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2 part Colonoscopy question: How bad is Mirilax Prep?/ Will Antibiotics mask disease activity?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/25/2011 4:44 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everybody!  I haven't posted in years, but I have a colonoscopy scheduled for Thursday and am freaking out.  I've had 3 of them, plus a sigmoidoscopy about 8 years ago and have been putting it of because of how much I hated the Prep experience.  Back then I used the Fleet Phosphosoda.  This time I have a choice between the Mirilax/Dulcolax combo or the Osmo pills.  I am leaning towards the Mirilax because I don't think I could take 32 big salty pills on an empty stomach without gagging.  So basically I am hoping to hear about some positive experiences with the Mirilax prep.  My biggest fear is throwing it up.  How bad is the taste and consistency?  I have the lemon lime 64oz of Gatorade to mix it with.  I have to take half the day before, and half the morning of.  That scares me as well, because I wonder if I will be finished going to the bathroom by the time I need to leave for the hospital at 2pm.  I plan to drink it with crushed ice.  That shouldn't be a problem right?

My other question is in regards to antibiotics.  I have been on them for over a week due to a tooth extraction.  In my past colonoscopies sometimes they can't find anything abnormal.  So I really don't want to go through all of this if the results could be altered by any temporary healing in the gut caused by the antibiotics. I am asking because I have heard that some people with IBD take antibiotics as their treatment, and they get better on them.  In other words I am almost hoping he does find evidence of Crohn's, and if the antibiotics could have made it look normal in there, maybe I should put it off for a while.  What do you think?  Could they make a difference?  I finished them 1 week ago tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your time.  I really appreciate it!

~Andrea 

Posted 4/25/2011 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andrea,

I don't have any answers to you prep question, but I have found that antibiotics were the only thing that could get me to remission (however, once I get off them, my Crohn's flares). I didn't have a colonoscopy done after the antibiotic treatments, but after I took them, my CRP and Sed Rate were normal when they were always well above normal (CRP at once time getting up to 150). I would think that they could mask your disease activity, but I also think it may depend on what antibiotics you are on. I was on Flagyl before alone, and that didn't really do anything for my Crohn's, it seems the Cipro was the only thing that mad a difference.

If I were you, I would just ask your doctor if having that antibiotics could affect your results, since I believe it's definitely possible. If there is no rush to get it done, there is no harm in waiting.
Posted 4/25/2011 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have used Mira-lax several times. It is by far(for me) the easiest prep. Doesn't taste like anything-just like drinking gatorade. Good luck.
Posted 4/26/2011 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I added crystal light to my Miralax prep and it went down ok. The nurse suggested it. :)
Posted 4/26/2011 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
I have not done as many as some, and more than others (not here) and by far the miralax in gatorade was the best.  I didn't even have to follow up with the laxitive pills.  Of course following the whole prep instructions for the whole day helped a lot.
Posted 4/26/2011 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I just did the prep last week and it was not fun but not because of the taste. It just taste like Gatorade so no worry about that. I wish I could have done 1/2 that day and 1/2 the next. That was my problem. Drinking 64 oz of it in 4 hours was so hard. But I didn't finish it all and I was cleaned out so I am sure you will be fine!!

Good luck, and don't worry just make sure it is COLD! Mix it that morning so all the powder is mixed in good and put it in the fridge. GOOD LUCK!!

 

Posted 4/26/2011 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
The other thing that helps me with prep is to eat a soft or semi-solid diet for a day or two before you start the prep. I never did this before, but followed this advice of a nurse on my last scope and I think it made the prep easier overall.

Good luck.
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