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Colonoscopy Prep

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/16/2012 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have a colonoscopy this week, my GI doc insists on doing theses every 2-3 years.
The problem is, the prep and procedure always send me into a flare that usually lasts several months.
Do any of you UCers have any tips on minimizing the damage from this procedure?
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted 4/16/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I also went into a flare after my last scope. So I'm in no hurry to get another, although I suppose eventually it will make sense to do it. I would push really hard back at your GI as to what information s/he expects to gain from this procedure, and what decisions as to your treatment might be made based on a set of expected results. If there's nothing significant to be decided, I would not have the scope.
Posted 4/16/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't do the prep if that gives you a problem. Just do a water or juice fast for a few days beforehand. Also, tell him to ONLY take biopsies if absolutely necessary. My GIs have always torn apart my colon so I bleed like crazy until it heals again.
Posted 4/16/2012 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I've pushed back to the point where I've gone almost 6 years without a colonoscopy when the doc wants me to have them every 2 years.
The great "benefit" if you want to call it that is to screen for cancerous polyps and determine the overall condition of my colon. I think these GI docs take your word about your disease for awhile, then want to see it for themselves. As far as biopsies go, he already knows I have UC, i don't think anything can be gained by more biopsies.
Thanks for your replies, yes just going without the prep and having clear liquids sounds like a plan.
If it's not as clear as he'd like, tough beans!
Posted 4/16/2012 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Biopsies are important to screen for early signs of cancer, I believe. But maybe I'm wrong.

Before my 2nd c-scope (1st during my 1st -and so far only- flare), I used enemas every night for about 5 days prior and upped my probiotics. I was back to normal by the next day.
Posted 4/16/2012 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
One of the points of biopsies is to ensure there is no cancer, so it's to your benefit to have any polyps/ulcers biopsied, especially if they see anything suspicious looking...there's really no way to ensure that having a colonoscopy won't put you into a flare though...it's not necessarily from the prep itself, it can often happen as a result of the scoping itself.

As far as prepping goes though, I've learned the hard way that doing a liquid diet a day or 2 before prepping is much easier on the gut after drinking the prep (regardless of the type of prep), a lot less solid food being rushed out of the system makes for a much less painless outcome (less cramping and less stool being forced through the system, therefore less pooping and cramping), this may help cut your chances of a "mini-flare" but there's no guarantees unfortunately.

Best of luck and I hope your scope goes very well!
Posted 4/16/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest to drink only water and chicken or veggetable bouillon, don drink any clear fruit juices. My doctor told me to drink the juices and they just about killed me. There ia too much acid in them and they really irritate the intestines. If they will do some biopsies, you will be bleeding more. I am sorry. Just ask your doctor not to do multiple biopsies.
Posted 4/16/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Also try Inflammacore or Ultra Inflammix drink in the days before
Posted 4/16/2012 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again for all your replies, very helpful stuff.
Another point, my GI doc is being kind enough to give me samples of a "milder" prep (MoviPrep), which supposedly has a huge copay, so I'm hoping this prep will not be the rocket fuel that the cheap stuff is.
Anyone have experience with MoviPrep?
Posted 4/16/2012 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Being a veteran of 14 colonoscopys, going back to when I was 29. Just had one in February. The preps have changed a lot since then. This last one I got samples were taken every 10cm.

It was perhaps the worst one start to finish EVER. Got sick from the anaesthesia to boot. (no pun intended)

So Easter time I got some sugarless jelly beans, cleaned me right out. Best prep ever, sort of.

Good luck. Don't delay this, it is so important. Unfortunately it is currently the only way to gauge what is going on with us down there.
Posted 4/16/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I actually find the big gallon jug of nu-litely or whatever the latest variation is, quite mild- its is much, much milder on the gut than those phospha sodas which are fairly violent in making you cramp. I find I am often done (clear outout, just a little yellow tint) after half of a jug and Second the suggestion to start eating a liquid broth diet a bit earlier than they suggest. I keep drinking clear chicken broth periodically to the point on the instructions (usually based on time of day of scope appointment) where they say its ok, and eat a sugar free jello here and there for variety too. This oreo never flares me- what flares me are the darned biopsies- I have had UC over 20 years so in theory I need tons of biopsies for surveillance but they bleed like hell and tend to flare me up. I tend to acept I will need a few days of high dose pred (tapering within days to zero) after each scope now to nip such a flare in the bud.
Posted 4/16/2012 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I 100% agree with you!
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