PREP GETS HARDER TO TOLERATE

[michelle c]

I have had seven colonoscopies and each time the prep, although the same, gets worse and harder for me to tolerate. Anyone else have this problem? In fact, I struggled so much this time with nausea that I brought up quite a lot of the prep and couldn't get the last bit down. I was unable to drink anything else due to the nausea and so ended up with a migraine, I think from dehydration. On the morning of my colonoscopy, I was awake early and drank a glass of water, the nausea set in again and I ended up bringing it up too ugh. I went in to the hospital feeling so sick. I know that I will never be able to stomach those preps again. My GI doctor that there are alternatives so I will be looking into those next time.

[DBF]

I'm sorry to hear the prep made you so sick. Which one was it? If you use Prepopik, it's very little to drink. I have refused to drink any of the "litely" preps because they nauseate me.

Hope everything was good with your colonoscopy.

Donna

[KimT]

I will only do the miralax prep. It's gentle, doesn't cramp me or cause nausea.

[michelle c]

I had 4 sachets (4 glasses) of picoprep and one litre of colonlytely to drink - ugh so ghastly. I tried to make it less by making it more concentrated. Only managed half a glass and most of the litre. I think drinking on an empty stomach doesn't help. Now I think I hate anything lemon flavored haha. I'm going to take the tablets/capsules next time. With my first colonoscopy, the prep didn't seem too bad but each one has gotten worse and worse for me to tolerate. Two days later I still feel a little queasy but getting better.

I forgot to say that my colonoscopy results were good, completely normal and not a polyp in sight. Thankfully, I managed to get enough prep down for it to be done

[Maggie Nell]

Congrats on a clear colonoscopy result, Michelle!

[kellywin]

I told my doc a couple of colonoscopies ago that I would never drink that golytley stuff again, so don't bother trying to make me. They gave me Suprep and it was really pretty easy. Not a lot to drink (just one dose that you can chug in one sitting, followed by regular water and then later in the day, another dose). Tastes like cherry cough syrup, but there isn't much of it and it's fairly easy.

Congrats on your clean colonoscopy!

[Maia]

I forgot to say that my colonoscopy results were good, completely normal and not a polyp in sight. Thankfully, I managed to get enough prep down for it to be done

So happy to hear, michelle!!

[ANDRETEXAS]

http://www.hygieacare.com/

[Bev G]

Hi Michele,

So sorry to hear you had a yuck time with the prep. The stuff is almost too horrible (to me) to describe. I had a colonoscopy at Dartmouth a year or so ago, the prep was awful, then the tech tolf me afterwards that it was an inadequate prep. The GI colonoscopist did not even come in to speak with me after the scope. I couldn't (and still can't) believe it. Why would she want to come in and speak with a stage IV patient after the scope?? Busy lady! I have had over 100 visits at Dartmouth since moving here several years ago, and every single provider I've met other than the GI has been smart, kind and in every way excellent. I've decided no more colonoscopies. I'm so glad yours was OK.

[cmrl]

I can totally relate. I had my 3rd colonoscopy since tx ended,last week, my 6th actual colonoscopy, plus the prep for surgery , so we're tied. Unfortunately I have a 3 cm polyp which they couldn't remove near the ileocecal valve, so I will have to have another one if the polyp is benign.
I had Suprep this time, and they must have left out the Cherry flavor, because it was vile. I have difficulty getting cleaned out with Miralax, so I need something stronger, and even then, I don't get cleaned out like I did before cancer. I think it may be a result of this polyp, and I'm wondering if I've had it all along.
Anyway, I'm hoping that it can be removed with another colonoscopy, and don't need more surgery. I always say that next time I will start eating light a week before, but it's so hard! You would think they could come up with a pill that did the trick.

[Lee]

I forgot to say that my colonoscopy results were good, completely normal and not a polyp in sight. Thankfully, I managed to get enough prep down for it to be done

That awesome.

I've gotten pretty sick once or twice when I had to use the Fleet. I like Miralax much better.

Lee

[edinaman]

http://www.hygieacare.com/

Has anyone tried this? I looked into it a few year's ago, but have never talked to anyone who actually tried it.
I have told my doctor that I'm done doing colonoscopies unless there is a prep I can tolerate.

[Utwo]

I had 4 sachets (4 glasses) of picoprep and one litre of colonlytely to drink - ugh so ghastly. I tried to make it less by making it more concentrated.

This time I have not received any preparation instructions.
So I used what was the most popular on this forum adjusted to my afternoon appointment time:
The day before: 2 tablets of bisacodil + 2 liters of Miralax+Gatorade + a bit more Gatorade
Morning before: 2 tablets of bisacodil + 2 liters of Miralax+Gatorade + a bit more Gatorade

It tasted much better than whatever PEG 3350 mixes I used in 2 previous preparations.
I had no challenge to drink the whole volume.
Judging by the color of the affluent it cleaned better than in two previous times when I was not able to drink complete 4 liters volume.

I believe that PEG 3350 mixes are easier on your kidneys.
Next time I plan using similar approach, but substitute bisacodil with Pico-Salax/Prepopik.

I do not believe that it's adviseable to play with concentrations of this solutions.
I made this error before when I used Gatorade powder and prepared less concentrated drink.
I believe that it affected my electrolytes balance.

[ANDRETEXAS]

My mother had hygieacare a few years ago. I knew she could not drink Suprep, etc. It was a breeze for her. She was 88 at the time. However, insurance would not pay for it. I think it was around $150.

[michelle c]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

I will definitely be looking at a different prep next time. My GI said that I could take tablets next time but still need to drink plenty of fluids. Might be easier though as I can't stand the taste of picoprep - just the thought of it makes me shudder

I haven't had a polyp since my diagnosis eight years ago so she recommended that I have my next one in three years.

Best wishes to you all. Love this forum ❤️