Bowel prep for colonoscopy-need advice

A new guy on here had teh hydrotherapy at his doctor's recommendation--although not prior to a colonoscopy. But, it's supposed to be a good thing to do first for people who are way backed up and who might not get cleaned out with regular laxatives prior to their colonoscopies. If you're not terribly constipated all the time, though, it shouldn't be necessary; the laxatives and fasting should do you.

Welcome to the forum!

My recommendation is to go with whatever the physician tells you to take.  Each of them has their "gold standard" (for some, it's Fleet phosphosoda; for others it's Golytely; for others it's the pills; some use the pills plus whatever liquid nastiness they prefer the most).  But the reason they use these techniques is that they are tried-and-true, and you don't want to go in for a scope unless you are thoroughly cleaned out - otherwise, they won't get a clear picture of your colon.  And who would want to go through that again?

I haven't done a lot of research on colon hydrotherapy, but I doubt it's as effective as any of the aforementioned techniques, so I wouldn't take your chances just before your scope.  If you did go that route, you certainly should ask your doctor about it first.  If s/he finds out you didn't follow the prep instructions given to you, s/he might have a cow. 

Just my two cents.

Cassandra, have you talked to your physician about this?  He may be able to help you find an alternative.  I just want to reiterate that trying a laxative or hydrotherapy that is not prescribed by the doctor performing the procedure may end up backfiring, so you really need to check with the doctor before your scope about your trouble with the standard prep.

I agree with you that it can backfire. I am trying to find an M.D. who routinely suggests the colon hydrotherapy in my area. I've seen several articles on the net by doctors who feel it is a better way to go than the usual preps. Thanks for your input.

I bet you are going to have a hard time finding a dr. that suggests that. There are so many different kinds of prep that there must be one that would work for you. You can't have tried them all. I would be very concerned trying to coordinate the cleanout with the colonscopy as you must be cleaned out just before. Is it that the methods don't clean you out or what. Every dr I have seen does have alternatives for difficult cases. My guess is for the cleanse they have to go pretty far up with whatever they use. That could be irritating and then to have a scope go up the next day could be too much stress on the tissue.

Hi and thank you for all your feedback. I spoke with a lot of different people and finally with an R.N. who does the colon cleansings. Her father just had one for his colonoscopy last week and it work really well so I am scheduled for two sessions with her in the two days before the procedure.

She also said her father used a fleet enema the night before the colonoscopy just to be sure he was clean, but said he didn't really need to. I'll let you all know what happens.

I live in Santa Monica, CA