Colonoscopy after transplant: Anything I should know?

@hello1234 I just had a colonoscopy, 8+ months post transplant. It was no big deal, meaning everything was the same as if it were pre surgery. My prep was the enormous jug of go-lightly and 4 bisycol tablets. Recovery was simple and I spent the rest of the day feeling normal. Good luck!

@katebw 😊 Thank you so much for jumping in to comfort me! I am super happy to hear that it's no different post transplant. Are you a kidney transplant patient too? Did you have your colonoscopy because you had some symptoms or just the normal "every five years" schedule? I tried that gallon of Golightly five years ago before my last colonoscopy and I had real trouble getting getting it down. Do you have any tips or tricks on how to swallow it without gagging? It tastes awful...it tastes like poison to me.... Yuck! Thank you again for sharing such good news 😊

I had a liver transplant. I should have clarified! I have a long history of ulcerative colitis though it’s been quiet for years. I have colonoscopies every two years but this was early as I had symptoms. All is well. As for the go lightly by now I’m used to it. The main thing is making sure it’s really really cold. This time I added a little ginger ale to each cup and it was much more tolerable. Also distraction is key. I binged watched the entire series Candy as I drank, paused the show, used the bathroom, repeat. That show really got my mind off of the bad drinks.

@katebw 😊
Thanks so much for the awesome tips! If you have this procedure every two years, it's like you are a professional at this! I am very happy that you joined the conversation. I never heard the idea of adding some ginger ale to the gallon ....that's a really good one. (Also turning on a good series to distract!) I am having some symptoms so I am sure a colonoscopy will be in my very near future. Is there a treatment for ulcerative colitis that is working well for you?

Also ask for the lemon lime go lightly! It’s less gross. There are treatments for UC which I used for a little while in my 20’s (I’m now 54) but IRONICALLY back then I hated the idea of being on long term prescription meds (oh youth!) so went off them and for 25 years never had a problem until now. But it’s mild. UC used to be the center of my health universe but it’s been demoted!

@katebw 😊
The way you write makes me smile! I will definitely ask for the "less gross" lemon line flavored Golightly!! (Thanks for the heads up about the best flavor). I am glad to hear your current UC symptoms are mild. Like you, now that I am over 50 and a transplant patient, I realize that some of my youthful thoughts made no sense for real life.. ..I agree with you. Happy to hear UC has been officially demoted in your life! Thank you so much for this conversation. You definitely calmed my nerves about my upcoming colonoscopy after transplant.

I am 10 years post transplant. I have UC so my Gastro guy makes me do it every year. I haven’t had any problems except doing it every year. I couldn’t drink the gallon so I fast for two days and take Ducolax tablets and Magnesium Citrate each day. I’m cleans out and it sheds a couple pounds.

Hi @ronromo 😊
Thanks so much for jumping into the conversation! I didn't realize there may be an option to fast and take a laxative. (But TWO days of fasting sounds pretty unpleasant too). Both options are pretty terrible, but I think not eating and taking a laxative sounds a smidge better to me than drinking a "gallon of OMG". I will discuss the fasting possibility with my gastro doc to see if it's something I can do. Thank you so much for letting me know. Are you a liver or kidney transplant? Congrats on your 10 year anniversary...that's awesome! Is your UC under control with medication or do you still have symptoms?
Thanks again for sharing your experience with me!

My UC hasn’t been to bad but anytime I have to go I need to do it quickly. For the two days of fasting, you can have clear juices, clear broth, popsicles, etc. (but nothing red or purple).

@ronromo Thanks for letting me know about the "clear" foods. That makes the fasting a little easier... and I can look at it as a little mini-diet to lose a pound or two. Win-Win. I am happy to hear your UC sounds under control. Did you have a kidney or liver transplant?