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Tips for successful prep before colonoscopy.
Some years back I had “poor prep” and the doctor was really angry with me. Thank goodness I saw my Allergist soon after, who told me that some people need to take additional steps. He got me in touch with the right people in the GI department and from then on, I did the additional steps which I believe in the medical field is known as “expanded prep”. Three years ago I did the expanded prep and I felt happy that my prep was “good”. Fast forward to current time, to my great dismay, my prep was deemed “poor”. For those of you who have experienced this, what additional steps do I need to take in addition to the steps I followed ? Here are my steps:
1. Seven days prior to colonoscopy, ate only low residue, low fiber foods. Took Miralax at night.
2. Two days before colonoscopy, stopped eating. Drank only clear liquids.
3. Two days before, I drank Magnesium Citrate. Drank water per instructions.
4. One day before, I drank GoLytely. Drank water per instructions. I didn’t do the split dose due to taking two preps and very early appointment time for colonoscopy.
I am 76 years old. My next colonoscopy will be in a year.
Thank you.
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@mpeters, good new discussion to start. I modified the title slightly in order to gather tips from other members like @annabelle6dawgs @mgm223 @kitty2 @sallyw133 @lskoehl62 as well. They have shared strategies for successful colonoscopy prep in these related discussions, but it would be good to have them all in one place:
- Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-recently-failed-two-preps-for-a-colonoscopy-and-i-cant-imagine/
- Redundant / Tortuous Colon Colonoscopy Prep Problems https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/redundant-tortuous-colon-colonoscopy-prep-problems/
Mayo Clinic offers these tips in this blog post:
Colonoscopy prep: make it easier https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/colonoscopy-prep-make-it-easier/
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2 ReactionsI am not greatly troubled by the taste of the GoLytely; I suck on a lemon before drinking it. I”m having a hard time understanding what I could do in what the doctor calls “expanded” prep as I’m already drinking two preps, one per day. I’m fasting for two days, and limited diet for a week leading up to the procedure. My plan is to get an appointment with doctor or nurse and discuss my history and what can be done. My maternal grandfather and uncle died from colon cancer. I was tested to see if i have the colon cancer gene and I did not, but was told with the high numbers of polyps I’ve had, it’s likely I have a gene that has not been found yet. I have read your posts with interest and concern for your precancerous polyps. I’m thankful for this online support group.
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3 ReactionsI had aa colonoscopy but it was incomplete because they couldn't push through an area. I've had 2 barium test but medicine can't get through. My colon is full if poop before the twist. Dr wants to do another barium in 2 weeks. Is this the normal procedure for a twisted Sigmund colon? Has anyone had a similar experience? Thank you
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1 Reaction@helpme241, I moved your question to this existing discussion where members share tips to prepare for a successful colonoscopy.
- Tips for successful prep before colonoscopy. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/poor-prep-before-colonoscopy/
You may also be interested in these related discussions:
– Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-recently-failed-two-preps-for-a-colonoscopy-and-i-cant-imagine/
– Redundant / Tortuous Colon Colonoscopy Prep Problems https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/redundant-tortuous-colon-colonoscopy-prep-problems/
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2 ReactionsAsk your doctor if you can do the gatorade and ducal ax prep. Also two days before I do a herbal laxative tea.
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2 ReactionsIs this the prep that involves taking 4 Dulcolax bisacodyl tablets followed by 64 oz. of gatorade, something like 8 oz every 15 minutes?????
Hello, heyjoe415,
At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, the prep the GI assigned me involves cutting down your diet as described, but for the concoction itself, mix a large bottle (238 grams) of Miralax with 2 liters of clear transparent or yellow fluid (I used bottled lemonade as it blocks the taste well) along with Ducolax. I spent the night in the bathroom and went about 4 times on the train to the City, but I was clear. If interested, go to the MSKCC home page and search colonoscopy prep.
All the best.
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1 ReactionThank you.
I got the SUTAB pills. 12 mid-size pills with 2- 16 oz cups of water. Then 30 mins later 16 oz. of water, 30 more minutes 16ozs of water. I flushed out within 2 hours. No drinking of the dreadful stuff!!!!! At 4am, I had 12 more pills and 2- 16 oz. of water. 1 hr. later 16 oz. I had to leave to the hospital, so the last 16 oz. I drank on the way. In the morning, I only really had liquid. It was orange which was the pills residue. By the time i was wheeled in for the procedure, I was cleaned out of my liquid.
Result- Excellent on cleaning out per the doctor.
It is a lot of water.
7 days before cut fiber, eat white bread and white items like cottage cheese and yogurt. Egg Whites. 1 day before stop eating by 12 noon. Only the clear fluids.
No food till after the colonoscopy.
I could have vanilla wafers the week before. I ate a bunch before noon. I had Lorne Doones 1st in the recovery room.
At home, I had no pain, urine normal and results from the doctor and 4 pictures of my colon that had nothing to see. No polyps or cancer. I go again in 10 years!!!!
I needed to post as I was offered a choice by my doctor, so I asked my pharmacy to check with my insurance. SUTAB does not seem to be available to all yet. I suggest you look it up when you need a test. It works.
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