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bowel prepping for the first time today

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/2/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Well, today is the big day. Or maybe tomorrow is the BIG day and today is the awful, day-before-the-Big-day day. In a few minutes I'm going out to buy the stuff so I can do my very first bowel prep because tomorrow is my colonoscopy/endoscopy combo. I am, simply put, SO not looking forward to this!!

I keep trying to psych myself out and focus on all the good that will come of this, but I keep coming back to that line on my instructions. You know the one...in big, bold, capital letters:

"REMAIN CLOSE TO A BATHROOM ONCE YOU HAVE STARTED YOUR PREP!!"

And of course, the new couch is white, which has me all worried. LOL

Anyway... Guess I should go get dressed and hunker down for the next several hours. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated. I've never done this and I don't know what to expect. Other that the obvious that I'm gonna poop a lot. LOL
Posted 10/2/2008 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Lol,get some assurance from WalMart & wear then til you don't need them anymore.That's what I did.
Posted 10/2/2008 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Mmm, hope you have the baby wipes ready!

My "Scope Kit" always includes baby wipes, lemon Gatorade, the National Enquirer or something equally lame to read, epsom salts, and extra-soft (and extra-tough) TP. Oh, and Burt's Bee's diaper rash ointment!
Posted 10/2/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)

Went to the store and stocked up on ginger ale, vitamin water, veggie broth and jell-o.  I've got a stack of old towels at the ready and I've covered the couch - *just in case*.  I got my super-comfy underpants and lots of Cottonelle wipes (and the ultra soft, ultra tough TP, too). Even lit a scented candle in the bathroom hallway to help make my family's lives better. LOL My family has agreed to leave the bathroom next to the den to me today, too, which is amazing of them since the other one is on the top floor.  My family is awesome...

So far nothing has happened, but I only took the first round of laxatives about half an hour ago and I know my tummy empties slowly so I'm guessing it'll be a long, drawn out process.  The worst is I'm getting my usual "I'm nervous and scared about what's going on" tummy cramping on top of this, which is making me feel awful.  I'm trying really hard to just stay calm and not get worked up - I know it'll only make things worse for me.

Weird question:
I was told I can't have ANY metal jewelry in during the procedure in case they had to do something that would make me get a shock?  What on earth were they talking about??  I have hundreds of dollars worth of body piercings, so I'm trying to see if they'll let me get by with just plastic retainers.  I really do NOT want to have to repierce anything, it's expensive and I'd have to do them one at a time over the course of many, many months.

OH!  Something is a brewin' in my belly.  Better go make sure there's a stack of extra TP next to the potty before moving around is too much of a chore! *whimper*

Posted 10/2/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure what to advise about you about piercings. I'm sure there would be a nurse you could call today, with questions. As for prep, it's the worst part of this procedure. So once you're cleaned out, just remember that! For my first colonoscopy I was shaking like a leaf, the nurse tried to calm me down but I wouldn't believe her. She kept saying the worst was over. After my needle stick for the IV, that was IT! Piece of cake.....they gave me my sedative in the IV and then next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. You'll be groggy after the procedure so plan on sleeping the day away, off and on. Go easy on eating at first, light, simple meals are best (soup, crackers, half sandwich, small salad, etc.). Also sip fluids at first, don't guzzle them down. You will be thirsty though. I found out the hard way that sipping fluids is best after I downed a glass of Coke a recovery nurse gave me. Well, it made me so nauseous I got sick all over my clothes. I cleaned myself up as best I could but had to ride home that way. In fact now I wear comfy sweats (no zippers to hassle with or even belts), slip on shoes, and keep a small bucket or plastic bowl in the car if I need it. I also have a chilled water bottle in the car in a small cooler and a baggie of Club crackers. I sip the entire way home and nibble on a few crackers. The steady, small amount of fluid and solid intake just works better on my system than if I had eaten large meal. I return home feeling fine, but sleepy, then I take a nap. By mid-day a light lunch is what I have and then by dinner, a regular sized meal.

As you can tell I've had a few - 9 in fact if I'm counting correctly.

Wishing you well.

Mary/Marsky
Posted 10/2/2008 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
It's true, Mae, the worst part is the prep. The horrible laxatives you have to drink is #1 on the "I hate prepping" list. #2 is all the pooping. And that's it really. Sometimes people get cramps, but other times not. I didn't. I drank the laxative and was in the bathroom all night long with a magazine. It's not so bad. Afterwards you kind of feel good to be all cleaned out.
Like the others, I can't help you with the jewelry part. I can't imagine it being a problem if you take out all the metal and put in plastic replacements. Like Mary mentioned, you might want to call the doc's office and ask.
After the procedure I had no problems with food. I got home and ate a big ol' sandwich, drank a cup of water, and went to bed. I do suggest eating a small meal slowly though, just to be safe, especially since you're having the EGD. My throat was sore afterwards, but plenty fine to eat. Unlike Mary, i didn't have nausea or any vomiting. I don't recall many people on here complaining of that after being scoped (???).
GOOD LUCK!!!! Before you know it, it will be tomorrow and you'll be being wheeled into recovery.
Posted 10/2/2008 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a ton of both endo's and colonscopies and never been told I had to remove anything. If you find out the reason why they are asking this let us know. I have no idea why they would be shocking you unless you went into a cardiac problem. Frankly, I have never even heard of taking off the stuff when that is done. who has time. I know I don't take good jewelry with me or if I wear my one ring I tape over it just to make sure it doesn't disappear while I am out. Sounds weird to me.

I think it is best to eat light though. It won't hurt for a day and remember you have not only gotten rid of bad stuff in you but also good stuff so I suggest you start with Probiotics soon after as virtually everything is out of your body.
Posted 10/3/2008 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Stay off the white couch but if you do sit on it, DON"T fart. You can't trust them during a bowel prep.
Posted 10/3/2008 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mae,

How'd it go today? Hope everything went flawlessly. Please update us when you can.

Lil
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