Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do?

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.

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@januaryjane I too had a somewhat inconclusive colonoscopy due to the prep not being as thorough as it should have been. I got so sick in the middle of it that I had to stop drinking the liquid for a couple of hours. The next time my gastroenterologist had me eating easily digested foods starting on Sunday for a Wednesday colonoscopy - no raw fruit or vegetables. Then I had to go with just liquid starting Monday night.
Colonoscopy prep is a really miserable experience, although my first one was more tolerable. If you do three days of liquid only it probably will be easier. Will you still need to do the typical prep?
JK

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I had two failed preps for follow-up colonoscopies, as part of on going follow-up for colorectal cancer (resection removed tumor, and now involved in extended follow-up). Followed the prep directions to the letter (PEG and one other); both failed and there was initial blame on me for not following directions. Believe me, since I did have a very large, malignant tumor removed, the LAST thing I would do is compromise the bowel prep process. Am set to have my 3rd colonoscopy in 24 hours, and am worried if this one also fails, what options are there for screening?
I am 67 yo, 165lbs, 5'11"; ride a bicycle at 120-150 miles per week at about 16-18 mph. I eat very healthy; was treated for GERD that eventually resulted in a subtotal gastrectomy with roun-y (?spelling?)--ie, stomach has been removed except for a small pouch about the size of a tangerine. What options are available to continue my follow up if this upcoming colonoscopy also fails?
Thank you.

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So I opted for a colonoscopy after declining one in 2018 after c,diff .... doctor last week referred me to surgeon and to cut long story short, because of narrow angle glaucoma (I had iridotomy 2020 but its still risky) I am concerned about the anaesthetic . After brief phone discussion with surgeon who I have not met ... he suggested CT COLONOGRAPHY? It sounded too good to be true and from what I have now read, it is very painful and awake through whole procedure.. even have nurses etc. with you to encourage you to get through it.

So my delima: Have the colonoscopy with some type of anaesthetic and risk problems with eye pressure (also bowel perforation can happen) or have the virtual colonography CT scan.. (and bowel perforation can still happen with this).

I feel between a rock and a hard place as have other illnesses and feel so poorly most of the time it will even be a challenge to get through the prep.

Its my choice whether or not to have either test, and I am leaning towards not having either - I dont think I can even get through the prep. Had radiation damage to pelivis 1985, ibs-d or ? since, , a little bit of diverticulitis or ?, then 2018 too many antibiotics and c.dff and since that ended fecal incontinence every day since except when take Imodium.. b.m.'s are paste no matter what I eat.

I have been through colonoscopy before 2008 but since then have been diagnosed with narrow angle gluacoma, neuropathy, internal shaking, and tinitus, ear pain, ear fullness - no cure and a dash of anxiety and depression and feel ill every single day. Also there are true articles on Internet of people having "got" glaucoma after anasthetic or glaucoma worsened; its scary!!! ... on the other hand the procedure for virutual CT scan colonography sounds like toruture and reviews by people who have had it are on Internet.... some people screaming in pain and suffering hours after etc. etc.

Is there a third choice? MRI Ultrasound X-ray of belly? Jump off a roof?

As a gneral question, WHY is it that we as patients seem to be doing all the groundwork and research for possible reactions to surgeries and medications? What happebned to the days when the doctors and surgeons got your history and current meds and health, and "they" came up with a solution?

Hurriedly written as not sure anyone will read but desperate and tomorrow have to decide. At 77 and what I have been through (I know its been much worse for many others)... I am terrified.

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I’m sorry for your distress, but I would call my eye doctor ASAP

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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.

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Hello everyone :

This is especially directed at Mayo.

Personally, I suffer from an unknown mystery condition ( in my mind this may be severe anxiety, nervous system issues / endocrine system issues) that seems to be interfering with my digestive tract.

I have gone through colon preps and failed completely - nothing moved at all. In fact it seemed like when I stop eating, my digestive tract stops moving as well. So when I started fasting, I got enormously backed up (no bowel moves after starting fasting) and nothing moved and then even a complicated colon prep failed to do anything. This included an extended treatment with a whole thing of miralax, ducolax and moviprep. X-rays after this failure showed extensive build up in the colon and anus.

All blood work seems normal, but I am convinced there is something seriously wrong.

Who can I work with to succeed in a colon prep in this difficult situation ? Would I be correct that a doctor rather than a gastero person is the place to start ? The gastero people I have spoken to are hung up on Miralax and cannot understand "miralax does not work"

Related note : Miralax does not help, it makes it worse, so I cannot do Miralax for X months before hand - it does nothing.

BTW Mayo refused to see me as a patient -- I would have to look at what I submit and who I submitted to.

Thanks,
Michael Hoffman

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Hello everyone :

This is especially directed at Mayo.

Personally, I suffer from an unknown mystery condition ( in my mind this may be severe anxiety, nervous system issues / endocrine system issues) that seems to be interfering with my digestive tract.

I have gone through colon preps and failed completely - nothing moved at all. In fact it seemed like when I stop eating, my digestive tract stops moving as well. So when I started fasting, I got enormously backed up (no bowel moves after starting fasting) and nothing moved and then even a complicated colon prep failed to do anything. This included an extended treatment with a whole thing of miralax, ducolax and moviprep. X-rays after this failure showed extensive build up in the colon and anus.

All blood work seems normal, but I am convinced there is something seriously wrong.

Who can I work with to succeed in a colon prep in this difficult situation ? Would I be correct that a doctor rather than a gastero person is the place to start ? The gastero people I have spoken to are hung up on Miralax and cannot understand "miralax does not work"

Related note : Miralax does not help, it makes it worse, so I cannot do Miralax for X months before hand - it does nothing.

BTW Mayo refused to see me as a patient -- I would have to look at what I submit and who I submitted to.

Thanks,
Michael Hoffman

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