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.
0 likes, 31 replies
Guest libralady13
Posted
I am 67 and also take Fybogel and Mebeverine. I had a colonoscopy prepped by Moviprep last October. I had previously had one prepped by Picalax so I know what happens with both.
First, you must stop taking the Fybogel - it is a fibre supplement - when you start your fibre free eating. The Moviprep will take care of anything inside you!! Your instructions differ from mine, as I was on the no fibre white food only diet for 3 days, then clear fluid only for 2 days before the prep. But you must follow the instructions you were given. Second, based on my experience, Moviprep is a lot stronger than Picalax in its effects. I had to take mine at 6pm then 6am for a 2pm appointment.
You are advised to stay near a toilet and I would go further than that. I would advise anyone to prepare in advance in your bathroom, with a good book/kindle/tablet, music, spare toilet rolls, some sort of barrier cream (I used Vaseline and Drapolene), some wet wipes, plenty of old towels and flannels for washing yourself, old pants, and get a supply of incontinence pads or old fashioned thick stick to your pants sanitary towels. Your bottom may get very sore otherwise.
My first movement was just 20 minutes after starting the drink and very sudden. I finally got to bed at midnight, with a hot water bottle for my cramping stomach, and I was glad of the pads which prevented soiling my bed and me!
The 2nd prep was harder to get down (I have a hiatus hernia and it had triggered my acid reflux) but I was better prepared. I was supposed to get the bus to the hospital at 12pm but I realised there was no way I could travel by public transport. A neighbour kindly agreed to take me the 30 mile journey, via public toilets en route. So I strongly suggest you have someone take you. Also if they offer sedation take it! Some people say they experience no pain, but everyone is different. Also as you are anxious it should help you relax.
I was being tested for colon cancer which turned out to be negative. In fact I have severe Diverticular Disease (over half the population over 60 have it). It is one of the many conditions which can cause bleeding, which also include polyps or a small tear. Like you I was very anxious - it is only natural. I was told immediately after the procedure what the problem was, and given a typed report to take home.
Afterwards I had no appetite for a couple of days, and when I started eating it just fell through me. In fact it was about a week to get back to normal. I took it slowly, with small meals and limited fibre, giving the bowels a rest. The clearing out actually helped me heal inside and I felt better for it.
I wish you all the best.
libralady13 Guest
Posted
Hello Thank you for your reply. I took my last dose of fybogel this morning. I start my low fibre day tomorrow. Like you an afternoon appointment 2pm. Prep at 7pm Tomorrow eve and 6am Thursday. You say you have diverticulitis do you get diarreah or constipation. As you will know from the posts I have IBS manly constipation which has got worse last few months I think mainly due to my awful anxiety (I am shaking as I type this). I was also changed to a diuretic for blood pressure and calcium tablets for osteopenia. I don't think either of these help where constipation is concerned. I moved house 9 months ago for good reason to be near daughter and family 200 miles away. I found the whole think so stressful after a couple of years of family health problems I was looking forward to some peace and quiet. I had to have heart scan tests in January to see whether I had Angina. They kept me waiting around 6 weeks for the results so you can imagine how I was. Turned out everything was ok. Then my husband with his colonoscopy I was more worried than him. He has asthma/copd so I worry about that as well. Then there was a prostate cancer scare (turned out just inflammation) and my Diabetic son had a stroke 2015. I felt like I can't tak any more. My husband did not find the prep too bad and he was back to normal stools within a couple of days but these he does not have IBS or anything. When did you restart you fybgel after the scope can I ask? Sorry to go on but I have no one really to talk to about all of this. I don't like to worry my daughter too much as she has a stressful job and a family to see to. My other daughter and son live down south so don't want to worry them on the phone. My husband does not really understand how I feel and never worries about anything until he has too. Down South I had good neighbours and friends who I could talk to but the neighbours here are mostly at work and have not made any new friends. Another blow was my new neighbour died last week at 51. Everything seems so sad and gloomy. There is a lot I would like to do in the future arthritis permitting but I just can't seem to see beyond illness. Thank you for reading this. I was awake at 4.30 this morning in fact every morning I am awake around 5-5.30. I can never go back to sleep and just try to do deep breathing etc but nothing seems to work. I will report again once I have had the scope but am sure it will be bad news. I can't see how I could have blood in stools for 8 weeks with out it being serious although I only go once a day now in the moring which is better than constipation. How it first happened was on a Friday end of Jan had really bad back and lower stomach ache (had been constipated) the next morning I had a leak of brown/red diarreah about a table spoon ful followed by lumpy bloody stool. I too wondered about diverticulitis as at the same time I also had pain when passing urine and blood in the urine. I went to emergency doctor as it was the weekend and they urine test was not positive but they did give me a 3 day course of antibiotics. I saw my gp on the Monday and fibre supplements were started rectal exam ok and blood tests showed no anaemia,infection or inflammation. I know I need help with anxiety have had it before but it had never been this bad.
Guest libralady13
Posted
libralady13
Posted
Thank you to all who were kind enough to reply to my post much appreciated. Just to update you. Had colonoscopy yesterday. It went well some sedation was able to watch what what going on and was relaxed as before had I was a nervous wreck but the nurses and consultant were great helping me calm down. There was some minimum cramps but only a few times and only lasted seconds.
Happy to say only one benign looking polyp removed and diagnosis of hemmeroids and diverticular which was pretty much what my gp and the hospital doctor thought. The consultant said no cancer which was what I wanted to hear. To anyone hving to go through this yes the prep is the worst bit but prepare and you will get through it. Have sedation for the procedure if you want. They only gave me a smaller dose so if necessary they could increase it but I didn't need it. I was fine afterwards not dizzy a bit tired (but I had not slept the night before and was up at 6am). After a rest I had welcome tea and toast and then my husband arrived to take me home. So take it from someone who has awful anxiety that it is not anywhere near as bad as I thought and you will be able to get through it.
margaret22116 libralady13
Posted
libralady13 margaret22116
Posted
Hope you ae well at the moment and will continue to be so.
margaret22116 libralady13
Posted
Thanks. Didn't want to tell you before your procedure but I have some precancerous lesions and need follow up after antibiotic treatment. Staying positive and hoping follow up will show a return to normal xx
libralady13 margaret22116
Posted
Oh Margaret I'm sorry to hear that. They are precancerous so that is good but I know it does not stop you worrying. Good you are staying positive and hoping your follow up will show a return to normal. Please let me know how it goes.
margaret22116 libralady13
Posted
lynn28579 libralady13
Posted
I'm so happy for you. I came to this site because I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in Jan. of this year. I'm 74. My gastronenterologist said it is in remission (June 2017) but because I have constipation and IBS symptoms, he said I have Post Diverticulitis IBS. It's now 8 months of abdominal discomfort, so I go back to see him in a couple of weeks. He wants to do a colonoscopy. I've never had one because I have other pelvic issues. But my anxiety is so high and this abdominal discomfort is everyday, I just have to know I'm okay (no cancer). My question for you is didn't the colonoscopy aggravate your IBS symptoms afterwards? Did the laxatives cause on-going cramps and diarrhea long after the test was over? What was the sedative they gave you? The center here uses Propofal (sp.?) What did you have? How is your IBS now? Please answer my questions. I'm in such a state and a quandry over this. I need your help as someone with IBS who had the procedure done. Just to mention as a side note -- I have IC and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, so lots of abdominal issues. This is why I put off having a colonoscopy in the first place. Please help!
libralady13 lynn28579
Posted
Hello Lynn , I can tell from your post that you are in a state over your forth coming colonoscopy. As an anxiety sufferer I can emphathise with how you are feeling. I will try and answer your questions for you.
The prep I had was moviprep, which is quite common here in the UK. I did experience cramps after starting the prep, but once they started working they improved. I had a 2nd prep in the morning as my appointment was in the afternoon. After the colonoscopy (which was not nearly as bad as I believed it would be) I had a lot of wind which everyone has, but no no real pain. My bowels were more or less back to normal in a couple of days. I too suffer constipation, but now take a fybogel with mebeverine fibre drink each morning, which really helps, although I do have the odd day when it is a bit harder to go, usually down to not enough water or eating something I shouldn't, but I soon get back on track. If you want to know what I did to get through the prep I can post again, or send you a private message if you prefer.
I see you have IC and pelvic floor dysfunction. I don't know much about IC, but I understand it is long term and hard to treat. Irritable bladder is common with IBS because I suffer from it from time to time. It seems like if my bladder is playing up then my IBS starts, or visa versa. You have a lot to deal with, no wonder you feel anxious. Sadly it is a vicious circle the more anxious you become the worse your symptoms are, I should know. I am getting some counselling for the anxiety and waiting for a place to become available. So to answer your questions, yes, the prep did cause some cramps, but not long lasting and the colonscopy did not seem to agravate my IBS. I hope I have covered everything, but if not please ask me again. I hope you get on ok with the gastro doctor. You did not mention whey he wants you to have the scope done, is it because of the constipation. Mine was done because of blood in stools and as you know it turned out to be hemmeroids and diverticular and I only had one benign polyp removed. Take care and please post again if anything is worrying you.
Carol
lynn28579 libralady13
Posted
Hi Carol,
You are so sweet to get back to me right away. I had a feeling you live in the UK because of the meds you mentioned. May I ask again what the sedative was that you were given? I'd like not to be totally out if they'll allow it.
To answer your question about why doctor wants to do a colonoscopy, well it's because at 74 I never had one done. Here in the U.S. the recommended age to start them is age 50. Plus with my continued discomfort, he just wants to rule out anything else that may be causing it.
Last question, hope it's not too much information, but last year at my yearly gyno checkup, doctor did a rectal exam. It caused a split (cut) in the rectum. It healed with sitz baths, but has come back several times I guess due to my constipation issues or maybe it never fully healed. Anyway, did your rectum (anus) get really sore after the procedure? Just trying to know what to expect.
Thanks again.
Lynn
P.S. I too have suffered from generalized anxiety; for me, probably 50+ years.
libralady13 lynn28579
Posted
No Trouble Lynn. I have just looked at my colonoscopy report and the sedation was Fentany 50 and Midazolam (IV) 2.5mg. I was nice and relaxed during the procedure and quite able to talk to nurses and the surgeon. My husband had the same sedatives but a higher dose and was out of it as far as he can remember. This maybe because he also had a camera down his throat as well as the rear end scope. After my procedure I was fine except for the wind which I was passing easily. I was kept in recovery then allowed to dress and had tea and toast and was chatting to other patients. I think I went for the procedure around 2.45pm and was collected by my husband 4.30 - 5pm. I think the splits in the rectum might take time to heal and of course constipation might hinder this. I am sure you could get the doctor to check it for you. Your last question about sore rectum made me smile but it is not funny really. On advice of other patients I bought a tub of vaseline and applied it before and after bowel movements. Obviously you will be going for a long time so just make sure you reapply the vaseline after each visit to the toilet even though it might only have been a few minutes ago. Also use wet wipe type toilet tissues. I found with this I had no problems. Also get some incontinence pads to wear in bed at night you made not need them but it will give you some protection during this time. Just made your self comfortable near the bathroom/toilet and have plenty of magazines, books, your computer, music crosswords etc what ever suits you and of course a lovely hot water bottle. As I don't know about the prep you will be given I can't add much. My one was very sweet with a slight lemon taste I did add some orange squash to it which helped a bit. It was the quantity more that the taste which was the problem but I got through it. Once you have a date and know all the details please feel free to message me here if you have any questions. All the best.
Carol
lynn28579 libralady13
Posted
Thank you so much Carol for those great tips. In fact, I'm printing it out to use as reference for when (or if) I get the colonoscopy done. When you live alone, there is no one to bounce off your concerns with, so I appreciate you immensely. I'm trying to imagine your response with a british accent. (smile) I hope to get back to you when everything is done and over with.
I hope your IBS is not a constant thing and you can enjoy most every day! Wishing you well.
Lynn
libralady13 lynn28579
Posted
Glad to be of help. My Ibs is not too bad I think that my anxiety causes all my aches and pains. My grandchildren are a great distraction as well. I can imagine if you live alone it is hard as you have no one to ask about things. At the moment is it is a stressful time for us as my husband has just had a biopsy . We have just got the appointment through to get the results on the 15th August. Don't forget any other questions please ask. I hope you don't have to wait too long for an appointment.
Take care