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Picolax Bowel Prep

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Posted 8/11/2008 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have the joy of colonsocopy looming and will obviously have the dreaded bowel prep to deal with the day before.  I have opted to try out Picolax rather than the Phospo-soda even though I have never had this done before but have heard on the grapevine it may be slightly easier going.

Does anyone have any tricks of the trade to help me with this and make it a little more bearable?!?!

Thank you.

Posted 8/12/2008 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
i do the same thing as quincy mentioned in another post.

mix it up, put it in the fridge, when your ready to drink it... plug your nose and skull it back without stopping.
THen... THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART...
do NOT breath through your nose for at least a minute or 2.

(i did once and the smell wafted up and made me puke it all up)

and once your done, have some vaseline handy for the lucky little starfish thats about to go on the mission from hell!
Posted 8/12/2008 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
I used Picolax and apart from the obvious side effect (sitting on the loo for the rest of the evening), didnt have any problems. Didnt think it tasted horrible or anything.

Good tip about the vaseline. id suggest having a book handy too for the amount of time spent on the loo.
Posted 8/12/2008 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
It tastes like Soda and it is fine. Drink lots of water and you will end up having water come out the other end. I think it is fine except for the irritation it does to your bowel making inflammation even more likely!
Posted 8/12/2008 12:50 PM (GMT 0)

The only thing I would say is make sure you drink loads, I thought I was taking in enough fluids after usuing Picolax but dehydrated badly and felt awful.You just need to make sure you replace all the fluid you will lose when spending lots of time on the loo.

Posted 1/14/2009 8:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have a colonsocopy tomorrow. To say I'm terrified is an understatement. Its taken me 45 mins to pluck up the courage to drink my first Picolax and surprisingly it tasted ok. In fact there was no problems at all getting it down. Lets just hope it stays down! :-)

Its now been 1 1/2 hours since i drank the dreaded picolax. I started going to the loo 20 mins after drinking it and have been about 8 times. Its not as horrific as I thought it would be, actually this is easy, if this is the worst part the actual colonoscopy will be a breeze

 

Post Edited (Vivister) : 1/14/2009 3:15:53 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/14/2009 10:25 AM (GMT 0)

Vivister,

My "mother-in-law" to be just had a colonoscopy yesterday.  She too was not to thrilled...and pretty nervous about the procedure.  She said it was a "breeze".  She said she couldn't believe how worried about she was about something that went so smoothly.  But yeah drinking the disgusting Picolax was definitely the worst part.....along with the frequent visits to the toilet! confused She was just a little sleepy last night but everything went just perfectly.....don't worry...you'll do great!!

Healthy wishes and best of luck,

Krista 

Posted 1/14/2009 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Krista07 for your words of encouragement. I'm feeling ok and quite confident now. Can't believe I was in a state this morning crying about all of this. I wish I had never read other posts on the internet as thats what frightened me in the first place!
Hopefully others will read this and realise its not so bad
Posted 1/14/2009 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
Picolax is by far the best and easiest to take. I've tried the others and none come close. It's a bit pricier but well worth it.
Posted 1/14/2009 1:26 PM (GMT 0)

The colonoscopy is a breeze. Many people, like myself, don't even remember it. I just woke up and it was over. Even if you do, I am told at most, it is "slight dicomfort". All they are doing is looking. Just think of it that way. No surgery, just looking.

You'll do fine :-)

Posted 1/14/2009 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Just had colonoscopy about 4 hours ago. Had the picolax yesterday - not too bad at all! Pretty easy to get down, as only a small amount of liquid to swallow, and not too "explosive" a result. Colonoscopy was fine - a little gas pain after, but otherwise ok. I hope everthing goes smoothly for you too!
Posted 1/14/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
How long does it normally take to recover from a colonoscopy? I can't count on my last one as I was hospitalized straight after it (during a major flare). I have one in two weeks and will be going home after it so I was wondering what to expect in the ensuing hours/days/weeks? Be grateful for the feedback.
Posted 1/14/2009 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Mackster,
I'll let you know how long til i'm feeling better, having mine done in 15 hours time
Posted 1/14/2009 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
^^Cheers V !
Posted 1/14/2009 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I just took my first dose of Picolax an hour ago.....as of yet, no bathroom dash!!! Hope this stuff works.....or no colonoscopy for me! rolleyes
Posted 1/14/2009 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
From what I've heard, I think you should be parking yourself close to the bathroom, Ont. Asamatterofact you should be actually 'in' the bathroom posting from a laptop.

Don't say you weren't warned!
Posted 1/15/2009 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Mackster
I had my colonoscopy today with sedation at 2 o'clock, it is now 7 o'clock and I feel fine, definitely well enough to go to work tomorrow. Taking the Picolax was easy just incovienient (sp?). The procedure itself I found very uncomfortable but I suppose everyone is different. It wasn't so awful that I wouldn't have it done again though if I needed to.
You will be fine
All the best
Posted 1/15/2009 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I think everyone is different. Some people can handle the garbage we have to drink. Me I throw it up instantly. It's usually working within the half hour and when people say to stay close to the bathroom...that's NO joke! You might as well set up a tv and a lounge chair if you have the room. You will be in there for a couple of hours. It's never caused me pain other than holding it until I could dash to the bathroom. Amazingly I was able to make it each time. After that I had to pop Dulcolax like they were M&Ms and that's what caused me pain. It causes me cramping. Pain for me is not being able to eat anything. I love food. Pain is also dehydration the next morning. I'm out during the procedure and don't remember a thing. I'm allergic to the anesthesia so I'm nauseous when I wake up and need to eat right away. I bring crackers.

All that is worth it to know that all is well for another 5 years.
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