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Tips for successful colonoscopy prep

Posted by patts @patts, Oct 11, 2019

I need suggestions as I have prep day next Tuesday. I don’t know if anyone else has this issue, but evacuating prep leaves me burned. The skin around the area is totally burnt and painful starting about halfway thru. I’ve tried baby wipes, Vaseline and A&D ointment in the past with no success. Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

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foxj | @foxj | Nov 2, 2025

Have you tried a bidet? I have noticed a huge difference since using one. There are many travel bidets you can get. I ordered a battery one a non battery one for when I’m traveling so perhaps you could try that during your prep.
Good luck!

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Nov 2, 2025
In reply to @heisenberg34 "For those of you fretting about getting cleared out for a colonoscopy...let me share my experiences...." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

For those of you fretting about getting cleared out for a colonoscopy...let me share my experiences. Yes, it is a tedious process. No, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Try to eat very lightly for a few days prior to the prep. Less in, less out. Just try to follow the instructions as best you can. You can look forward to one of the best naps you've ever had during the scoping. I was actually a little upset when I was awakened. I was in the middle of a great dream(in color!). If you've gone through the prep before and are fearing all the "stuff' you have to undertake, try using citrate of magnesium. It is a cathartic and will likely do a good job of clearing you out. My grandmother used it once or twice a year as part of her "regularity" process. She swore by it. I hope today(November 1, 2025 finds you all in better health and spirits.

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@heisenberg34

I've been put under many times, but I can't ever recall dreaming during the time I was out.

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js2022 | @js2022 | Nov 2, 2025

When I did my last colonoscopy prep recently, I found alternating sips of a sweet drink like applejuice along with liquid prep made me have less nausea and it worked out well. I even pinched my nose a bit so as not to taste the prep so much. Maybe this would help you too. I get polyps in my colon so a colonoscopy is a necessity to have them removed. Give it another try, telling yourself you have to do this for your own health. Good luck to you!

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1 reply
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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @bajjerfan "@heisenberg34 I've been put under many times, but I can't ever recall dreaming during the time..." + (show)
Profile picture for bajjerfan @bajjerfan

@heisenberg34

I've been put under many times, but I can't ever recall dreaming during the time I was out.

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@bajjerfan I have only had one colonoscopy, about twelve years ago. My colon was pronounced clean and free of any polyps or other irregularities. Since then I have been using Cologuard. So, if I had more colonoscopies, perhaps I would have reported no dreams. Who knows?

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rashida | @rashida | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @heisenberg34 "@bajjerfan I have only had one colonoscopy, about twelve years ago. My colon was pronounced clean..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@bajjerfan I have only had one colonoscopy, about twelve years ago. My colon was pronounced clean and free of any polyps or other irregularities. Since then I have been using Cologuard. So, if I had more colonoscopies, perhaps I would have reported no dreams. Who knows?

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@heisenberg34 perhaps they used a kind of sedative that gives you nice dreams. Different hospitals/clinics use different sedatives/anaesthesia.

I don’t know what I had, in all the years I have had endoscopies, but no dreams. Just slept and woke up surprised it didn’t take long! lol!

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joepyzyk | @joepyzyk | Nov 3, 2025

I always have polyps. So I get a colonoscopy every 3 years. Doctor told me if I didn't, I would have developed cancer.
I hate taking all the liquid at once. I just drank it more often. The only thing they are looking for is that
your bowel is cleaned out. Ask (demand) from your doctor all methods and liquids you can take to prep
for it. There are many choices. Then choose the one you won't gag on! As long as your ready to roll when they got you in the operating room.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Nov 3, 2025
In reply to @rashida "@heisenberg34 perhaps they used a kind of sedative that gives you nice dreams. Different hospitals/clinics use..." + (show)
Profile picture for rashida @rashida

@heisenberg34 perhaps they used a kind of sedative that gives you nice dreams. Different hospitals/clinics use different sedatives/anaesthesia.

I don’t know what I had, in all the years I have had endoscopies, but no dreams. Just slept and woke up surprised it didn’t take long! lol!

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👍

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Nov 4, 2025
In reply to @colleenyoung "@nativedyme, I moved your question about preparing successfully for a colonoscopy to this existing discussion: -..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@nativedyme, I moved your question about preparing successfully for a colonoscopy to this existing discussion:
- Tips for successful colonoscopy prep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/another-issue-regarding-colonoscopies/

You might also review the tips in this expert blog:
- Colonoscopy prep: make it easier https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/colonoscopy-prep-make-it-easier/

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@colleenyoung the Mayo Clinic prep was my excellent guide for this and for so many many other things.

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Nov 4, 2025
In reply to @js2022 "When I did my last colonoscopy prep recently, I found alternating sips of a sweet drink..." + (show)
Profile picture for js2022 @js2022

When I did my last colonoscopy prep recently, I found alternating sips of a sweet drink like applejuice along with liquid prep made me have less nausea and it worked out well. I even pinched my nose a bit so as not to taste the prep so much. Maybe this would help you too. I get polyps in my colon so a colonoscopy is a necessity to have them removed. Give it another try, telling yourself you have to do this for your own health. Good luck to you!

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@js2022 my doc advised taking a zofran to avoid throwing up the prep. It worked fine…I found it easier to mix the MiraLax with Gatorade. Rinsing your mouth frequently during prep helps…sometimes it helps to use a Fleet enema the day of to be as clear as possible.

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blessedladyptl | @blessedladyptl | Nov 4, 2025
In reply to @nativedyme "What if I can't take the medicine for colonoscopy I tried tablets I throw up recently..." + (show)
Profile picture for nativedyme @nativedyme

What if I can't take the medicine for colonoscopy I tried tablets I throw up recently and then the liquid stuff I can't hold down my colorgard showed positively abnormal so I am very afraid and right now I don't have a minute to take the test but when I do what can they do other then the stuff that clears u no tables and no

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@nativedyme Please talk with your Gastroenterologist. This is a common problem

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