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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@margreet Have you always had the colonoscopies at the same facility using the same doctor? I remember some 40 years ago I was conscious for the first one, but after that every 10 yrs I was sedated and I do not remember any of the processes that went on.. They told me what they had found when I regained consciousness . You might ask around at other facilities and see what procedures are used... Fear is a great reason to put the procedure off...to delay... Don't do that, the information is critical to our health.. K

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@margreet

I have had several Colonoscopies, I could manage the drinking prep part but the actual Colonoscopy is every time very painful. I am told they put sedation in the IV but I was everytime wide awake and the Biopsy one time was excruciating painful. Any help for that ? I dread the next one. I always mention it to the doc. beforehand but they reassure me that I will be fine.

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Whoa! The sedative, Usually kicks in right away! Takes some time in Recovery Room! You shouldn’t be aware of the procedure
especially she many folks have polyps removed! Maybe you need to explore another venue to have your next Colonoscopy!
The prep is usually the part most patients dread! Wishing you a better Procedure next time!😫. Moo1

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@moo1

Whoa! The sedative, Usually kicks in right away! Takes some time in Recovery Room! You shouldn’t be aware of the procedure
especially she many folks have polyps removed! Maybe you need to explore another venue to have your next Colonoscopy!
The prep is usually the part most patients dread! Wishing you a better Procedure next time!😫. Moo1

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Forgive all the typos! I wish you the best! Moo1

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@ken82

@margreet Have you always had the colonoscopies at the same facility using the same doctor? I remember some 40 years ago I was conscious for the first one, but after that every 10 yrs I was sedated and I do not remember any of the processes that went on.. They told me what they had found when I regained consciousness . You might ask around at other facilities and see what procedures are used... Fear is a great reason to put the procedure off...to delay... Don't do that, the information is critical to our health.. K

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They tell me to come back in 5 years, I choose three since my mom had colon cancer. Me, and my daughter have precancerous polyps. I need to be knocked out as they say my colon is tortuous. Never knew what that meant until I looked it up. Evidently I have too much intestines, just my luck, but I think my mom had the same thing. My daughter has no problem having the colonoscopy. I've had man colonoscopies and endoscopies, and my endoscopies show a lot of acid reflux. Make sure you always get a colonoscopy, and if they tell you every 10 years that's a good sign. I had my colonoscopy 2019 but am going to see if I can get it before five years again. I called Medicare and they told me that if you have a family history you can have it done every 18 months. Just posting that info in case you ever need to get one sooner, and I would assume if you are young the insurance should accept that. Last info just for your need to know if ever needed.

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@margreet

I have had several Colonoscopies, I could manage the drinking prep part but the actual Colonoscopy is every time very painful. I am told they put sedation in the IV but I was everytime wide awake and the Biopsy one time was excruciating painful. Any help for that ? I dread the next one. I always mention it to the doc. beforehand but they reassure me that I will be fine.

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I have had the exact same thing happen with pain. And went through a year of having a colonoscopy every two months because of polyps. For some reason some doctors do no think we need to be totally sedated if we ask for it and we have been through it enough to know it is painful. I am dreading the next round. I am thinking of doctor shopping until I find one that will agree to sedation so I do not know what is going on!

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I’ve found that starting with soft foods two days early, then only fluids the day before the prep says to, really helped get clear more easily. And no seeds or nuts or blueberry or bran type food the week before. I found I needed the bowel prep solutions close to room temp cause when it was super cold I couldn’t get it down fast enough without gagging! I find anything sour helps nausea so I had homemade lemonade made with pulpless lemon juice and it helped settle my gag reflex with the prep solution, often instead of water. Also, baby wipes and bum cream helped settle any burning 🙁 When my husband did his, he ended up throwing up some solution so I got some Restoralax and we figured out a similar dosage and he drank that to finish the prep regimen instead of buying a whole new prep kit. Doctor said he looked clean as a whistle!! Good luck!

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@hara

I’ve found that starting with soft foods two days early, then only fluids the day before the prep says to, really helped get clear more easily. And no seeds or nuts or blueberry or bran type food the week before. I found I needed the bowel prep solutions close to room temp cause when it was super cold I couldn’t get it down fast enough without gagging! I find anything sour helps nausea so I had homemade lemonade made with pulpless lemon juice and it helped settle my gag reflex with the prep solution, often instead of water. Also, baby wipes and bum cream helped settle any burning 🙁 When my husband did his, he ended up throwing up some solution so I got some Restoralax and we figured out a similar dosage and he drank that to finish the prep regimen instead of buying a whole new prep kit. Doctor said he looked clean as a whistle!! Good luck!

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@hara I drank my prep with a straw and had butterscotch hard candy right after drinking.

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@hopeful33250

Hello @margreet,

I am surprised to hear about the pain you experience during a colonoscopy. Generally, the sleep medication that is used for these procedures works quite nicely. Have you asked to speak to the anesthesiologist prior to your procedure? By doing so he/she might be able to prescribe something that would be more helpful.

Do you have any other health problems that might preclude you from getting a good medication for the procedure?

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The doctor that did the colostomy responded to my request that he did not want me not to wake up because of my age and I have had AFib in the past which has not happened for a long time after I had an Ablation in my heart. I am 81 live on my own and feel healthy and independent. I think I could handle proper sedation and not feel pain and to see everything on the screen.

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For those like me who can’t tolerate the “GoLightly” colonoscopy prep! Look up the “Miralax/Gatorade” prep on line! It is tolerable and works really well! Moo1

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@margreet

The doctor that did the colostomy responded to my request that he did not want me not to wake up because of my age and I have had AFib in the past which has not happened for a long time after I had an Ablation in my heart. I am 81 live on my own and feel healthy and independent. I think I could handle proper sedation and not feel pain and to see everything on the screen.

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yes i think you would be vert well able .✌️

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