quiltmom04

Have to have a screening colonoscopy on Wed. Anybody have any prep tips for me for tomorrow? I'm dreading it!

DebsShelties

A friend of mine just had one, follow the instructions they give you for drinking the gal of gunk. He mentioned he was only in the bathroom for an hour, not several like other people I had heard about.

dlbrandt

have had many colonoscopys!!!! drink the stuff and STAY CLOSE TO THE BATHROOM. Drink fluids while you are permitted, so you don't get dehydrated. Good Luck.

DottyD

Hi quiltmom,
I had to have this procedure done recently, and , although not the nicest thing to have done - it is not that bad.
My tips would be to follow the directions your given to clear your system and drink plenty of water as directed to ensure you don't get dehydrated.
I was given a drug to sedate me and the only thing a bit uncomfortable was they put some air into you so that they can see better and that did give me some "gas" spasm - but all tolerable !
Don't worry and good luck !!
Dotty D.

redkimba

My dad had this done. He said the worse thing was the roto-router drink since he had to stay very close to the toilet while it cleaned him out. He said the procedure itself was not a problem.

PS - I get to have my first one this year also. Or will, once I see my Primary Doc.

quiltsillysandi

I've had two and came through both with flying colors....Clear liquids and then drinking that "stuff" is the worst part of the whole procedure...The colonoscopy itself is a piece of cake..Best tip I can give you is stay close to the bathroom..:)

lisainmo

Have had that done...its really not as bad as everyone thinks it is. Follow the directions given to you and you will do fine. Prep is worse than the actual procedure. Good Luck!

kit'smamma

Make sure you are at home before you start the prep and don't make any plans. The procedure had been scheduled before DH decided he was sick and the day he got the obvious news that he was terminal (we'd already figured it out). The colonoscopy had been scheduled for the following day. The ENT who had delivered the horrible news then, of course, scheduled a meeting with the oncologist the next day, the very day I was to have colonoscopy. When I pointed that out he asked if I'd started the prep and when I told him I'd taken the first of several doses of the salty goop in his parking lot he ran down the hall and had the receptionist call the GI doc to tell him that Mrs. Brown was having such a good time with the prep she wants to reschedule so she can do it again. He did add that she (me that is) has an urgent family medical emergency. He then summarily ran us off the premises to get home before it was too late. I had to wait several weeks til DD could come here from her home 900 miles away. The 8 year old twin boys and their six year old sister and her DH were here to help. They kids were highly amused at my condition and weren't very discreet about that. DSIL was also on hand to take DH for radiation. Actually it did provide a few chuckles for everyone under what were dismal circumstances. It's been just about ten years and it does make me chuckle. Am I sick or something?

ptquilts

be sure to finish the drink by about 5 PM. I followed the instructions, thinking it made a gallon. It made about a gallon and a quart, I finished about 6:30pm and was up intermittently all night. Not nice.
It said to start after lunch, next time I will skip lunch and start about 11AM. Don't worry about being hungry, doesn't happen.


As for the meds they give you during the procedure, I just would like to say -

"May I please have the rest in a doggy bag?!"

Leota

DH has this procedure annually,
1. follow directions on the clean out
2. drink clear liquids... 7-up, Sprite, Ginerale,
3. DoNOT consume any drinks or jello that contain RED dye...read the labels
4. Chicken broth and jello to eat...