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Colonoscopy & Endo Prep and fears

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Posted 5/7/2013 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I need some feedback on having a Colonoscopy and Endo.  The prep looks horrible for someone who already has issues.......I cannot believe I am having anxiety just over the Prep let alone the procedure.

I have asked for some anxiety meds from the Dr., he was going to call it in, but so far, the drugstore does not have the rx, so I need to call again today, get the stupid pills before I have to start this prep mess.

Any of you that have been through this?, please let me know how you got through the prep drink and the test.     Thank you so much!   

Posted 5/7/2013 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I think you may find help for this on the UC or colitis forum. Most people get through it OK - you eat and drink according to the doc's instructions and take the bowel prep timed as instructed. It doesn't taste of anything much really and it takes a little while to get going, after which you are confined to the bathroom. Seems to affect people differently - some people tolerate it better than others. I found the worst thing was that it makes your bottom sore! But search with "Fleet" within Healingwell and you'll find lots more info and tips!

MMM
Posted 5/7/2013 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
The prep is the worst part of the whole thing! If you can get through that then the actual test is a breeze because you're out during it and you won't remember anything about it!
I have a lot of stomach problems as well. I can't eat anything without running to the bathroom afterwards and i feel sick to my stomach all the time. But with the prep that i had last time i had one done, i had to drink the stuff two times at different hours and followed with water after each. I downed it as fast as i could because i didn't want to bare the disgusting taste, yuck! It wasn't until the second drink a few hours after the first that it really hit me. After that you'll be running to the bathroom tons.

Try not to worry about the test, it really isn't as bad as you think! The prep really is the worst part, i promise! Everything will be fine! Good luck :)
Posted 5/7/2013 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Chelsea,

thank you for the reply.  Yes, I am dreading the prep solution as well!

Since my stomach is so sensitive now, I cannot imagine getting it all down without getting totally sick!......mine is a bottle of magnesium /citrate in 2 doses tomorrow afternoon.......then on Thursday I have to drink 1 Gal of the junk prep within 5 hours, omg.  So I am hoping the stuff doesn't make me feel horrible.  Oh, and on Friday before the test I am supposed to do 2 fleets before I go.......I know I am NOT doing 2 of those for sure ;(

I will be happy when this is over! 

Posted 5/7/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I bet! I always dread the prep, it's just the worst! And i know how you feel! I've done the Magnesium/citrate(put that in the refrigerator before drinking!) one as well and the gallon jug.. I couldn't get through the whole jug because it almost made me sick. I'm not sure why you have to do the magnesium/citrate with the gallon jug and the fleets. Seems like a bit too much to me! I've had multiple colonoscopies and with the magnesium citrate i only had to drink two bottles of that and they wanted me to do fleets but i ended up not doing them. My colon got cleaned out enough just with those two bottles( on the day before Colonoscopy & endo) so i'm not sure why you have to do all of that other stuff :(
Posted 5/7/2013 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Tummy, That's a great idea Chelsey had about putting it in the fridge. The colder something is the less taste it will have. Maybe even put in the freezer shortly before drinking. The prep really is the worst part. I usually go ahead and start eating soft foods before I have to, so when the Mag/Citrate hits it's not quite so bad. You are doing a pretty heavy prep, but the cleaner you are the easier it is for the doc to see. This too shall pass. I swear the waiting doesn't help at all.
Posted 5/7/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Did you drink that citrate stuff straight or with water???

Yes, I don't get it either.  I will drink as much of the prep stuff as I can, but I will not push it......my niece who is a RN told me that the doctor I am going to is paranoid about the colon being totally clean, she was surprised to especially about the 2 fleets!....I have had constipation issues with this stomach thing, even if I take like 2 tbsp of milk of magnesia, I have to sit on the toilet for quite awhile, so no telling what all this will do to me???? 

Posted 5/7/2013 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Yes the colder the better, Sewfun!! I drank the citrate straight but drank water right after.. wish you could have something besides water to get rid of the taste! And yes good idea. Don't push yourself if it's too much. I had to do just the gallon jug for a colonoscopy once and couldn't get the whole thing down, but my colon was still cleaned out. So if you can get the bottle of Citrate done then as much of the gallon as you can take, you should be good to go!
Posted 5/7/2013 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I plan on rinsing and brushing my teeth after that gross stuff ;)

maybe a life saver??

So, would you just skip the Fleets??

Guess it will depend on the color after the jug of stuff???

Posted 5/8/2013 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I just went through this AGAIN last week. I thought they had stopped using the citrate due to kidney issues. Anyway, keep it cold and drink it fast. With my wrap my stomach won't hold as much and I managed to get about 7/8ths down.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 5/8/2013 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Tummy, I wouldn't begin to tell you to go against your dr's orders. You might be able to ask, if you are already passing clear liquid would that be enough. I personally have never had to drink the whole gallon of stuff before I was clean, but like I said before I actually start eating soft foods an extra day early. Your constipation may make it all necessary though. I actually don't remember the Mag/Citrate routine, so I can't comment on that. I just know I used it once. I will confess that I start drinking the gallon stuff a little earlier (couple of hours) than told and give myself longer to drink it. It's not that it taste that bad, it's just I wouldn't even want to drink a gallon of coffee or any other of my favorite beverages. rolleyes KWIM

I know today is day one for your prep, so I hope it is going well. Pamper yourself as best you can; you deserve it!
Posted 5/8/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Sew,

Thanks again for posting.  I am still having computer problems so hope it lasts until Sam gets home to fix it. 

Yes, I start the citrate and liquid diet this afternoon.

Funny, the stupid nurse at the doctors called me "early" this am to REMIND me of my appt!......oh yeah, like I would forget it.  ;)

I asked her about the wait time, and she said there was 1 apt before mine, and suggested I call them before I leave home to make sure the doctor was running on time.  So I will do that, better than waiting around!

I am making some jello this am for later on.  I have asked my girl friend of many years to come over tomorrow to distract me, hopefully she can.

Thanks again Sew. 

Posted 5/10/2013 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
After two colonoscopies, I can say the worst part is drinking the gallon of PEG solution. Small price to pay for making sure that you have no cancerous polyps :)
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