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Colonoscopy Prep questions....

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/24/2008 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm scheduled for my 8th colonoscopy on Aug. 13th. Rectal cancer (Stage 1) survivor here (had 90% of my sigmoid removed, 15 inches of my colon, gall bladder out too, temp colostomy, reversed 2 months later, in 1999).

Day before: I'm used (I use this phrase lightly, LOL!) to Fleet's Phospho Soda, two 1.5 oz doses, first at 1 p.m., second at 6 pm. Liquid diet all day long, up until midnight. Nothing after midnight.

Now I see my doctor still prescribes Fleet's Phospho Soda, but the first dose at 5 pm. Which is fine. But the second dose is at 7 a.m, the day of my procedure (I check in at 10:45). Since any laxative works overtime on my touchy GI tract now, I can't imagine being done in the bathroom by 10:15 and sitting in a car for the 30 minute drive. I know they want you cleaned out but taking the last dose so close to my procedure time is just crazy! In my opinion, anyway....now if this was your first colonoscopy and your system wasn't as touchy as mine is, then it could work.

If you were in my situation, would you just go back to the old 1 p.m./6 p.m. dose schedule and not tell them?

Or should I own up to my concerns?

One time they suggested I take 2 enemas, the morning of the procedure. I called with concerns about taking them so close to my actual test time. They said to just skip the enemas, since my colon was shorter, etc.

Thanks in advance for advice, etc. I suspect that so many of you know this bowel prep drill, inside and out and probably do your own thing by now, meaning the Rx/schedule that works best for YOU. But I'm eager to see what feedback I do receive.

Mary/Marsky
Posted 7/24/2008 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
You know your colon better than they do. If you are already prone to diarrhea, then you don't need any last minute help. Take it as you think best.

Even though I didn't finish the bottle of GoLyghtly the day before, I was still going when I got to the hospital for my test. I was prone to D at the time anyways, so once started, it didn't want to stop, despite not eating anything for 24 hours. I just pooped any liquids I drank.

I noticed on the sheet I was on when I woke up (I use that term very loosely, lol), there was yellow liquid, so I guess when they put in the anal probe, that came out. Not a lot, but that's still embarrassing to think about. And my mother no more got me dressed than I had to go to the bathroom. So I was STILL going!
Posted 7/24/2008 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Keriamon - I feel for you in that situation! Like you, near the end of my old schedule, anything I drank went right thru me. I used to say it was like turning on a garden hose. My last beverage before midnight, I swear came out within minutes of downing it.

I want to go back to the 1 p.m., 6 p.m., schedule. And the heck with their new schedule.

They also stated you can drink water up until 2 hours before your procedure. That's something new also. It used to be - nothing by mouth, after midnight. You could brush your teeth but had to swallow as little water as possible. If taking daily meds, take with as little water as possible. They also told me to avoid nuts, seeds, hard candy, 2 days before my procedure (the last day I can eat). Again, another difference I noticed.

They have told me though, they are always tweaking this prep routine, because patients are not always cleaned out.

I guess I just worry about blurting out what I think of their instructions while under sedation. I'm told patients say all sorts of thing while under. I hope I am polite. LOL!

Thanks for your response. I can understand why they suggest you start at 5 though, that's obviously in response to patients who are employed full time. This way, they can get a full day's work in before beginning the prep, as opposed to a half day. As it used to be.
Posted 7/25/2008 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Like Keri said, you know your body best... Just do what you feel is right. It seems like the docs have loosened up since your last prep, so really, you can't go wrong with your old prep routine.
When I got scoped (couple years ago) I got prescribed the phosphosoda stuff too. My procedure was scheduled or noon. I was supposed to drink two 1.5oz bottles of the phospho at 7pm the night before, then the last 1.5oz bottle at 6am the morning of. Here is where I tweaked it some... I reasoned that everyone is prescribed the same dosage, SO, if a man of 200 lbs has to take the same amount as me (and it works for him) then I could probably take significantly less, as I am 1/2 that weight. Instead of drinking the entire 3rd bottle at 6am, I only drank about 1/3 of it. I was all fine and cleaned out for the procedure. I was still running to the bathroom 10 min before I left the house though. Who knows what would have happened had I drank ALL the contents of the last phospho.
So what's my point? You do what you think is best for you. :-)
Posted 7/25/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
That 7AM sounds really late to me. That is when I am supposed to take my last and I don't usually go in till after 1:30 and usually don't get it done till 3 as he is always late. I am allowed to have liquids in the AM like broth, water,etc but usually don't. I think I would stick to my old routine. Last time I was advised to put the Phospho soda in apple juice and it was very tolerable unlike previous times when I used Gatorade.
Posted 7/25/2008 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lil and Canyonbabe - I think I'm going back to the old schedule. I might try Fleet's in apple juice. But I usually pour it over 7up but each dose I chase with - 1 glass of grape coolaid, followed by a thorough dental brushing (have toothbrush ready with toothpaste on it already) and finally, a stick of gum. Even after all that, I still shudder. Down to my toes! Blech, that Fleet's Phospho Soda is some nasty stuff. A nurse suggested the grape coolaid chaser. It does immediately help take that awful taste away.

I remember the day I watched my then sister-in-law start her Fleet's prep (her baby was under a year old so I was babysitting). My SIL poured the Fleet's over 7up and ice. Then put a straw in the glass and began sipping. So casually, as if this was a beverage of choice! I watched her reaction and sure enough, there it was - yuck she said. I told her to just down the entire glass, in one fell swoop. No sipping - that's crazy thinking. Then for her second dose she knew what it would taste like and feel like in her stomach (don't you all hate that feeling when the Fleet's lands in your system, as to ask you - hey, what the heck are you feeding me? LOL). She downed it immediately.

One of my prep problems is most of the liquids just bring back awful memories for me of being stuck in the hospital on liquids only - the broth, jello, etc. I find it better to just keep consuming my 72 ounces of fluids during the prep day and keeping track of them. 7 up, water, hot or iced tea, Pepsi and to heck with anything else. Even Gatorade is pushing it.

I watched my husband "enjoy" his dinner last December, for his bowel prep - yum he said to jello and broth. Asking if I bother with these "liquids". I said - heck no, I don't even bother with any of them!

Straight liquids for this patient......it's worth noting what spending several weeks of your life stuck in the hospital will do to your psyche! Show me jello and/or cream of celery soup or pea soup (if I ever see it on a daily restaurant board) and I just about gag! Ah, the memories....

One more observation to my old instructions vs new - I'm to avoid any red beverage or liquid diet substance. I well remember this instruction. But then my beverage list contains cranberry juice! I was surprised. I'm guessing cranberry juice isn't in that red group?

Mary
Posted 7/25/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary,
I can only imagine your trauma of being stuck in the hospital for that long. I'd probably begin hating those liquid "foods" too (liquid to me does not equal food). It sounds to me like you've got your entire prep mapped out and ready to go... Good for you! I wish you all the best with it (well, as "best" as it can be anyway).
A quick comment about red consumption - it wasn't a DO NOT CONSUME requirement the last time you prepped? This rule is definitely important to follow. You do not want a false inflammation diagnosis. I was told to stay away from anything red and orange.
OK so, I appreciated the gross-ness of the Phosphosoda... It's actually pretty salty. A salty beverage is never easy to get (and keep!) down. Blah! I found that mixing it with a different liquid each time helped, especially because by the time I got down to the bottom of the barrel I was practically gagging. Mixed with water 1 round, clear soda the next, and juice lastly. Unlike you, I could never chase it with anything. It was just too much. I'm not used to putting all that liquid in my stomach at once, so I was stuffed to the rim after my 2nd dose.
Well anyway, at least you have a couple more weeks until you have to endure the prep nightmare. Enjoy food while you still can. *hee hee*
Posted 7/25/2008 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
It's like I told a nurse once, when she said I couldn't have the pills because they don't clean you out well enough, "Lady, I have diarrhea EVERY day. Multiple times a day. That's why I'm here. How much help do you think I need???"

I still swear I could clean myself out with nothing but a 2-liter bottle of Coke and some Kentucy Fried Chicken. Just eat that for supper two nights before, then fast the next day while I poop and poop and poop. Oh, and drink apple juice during my fast as a chaser.
Posted 7/25/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Lil - oh I do understand why we need to avoid red colored "foods" - jello, popsicles, juice. I guess I just always put the cranberry in that red category!

As far as clean outs go, I KNOW I could do a thorough, bang up clean out job with the contrast you drink for cat scans, dark, locally brewed beer (if you read one of my former replies, he he) OR a few cheese coney's from our local chili chain (yes I live in Cincinnati). All 3 would do as good a job as the Fleet's does.......

I do think when we all do our bowel preps, nurses/docs tend to forget how many times we've done them, how many procedures we've had to endure and how touchy our systems are. We are put in with that former camp, the newbies at all this. I remember my first bowel prep - it wasn't so bad. I also remember how I felt after my first cat scan - I went shopping! After my colon resection and this new way of life for me now, I had another cat scan, of course. Decided to swing by the grocery on the way home. about 1/3 the way through the store, my stomach started rumbling like it never had before. Which I found such an odd sensation - this was about 8 years ago, I was still so new at the changes I've had since rectal cancer, etc. I thought to myself, maybe I'd better pay for what it's in my cart and go home. Even though I needed so many more items. Good thing I made that decision. I hurried home, put away perishable items before all you know what broke loose. I was grounded for about 4 hours. Near the end, it was sheer water. I joked with my doctor - hey that contrast works better than a Fleet's does! And it doesn't taste near as bad. He sighed and quickly replied - NO, you can't do a cat scan contrast instead of Fleet's.....dang, I tried though!

Post Edited (Marsky) : 7/25/2008 9:54:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/25/2008 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Last time they didn't seem concerned about red products. I was surprised. I always drink water after each swallow but I will say the apple juice was the best. Just make sure everything is ice cold.
Posted 7/26/2008 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
My very lovely GI gave me the pills for the last one and everything came out very nicely indeed :) I have tried all of the preps and they all seem to have the same effect on me, but the pills were definitely the easiest to take.
Posted 7/26/2008 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
The only other prep I've done is Magnesium Citrate (lemon lime flavor). That was for my ostomy takedown surgery. I had to be on a 2 day liquid diet! It was brutal....I got down to 103 right before they wheeled me into surgery. The lowest weight I had been at since I was 20! But what a way to get there.......2 months before I had my major colon resection (5 hour surgery), I went from a size 12 to 4, within 2 to 3 weeks. Again, brutal stuff!

The only good thing about these preps is they do seem to give me a span of very good days afterwards (beginning 1 day after the procedure). Not that I want to do these heavy duty preps you know, he he. This is why I think people who elect to do the questionable colon cleanses naturalists suggest, are a little on the crazy side!

Thanks for all your replies.

I know for a fact now, I'm going back to my old schedule. If they ask me how recently I took the second dose, I'll say - oh I had to move that one up. I just hope they don't ask how many hours I moved it up! It would 13!!!! I could tweak these two doses, since the days of old they were 5 hours apart. I could start the first one at say 3 or 4 p.m. Starting the last one no later than 9 p.m. I wonder if that would be okay?

Mary/Marsky
Posted 7/26/2008 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've been an ileostomate since October of 2006.  Recently, I had to go in for a Prostate biopsy.  The receptionist gave me a sheet with a list of things I had to do in preperation for this procedure.  One of the items on the list was an enema.  I explained that I had an ileostomy but she insisted that I follow the instructions.  Heyyyyy!!!

Posted 7/26/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
If its like where I go they will only ask if you had anything to eat or drink and they won't give a fig when you took it. If there is anything there they will suck it out first. if you take it at 9pm you are going to be up all night though but I agree 7AM is too close to the proceedure. Since all you will have is liquids after you take the first you shouldn't have much left though to get out after the 2nd one. I guess you can just plan on a late night that night.
Posted 7/26/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it's always a late night, I remember being up until midnight. After doing the prep I've always wanted a bath. Then it's off to bed. This time I have a later appt. than I prefer. I prefer very early morning appts. so once you wake up, it's almost over with. This way I have to endure several hours that morning of feeling just crummy (in another thread I posted I'm used to eating small meals throughout my day). But it's just one day and I'll get thru it. The test is SO important, any discomfort you feel before hand is definitely worth it!

I do agree, they won't care when I took the last dose. All they will care about is if I am cleaned out. I've never had any trouble with that. They've never told me I wasn't that cleaned out. Which is a good thing! That's why I keep track of my 72 ounces. I have also found that getting the bulk of my liquids in before the last dose works better for my system too. Any drink after the second, induces D, almost immediately. This is when I feel like a garden hose has been turned on!
Posted 8/5/2008 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I purchased my Fleet's Phospho Soda - yikes, since when did it get so expensive? LOL

I skipped that prep box - a fancy, overpriced similar product to the two 1.5 oz bottles, in addition to lemonade packets and an instruction kit. I don't need that - been there, done that, many times...he he

Last time I bought the Fleet's it came in one 3 oz bottle. Now they've made it more convenient in the 1.5 oz bottles, what the doctors usually prescribe.

But each bottle was over $5 each!

Anyway, I'm stopping my Ibuphrophen and Aspirin by this Friday.......so I am getting ready and psyched for this test on the 13th.....

I'm not even calling my doctor to say I'm going back to my old schedule....each 1.5 dose the day before, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nothing by mouth after midnight.
Posted 8/5/2008 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Don't forget the apple juice. It really is so much better than anything else I have tryed.
Posted 8/6/2008 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I will have to remember that. I used to pour it over 7up but shuddered every single time after downing each dose. The apple juice can't be any worse!
Posted 8/6/2008 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
just make sure it is all cold including the prep. I also keep a glass of water right there but I was surprised how much better the AJ was.
Posted 8/6/2008 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Do you also chill the Fleet's? I'm usually holed up in my upstairs bathroom, near a TV and my bedroom so as not to disturb my family. Someone is always home when I start the prep. And since I don't do well, it's not pleasant to watch. But I could consider chilling the Fleet's too. Never did that before. I'd have to walk downstairs.......I just don't want anyone expecting anything from me - phone calls, letting the dog out and then inside, errands, etc. LOL! I'd rather they pretend I am not even home that day.

I'm starting to feel quezzy just think of all I have to do in 6 days.....the day OF the test is a cakewalk compared to how I feel the prep day.
Posted 8/6/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Mary,
Yes, I would definitely chill the Fleet as well. It helps! Cold anything goes down way better than just cool or room temp.
I feel for you, I do not miss prepping. (((HUGS)))
Posted 8/6/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the prep should be chilled. You only have to walk downstairs twice or have someone bring it up.
Posted 8/12/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
T minus less than one hour before I take the first Fleet's dose.......I am absolutely dreading this prep. I am ready though, my bathroom is armed with magazines, a few books, plenty of TP, a lovely old battered yellow Tupperware bowl we keep on hand for you know what, gum, my trusty log of fluids, a Sony radio/TV (it's great, you can hear shows but it's small and goes in the bathroom, I'll be able to listen to the news). I have my trusty comfy elastic pants ready for tomorrow (my tip for future colonoscopy-goers, don't wear button up shirts, belts, and shoes that tie, you'll be groggy afterwards and want to just slip on street clothes and shoes for the ride home).

Anyway, I just tomorrow to hurry up!

I'll check in with you all on Thursday probably.

Oh, one thing I managed to get down this time was jello - I made it last night - and it did not remind me of being in the hospital. So maybe those bad memories are beginning to blur....he he

I'm up to close to 60 ounces by now, which is good (another tip, get the bulk of your fluids in before you take the prep, this is what works for me, later I'll just be feeling downright awful!).....

I have the Fleet's chilled and hidden in the fridge (now who in my family would actually take it? LOL), along with all the other beverages - Gatorade, Apple Juice, etc.

I'm about to down one more 8 oz serving of something to drink - oh yummy......LOL

And then Fleet's here I - do not want to - come! LOL

Mary/Marsky
Posted 8/12/2008 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Mary!!!!!!

You will be fine... Just think, it will all be over in 24 hours. You will feel great and cleaned out, and ready to start anew.

Let us know how it goes.

BTW - Congrats on getting the jello down!!!! Say good-bye to the old memories and HELLO to the new "I can eat jello again" you! :-)
Posted 8/12/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Lil - I am projecting forward and thinking in 24 hours it will be over with. Another trick of mine - I see you use it too! I just wish my stomach would get the message....LOL

Thanks for the pep talk.....appreciate it.

M.
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