Hey old guys, I want some advice (colonoscopy)...

[Just Jack]

I thought there was a thread about colonoscopy prepping but I can't find it. I was originally scheduled for spring 2020, but you know what happened and the appointment was cancelled. I never bothered to reschedule, until my doctor basically forced me to this year. 

 

I'm getting the camera shoved up my butt next week. What are some tips and tricks for the prep the day before? 

Edited September 22 by Just Jack

[That's No Moon]

Chili. Lots of chili.

[dhg]

Toilet paper. Quick access to the bathroom. The prep concoction cleans you out pretty quickly 

[Mike in Horseheads]

Drink a few beers with the prep stuff, "moves" the process quicker

[davefan66]

The provider performing the colonoscopy should provide a list with the location, time to arrive and prep.

 

Prep is one of two regimens from what I’ve seen.  Provider will specify quantity and time to start day prior. Usually early evening.  1. Golytley. May sound like a nice prep by its name….but it’s not! Very misleading! Usually a gallon of liquid that is drunk 8oz at time every ten minutes (or so) until complete.  2. MiraLAX mixed in Gatorade and a few Dulcolax tabs. This is the one I recently used. Tough at first, but by 2-3 am it was successful and  had pretty much stopped doing its job.  Both preps are to be used until you run clear. 
 

The procedure itself is very quick. You are knocked out with an either fentanyl and versed (or another), or Propofol.  Either works well. Propofol to me is a bit better as it wears off much quicker and the recovery period is easier.  Anyway, the procedure is very easy and you should be in and out in a few hours….no pun intended!

 

I highly recommend that people get their colonoscopies as soon as it is recommended. I believe the age has dropped to 45 recently.  Your provider may recommend earlier if you have a history of colon cancer in your family.  If you have a change in stool patterns, ribbon like stool, nausea/vomiting, blood in your stool, abdominal pain/cramping, weight loss/fatigue contact your provider as they may all be signs of colon cancer.

 

Colon cancer may not present with any of the symptoms above unit it is a problem. So getting screened regularly is a must. I work very closely with patients who have colon cancer. A bunch found out by regular screening without any symptoms. Some had symptoms, and didn’t see a provider.  Some found out by “accident” as they were being screened for other issues and eventually found to have colon cancer. 
 

Surgery may be all that is needed if found in time. Surgery with a strong course of chemo, or chemo and then surgery is another path. The chemo regimen for a lot of the patients is very tough for them. In the clinic every two weeks for infusion, then go home with a small pump infusing a med over a few days and then back to be disconnected. Loss of hair, loss of appetite, nausea,vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss are all side effects of this chemo regimen, amongst other issues.

 

I’ve seen patients on their first day of chemo and the steady decline many of them experience throughout their course of treatment. Some have successful outcomes, many do not. Some seem successful, but are back in a few months to a year.  A quick google shows there is a 64% survival rate over 5 years. A lot of it depends on when it was caught and how fast the intervention is.  Colon cancer is not restricted to “old” people. I’ve seen very young people with it - 30’s and a few in their 20’s. Majority is 40’s and up.

 

Again, I highly recommend you get screened as soon as it is warranted or need based on symptoms. A night spent on the toilet is far better than the alternative.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

 

[Augie]

I’m told the anesthesia will give you the best sleep of your life. I wouldn’t know as the only time I’ve been scoped like that I did not benefit from the marvels of anesthesia. They were in a hurry to schedule some unnecessary surgery for the next day that caused me 5 years of hell, but that has nothing to do with your scope. 

 

You’ll be fine, no biggie. The anesthesia makes all the difference, I’m sure. 

 

.

Edited September 16 by Augie

[Sweats]

Make sure you got plenty of lube going on and if the doctor is smiling, just slowly back away and maybe reconsider your life choices going forward.

[Draconator]

Thankfully for me, all I've had to do is Cologuard. Poop in a bucket, send it off to the lab, get the results in a couple of weeks. 

[RichStadiumGuy]

Like everybody else has said... the day before is by FAR worse than the exam itself. Plan your time after starting the drinking regime carefully so you're always just a few steps away from a toilet.

 

As far as the anesthesia goes... I've had three of them now and I was wide awake and watching the scope on the screen through all three of them. Only once did I feel anything at all and it was when the scope was right at a spot where a hernia repair was repaired with mesh and they halted for a moment while they increased the amount of whatever the pain stuff was that they were injecting through the needle in my arm and all was good again.

 

Cake walk... you got this!

[muppy]

Just do it as the Dr recommends.

 

It isn't pleasant. It never will be

 

But for your health it is worth the trouble.

 

at least you are well drugged and likely wont remember much of the actual procedure if anything once it strts

 

I have a "torturous colon" which means it must be like a maze to get though all the twists and turns. I woke up during my first one

2 minutes ago, RichStadiumGuy said:

Like everybody else has said... the day before is by FAR worse than the exam itself. Plan your time after starting the drinking regime carefully so you're always just a few steps away from a toilet.

 

As far as the anesthesia goes... I've had three of them now and I was wide awake and watching the scope on the screen through all three of them. Only once did I feel anything at all and it was when the scope was right at a spot where a hernia repair was repaired with mesh and they halted for a moment while they increased the amount of whatever the pain stuff was that they were injecting through the needle in my arm and all was good again.

 

Cake walk... you got this!

wow you were semi awake? I get knocked Out for mine. which I prefer lol

[May Day 10]

I did it last year.  It wasnt bad, really.

 

Schedule early in the AM as possible.  You will need rides.  

 

Day before, I drank hot broth slowly, black coffee in the AM, and popsicles that conformed to the dr's instructions (I think red dyes were out?).  Those suppressed my appetite good enough.

 

If you have to do the miralax, mix it with white/clear gatorade (glacier freeze?).  I researched a bit and found this was the best flavor for eliminating any bad taste.  It worked well and just tasted like drinking gatorade.  

 

I stayed up most of the night (had to drink half at like 7PM, and the other at 2AM.  I played video games.    

[Fleezoid]

I've done it twice. It's due again. It sucks! The first one, had to fast a 1 1/2 days before, minus the clear broth I was allowed. The toilet breaks start slowing and grow to a deafening crescendo the night before the procedure. That's my take. 

[SinceThe70s]

As others have said the day before prep is the worst part.

 

The prep I had involved drinking that God-awful MoviePrep. My approach was to mix with cold water and then just chug-a-lug it as quickly as possible so I limited the foul taste in my mouth. I've heard there are also pills you can take.

 

When my wife did it she headed to the bathroom within minutes of drinking the prep, for me it took awhile - maybe a half hour or hour. In my case once it started I was in the bathroom for quite a long time. I set up my laptop ahead of time and watched a football game to 'pass' the time along with everything else.

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

What was reassuring to me was when I got there, the colonoscopy area was like waiting in line at McDonald’s. Very routine. In and out. I think the procedure takes like 10-15 minutes max.

 

my prep was easy too. Just drink some stuff twice, and was on the bathroom a few times at night and again early morning. Wouldn’t worry about it.

[Just Jack]

Thanks guys.  I have to read the instructions again but I believe I start prep at 4pm on Sunday, appointment is scheduled for 730 Monday morning. I do have a finished basement so I can stay down there, the couch is about 10-15 feet from the bathroom. And yes, I do think they’ll knock me right out.  I did ask about the pill, the doctor said that it does not work as well as the liquid, which I’ve got the gallon jug for that.  

[boater]

Just know... the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy. The actual procedure itself is nothing. You wake up, remember nothing, and your butt hurts.*

 

 

* a Navy buddy made the same comment regarding port calls

[Johnnycage46]

13 hours ago, Just Jack said:

I thought there was a thread about colonoscopy prepping but I can't find it. I was originally scheduled for spring 2020, but you know what happened and the appointment was cancelled. I never bothered to reschedule, until my doctor basically forced me to this year. 

 

I'm getting the camera shoved up my butt next week. What are some tips and tricks for the prep the day before? 

Follow the lead-up directions to the letter and make sure you are essentially pooping lemonade (sounds disgusting but that means you're cleaned out). Worst thing you can do is not follow the directions, show up, and have to come back again because you're not cleaned out.

 

Oh, and you likely won't poop for a couple days after the procedure, and may bleed a bit afteward.

[Process]

It's really not that bad, as long as you don't have trouble drinking, because you'll need to drink a lot. My mother hates to drink anything so always had a horrible time just getting the liquid down. I have no problem chugging water so no issues. Sucked on jolly ranchers all day the day before. Ez pz. 

[nemhoff]

Best nap I have had in the last 10 years.  Have dinner ready to go when you are done because you will be hungry