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Which Colonoscopy Prep Solution?

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Posted 8/1/2009 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled for my annual colonoscopy next month. My G.I. informed me that I can no longer use Fleet Phospho Soda. This will be my 16th colonoscopy and I am so bummed, because I really had a good routine down with the Fleet. Although it tasted horrible, it was easy for me to digest (never threw up) and I never had any cramping or side effects with it.

He prescribed for me TriLyte and 2 Dulcolas tablets. I am really nervous about switching. This seems like a heck of a lot of fluid to consume in comparison to the Fleet.  Can anyone tell me if they have had any good or bad experience with this prep? Also, if anyone knows of a prep solution that is easier to tolerate, I would appreciate the info.

Thank you so much!

Posted 8/1/2009 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
If you live in Canada, buy Pico-Salax, it tastes a million times better and it's only 2 glasses to drink. The 1 gallon preps taste really really bad, I can't keep them down lol. Some GIs will also prescribe a pill prep if you ask them for it, it's called Osmoprep I think.
Posted 8/1/2009 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
The easiest one is doing a Miralax prep. The night before prep day you take 4 dulcolax tablets. Then you get a bottle of Miralax, mix it into 2 32 oz bottles of Gatorade, and drink it all. (they tell you to mix the Gatorade/Miralax a day before and let it sit in the fridge and cool-it makes it mix better) It is a lot to drink, but it doesn't taste like anything but the Gatorade you put it in.

I've had to do all the others, and for me this is the easiest! Like I said, it's a lot to drink, but if you can steadily drink, you can make it through!
Posted 8/1/2009 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever done the pills before? I know some people prefer them, but they made me ill (worse than any drink). My GI heard similar complaints and no longer uses them. I just did a prep w/ 4L of the solution. It was the easiest ever. If you gulp down each glass (with a straw very cold) and don't drag it out it is WAY better. I couldn't believe how easy this last one was.
Posted 8/1/2009 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
The Miralax prep was the best one I've used. All others made me sick and by 2 a.m. I'd be vomiting. Nothing like that with Miralax.
Posted 8/1/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, I will call my doctor and ask about the Miralax prep. Becky, when you take the 4 Dulcolax tablets the night before the prep, do you need to stay close to a potty all day. I usually work the day of my prep.

Thank you so much!
Posted 8/1/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have only done the pill preps for the last 4 years or so, but the last time I was in to see my GI I thought he said they were also not allowed like the Fleet Phospho Soda. If you can get the pills, they are by far the easiest. You still have to drink liquid, but it is any clear liquid of your choice. I have a huge issue with tasting things, so if I don't have to taste a nasty liquid, I am all for it. I'm not sure what I am going to do next time I have to do a prep.
Posted 8/1/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
My doc has me take 2 dulcolax at about 10am and then the Miralax at about 4pm. The beauty of the miralax is that it is tasteless. You can mix it into 64oz of any (hot or cold) fluid as long as it's not red.
Posted 8/2/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
My dr had me take the dulcolax the night before prep day, and it doesn't effect you all the next day, it just makes you go when you wake up in the morning. Then you do the Miralax the evening before the prep day.
Posted 8/2/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
All great info!  Im due for another prep soon, and I was wondering about this subject.  Thank you. smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/3/2009 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
I personally refuse to take Dulcolax no matter what the GI says. It belongs to a class of drugs known as "irritant laxatives," other examples being Ex-Lax, Per-Diem and Senokot. All of these run the risk of inflaming the intestine and bringing on ileus (obstruction) if your intestine is already very narrow and inflamed.

Lisalee37, did your GI give any indication why you can't take Fleet Phospho Soda, which has worked so well for you in the past?

best regards,
Robert
Posted 8/3/2009 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
This is such a timely post as I'm due for my annual on Monday.


Ozone -- Fleet was pulled by the FDA I think due to kidney damage.
Posted 8/3/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I would take the Miralax prep over the Fleet Phospha Soda one ANY day.  I could never hack the Fleet.  It gagged me.  So for other ones they gave me the same stuff but in pill form - huge, horse size pills.  That was more tolerable.  My last colonoscopy was with the Miralax prep.  Wow - what a nice difference.

Posted 8/4/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
 I have to say I agree with "Ozonehole" I do NOT take the dupolax pills....or for that matter no pills! I'll end up in the ER from being dehydrated. I do take the day off of work before. I use the Go-Litlye...and only drink maybe half because I eat light the two days before...and know when I'm cleaned out. When I've used the Miralx ....ER too... from being dehydrated. I'm just really sensitive. I think you just have to know your own body.

 If you have had 16 colonosopys I would think you know yourself pretty well. Go with you instincts.

Posted 8/4/2009 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
I'm one that hates them all...
Next time I'm going to ask for that
new magic pill that i've seen in the
Crohns magazines...
Posted 8/4/2009 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think I know why doctors are not using the fleet Phospha soda any more: Roni
Posted 8/4/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I just had two preps in two days at the hospital last week (if that isn't cruel and unusual punishment, I don't know what is) -- one for a scope (OsmoPrep, the pills), and one for a SBFT (Mag Citrate -- I was so disappointed to hear that they make you do a prep for a SBFT now...that used to be my "favorite" GI test). I've also used the Fleet prep and NuLytely in the past. Of those four, I preferred the pill prep. By far. I only needed to take half the pills to run clear, and it seemed "gentler" than the Fleet or Citromax. NuLytely would come in second...it's a ton of fluid to drink, but it doesn't taste too horrid.

Looks like the OsmoPrep isn't long for the world, though -- I suppose they felt it was okay for me to use as I have good kidney function and was already in the hospital so they could keep a close eye on me.
Posted 8/4/2009 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I used LoSo prep once. My doctor's office gave it to me when I scheduled the test, so I'm not sure where you get it. It wasn't nearly as much liquid as other ones. Not bad.
Posted 8/4/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I've only had GoLYTELY, and it wasn't too bad. I didn't eat for about 20 hours prior to my appointment so I didn't have to drink more than a few cups of it.
Posted 8/5/2009 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Well I go in for my first colonoscopy next Thursday Aug. 13th and have noticed a trend. I noticed that Miralax seems to be not to bad only one bad review on a seperate website and that if you eat lightly 2 days prior to prep you don't need to drink as much. I truly hate vomiting and do anything possible to aviod it. Just wondering if eating lightly 2 days before prep and maybe one meal the day before prep whould help keep me from vomiting using Miralax and Ducolax combo?
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