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Posted 1/14/2008 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
So I am finally going for my first colonscopy on Thursday morning.  I've had 3 sigs, but never a colonscopy.  So I need advice on the prep.  The sheet my doc gave me said that I can only have clear liquids "the day prior to my exam"...does that mean 24 hours before or the morning before or what??  When can I stop eating?

More importantly I am suppose to do the Fleets Phospha Soda(6 glasses in clear liquids)...does this make you go like crazy and if so did anyone go to work the day they took this??  I wanted to be able to work the day before my colonscopy, but now I'm thinking that isn't possible..right?  Because you have to be home doing the prep..Maybe I should just work from home that day.  mad    Ok, so my procedure is at 8:30 am on Thurs.  It says I am not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.  So do I do 3 of glasses on Wed. morning and the other 3 glasses in the evening..or what?  Again..confused.  Also, how horrible does the stuff test and is possible to not dilute it so much so I don't have to drink 6 glasses of the stuff..that is just put it in 4 or 5 glasses and then just drink plain water for the rest of the liquid?  Why do I need to put that gross stuff in so much liquid??  HELP!!

Posted 1/14/2008 4:39 AM (GMT 0)

My daughter has had 2 colonoscopies. She took the Fleets Phospho-Soda both times. The second time went better (although she still hates it). She had to mix one bottle (I think it was 1-1/2 oz) with 6 oz (I think) of clear liquid. She needed to do this twice the day before the colonoscopy.

Things we learned that helped:

1. Don't use a drink you like. You will never like it again. She still can't drink lemon-lime Gatorade. 2. Stick the Fleets and the drink in the refrigerator. The colder they are, the less icky they were. 3. Use a straw. It seems to make it go down easier.                                                             4. The second part later in the day was tough to get down. She chugged the first one but the one in the afternoon was hard. I tried to joke with her by singing drinking songs.                   

I can't imagine you being able to work the day of the prep. Once the prep kicks in, you need to be very close to the bathroom (and quickly).

Posted 1/14/2008 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
You may be able to work prep day. Start the prep as soon a you get home but you will have
to drink fast and be up all night on toilet. I have done that.

Anyone remember early 90's that gallon jug of salt water tasting stuff we had to drink?
Posted 1/14/2008 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
Honestly the best thing for you to do is phone and ask the doc's office what time you're suppose to start doing the prep on Wednesday... if they want you to do it early on Wednesday then make sure you're at home and not going anywhere once you start the prep...

In my 16 yrs of prepping with the phospho the best solution I have found is this...

Pour only 1/3 of the fleet into a FULL GLASS OF CLEAR COLD POP, drink it as fast as you can and continue...doing this 3 times in a row will get one full 45ml bottle of the phospho fleet down...if you're suppose to do 2 bottles then you'd be doing this 6 times in a row...YOU DRINK ALL THE PHOSPHO AT ONE TIME, DO NOT SPLIT IT HOURS APART FROM ONE ANOTHER...then once you get all the phospho required down, you're suppose to follow with plenty of water...stay close to the toilet and when you start to get butt burn, do sitz baths with epsome salts (it will relieve not burn) and have wet wipes handy as well for the butt burn.

By drinking only 1/3 of the phospho in a full glass each time you will hardly (if at all) notice the horrible salty taste and oily consistancy.

By sticking with a mainly liquid diet the day before prepping, this will cut back on severe cramping pain as things get rushed through your system from the phospho.

Do not drink red or brown liquids with your prep, clear is best because red/browns tend to appear as blood during the scoping when infact it isn't.

Good luck and update us.

:)
Posted 1/14/2008 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, *Jen*! Happy New Year! (Eh?) I remember you wrote us a while back re scheduling c-scope in January. I would advise you to work only 'til noon the day before procedure, or else work from home. You need to be on clear liquids that whole day-- so you will likely feel less peppy even before starting purge. RE Fleets-- I've used it several times. (Yuck!) The key is flushing it out of your throat, stomach, etc. with plenty of plain water-- because it's excessively salty. Drinking water protects your kidneys-- so do it all the way thru your 2nd dose! Last c-scope I was advised by a Crohn's disease veteran to use generic purge in place of Fleets, which tastes atrocious. This I did, & it was less disgusting than Fleets; I was able to get a lemon/ginger generic at the chain drugstore. My gastro advises to start swallowing 1st dose around 5 PM the eve before scope & to start 2nd round by 9 PM at the latest-- that way you will hopefully finish visiting the john in time to get some sleep. Be sure to stock some soothing salve for irritated butt. After procedure drink plenty of water for the next couple of days to keep kidneys/bladder irritation-free. That's basically it. Good luck & keep us posted on how you're doing. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 1/14/2008 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, so I don't have to split the 1 bottle into six 8 oz. glasses? Thank god! I will be sure to drink plenty of plain water, but I couldnt' imagine drinking that much of a nasty liquid. So it burns really bud? Worse than doing the fleet enemas during a flare? OH GOD. I know I am being a total baby, but I so don't want to do this and have been putting it off. Now that I have my own baby I know I have to do it because if there is even a chance of cancer I want to catch it quickly...ugh! Thanks for the support guys.

So I don't have to drink it until 5:00pm and 8:00pm?? That will still clear me out completely before my hour long ride in the car at 7:00 am? Maybe I will start a little earlier to be on the safe side. That would mean that I can work that day, which is good. Bad enough not to be able to eat anything, but seriously just to be at home not working would just make me concentrate on it too much.
Posted 1/14/2008 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Jen,
Also wanted to contribute that my experiences on the Fleets have been good. I agree with Bennie's daughter (above)--the stuff tastes awful, and I haven't been able to drink ginger ale since, but I plug my nose, chug it down, and am sure to have some juice (but nothing red!) ready to go--like a chaser!

I got the old jug version once from my newer GI doc, literally took two sips, and went out and got the Fleets. The jug stuff literally made me gag. Fleet's is definitely the better alternative!

Day of the prep--I found chicken broth and jello to be the best stuff for me. The broth actually kept me pretty full. I think working is do-able during the day, just don't overstretch yourself. You won't have a ton of energy. And I actually took the fleets once in the early evening, and again the morning of the procedure (I think it was 2-3 hours beforehand).

Also, you should be cleared out enough by 7am that you won't have urgency to go again. I found myself pretty in control even by the time I went to sleep. And it might not be realistic for you, but I like to go to those appointments tired so I can sleep/be tired in the waiting room instead of concentrating on being hungry. Demerol is the greatest drug in the world--frankly, it's the best part of the colonoscopy. And be sure you have NO commitments for the rest of the day of the procedure...you'll want to eat and zonk out!

Good luck!
Posted 1/14/2008 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Jen, I'm wishing you only luck because I can't offer any more advice then the above posters! Don't worry about the prep - in fact, don't try to think about it until the time comes. It will make you more hesitant or afraid to start. But I definately have to strongly agree with Bennie - do NOT drink it with any drink you like! The first time I did it, I used Vernors - can we say that I never drink that again now? lol

Are they going to totally knock you out or are you being lightly sedated?
Posted 1/14/2008 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jen, just wanted to post and let you know my experience with Fleets.  I have had many colonoscopy's in the last 10 years.  Most of the time, I have used Fleets (I have done the pills and the gallon of yuck you drink all night).  Yes, I have mixed Fleets with everything.  Nothing worked.  I had a colonoscopy last month and my doctor recommended I do it like this.  Here is how my prep worked:

My appt. was for 7:00 in the morning.  I couldn't eat anything the day before (just a liquid diet).  At 4:00 the afternoon before I drank the first bottle of Fleets straight - like you would a shot - DON'T MIX WITH ANYTHING.  Then I immediately sucked on a piece of lemon.  It took the salty, yukey flavor away.  I followed by drinking lots of water.  I was going clear by 8:00 that night.

I had to drink my second bottle of Fleets 3 hours before the procedure (yes, 4:00 am) and did the same thing.  This was by far the easiest way to do a prep I have ever done.  Hope this helps you.

Pat

Posted 1/14/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
It also helps if you eat more lightly the day before liquid prep, meaning eat your basic meals on Tuesday but avoid loading. Did the gastro tell you to avoid anything specific, like corn, for a few days before scope? Mine says no corn, iron tablets, red juices or drinks. / Old Hat

Posted 1/14/2008 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
have done the fleet same advice as everyone else, to me that is the worst of it. Everything will be ok, it's a little scary b/c it's your first time. Get a few good magazines for the bathroom. I found that I could get everything out pretty quickly and not spend all nite on the can.

blesssteve, yes, I remember the gallons of that thick salty stuff in the 90's (barf!) thank goodness we no longer have that.
Posted 1/14/2008 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
jen :)

You don't "have" to drink it in small portions mixed with 8oz glasses, but if you do, you will not notice the horrid taste...drinking it all by itself makes alot of people gag, even throw it back up, then you're kinda SOL because you'll have to go out and buy more.

The other benefit to drinking only 1/3 of the prep at a time in a full glass of clear pop is that it won't kill the pop for you because you won't taste the horrid flavor of the prep and you're getting in the extra fluids you need to help get the stuff through you quicker....regardless you have to drink plenty of water to aid with that as well.

When drinking the prep 1/3 at a time, you have to drink it as fast as possible (within at least 10 minutes or less), infact any way you end up choosing to do it you have to get it in as quickly as possible.

Good luck!
Posted 1/14/2008 4:52 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks again guys.  So relieved that I don't have to split it up into 6 drinks.  I can handle 3, but drinking 6 drinks of gross stuff would be horrible.  And I will still drink plenty of plain water as well. 

I have to stop worrying so much about this.  I woke up this morning with wonderful D and I know it is from anxiety.  And I don't think I can take immodium because there was a list of things I can't take 5 days before the procedures.  UGH!

I'm not sure if I will be completely knocked out, but I think I might be as it says I can not drive for 24 hours.  I actually hope I do, even though there is a risk with anethesia I was awake for my 3 sigs and it was not very much fun for me.  sad

So how far apart do I need to space the drinks?  4 hours?  I don't want to be up all night, but also don't want to have to get up at 3:00am to take the last dose.

Posted 1/14/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Do you only have to get in one 45ml bottle of the phospho?

Remember, you won't taste it if you put a small amount (1/3) into each full glass and you can add ice too so it works out to being a little less than a full 8oz.

Definitely don't stress over it, it's not too bad when you don't taste it...you can ask them to put you out for the procedure, with a colonoscopy that's the best way to go.

:)
Posted 1/14/2008 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Probably you'll get a combo of Demerol + Versed. With that they definitely tell you not to drive for 24 hrs afterward nor "operate heavy machinery". In case they turn up any polyps & remove same, they tell you to take it easy for 7-10 days. It's a good idea to rest as much as you can for at least a couple days after c-scope. The biopsies can be a bit irritating to the mucosa & you want to keep things quiet in there while getting back to daily routine. / Old Hat

Posted 1/14/2008 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
That is some really good input from everyone.
This may have already been mentioned but I avoid spicey food
starting a couple days prior. It really burns with the high speed exit.
Posted 1/14/2008 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I only have to do one bottle of the stuff. Sounds like I am going to be put out. Honestly, I'm relieved. I've sucked it up for my 3 sigs and been fully awake with no pain meds, etc. and hated the whole thing. I would rather be out for this one. Hopefully they don't find a thing. I have been in remission for 6+ months so all should be pretty quiet in there right now. I work from home on Friday's so I will take it easy and on the weekend as well.

Thanks again guys!!
Posted 1/14/2008 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well if you only have to do the one bottle splitting it 1/3 into a full glass 3 times in total will be a breeze, I promise you'll hardly taste a thing or notice the oily consistancy...so now you can relax about the prep, just keep wet wipes and epsome salts for sitz baths near by and you'll be fine...and thank goodness you'll be asleep through the colonoscopy, just eat lightly tomorrow and do mainly or all liquid on wednesday to cut back on major cramping pains when the prep kicks in.

Let us know how it goes thursday.

:)
Posted 1/15/2008 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, so last and hopefully final question. If I split it into 3 full glasses how far apart should I drink them?? Wait 2 hours in between or what?
Posted 1/15/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
No, drink them one after the other, within a masimum 10 minutes for each glass, it's important you drink it all together as fast as you can.

:)
Posted 1/15/2008 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
also w/the meds they give you, you don't care that there is a camera crew up your bum, nor do you care about farting near other people in the recovery room after. You will do fine = )

take care
Posted 1/15/2008 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
HAHA "camera crew" thats funny! And it is a true statement!
Posted 1/15/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
You have been told to take a single 1.5 oz bottle of phosphosoda? Consider yourself blessed because my gastro has required 2 bottles ca. 3-4 hours apart. I just dug out instructions from my last scope 1 1/2 yrs ago, which advises "drink at least 3-4 eight oz glasses of water" after swallowing the phosphosoda mixture. The end result should be that you finally excrete clear fluid. That means the colon is clean all the way thru! Just be sure you are supposed to take a 1.5 oz bottle, not the 3 oz size.-- because such a beast does exist! / Old Hat
Posted 1/15/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
I know for myself in the past I've been told to either drink 2-45ml bottles or 1-45ml bottle and then later in the eve swallow 4 dulcolax tabs all at once and follow it with plenty of water too...every GI seems to vary with their preferred method of prepping, likely because they're not the ones doing it LOL!

:)
Posted 1/15/2008 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Beth reminded me of something that happened on my last cscope. I guess there were a bunch of us that were getting scopes that day, so after I was done the nurse told me. "Don't try to be a lady. Fart away girl!" So I'm working one out - it's kinda hard sometimes afterwards but all around me people were farting left right and center. It was sort of comical. I felt sorry for the nurses lol....
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