No more Fleets Phospho-Soda prep?! HELP!!

My regular colonscopy is upon me.  For years I suffered the GoLytely, Halflytely, etc.  but it was always a horrible experience. For some reason the taste always makes me gag.  I've tried the straw method, the tape a tea bag over the nose method, etc.  But in the end I usually vomit and can only get at best 50% of the liquid down.

So, I've always stopped eating anything solid at least a week before the prep, and given that 1/3rd of my colon is gone only drink until I poo watery yellow w/no pieces.  Then I always feel bad when the nurse asks me the next day if I drank it all!  Cause of course, I didn't, but my gastro. has always done the colonoscopy and has been able to see just fine.

Anyhoo, last year I flat out said that I just couldn't drink that crap again....so the nurse said, well lets do the Fleets Phospho Soda prep...which was not wonderful, but sooooo much less liquid to drink....this year, no, cannot be done....apparently there is a lawsuit?

So now, I KNOW I need this colonscopy (I also have an anal stricture that my gastro balloon dilates), but I seriously cannot face drinking the stuff.....has anyone's else had this issue?  Is there an easier prep?

I'm not tough to clean out and I'm totally on board with going with clear liquids for a few days beforehand.....tips?  Help?  Alternatives?

Thank you!

I agree with you. But I think the osmoprep pills might be something to think about?

I have insisted, flat out, on Osmo prep or Visicol pill preps. I will not do any preps except the pills. and haven't for at least 3 years. I've had 2 Gastros give me a little bit of grief over it, because it can be a bit harsher, internally, so they say. But they both agreed when I said I could not get any of the liquid preps down with out throwing up. You still have to drink a crazy amount of liquid, but it is a liquid of your choice. I just have to think about drinking the foul liquids and I get sick. The pills are large, but it is by far better. The only thing I would warn you about is that they seem to take a bit longer to work. I have been up "going" most of the night on prep night with the pill preps.

My GI group uses the Miralax prep for colonoscopy for the last year or so.  It does take about 12 to 14 glasses of liquid with the Miralax for the cleanout, but there is no taste to it so it mixes well with other beverages!

Good luck with which ever prep you use

Anne

annyb....

I know! I worry about the phospho soda (thank you Homeboy for that link) and having a kidney issue...but I literally cannot drink it without gagging and vomiting.

I will ask my gastro about the Miralax, but he's a bit stodgy about preps...

My GI's group uses the gatorade/miralax prep as well. And I have found it to be very easy to do. Since there's no taste and I like Gatorade, its no problem getting it down! And miralax is OTC so you don't need a script, although I have my doc write one anyway so I can add the cost to my medical tax write off.

My last prep for 4 dulcolax at 4 PM, and half a gallon of Trylyte (I used the orange flavoring) at 6 PM. It worked really well, and was my best prep day ever.

I read that taking a dose of milk of magnesia the night before prep day is a good way to start things out. I'm going to do that next time (colonoscopy in May). Then I'll take the 4 dulcolax and half of the Trylyte on prep day. I've heard a lot of people say that E-Lyte is way better than Gatorade for keeping your electrolytes up. It's quite expensive, but I ordered a couple bottles anyway (about $15 for one bottle of concentrate). Supposedly, if you drink some of that between each glass of the prep drink, you'll feel better. It's worth a shot anyway!

I'm with you fellas.
I can not even *think* about the GoLytely or HalfLytely w/out having a queasy stomach roll and gag reflex. Heck, my saliva glands are working a bit overtime right now, just thinking about it. Gah!
My GI always prescribes that gallon of nasty-tasting stuff and I just smile and never fill the Rx. I have used the Fleet Phosphosoda bottles, they are like, 2 or 4 ounces? That stuff tastes seriously nasty, but if I am able to slam a couple quick gulps down immediately followed by water to flush that taste out, I can get that stuff down and keep it down. I have no problem drinking a gallon of water, I just can't drink a gallon of anything that tastes nasty.
My husband has to have a c'oscopy next month and I'll probably ask him to try the Gatorade w/ Miralax and Dulcolax pills so I can try a sip and see if it truly doesn't have a taste other than the Gatorade.
Anyhow, my usual MO is to have only soft foods 2 days before the procedure and then only clear liquids 1 day before and plenty of water just before I start the Fleet phosphosoda that evening. And I keep a good book next to the toilet along with plenty of TP and moist baby wipes.

It looks like people using TWO bottles of the Fleet preps were putting themselves into kidney danger.
Heidi

My GI uses the Miralax prep also. I haven't tried the pill prep, but the Miralax prep was so much easier than any other liquid prep he has had me try. The best of luck to you! Blessings, Julie

Aw, shucks .

I was able to drink all of the Golytely by adding Crystal Light powder to it. It takes more than you would normally use for an 8oz glass of water, but it really disguises the gross flavor.

there is a new prep its called moviprep...i just did it. it doesnt taste "good" but i didnt get my gag reflex going which was nice, i mixed it with lemon gateaide. it wasnt horrible at all. my gi says they are doing away with the pills cause they are causing horrible side effects....

I really appreciate everyone's advice and it's sort of a relief to know that I'm not the only one who has a gag reflux just thinking about the "lytely" type preps.

I'm going to do the Miralax prep. (I'm in the US)