Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do?

@deedeedavidson -
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I am not a health care professional but have experienced difficult colonoscopy preps myself. I found this in the Sutabs package insert: "Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088." When I googled that number it indicated that it was for "Reporting by Health Professionals." You can ask your doctor if s/he reported your experience. Drug manufacturers analyze these reports to determine if any changes are necessary (e.g., product changes or labeling changes).

Here is a link to the FDA site for adverse side effects:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/finding-and-learning-about-side-effects-adverse-reactions#:~:text=Unwanted%20or%20Unexpected%20Drug%20Reactions&text=Side%20effects%2C%20also%20known%20as,heart%20attack%20or%20liver%20damage.

It is great that you actually read your report and now know more about your own anatomy! Knowledge allows you to be a better advocate for yourself.

I am always interested in learning about a drug that has been recommended by a health care professional before I take it. The best technique that works for me is to google "(drug name) package insert" and then I look for the link that includes "fda.gov" and follow that one. The package insert contains a lot of technical information, including dosage and administration (e.g., the Sutabs stated "Do not take other laxatives while taking SUTAB."), contraindications, as well as warning and precautions (e.g., the Sutabs stated "Osmotic laxative products may produce colonic mucosal aphthous ulcerations, and there have been reports of more serious cases of ischemic colitis requiring hospitalization. Concurrent use of stimulant laxatives and SUTAB may increase these risks").

I do hope you are doing well and feeling much better. Congratulations again for reading your colonoscopy report!
@annabelle

Thank you Annabelle- I did read the whole packet with the SuTabs, and did not take any other laxatives/products with it. Reading my report about the tortuous colon sure explained why the prep took so long. It takes someone like me twice as long to work things through my system. That’s why the prep had me up all night and hurting so bad. I also have diverticulosis, so that will be something to watch. But I honestly don’t know if I will do another colonoscopy. From what I’ve read there are ways to inspect the colon through ultrasound. Sound good to me! Not sure the torture is worth it.
I am feeling better, thanks! But it was an ordeal. I’ve had a spinal fusion and two total knee replacements, so you’d think I could hold up through this a little better! But it was a tough one.

@deedeedavidson-
Good for you for reading the insert! I have actually had doctors tell me not to read them but I think you have to take some responsibility for the medical decisions that affect your own body.

I hope your colonoscopy report gave a recommendation on when to have another one so it's least a decision that you won't have to face for a couple of years. Who knows by then they will probably have more options. And you will know what your own Anatomy is to make sure that you can ask appropriate questions. You can now ask your medical team if there is an alternative such as having clear liquids for a longer period of time before the procedure. I did find there was a clear protein drink called ensure clear that I used before my procedure. It does have a lot of carbohydrates.

I am glad to hear that you are feeling better. I have known many people who have died from colon cancer because it had not been diagnosed in time, including a 28-year-old who had his entire life in front of him.
Keep up the great work being your own Medical advocate!
Take Care
Annabelle

My heart goes out to you! I have never failed a Prep, bit it is horrible! I had emergency surgery a year ago this month due to a perforated bowel from a history if Divirticulitis. I just had my newest Colonoscopy 3 days ago. I made it through, but the Prep was horrible this time.

My doctor’s note referred to poor prep/resistant stool. Since I did everything I did three years ago, with the addition of five days using Miralax, I’m left to assume I have resistant stool. ( I had “good prep” with what I did three years ago.) Anyone have any experience with resistant stool?

Have you asked your health professionals about Cologuard?

Yes! I did do Cologuard the last two times, but my doctor wanted a more thorough exam since I was having some rectal bleeding. But back to Cologuard for me!

Hi - I don't clean out completely and Miralax certainly doesn't work for me. I had to shop for a gastroenterologist that would give me something different -- most I spoke to just used a standard clean-out method. I found a gastro who specializes in IBS (which I have, in addition to other things), used something different for the clean out in tough cases, and I still didn't clean out completely. However, I rated a "fair" rank, rather than a "poor " one for clean out and I am continuing with colonoscopies every five years with the gastro.

Sure, stick to Cologuard if you want to, and/or find a better/different gastro doctor. Look at the Castle Connally list of doctors. This list is different -- a doctor is nominated and then checked out in-depth by their research board -- it is an amazing resource.

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas. I don’t use Cologard as I have a long history of precancerous polyps. I’m pleased with my Mayo doctors so I’m staying there. There is room for improvement when I call and ask questions. Not everyone working there understands how the expanded prep works. I get “read the instructions online” which really don’t help me.

... had a few colonoscopies over the years and dont want any more as almost 80 and ill with other things; but surgeon mentioned having a ct scan instead and i jumped at the chance; but turns out he meant instead of a colonoscopy it would be a colonography!! Well a nurse phoned me a week before to explain I would still have to use the laxatives etc. to clean out the bowel day before.. then "gas" is inserted into the colon and it can be quite painful; you cannot be put to sleep as with a colonoscopy as you have to shift your body around while cat scans are being taken... the nurse told me there are 2 nurses there to encourage the patient to get through it all ... I almost fainted hearing this and decided against it. I then of course went on the Internet and checked out colonography, which I thought was just ct xrays, not so, and some people have stopped the procedure half way through. Sorry I didnt have done but just could not face it so now my fecal incontinence, pain, fullness etc etc possibly could be polyps or cancer but I made the choice/decision and it will all be my decision in the end. However, husband has had anal cancer and polyps and is having colonoscopy again, so many times... neither of us in past had any problem cleaning out bowel - felt like it was scrubbed clean! ugh Wishing you the best outcome, J.