Colonoscopy and Endoscopy: Preparation

Hello @suzanne2, You will notice I changed your discussion title a little to help members find your discussion. The last colonoscopy I had at Mayo Rochester was about 3 years ago and I'm scheduled for one next year. Drinking the prep liquid is the hardest part. I used the PEG-3350 which has the same instructions as GoLYTELY. You mix it up in the jug with luke warm water and drink 3/4's of the jug within 3 hours starting at 6 PM then save the rest until the next day to drink before you have your procedure. When you drink it just swallow and don't sip. The instructions say sipping is less effective for the solution.

It's a lot to drink but what helped me was using setting an alarm for every 15 minutes starting at 6 PM and I would pour a cup and drink it quickly. It's not the greatest stuff to drink but you will get through it.

Here are some tips from Mayo Clinic - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/colonoscopy-prep-make-it-easier/
- Colonoscopy preparation https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/colonoscopy/about/pac-20393569

Hope you can report back on how it went for you.

@suzanne2 - It is not easy to drink Golytely. I gag easy too. Setting the alarm is an excellent idea! Try to drink faster in the beginning. I don’t breathe in through my nose- don’t like the smell I also preferred to drink using a straw. I also had a piece of hard candy to suck on now and then to neutralize the taste. Just a few of my ways to deal with it. Good luck!!

@suemedu @astaingegerdm @johnbishop
Two endoscopies ago I got to the middle of drinking it and got so nauseated that I had to take a break. I fell asleep and resumed an hour or so later but it resulted in an incomplete purge. The next colonoscopy my gastroenterologist had me start three days before with a limited diet -- no raw fruits or veggies, and then a liquid diet for two days. That helped. I was able to make it through and the colonoscopy was good.

I was told I have to have another in 5 years. Right now I am thinking, "catch me if you can". 😉
JK

Okay everyone speaks about the drinking part of the prep and that is not great but for me there was another issue. I have very sensitive skin so my bottom gets very sore once the prep starts to work. That for me is almost worse than just drinking the prep. So what I do is to get some zinc oxide and coat my anal passage with that to protect the skin. I have passed that tip on to many others who undergo the same procedure and they "thank me" No one talks about that part of the colonoscopy but want to pass that on to you and to whomever else might be reading this post.

Good thought, @healthconscious. Also good to use baby wipes instead of TP during the prep, this helps keep the irritation from getting out of control. The zinc oxide products are very good!

Some good advice has already been given. I do highly recommend taking your own good quality, soft toilet paper as irritation could be a factor with hotel sand paper. One of the most important things for myself, and I hope that this does not apply in your case, is that I am mildly type II diabetic and as such I don't drink fruit juice or soda with sugar. I have found that I need to monitor my blood sugar very closely during the prep to make sure it does not drop dangerously low so I do allow myself to drink sugary drinks as needed during the prep. Some ginger ale could help with nausea if that is a problem. But bottom line, it is somewhat miserable but it only lasts a few hours. Good luck and you will do fine with it.

Point well taken, @bjmpnr. The misery is for a short time and most of us get through it!

I was the "lucky" person who had to have 6 colonoscopies in a year! (long story). My advice is put the mixture in a cup with a lid and use a straw. If you cannot smell it is not as bad. The straw lets you put it to the back of your tongue so you do not taste as much. Drink lots of clear fluids and you clear out faster. Use vaseline or zinc on your butt. And keep telling yourself " I can do this". Count the hours till it will be over! Helps pass the time....especially when you can think only 3 more hours or whatever and this will be done! Wishing you well! You can do this!

I find that it helps to use a straw and cover glass with Saran Wrap. Place the straw as far back in your mouth as you can.
That way you don’t smell and barely taste the liquid. Also have the liquid cold. Then just plan on sitting on toilet for the first half hour.
Helps to have book or iPad with you. I also put a towel on the bed sheet in case you have an accident later.The prep is the worse. Nothing
To the actual colonoscopy.

Thanks everyone for the ideas on the test prep. Glad that I haven't had to go through 6 of these as was mentioned by someone. It was wisely said that it will all be over in 24 hrs. That I will keep in the front of my mind with the hope that i also will have a diagnosis, which i have been in need of for 5 years.