Colonoscopy and Endoscopy: Preparation

Posted by suzanne2 @suzanne2, Jul 11, 2020

On Tuesday I have a endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled at Mayo in Rochester. Looking for advice on the golytely prep. Not looking forward to it especially in a hotel room. Have to begin drinking at 6 p.m. Monday. I am having issues so not a routine exam! One that involves biopsy. Any advice to get me through the prep would be appreciated.

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@cataylor

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.

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@cataylor - That’s exactly how I got that liquid down!

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Two suggestions.
Start an hour or two earlier than they say so you’re not up all night.
Eat a life saver or hard candy in between drinks to cleanse the pallet!

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@marcyp85

Two suggestions.
Start an hour or two earlier than they say so you’re not up all night.
Eat a life saver or hard candy in between drinks to cleanse the pallet!

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Hello @marcyp85, Welcome to Connect. Thanks for the suggestions. They both sound like good ideas, especially when you have to drink the solution so frequently.

It sounds like you may have a lot of experience with colonoscopy preparation. Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions you would like to share?

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Thanks for the link. Will definitely keep this in mind if I have issues.

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I'm 67 and I've had 6 colonoscopies that I can recall. This year might be number 7. I'm high risk because I've had the flat type polyp twice. I keep my fingers crossed for the biopsy, which even the raised polyps need to be biopsied. But the advantage is knowing what to expect, and prep is usually the worse part. For me, mixing in True Lemon helps a lot, and drinking it thru a straw helps too. I might also suggest you might want to find the flavor that you find least unpleasant ahead of time. And be sure the solution is straight out of the fridge cold even though drinking so many glasses seems neverending. Dinking room temperature solution is just not pleasant. I also like some of the ideas I read here. Good luck, stay strong!

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Thanks for the advice. I seem to have made it through the prep tonight. Now it is finishing the test tomorrow. The straw seemed to really help and also the hard candy. Thanks everyone for all the encouraging words.

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@ausie @suzanne2 - We live and learn! It looks like we have the best ideas collected here.
My husband had his last colonoscopy this year at 75! I didn’t know there is an end to it. I’m sure I’m not done.
I have to say there is one liquid that is worse to drink- contrast for GI CT scan. Has to be taken within an hour. Don’t think I ever finished it. Almost vomited, pain that made me cry like a baby. Not surprising- I had major problems with abdominal pain and nausea!

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@suzanne2

Thanks for the advice. I seem to have made it through the prep tonight. Now it is finishing the test tomorrow. The straw seemed to really help and also the hard candy. Thanks everyone for all the encouraging words.

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@suzanne2 I hope that everything goes well today and that you get good results that will help you understand what is going on!
Will you post when you are able?

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Thank you and I will post when I find out the results. The pretest diagnosis is a form of colitis. Will see on Thursday when all results are back.

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I hope everything is going well for you so far today. Stay strong! Praying for you.

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