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Colonoscopy prep didn't work....

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/29/2018 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
I just had my colonoscopy yesterday. I did the "standard"? prep - clear liquid diet day before and 4 dulcolax and 238 oz of Miralax as prescribed, but it didn't work! Anyone else ever have this problem? I was afraid to tell the nurses because I didn't want them to send me home without having the scope and having to do it all over again. Fortunately, my doc could see what she needed to, but the prep would not have been sufficient for a cancer screen. Clearly I'll have to try something else next time.

Questions:
1. What happens if you arrive for the procedure and the prep hasn't worked. Do they send you home or give you something else to help clear you out?

2. If the dulcolax and miralax didn't work for you, what did you have to do the next time around?

Thanks!
Posted 6/29/2018 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
I've been sent home once and it was awful. I have trouble with the prep every time. This last time I was cleared out but not until the last second so I was stressing the whole time. After that time I was sent home, the next time I was barely cleaned out, and then the following time I was the way you were this time: they were able to complete the scope but could not see all that well.

I tell the nurses that I don't feel I'm cleared out and they always say "Well we'll take a look". I tell my GI as I am wheeled into the room too. I think I was so upset and telling everything I had done (I go above and beyond the instructions and STILL it either doesn't work or just barely) that is the reason she did the scope the one time I wasn't cleared out very well.

This last time she had me go on a low-residue diet a week ahead of time, I did the liquid diet portion for an extended period of time, and STILL it was a struggle but at least it did work. I was sick as a dog but at least they got it done. I HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT. Why oh why can they put a man on the moon but can't come up with an easy prep????
Posted 6/29/2018 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow, that sounds awful! I hope you don't have to do it too often.

But that's really good to know, thanks!
Posted 6/29/2018 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Was your Miralax split into two doses? I always took one then was instructed to take the second about 6-8 hours before my scheduled procedure. My GI always told me that Miralax is not the preferred method to clean you out as it doesn't do as well as the prescription preps but he always allowed it with me.
Posted 6/29/2018 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
What are the prescription preps? My GI only permits either Pico-Salax or Citro-Mag. I find Citro-Mag a bit more powerful, but the downside is I throw up some of the second bottle everytime so I am not getting a full dose. The Pico-Salax is easier to get down and keep down, but I don't think works as well. These are both bought right off the shelf with no prescription. If there is a more powerful kind you can get via prescription I will ask my GI about it next time.

Oh plus Dulcolax. The last couple of times she has added Dulcolax to the mix. I think it helps a bit, but still not enough.
Posted 6/29/2018 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, my Miralax was split into 2 doses. First one at 5 pm the night before and the second one 6 hours before my scheduled arrival time. But the nurse confirmed that this doesn't work for everyone (which we have figured out)

I should also add that the Miralax still seems to be doing it's thing today - the day after the procedure, which is kind of a bummer sad
Posted 6/29/2018 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
There's a number of preps available: mirlax & dulcolax, there's moviprep, and countless others. Next time try another type.
Posted 6/29/2018 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest the gallon preps....you could use dulcolax before starting the prep.

q
Posted 6/29/2018 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
There is also OsmoPrep which is pills you take with water, you just have to drink an ungodly amount of water in a short time with a bunch of horse pills
Posted 6/29/2018 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Request GoLytely prep next time. The one time I did Miralax and the pills it took a long time to kick in and made me extremely sick. My old GI told me GoLytely is the safest option for preps.
Posted 6/29/2018 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

Serenity Now said...
What are the prescription preps? My GI only permits either Pico-Salax or Citro-Mag. I find Citro-Mag a bit more powerful, but the downside is I throw up some of the second bottle everytime so I am not getting a full dose. The Pico-Salax is easier to get down and keep down, but I don't think works as well. These are both bought right off the shelf with no prescription. If there is a more powerful kind you can get via prescription I will ask my GI about it next time.

Oh plus Dulcolax. The last couple of times she has added Dulcolax to the mix. I think it helps a bit, but still not enough.

Get a script for GoLytely next time. It is a gallon of liquid but if your scope is in thr afternoon, they have you drink half the night before and half the morning of. I mix it with cold water and chase every sip with lemonade, Gatorade or clear soda. It isnt pleasant but it has never made me sick and it always clears me out before I drink the entire thing.
Posted 6/29/2018 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much. I will ask about these other options, particularly GoLytely.
Posted 6/29/2018 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. smile It typically starts working in an hour or so.
Posted 6/30/2018 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Today is the second day after my colonoscopy, and the Miralax still seem to be working. I don't remember having this problem after my previous colonoscopies. How long does it usually take for your stool to go back to "normal"?
Posted 6/30/2018 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Mine never went back to normal, but, that's besides the point..lol. Reading these posts makes me so happy I never have to have another colonoscopy. However, before my surgery, my GI doctor always had me use the GoLightly or NuLightly, whatever that gallon jug was. Not the most tasty stuff to drink...but after about my hundredth (at least it seemed like that many) colonoscopy, I found a solution. Three days before my colonoscopy, I stuck to a clear liquid diet. Believe me, it isn't all that difficult. Then, the day before, I didn't have to drink but maybe one third of the gunk and voila!!! Clean as a whistle.
Posted 6/30/2018 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
3-4 days to return to normal after a c-scope. Prep and procedure are both hard on and upset the system.
Posted 6/30/2018 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
What was seen by the doc during the scope? If you are flaring, you will have continued symptoms.

q
Posted 6/30/2018 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
She saw inflammation.

I think we're going to start a biologic. Except I tested positive for TB, so I'm seeing Infectious disease at the end of the July. I saw a few other people have tested positive and it took 9 months to treat. But someone said they started the biologic after 2 months of treatment. I guess I'll know more after I see the ID doc.
Posted 6/30/2018 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhh, keep us updated. In the meantime, are you still on mesalamines?

q
Posted 7/1/2018 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Will do smile

I'm still on mesalamine - oral and enemas. I'm hoping that and time is enough to get my symptoms under control again after the c-scope, since I was just on prednisone back in January.
Posted 7/1/2018 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
You could ask for steroid enemas added to the mix.
q
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