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bowel prep and colonoscopy experience

Posted , 57 users are following.

itsokay
itsokay

Having scanned the internet to find out about other people's advice and experience, I want to let anyone facing a colonoscopy know what was like for me. It was absolutely okay. People say the prep is the worst part and it was a bit tiresome. I did a two and a half day special diet followed by clear fluids only and Picolax. It was nearly 48hrs without food but the Picolax wasn't as bad as I expected. In fact, I kept thinking it couldn't be working as I wasn't glued to the loo. I think the main thing is to prepare and plan for the prep and the procedure - making sure of having all the things needed for the prep diet and for during the clear fluids and then prep. Barrier cream (Sudocream) and moist loo paper were helpful, and having done 2.5 days of the low fibre, high carb diet must have helped as well. The only real problem I had was that I worried that the Picolax wasn't being effective enough so I went for my appt in dread that my bowel wasn't clear. But the nurse explained that as long as you go through the stage where you're passing just watery stuff, it's okay. And it was.

Re the procedure itself - I had a good consultant and the nurses on the Unit were very nice. Only problem was a mix up with the time of my appointment which left me waiting longer than anticipated. I felt sick with anxiety, little sleep and the after - effects of the prep on arrival. However, I asked to be given as much sedation and pain relief as possible and told them I was anxious. The sedation took the edge of things as did the analgesic but I could grab the Entonox when needed for the times when the doctor was steering the tube around the bends. It was over quickly and there was no point where it felt really awful at all. I watched progress on the screen and felt absolutely fine afterwards, although a little out of it from the sedation of course. So my advice to anyone facing this procedure is to carefully read all the info the hospital send you, contact the Unit if you're concerned about any aspect of the procedure or prep, and follow the instructions to the finest detail. And to plan ahead and get everything in house that you need and that will help you through the prep. And don't be afraid to let them know you're anxious - if you are. I hope this helps you if you are worried about having this procedure done - the whole thing really was okay and nothing like what I'd built up in my mind and from reading one or two horror stories on the web.

12 likes, 146 replies

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  • jim70113
    jim70113 itsokay

    Posted

    Appologies for bumping this post, but i just had to say thanks to all those who have posted. I Had a Gastroscopy last Monday for investigation for IDA, it came back clear so they want to do a Colonoscopy this comming Monday. I have to say the prep seam a bit daunting, I start the clear diet on Satrurdayat Midday, on Sunday will be my last food from the diet list, the prep then is as follows.

    2pm take 6 senna tablets

    5pm the first sachet of Picolax

    Drink plenty of fluids

    On the morning of the colonoscopy (Monday)

    7am take the last sachet of Picolax

    Stop fluids 2 hours before procedure.

    Colonoscopy at 2.15pm

    My concern is that there wont be enough time between 7am and the time i need to leave for the Hospital at 1.30pm. Would it do any harm to take the last sachet early, say at 4.30am?

    Thanks

    Jim

    • Perseus1
      Perseus1 jim70113

      Posted

      Jim ... won't be enough time for what ? The 7am Picolax to take effect ?

  • jim70113
    jim70113 itsokay

    Posted

    Sorry should have explained better. I mean enough time for the effects of the laxatives to have worn off enough for me to get to the hospital without any accidents on the cab journey to the hospital.

    .

    • Perseus1
      Perseus1 jim70113

      Posted

      Ah I see. Difficult to tell as everyone will react differently. My prep seems different to yours if you scroll up a few comments you'll see my experience.  My last Pico was at 6pm the night before my op, which was 11am next day. I was also slightly worried that I'd still be passing fluid on the way to the hosp or I might even explode in theatre !!

      Best bet is to ask your doctor or the person who prepped you. A 7am Pico on the day of the op seems a bit too close in my opinion. All I had at 7am on the day was a small glass of water. Your op is 3 hrs later in the day than mine was, so I would have expected you to have your last Pico at 9/10pm the night before ?

      I was religious with following my instructions and it went perfectly well. But I notice you have Senna which I didn't have.

      Give them a call and double check while you can (i.e. Weekday).

      And don't worry. If it is a bit dicey, you WILL hold it in!

    • jim70113
      jim70113 Perseus1

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice much appreciated. Gave them a call and she said thar because its an afternion appointment, that I would be fine as long as I follow the instructions carefully. Honestly I am just wanting this over with.

      Thanks again for your help.

      Jim

    • Perseus1
      Perseus1 jim70113

      Posted

      The dread of it, and the prep, is worse than the experience itself.

      You'll be fine smile

  • dawn47518
    dawn47518 itsokay

    Posted

    I'm in today and my stools are still a funny colour but I took all the prep

  • michael34525
    michael34525 itsokay

    Posted

    i know this is a very old thread but id like to say thankyou to all who has posted i have to start my prep tomorrow for a colonoscopy on monday morning and my nerves have gone after reading all these posts i feel a lot less at ease so thanks again

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