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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/18/2007 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Sam is scheduled for another colonoscopy because we cannot get this bleeding under control. She had one in May that's how she was diagnosed but I just wonder how often these are done for UC people. Should she & I expect to have these often? Is it a part of the "norm" It is very costly (10K) was the first one thankfully insurance paid (after serious fighting on my end) 90% originally they only paid half.

Anyway the prep is really hard for Sam, she is really tiny she is only 80 pounds at 14 and basically she has HGD (hormone growth deficiency, Basically doesn't grow) so if you can imagine a 14 year old who is about the size of 9 year old. Predisone is bumping her size up.

Anyone have any thoughts about making the prep a little easier for her?? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated
Posted 11/18/2007 7:08 AM (GMT 0)

Not sure what prep she has to take. My daughter takes the Fleet Phospho-soda. Last year, the first time she was very sick. She did OK but the 2nd time she had to drink (in the afternoon) she really had a tough time and threw most of it back up. She also drank it with lemon-lime gatorade (which she used to like) but since then hasn't been able to enjoy the gatorade!

This time (about 3 weeks ago) she used the same gatorade again (why ruin another drink for life!). We made sure the gatorade and the prep were cold in the refrigerator. She drank from a straw. She didn't stop until she was done. A bit nauseous but she didn't throw up. Lots of controlled breathing to get her through. She also ate less a day or two before the prep. Less to come out!

The doctor would like to do another colonoscopy in about 6 months, hopefully when she is feeling well so he can get a look when she is healthy. Luckily her colonoscopies are covered by our insurance.

Bratcat is not underweight or height so her prep is treated like an adults. She does go to a pediatric GI.

Posted 11/18/2007 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think that any prep for a cscope is easy on anyone! Scope frequency depends on how sick an individual is. Because the sicker you are, the more often they are going want to do scopes to see what's going on in there. But typically, and this varies, you will have the initial scope, another maybe 5-10 years later (depending on your symptoms) and after the 10 year mark, many get the scopes every 2 years. This was my schedule with plenty of flex sigs in between.
Posted 11/18/2007 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry she has to have another scope. I had one 3 1/2 years ago. My current GI says he wants one at the 8 year mark unless I have a big flare w/ lots of bleeding.

As for the prep....I would say afterwards when she is ready to eat have some foods she likes and can tolerate easily. I remember I was starving after I slept off the medicine they gave me to sleep!

Let us know how it goes.
Posted 11/18/2007 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I get them every two years because my mother (who did not have IBD) died of colorectal cancer.

Bennie already gave you my best tip - drinking the prep through a straw. That puts it in the back of your mouth, past most of the taste buds so you don't taste it so much. Make sure you have a really good barrier cream. I'm sure everyone has their favorite, mine is A&D ointment because the vitamins help the skin on my bottom begin to heal at the same time the ointment helps keep the liquid away from it.

Sorry she has to do this again. The prep is the worst.
Posted 11/18/2007 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

All my tips for this past prep came from everyone's suggestions here! Cold liquid, using a straw made a big difference. Eating lightly for a few days prior was common sense.

I hope Sam is doing well soon. yeah

Posted 11/18/2007 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
The bigger the straw, the better, the quicker you can get the drink in.  I use a large straw that came in a sports bottle.

Posted 11/18/2007 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I will be having my third one the 11 of Dec.  My first one was in 05 and I sucked on those red and white peppermint candies inbetween drinks of the prep.  That really helped me.  My second prep I was in the Hospital and barely remember preping at all.  I do remember having a commode by the bed.  Have your daughter try the peppermint between drinks it might help.  And I think the colder the drink the better. 
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