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How far can I travel to a colonoscopy?

Posted , 3 users are following.

mileena
mileena

My colonoscopy is scheduled for 2 or 2:30 PM and I have to be there by 12:30. It is completely unsedated. The problem it it is 4-5 hours away from home. I was thinking of staying home and just driving there in the morning early. 

Questions:

1. I have to take 1 quart of Gavilyte G 400 ml five hours before the procedure. Will I be able to drive that morning without having to use the toilet that much? Will I be glued to the toilet? After I drink the quart, when do the bowel movements stop??

2. What time do I start the morning Gavilyte? 7:30 AM or 9 AM?

3. Will I be able to sleep the night before? I have to drink 3 quarts Gavilyte beginning at 4 PM. I use a CPAP.

4. If I decide to stay in a hotel instead, how far can the hotel be from the outpatient center? The farther out, the cheaper the hotel. $40 for an hour away vs. over $100 within 15 minutes. IOW, I want to be able to drive there without constantly having to use the restroom. What time will bowel movements stop that morning?

5. Why did the doctor say bring my CPAP if my colonoscopy will be unsedated??

6. The instructions say to take my regular medication that morning with a small sip of water. But I need to take a large sip since one tablet is huge, even when broken in half. It won't go down other wise. I also need to take two more sips since I have 5 more tablets to take (2 tablets then 3).

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • dana01526
    dana01526 mileena

    Posted

    I’d opt for the hotel To be honest after you drink that stuff no way you’re going to be stopping in every bathroom. 
  • heather56512
    heather56512 mileena

    Posted

    Hi Mileena,

    I have had 2 colonoscopies and 1 sigmoidoscopy and was given the prep solution Picolax all 3 times.This is so easy to take as its only 250mls twice taken the day before and has a lemon taste..you can also add extra lemon cordial to it and put in the fridge so its like a very cold lemon drink..a very pleasant taste.It works extremely well and there is no need for these gallons of prep people are told to drink so I have no idea why they are still given such an amount of prep when its just not necessary in my opinion.

    I am in the UK so perhaps thats the reason why?..I hope everything went well for you and you managed to get to your appointment without any mishaps.

    Best wishes

    Heather

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