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Split dose prep timing (colonoscopy prep)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/9/2019 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. If you have been around a while, you might have read my tales of woe of the difficulty I have with the scope preps. I am doing some research online and there are some researchers that believe having an afternoon scope and splitting the dose might work better in some cases, ie. take one dose of the prep the day before and then the second dose the morning of the scope.

For those of you who have had both morning scopes and afternoon scopes (and followed the split dose method) -did you notice any difference? Do you have a preference? For one thing, I am thinking I could actually go to bed for a few hours that night between the doses, and that might reduce the level of wretchedness I experience.

Thoughts? Experiences??
Posted 7/10/2019 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
What prep in particular?
q
Posted 7/10/2019 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Either Citro-mag (so, one dose = one bottle) or Pico Salax (one dose = 1 packet).
Posted 7/10/2019 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, I haven't done either or a split dose. I don't remember your issue with the prep....was it throwing up?

I was thinking about that process, and mentally and butt-wise, I'd prefer to have it done in one evening.

In saying that....i had one scope in the afternoon, but still did the gallon prep all in one night. I was reallllly uncomfortably hungry by 1:00 before my scope tho.

My question would be... while you will get some sleep, you might dread having to continue the next day instead of it being done with you only possibly sleeping in and not having bms in the morning.
It is possible that the prep won't kick in within a few hours, leaving you up late anyway.

I suggest you change your title to show split dose prep timing, and others will chime in.

q
Posted 7/10/2019 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
I have done split prep with Gavilyte or GoLytely (both are polyethylene glycol). Start at 6pm and get to bed by 11pm. Start again at 6am, for a scope around 11am - 1pm. The second time goes faster. Your results may vary.

I think I like split dose better. Doing the full dose in one evening is pretty tough.

Btw, I cheated once and had a venti mocha the afternoon before I started my prep (only clear liquids allowed that day). Didn't cause a problem; the prep washed everything out.
Posted 7/10/2019 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy, my issues with the prep are myriad. Throwing up, yes. But mostly just not working. I had a prep fail completely once and could not complete the scope. Subsequently I had preps work - barely - and another time the prep failed but they were able with great difficulty to complete the scope.

I agree with you, it would be preferable to get it all done in one evening and not have to worry about it in the morning. The problem is, that does not work for me and I am up all night, exhausted and sick as a dog. I thought if I could at least rest in bed, even if not actually sleep, I might not feel quite so sick and wrung out.


Casey - thanks for your input. I am going to ask my GI what she thinks, but I wanted a bit of an idea of others' experiences so this helps.
Posted 7/10/2019 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Whatever prep.....take Dulcolax first. Eat lightly the day before.

Can you do the gallon prep?
q
Posted 7/10/2019 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy, sorry I forgot to mention the Dulcolax, yes that was part of both/either preps. Last time I ate low fibre and lightly for the week prior plus liquid for two full days before. Didn't seem to help. In fact I felt sicker than ever, so maybe it harmed instead of helped.

Not sure what "the gallon prep" is - is there a name for it, or is that the actual name? I met with my GI this morning and she wants me to try Colyte next time. I am to repeat the same diet regiment (low fibre plus extra day of liquids). I am going to book a late morning or early afternoon procedure and do a split dose and see if that works. I am to take gravol every 6 hours (which will just serve to make me sleepy, but I will do it).

She told me not to worry or stress over it. We are working together (her words) to find a method that will work for me. I am to show up for the procedure whether or not I think it worked well enough, and she will take a look. So that anxiety at least will be eliminated. I still have the anxiety of not wanting to have to do it all over again if has not worked.
Posted 7/10/2019 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr. does the split dose for me. I've done both and haven't noticed a difference in the picture quality either way. As far as what I prefer, the split dose might be a bit more gentle but it pretty much means I can't sleep that entire night. I might prefer to just do it all in one evening, be done with the by 10pm, and then go to sleep after.

You should ask to try the split dose to try it. I don't think there's much of a difference in how cleaned out it makes me (personally), though.
Posted 7/10/2019 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, thanks. I met with my GI this morning and I did ask to try it so that's what I'll be doing next time. I wasn't ever done with it by 10 pm when I did it all in one day so there's no loss there. I really hope this works for me.
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