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Colonoscopy Prep - Miralax & Gatorade - UGH!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/8/2016 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am going in for my 2nd colonoscopy on Thursday.
My prep is 4 Dulcolax at noon, followed 2 hours later by the 238 gram bottle of Miralax mixed with 64 oz. Gatorade.
I did this prep last March and ended up vomiting up a lot of the Gatorade mixture.
I am nervous this time that the same thing will happen.
The last solid food I ate was yesterday (Monday) at lunch I had a turkey and cheese sandwich. For dinner last night I had yogurt, then just juices today and will start clear liquids tomorrow morning.

Any tips on this particular prep? I purchased two 32 oz. bottles of Gatorade and am hoping to sip slowly over 5 hours (the maximum time allowed according to instructions). I think last time I was trying to get it all in and ended up drinking a lot of it in a short period of time.

I took the afternoon off from work and plan to start drinking the Gatorade at 2:00 so that I can have until 7:00 to finish it. I also read drinking through a straw helped and will try that too.
My main fear is the vomiting. That really did me in last year and I spent the night on the bathroom floor with it coming out both ends. Luckily, my dr. was able to do the procedure despite the vomiting, so I am thinking it at least worked well enough. I was hoping that stopping solid food on Monday would help at least a little bit too.
Posted 3/9/2016 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
The miralax and Gatorade is the prep I always use, I love it! For me it's easiest to use a straw and seperate it in to 4 different glasses. My dr has me drink it within 2 hours so I drink one over 30 minutes. I usually drink about half as quick as possible and then sip on the rest for the rest of the time.
Posted 3/9/2016 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
I always mix the miralax with plain water. It doesn't have any taste to me, and I just can't keep Gatorade down in any amount.
Posted 3/9/2016 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
The plain water is a good suggestion - I might mix 1/2 the Miralax with Gatorade and the other 1/2 with water and alternate. I think that might be what made me sick last time - the syrupy sweet Gatorade flavor. I don't normally drink soda, sweet tea, or Gatorade-type drinks so it could be that I wasn't used to it. I am just dreading it and hoping for no vomiting this time.
Posted 3/9/2016 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I use Suprep, guess they're all about the same tho. Been awhile, but I believe I pour half a bottle with equal amount of water and chug it quick. I always thought the sooner the chemical is in , the better. Then I just drink water and eat that iced stuff. Ate the wrong kind last year, but was still ready when the time came, lol.
Got three yrs off for good behavior, lol, but it'll be rough this time I believe- with the starving part.
Posted 3/9/2016 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I use the Miralax Gatorade prep. My instructions were 8 ounces every 15 minutes. I used the Gatorade that I think was called Ice. Was white but had a cherry taste. Have no problems with the Dulcolax or Miralax, just the bottle of Magnesium Citrate straight, gag, that is the worst for me.
Posted 3/9/2016 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I did the Gatorade/mirolax prep and thought it was easier than Suprep. I used Gatorade for most of it and apple juice for the remainder. I also don't drink anything sugary so it was hard to drink. Use a large diameter straw, that way you can drink it faster and not taste it as much. When I do my prep next time I am going to water down the Gatorade so it's not so sweet. Good luck!
Posted 3/9/2016 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I threw up the gatorade too. It was in the early morning and I really worried I had botched up everything. But the laxatives had done their stuff and all went well despite the vomiting!
Posted 3/9/2016 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I can't deal with Gatorade. My GI says to mix the Miralax with anything clear (non red and non-carbonated) so I use water for part of it and some juice or powdered iced tea mix for part of it.
I end up feeling queasy but have never actually vomited.

Good luck, Circe!
Posted 3/9/2016 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
If anybody thinks this crap isn't going to make you even more inflamed is mad. I always feel crap and much worse after a Colonoscopy than before it.
Posted 3/10/2016 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
My gastroenterologist, who subspecializes in IBD treatment, advises what Songlady is doing. Mix the Miralax with something fairly neutral in taste. I used Pedialyte (unflavored) + a little clear pear juice during my last scope prep & also started swallowing early in the afternoon, about 4 oz. every 15 minutes. Didn't have any problem with nausea, TG. The reason many gastros recommend Gatorade as a mixer is that it contains electrolytes, but, IMO, those don't help you a bit if you're also consuming artificial colors, flavors, & sugar at the same time. Good luck with your prep & scope! / Old Hat (35 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 3/10/2016 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
Well I made it through MOST of the prep last night - I got down one oz bottle of Gatorade and about half of the 2nd bottle. Thankfully, no vomiting! I did go throughout the night, and it is coming out yellowish clear, so hopefully that was enough to do the trick.

My check-in is at 9:30 this morning with procedure sometime after 10:00. Last year I waited for 2 hours before I actually went back for procedure, hoping this year is a little better.

Thank you for all the suggestions! Fingers crossed I won't have to do this again for at least another 2 years!
Posted 3/10/2016 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Circe! Hope all goes well.
Posted 3/10/2016 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hope all goes well. I too since someone mentioned it here used a fat straw for the Magnesium Citrate. I was able to buy a package of milk shake straws. Worked well for what I wanted to get down faster rather than slower. Would gag either way, sipping slow or faster.
Posted 3/10/2016 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have had colitis since 1980. I have had at least one scope every year because it was so bad.Sp close to 40 colonoscopies under my belt devil THE BEST, the easiest BY FAR is the dulcolax/miralax prep. I have had them all over the years. Any dr. that recommends something different, I don't shive a git. I still take dulco/miralax. They are pleased with the results. Always focus on the positive...propofol is soooo good.
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