Prep Before Colonoscopy?

[Corihere2]

Hi All,

In addition to the blood work ordered for me to confirm or rule out Celiac, my GI doctor ordered a colonoscopy to check on some other symptoms I have.

I am wondering if anyone has experience with this, and the preparation the day before? I have to be on liquids all day, and then drink a Fleet mixture at 3:00 and 7:00 pm the night before.

Will this limit me in anyway for that evening? I need to know if I'll be uncomfortable or whether I am fulfill a prior commitment I had.

Also, is the colonoscopy painful? Will I feel ok afterwards? I was told I'd be 'put out or under' with strong sedatives and/or painkillers. Hopefully I'll sleep through the procedure. CAn anyone provide some feedback about the prep and procedure?

THanks so much,

CJH

[lovegrov]

Limit you? You bet it will. The idea is to clean you out completely, so you'll need to have ready and immediate access to a toilet. You'll need it!!! Your best bet is to stay right beside that trusty home toilet.

I felt nothing from the colonscopy and remember nothing at all about it. You will be groggy for at least a part of the rest of the day.

BUT and this is a big BUT...if your doctor has done blood tests for celiac, he should wait on the colonoscopy until the blood tests are in. If the blood tests indicate you might have celiac, he can do the colonoscopy AND the endoscopy (this is to take biopsies for celiac) at the same time. No sense in having to schedule two trips and be put under twice. You REALLY, REALLY need to ask your doctor about this.

richard

[Carriefaith]

Will this limit me in anyway for that evening? I need to know if I'll be uncomfortable or whether I am fulfill a prior commitment I had.

ummmmm..... yes. You probably should make other arrangements or cancel. Once those laxative things are in your system you have no control over your bowel movements. It just flows..... (Sorry to be so upfront but it's true)

(I had to take laxative pills/liquids and fleet enema's. Fun Stuff!)

I actually had a commitment the night before my colonoscopy and I made other arrangements so that I didn't have to go. And I'm sure glad I did that! Trust me! You will also probably feel weak since you will be drained of absolutetly everything.

Good Luck with everything

-Carrie

[angel-jd1]

I would also recommend some of those flushable wet wipey type cloths. They are made by several different companies. They flush and you will thank yourself for getting them!!! If not you will be sore and raw.

-Jessica

[Canadian Karen]

Jessica,

You and I are on the same wave length.

The best advice I could give is buy the SOFTEST toilet paper you can find!!! You will thank yourself later!!

Karen

[kvogt]

It is also wise to eat moderately the previous day, so that your gut has less in it on the day you flush your system. Also, any spicy foods in your system can make the toilet session even more uncomfortable.

[Corihere2]

Wow, thanks for all that feedback! I have my procedure scheduled for a Wednesday so I may start eating light on Sunday or MOnday. Does that sound right?

My prep day of clear liquids and the 'mixture' is Tuesday. I do the mix at 3 and 7 pm, so I will stay near home for that.

I just talked to the GI office and they said I will get two things on the day of the procedure. One is valium to relax me, and then something in the IV to further put me out. She also said I shouldn't have much pain afterwards but would be out of it and need to go home and relax.

We are awaiting my blood tests about the Celiac and she said if that does indicate it, then he could do the Upper GI the same time, to take a biopsy.

I am nervous about it!

In a weird way I am hoping for a positive on the celiac, because that would answer a lot of questions and give me a direction to go in!

Sincerely,

CJH

[Mosaics]

I've had 2 colonoscopies. The prep was the worst part. I couldn't drink all my stuff 'cause it made me want to puke. The actual procedure was a breeze, though. Thankfully, I slept like a baby through it all. I would have been terribly humiliated if I were aware of all the goings-on back there

I scheduled mine for the first thing in the morning so I wouldn't have to fast any longer than necessary. Was kind of groggy for several hours after, but there was absolutely no pain at any time.