuff - or even in between sessions of drinking. There's no reason why doctors should even be using that stuff any more with so many more options so I wouldn't be afraid at all to speak up and ask for a "plan B".