Why can't we have a scope prep that doesn't make us feel like we're going to pass out?

Prepping yesterday for my annual scope this afternoon. (Yes, I've passed my 10 year anniversary and have a family history of colon cancer, so I get to go yearly now. ) As usual, the trilytely (or any other prep) made me sick. Last year I didn't take the whole amount and got scolded by my doc. So this year I drank it all, then threw up about 1/3 of it. So this morning, after starving for 24 hours and spending the night in the bathroom, I had the pleasure of two Fleets enemas.

Glad the prep is over. Every time I hope they'll find something better before next year.

yeah, colonscopy preps are just pure torture! when i was in the hospital in august, they wanted me to do a colonoscopy prep. i had my mom dump the jug in the sink! i just get so sick from them so it's best for me to avoid them at all costs.

I usually eat lightly for a few days prior so I don't have to do the whole prep. I have a hard time getting them down too. You would think after all these years that they would've found a more humane way to get our colons clean! Good luck on your scope!

I am puzzled by the prep issues.

Once (before UC) I went to the emergency room for bleeding (not UC related). They did all kinds of upper and lower GI tests and scans. Once they made the decision to do a colonoscopy the next morning, they did want me to drink about a gallon of some salty liquid the evening before. By this time I had a nasal tube, so they just pumped it down the tube over a couple of hours time. I did taste it, and I know I would not have been able to drink so much of the stuff. I assumed this prep was used because I did not have the time to go on clear liquids for a day, and I had a lot of blood to clear out too.

But, nowadays, a few years later, I had a scoping to diagnose UC, and another 18mo later to check treatment progress. Each time my GI has me on clear liquids the day before, and has me drink two 12oz bottles of magnesium citrate. One the the night before, and the 2nd very early on the morning of the scoping. Within an hour it generally produces strong evacuation, with a few followup visits to expel more liquid. I never feel faint or have to much trouble drinking the 12oz bottle. Expelled fluids are pretty clear by the end, and there has never been a request to also use fleets.

The other GI in town (small town) uses the same clear liquids the day before, then 4 Docolax at noon the day before, and then Miralax (mixed in 2qts of Gatorade) in 8 8oz glasses 10min apart starting at 6pm the night before.

What are all these other preps used for? It sounds like they involve a lot more liquid and are a lot harder to consume. Is there a reason some folks can't just drink a couple bottles of mag citrate?

I think if the prep were more pleasant we would hate the colonoscopies! Everyone i heard about them said the prep was the worst.

It makes me think when you are a kid and your parents give you a syrup disguised by a cherry or banana flavour! Bwarrrk!

When i did my prep my chemist always offered me the cherry or orange flavour option like this was an emotional compensation from the horrible taste of those prep. And to be asked to drink 4 liters in 2 hours is a torture.

And after all that never youd think the colonoscopie was that bad really. That prep takes out all your fears of having 2m inserted into your rectum.

Judy
I totally agree with you, it's ridiculous what they make UC'ers go through. Maybe a healthy gut wouldn't have as many problems as we do but it sure makes me have second (and third) thoughts about scheduling my next one. And doctors don't have much (any) sympathy for us either, guess they can't afford to sympathize because they can't offer an alternative. Why did you do 2 enemas after the prep? Something new?

I didn't finish my Half-Lytely prep because I knew I'd barf and I heard no scolding from my doc. I think she said it looked cleaned out but I was groggy afterwards.

Hope your scope goes well and your report is good, the best part is the anesthesia (well except the bill which I have to pay since I have high-deductible insurance).

Hurray, Judy!!!! You sure deserve good scope news. RE different preps: all should keep in mind that people have different colon lengths; some need more cleaning than others. But all the preps are yucky, phoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Yay for a good scope!

Isn't the pill prep the one that caused some folks kidney damage because they didn't follow the directions and drink enough liquid?
Everything I've read about it sounded GREAT! I don't know if doctors are afraid to Rx it because of lawsuit fears.
I would sign a release if necessary so I could take it next time.

I got something called SU-PREP as a sample for free from my GI. He requested it, but my insurance told me that I had to take the Half-Lytely.

The SU-PREP was very easy, one small bottle of cough syrupy stuff in an 8 ounce glass, followed by two 8 ounces of regular water. Soooo much easier than the gallon-of-nasty stuff they gave me in the hospital.

Bob

--Great news on your scope!

The taste of the prep doesn't bother me. The high-volume ones are pretty much all the same thing, I think - PEG. The Lytely's contain electrolytes to help maintain that balance, while Miralax does not. I mix them all with plain water because to me they don't have much taste and it's much easier for me to drink them.

My issue, I think, is with the volume of liquid. Next time I'll allow myself more time to drink the stuff because I think that will help.

Thank you for all the kind thoughts.

I took the Osmoprep (pills) this last time (monday).  It was easy, but my scope was Monday and I am still having diahhrea.  It was really hard on me.  This is the 3rd time I have done this prep and this is the first time I have had this issue.  I think I would rather go on a liquid diet a whole week in advance than go through that mess again.  My bum is soooo sore.

Any prep other than the Miralax/Gatorade one makes me throw up.  The Miralax just make me feel super bloated as I'm usually over 1/2 way through it before I start going to the bathroom. Other than that it at least is tasteless so that seems to help. 

Oh, the Phosphosoda prep used to work well for me too - until the FDA discovered it was giving people kidney issues and they got rid of it.  That one was just a little 8oz bottle of nasty liquid - you drank 1/2 of it at once with ALOT of liquid but I believe people weren't drinking all the liquid (like the issue with the pills), hence the kidney issues.