Tortuous Colon - Insight from a great GI doc

As jen1926 suggested, starting days before the scheduled colonoscopy is the only way it works for me. Low residue foods and lots of water for 2-3 days and then 2 full days of prep. Day 2 is the exact same prep as day 1, however your Dr. instructs your prep. I take Miralax every day regardless of colonoscopy prep due to chronic constipation and methane archaea overgrowth following a colon resection many years ago. If Miralax is part of your prep regimen, you might consider taking it during the pre-prep extra days to get things going, as it were. I am in the Cleveland area and see a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, though I honestly think it’s less about the Dr. and more about the preparation. If I’m accurate in that regard, it’s more in our control, and that gives me hope that I can get a good exam with a prep approach tailored to what my loopy colon needs. I wish you the best of luck, the extended prep isn’t a picnic but beats having to wonder about accuracy of the results.

Thank you for your recommendation. I think it is a good one. Before the last procedure I started with a laxative earlier than usual and not much happened-which is typical for me. The PA told me -after the fact- that I should have called her to update her on my experience. As you said I followed all of their directions every time and still get the feeling I'm at fault when the record says inadequate prep. I'll plant to start prep even earlier. Thanks again.

Thank you for your comments. I am with the Cleveland Clinic . There seems to be a routine to their scheduling process so it's fairly standard care for each person, so it seems I see whoever is on the rotation. As this may be my last procedure, due to being 77, I'd like to know what is going on in areas that have never been screened. And if I'm willing to do extra prep, etc. it seems reasonable to see a specialist who will meet me halfway. and accommodate my condition. It is taking a lot more research on my part up front. As I've become more knowledgeable about advanced techniques, I'm researching who at the clinic may be more skilled in them. As it turns out the clinic offers an advanced technique fellowship to other GI docs. And I plan to be an empowered self advocate and ask to see/consult with one of the faculty ,who was fellowship trained in advanced colonoscopy, prior to the procedure. Just curioius-did you have it at Stanford? Thank you for your response!

Hi, thank you for your response. I'm aware that there are several newer otpions e.g. CT scan, using a balloon, water immersion, using a spiral scope, using a pediatric scope, etc. But instead of offering one to me the process is more of an assembly line. Do the same thing over and over and expect different results. The way the reports a described are incomplete due to inadequate prep. I've done a lot of homework. Now I plan to request a new PA as well as a consult, in advance, with a doc who has completed a 3 year fellowship in advanced techniques. Im also reaching out to my PCP to enlist her support. It may sound like overkill but I refuse to go through it again if some accommodations are made by the providers. Thank you for sharing. Best!

I only have had one colonoscopy. So far no problems in that area. It was my last area not probed or screened on my body. They could see the colon in tests, but the colonoscopy camera sure gives a great view. I took the Sutab pill with a lot of prescribed water. Orange was the final color expelled, but the doctor after said i was all cleared out. Excellent. I hope you get the Dr and the prep you need to make this a smoother process for this body region.

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll ask my doc about using the Sutab pill.