Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do?

I have all your problems & I totally understand your situation. I had serious issues with diverticulitis Every time I had an attack I had to have a scan & go on antibiotics which almost killed me. i lost 25 pounds. So I had a colon resection. They removed the part of my colon which was the most diseased & re-attached it. I do not have a bag & I am doing quite well with the right diet which is why I suggested to you to see a Nutritionniste. You need fiber in your diet but just the right amount
When our colon gets inflamed can be because we react to certain food or even because of stress it causes scar tissue which means your colon can be narrowed in certain places; it is called a stricture or stenosis. Which is why your doctor cannot pass with a scope even a small pediatric scope (child scope) By the way my gastro wanted me to do a short colonoscopy (rectal only) to assess my situation & because my colon is narrowed like yours I got in trouble with the prep...it could not go down.. so I started to vomit it ended up with a partial blockage in agony at the ER! They had to in-tube me to get the prep out! A barium enema or hydro soluble enema where the put a contrast in your rectum & take pictures has helped me.
Try to avoid a full colonoscopy prep just eat very lightly 3 days prior the procedure & use 2 fleet enemas the 2 days prior your barium enema.
1 at night & 1 in the morning. Best of luck 🍀🍀🍀 keep us posted.

I have Diverticulosis not Diverculitis is what the nurse said. Diverculitis is when you have infection, and I don't, just inflammation. I had no problem with the prep for my initial colonoscopy except it was unpleasant. My colon isn't narrowed, it is very stretched out from having previous episodes of constipation building up in my colon expanding my colon. It stretched it like filling a water balloon then when you let it out it's stretched out of shape and floppy. That's how she explained it. And it's also been left with many irritated pouches which should hopefully be ok, but is at a higher risk of peforating my bowel because of the number of them and the severity of the inflammation. She said the damage is already done, and there's probably not much that can be done now to undo it, but they still need to see all my colon because everyone needs a screening for colon cancer, and he also wants to see what if any damage is in the loop and on the other side of my bowelthat he couldn't get to. I didn't understand ANY of this before yesterday, and it's still very new to me, but at least I know it's nothing serious and nothing to worry about.

I don't know if this will be seen since the post is from 2016? I just tried to get my colonoscopy done today and yesterday. I did the prep the hospital asked for and I drank all of the GaviLte-C (x2). Yesterday my stool was not clear and I went home to take another GaviLyte. I went in today and the doctor said my colon was not clean enough after I went have my IV(1st time ever) and anesthesia(1st time ever). They could not do the test and are having me come back in 3 months.

I guess I have a slow digestive system. The new prep orders are for GaviLte-C, Maralax and enema.
I never thought a procedure would be so hard and yes I know I didn't fail but I feel like I did. Any other advice would be welcomed. Thanks

@doolz I had a colonoscopy that was not clear so when I had the next one my gastro put me on a diet of no raw fruits and vegetables starting three days before the colonoscopy, then I had to have a liquid diet for a while before I started the prep. It worked, clear colonoscopy. Plus, the miserable prep was not as nauseating as it had been, but boy, was I “hangry” by the time I had it. Of course they gave me crackers and juice afterward. I thought I deserved a surf and turf dinner! 😁
JK

@doolz - you are not alone. Has happened to me a couple of times. I had followed all instructions. Once they had me on clear liquids for 2 days before. It was embarrassing, but my system must be slow- probably why I had the colonoscopy!

@doolz I have had the problem. My gastro doctor said it even happened to him. Last time I did a liquid diet for a week and clear liquids the last few days. Every couple of day I took Milk of Magnesia. Miralax just gives me bad stomach cramps. It worked. I also had to start earlier in the day or I could not get all the prep down and waited two hours between starting second half of prep. I have had a gastric by pass and cannot hold much at one time. .. by second half I could only drink every 20-30 minutes instead of 10 minutes.

Thanks, everyone for your comments. i am hopeful the next try will work. I wish by digestive system wasn't so slow. I know I need to make changes to make it move faster but old habits die hard, I guess.

@doolz - I hope you have seen here that you are not the only one struggling through colonoscopies. Many of us have motility problems which also makes it important to have colonoscopies. I still hate the prep.

Hi, I am glad you mentioned Happy Colon Foods. I didn't tolerate the way my doctor wanted me to prep. I basically didn't eat anything from dinner, the night before. Had the clear liquids the day before the colonoscopy (water, jello, juice). Started the prep around 5pm taking 4 exlax pills, then 1/2 hour later the Mag Citrate, then half hour after that started the Miralax in a gallon of lemon lilme sports drink. Talk about getting sick to my stomach is an understatement. Along with the watery cleanout, also came the nasuea and vomitting. The way the doctor had me do it was a one size fit all type of thing, and I think it was just too hard on my system. I can't see how they can have everyone do it the same way, when we are all different in size and weight. I am 130 lbs. I think I basically was overdosing myself with laxative and became severely dehydrated since I almost passed out and felt like I was literally sick. Needless to say, I called and told them what happened and that the way I was feeling and what my body went thru, having a colonoscopy and being medicated for the procedure was not safe for me to do. There was no way I wanted to try that again, and glad to have found another option. I have to reschedule and will mention the Happy Colon Prep Kit. I don't know if a lot of doctors know about this, but if it is easier on the patient and it cleans out the colon in a gentle way, then this is the way to go. Thank you again, for mentioning it.

I did my first colonoscopy a few years ago. I did two days of SuPrep, 2 enemas 3 hours before and my results were small. When I do it again ill definitely do 3 extra days of just liquids before any prep. But i do not recommend su prep.