Need Tips for Best Bowel Prep Ever

[newmexico]

Thursday I am having a post chemo colonoscopy. It will be my third colonoscopy and fourth bowel prep (had to do one before surgery too).

Both times I've had a colonoscopy, the doctor has griped about it being a "not very good prep". I would have to agree because the few times I have managed to open my eyes during the sedated procedure and look at the screen I could definitely see some . . . [i]residue [/i].

I find this odd as I always follow the prep instructions exactly with regards to diet in the days leading up to the procedure and I drink every drop of the gallon of GoLytely solution.

I have used both colorless Gatorade and chicken broth as "chasers" to get the vile mixture down.

Does anyone have a "magic bullet" to ensure a really excellent prep? As this will be my first post-treatment 'scope, I want the gastroenterologist to be able to see every fold and crevice. I want that tube [i]pristine[/i].

Thanks, all.

[orcasres]

I have had problems with good preps as well. My GI is really interested in making sure that the process goes as well as possible and we experimented with a variety of preps and diets. The latest MoviPrep with his limited diet on the same day of the prep (during the day so that the prep does not cause nausea) worked very well. So I would make sure that he/she remembers that you have a difficult time with this and that you need some extra help and support. Normally a good GI is invested in getting you a great result.

My last scope was in May and I went from 3 to 5 years. Yahoo!! My husband who has UC and has a scope every 3 years used the same prep and he did well also about a month ago.



Lois

[Kiwi Debz]

I struggled to tolerate the prep and vomited it all back up.

My surgeon told me to drink a bottle of fleet enema ...... Yes drink it.

I did with half a glass of orange juice. Within 30 minutes it did its stuff. Drank it down in a few gulps.

Surgeon told me it was cleanest bowel he had seen!

Deb

[Carolinabluetec]

I would pretty much drink anything to get away from two quarts of vile Gatorade.

[SkiFletch]

Try a different prep if the golytely doesn't work? Maybe Miralax/Gatorade?

[JAZZToo]

I have been using the Miralax prep. Its half the volume of go litely and it is tasteless. I mix it with a clear pneaple drink and alittle mango tea and it is palatable thru the entire prep. Before the Miralax 2 Ducolax tablets are taken. In addition, the day prior to prep i fllow a low residue diet and avoid foods like nuts and berriesfor several days prior to colonoscopy.

Leslie

[elise]

I've always had perfect prep. Pictures of my colon are squeeky clean!

Personally...
- use pico-salax as prep
- no nuts, seeds or dried fruit for 4 days before
- no red meat for a couple of days before
- lots of water days ahead
- no peels or uncooked veggies the day before. Soft foods mostly the day before.
- I drink the water after prep a little faster than they recommend. Gets things really moving!
- Right after I drink the pico, I go for a short walk (15-20 minutes). I know the pico kicks in around 30min for me.

Good luck!

Elise

[Flabingo]

I mixed in a little Crystal Light lemonade powder into each glass of GoLYTELY. Then I drank a full 8 oz glass of water after each glass of GL. That's what my doc instructed and it worked really well. I also drank broth throughout the day so I didn't pass out. Try adding the lemonade powder and then drinking another full glass of water after and that should really get things moving.

[steiconi]

I have similar problems--one time, I drank the whole gallon AND IT DIDN'T COME OUT. Then I had to get on an airplane to get to the colonoscopy (happily, no leaks). I don't know what they did after I was out, and will NEVER ask.

Doc has me go to fluids only for an extra day or two, and use magnesium citrate the day before I do the prep. I still don't get a perfect cleanout, but it does all come out!

[newmexico]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions. The bowel prep was apparently okay, my doc didn't mention anything as to how good/bad it was, and the colonoscopy was done this morning and now is but a memory!

One year until the next one.