Question about Gatorade prep for colonoscopy

Hey everyone,

I'm having a colonoscopy on Tuesday and had a question about the type of Gatorade that is acceptable. There are clear ones but then there are ones that are a bit more opaque (there is a white one, I can't remember what flavor it is). Do you have to use one of the clear ones, is the the white, opaque-ish one ok do you think? (I prefer this flavor and would like to use it if possible!)

Are there any other better alternatives that you've used that aren't loaded with dyes?

Thanks!

Are you doing the Miralax/Gatorade prep? I've done that a few times, last month was the most recent. I used that clear Gatorade that tastes like cherry - it was pretty good actually. But you can use the colored ones too. You just can't have any reds or purples.  I think some places let you have the purple ones, but mine didn't

I actually just got 2 of those clear cherry ones, dumped the whole Miralax bottle in a picture and put both the Gatorades in there, mixed it up. Was easier than mixing a glass every 15 mins.

Probably my gastro got a lot of complaints about the dyes in Gatorade-- because we patients doing Miralax prep are now permitted to mix it with 64 oz. of clear liquid we choose ourselves. I mixed it into 2 liters of unflavored Pedialyte that I bought at CVS. I drank it thru a straw, about 4 oz. at a time, with a couple sips of clear pear juice afterward. (Because I didn't want anything sweet.) This worked well for me with an early start around 2:30 PM. I hoped to be finished with the throne room by 10:30 PM, and it did turn out that way. [Having to empty out overnight can really be the pits!] / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

I thought orange was ok? Just not red or purple, right?

My old GI said no red, purple or blue.  My new one just said no red.  So I guess they all have different opinions.

I also think the Miralax/Gatorade one is the easiest to get down. The only one I don't throw up from either. I also had to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate the next morning as well. That was nasty but a small dose at least and didn't make me go much.

Last time I actually only was in the bathroom for about 2 hours on and off and I was all done. It was the easiest prep I had ever done.  I always start the clear liquid diet 1 1/2 days before the test though so that helps make the prep easier.

Oh and yes the Gatorade is used specifically to help you replenish electrolytes that you lose from running to the bathroom from the prep.  It actually said that in my paperwork last time.

Yep, the docs prefer that you use clear or pale liquids, but definitely not red, purple, or anything ghastly-bright. Remember they will be looking at your colon thru a sophisticated flashlight-- so they don't want interference from dyes. If Snapple is available where you are, they make a white tea blend with a bit of fruit juice mixed in, which is totally clear & all natural. It's o.k. to have some of that. I used what I wrote you above plus a little of this Snapple at the end, and my gastro wrote in my scope report that "quality of prep was good". / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)