Colonoscopy prep: make it easier

@berekann
Make sure you stay hydrated with extra water and clear juices. Seems counterintuitive, but important. You’ll be losing the liquid they’ve prescribed for you. I’ve only used the pills with the gallon of GoLytely prep, so don’t know about the difference. If you are wondering about anything, call your gastroenterologist’s office and ask to speak with their nurse. Ask the nurse anything you want to know, and tell them your concerns. The prep is pretty icky, but they need you squeaky clean.

@hopeful33250 Becoming weak and not being able to leave the bathroom to get more drink, or get back to the bathroom in time; getting ill from the drink. And, not being able to sleep worrying that something could go wrong.

Am sure you are going to do fine. Unless you have some underlying health issue, you won't be "weak". You can drink clear liquids like ginger ale or sprite (has sugar to keep you from feeling weak, etc if you are worried about that). Lemonade without pulp is ok too... chicken broth...

@berekann
You shouldn’t be weak. None of my friends felt weak. You won’t have trouble getting to the bathroom but you could wear a diaper for security.
You also may consider taking an over the counter sleep aide. Good luck to you. You will do fine. I’m glad you are taking care of yourself.

Ann, you will do fine. I have had three colonoscopies, and I am almost your age. The prep as you may have figured is the worst. The solutions taste salty and awful, and the patient has to drink large quantities. Some taste better than others, and Medicare doesn’t pay for the preferable prep solution. Whatever instructions your doctor has given you, follow them strictly. You only want to go through this once. If you are not cleaned out completely, the procedure is canceled. The doctor needs to be looking at a completely empty colon.

Basically, you will be confined to the bathroom or within a quick several feet away. Your entire system will be flushed out. It’s highly desirable that you rinse your bottom with water after every bathroom experience. This will save your skin which may take a beating. I should add that after your first or second bathroom trip, you will be passing liquids—not solid poops. Great a great experience, but you know the preps are working.

Have some magazines on hand to read in the bathroom. You probably will not get a lot of quality sleep that night. However, the MD will give you sedation, and you will not recall anything about the experience. Many people come out of that feeling like they had a great night’s sleep.

You mentioned you live alone, but I assume you have someone bringing you to the place where the procedure will be done. Many medical centers insist that someone be waiting for you, so you can be discharged to them.

As long as you have an experienced, Board-certified physician who does a large volume of these procedures, you are in good hands. Let us know how it went for you, OK?

In two weeks I'm scheduled for my first colonoscopy at age 70 - strictly routine. And, I'm scared to death. I live alone and am worried about dealing with this by myself. A friend is coming over to keep me company for a few hours - has anyone else endured the prep alone? and what was your experience? Including sleeping (or trying to) the night before the procedure. Not sure I'll be able to sleep a wink worrying, unless I can find someone to sleep on an air mattress. . . or maybe I'll do that and let them have my bed - and put the air mattress outside my second bathroom door. Of course there's always 911 in a true emergency! Thanks

@berekann colonoscopy was uneventful except for one thing I haven’t read anyone addressing. The first one I had when I was in the short recovery I could hear my neighbors passing gas. I was horrified that I might do the same so i refrained from releasing gas. As soon as I stepped inside my doorway I doubled over in such pain that I thought for sure my intestines were perforated. My son immediately called the Gasteronology department listed on my discharge papers. I spoke to a nurse. She immediately asked “did you release gas after your procedure?” I said “of course not”. She said please do so now and I’m pretty sure your pain will go away. Sure enough it did. So don’t be shy release away.

Note that often patients cannot drink anything two hours before the procedure. Check the notes the office likely gave you. I felt dehydrated by the time I reached the table and was ready for procedure. The great thing is that afterwards you can eat or drink anything you like. The center often has a snack for you, if you need it before you leave.

@barbaradh
This is going to be slightly indelicate, but along with staying very clean during the prep, I suggest using some Vaseline to protect the external area which does become irritated from overuse. All this is mostly gone and done with the next day. You’ll be surprised how good you feel. Oh, and make sure you have something healthy and yummy to eat when you get home, right before you nap.