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Prepping for a coloscopy and endoscopy

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/27/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Since Monday I have been prepping for a colonoscopy and endoscopy that is scheduled for Thursday at 1:30. The doctor told me to have only liquids beginning Monday. I have been having clear freezies, gatorade, apple juice, water, jello. I am really backed up. I am worried I won't be ready for the test. I started Pico Salax at 4pm and took another dose at 6 and I feel nothing. I don't even have a sensation to go to the bathroom. I think my colon isn't functioning properly, the doctor feels it could be colonic inertia. I can't help but wonder its something more. I have been suffering since December, missed university, its just too much now. I get constipated for 4-7 days at a time, horrible nausea, sharp pains, and when I am lucky enough to go to the bathroom I strain badly, I'm literally hugging my knees.

I'm sorry for Too Much Information.

I'm scared to feel afraid, what if its a growth or something?

I would appreciate some reassurance :)

Posted 5/27/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Give it time...that's a long time to start prepping before the test...it'll come, just be prepared (stay close to the can).

:)
Posted 5/27/2008 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
WEll, don't worry too much now as they will figuere it out and if you are not cleaned out entirely they will suction some out. YOu won't know what is going on. Most of us on here are from the US and we don't have Pico Salix here so can't help you on that. As with all these "cleanout meds" they vary in time as to when they work. With me it is really slow going but in the end(LOL) I am always cleaned out, jsut takes me longer to get started. Try to relax. Usually we aren't required to do the liquid thing for that long. In my case it is only the day before starting late in day. Try to relax and definetly do not strain. when it is ready it will come.
Posted 5/27/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I hear Pico Salax is a LOT better tasting than what they give us. It's terrible here!

Personally, I was about halfway through my jug of liquid laxative (which tastes like what you'd imagine slime in a tidal pool to taste like) before I got started, and I had a D problem to start with. I was supposed to be pooping clear water before the test, but my water stayed yellow (I had a bile problem, though, so that was not odd in hindsight).

Some people on here who have really bad constipation have to go on the liquid diet two days before a test. They also have to start out with an enema to get the clogged stuff out before they start the laxative. Otherwise they can have all these D cramps, but be blocked up with hard stools at the end of their intestines. It's very rough. That's why they start a day early to ease into it, you see.
Posted 5/28/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Like the others have mentioned, I wouldn't worry too much about the sluggish process. Hopefully by tomorrow, if you keep up the recommended dosage, you'll be well on your way to being cleaned out. If not, you can always give your doc a call in the afternoon.
Good luck! I hope you have some wet wipes or any type of medicated wipes... Once you get going, your bum can sure get raw.
Posted 5/28/2008 2:52 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you for the replies

Last night about 10:30 it started working and continued until about 4am, so I was basically up all night. I am just relaxing today, drinking lots of clear liquid, and even though I hate Jello, I am forcing myself to eat some so that I can have something in my tummy. I have a history of not emptying properly, thus the fasting 3 days before. Today I have another two doses which I will start at 12 and 2 rather than later in the day. The Pico Salax isn't bad at all, I mix it in apple juice. My insurance doesn't cover it, it is $44 but working well.

Tomorrow is my test, I am scared but I will be sedated so I should be Ok. I am looking forward to some McDonalds afterwards, depending if I can stomache it....

Thank you again for the replies, this forum is great!

Posted 5/28/2008 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Apple juice is actually good. May cause some gas cramping--but heck, like you'd notice with all the laxative cramping! But apple juice itself is a natural laxative!
Posted 5/28/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Great news things are progressing!! =)

Keep us posted on how the procedure goes. Best of luck...
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