Colonoscopy prep for IBS sufferers

Posted , 7 users are following.

HellIo  I am having a colonoscopy on Thursday afternoon of this week.  I am due to take my moviprep first lot 7pm Wednesday evening and 2nd lot 6am Thursday morning.  On the leaflet is says to eat nothing after a light lunch before 1pm on the wednesday eating white bread rice chicken etc obviously nothing high fibre.  It says with moviprep there is no need to start low fibre diet a few days before as in the past.  I suffer from IBS C and having been taking fybogel/mebeverine for around 8 weeks. only in the morning.  I go everymorning fairly easily but sometimes the stools are still either1 or 2 on the bristol scale but sometimes 3 or 4 although they are easy to pass.  I did wonder if it is the fybogel clearing old stool from the body.  I am having the scope because I have had blood in the stools for a few weeks.  I am 69 years of age.  The hospital doctor said I will probably having stomach cramps when I start the prep as I have IBS.  My husband had a scope in February and had no pain  whilst doing the prep just the usual flatulence after the scope.  Any IBS sufferer who has had a colonoscopy offer any advice.  I also suffer from anxiety so you can imagine my state at the moment.  I have convinced my self that it is colon cancer and I can't get it out of my mind.  Any advice appreciated.

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  • Posted

    Hi. I have ibs type issues though I have autoimmune disease. I am quite well at the moment and did not expect the procedure to show anything. I felt ill whike taking the prep. Horrid. I was fine afterwards after a good sleep. I also had gastroscopy. It turned out I had h pylori infection. Unpleasant but very treatable. It had been there for over 2 years causing abdo pain. Please don't worry. There are many things non cancerous which could make you feel unwell. Have they tested you for h pylori?

    • Posted

      Hello Thanks for your reply.  I had an H pylori test in 2012 which was negative.  I did ask about upper endoscopy because of the blood in stools and the doctor said that they only do them if blood tests show you are anaemic.  My recent blood tests showed no anaemia haemoglobin 14.6 no infection or inflammation.  
    • Posted

      Ok well that is very puzzling. I had a b12 issue yes this time. But I previously had h pylori test done by gp and it was positive. Don't believe I was anemic then. And 2012 is a long time ago. Can you ask again about that? There is a breath test which can be performed.

      Do you have another gp at practice you can see.

      Anyway focus on getting your endoscopy done. Try not to worry about that

      I felt truly awful snd my blood pressure went a bit high. But they were great at hospital and all was fine there. So many things can be wrong in the bowel area. Try not to let your fears take over as it will just make you feel more uncomfortable. Are you being referred to a gastro?? They might check h pylori for you.

    • Posted

      Just looked at symptoms of h pylori and anemia isn't mentioned. If I were you I'd insist on it.

    • Posted

      My H pylori test in 2012 was done by the gp and as I said was negative.  It was the hospital where I am having the endoscopy done which said they don't do upper ones unless your blood tests shows anaemia.  My husband had both test dones as he was very anaemic athough no abdominal symptoms or blood in stool.  They were  looking for a source of unknown bleeding to account for the anaemia.  His lower one they removed 8 benign polyps and he will have another follow up one done in 1 year which is the guidelines I believe.  His upper one showed stomach and osoephagus normal but inflammation in the dudodeum.  He is now being treated with iron tablets and acid reducing tablets Omeprazole to heal the inflammation.

    • Posted

      Forgot to say his H pylori test was negative.  They think the inflammation may have been caused by long term ibuprofen for arthritis which he no longer takes.

       

  • Posted

    Colonoscopy prep isn't as bad as you fear. Yes you will be going to the loo A LOT so don't stray too far! I didn't have cramps or pain. I had picolax and my mum had moviprep. The only down side of moviprep is that there is so much of it! But it's fine really and you can mix it with squash I've you like.

    Make sure you drink lots- and by lots I mean litres. You can easily get through 4 litres on prep as you get dehydrated so quickly. It might be an idea to get some rehydration drinks from the chemist. I did this the second time and I didn't get the headache and dizziness I got first time round.

    Oh and you need to stop the fybolgel.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply.  I was planning to take the last fybogel on Tuesday morning do you think this would be ok.  I am worried about stopping it too quickly and getting constipated on the wednesday morning cramps etc.  I usually drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water a day plus around 3 cups of tea.  I know with moviprep you need to take 500ml more liquid with each dose.  I cannot drink anything 4 hours before.  I asked them about taking my diurectic (for blood pressure) as it takes the water from your body and the nurse I spoke to asked the doctor and they said yes as its for blood pressure take it. 
    • Posted

      I meant to say I was planning to mix some orange squash with the moviprep as I believe it tastes awful.  I am afraid I might be sick.  Do you know if this happens very often.  I am planning to camp out rightout side the bathroom with laptop chair hotwater bottle magazines etc.  Do you think I should be at the bathroom as soon as I start drinking the moviprep.  I know this is my anxiety taking over but I am petrified of the prep the procedure and bad news. To be honest I feel like running away not sure I will be able to cope especially if when I get to the hospital they keep me waiting.  The funny think is that needles blood tests etc even the dentist don't worry me.  I know some people won't look if they are having the blood test but I will not mind having the cannula put in.  Probably because my son was diabetic from age 2 so I am used to needles and injections  He is 45 now.  I am going to find the next few days very hard.  I feel such a baby but I can't help it. We have had so much family ill health over the last couple of years it seems never ending.  I wake up every morning at 5am thinking about it all.  Will let you know how it goes.  I am praying it is not bad news,

  • Posted

    Excellent advice leenie as l myself have been through it several times and will again in a few months sadly.
  • Posted

    Libralady

    Follow all the instructions given to you, you know what the test includes so you are eduated enough to understand you may need some sedation before the tests.

    Ask your GP or Hospital Clinic if you can be given Sedation because of your Anxiety. You will need someone to take you to hospital and return you home. If your Husband is unable to help the Doctor or Hospital can arrange a car or ambulance for outward and return.

    Good Luck on Thursday

    BOB

    • Posted

      Hello  Thank you for your reply and kind words.  Will report here again after the scope.  My husband will be collecting me from the hospital on the day.
  • Posted

    There's no problem with mixing squash in with it. That a what my mum did. You won't be sick, it's just a lot of fluid. Why can't you drink 4 hrs before? I could drink pretty much right up to it.

    There's no need to go to the loo right away but stay near. You won't know how quick it will affect you. But I would say go as soon as you get gurgles or if you feel you need to pass wind! It took 20mins ish for me to have the first bowel movement then in the loo about every 10min after that for 2-3 hrs or so. But you just have to see how you go.

    • Posted

      On the leaflet from the hospital it says please note only clear fluids allowed whilst taking prep and you need to step drinking any fluids for 4 hours before your appointment. I also remember my husband when he had his done had to stop drinking 3 hours before. There is nothing on the prep instructions though. This means I can't drink after 10 am as my appointment is 2pm. I am worried about getting dehydrated during this time.

    • Posted

      That is odd. Mine said I could drink clear liquids before. I had to stop drinking 2 hours before but that was for a gastroscopy. Can you double check that woth the hospital?

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