Quick Tips for Colonoscopy for friend

javier_garcia123
javier_garcia123 Member Posts: 28
in Colorectal Cancer #1

A Friend is having his first Colonoscopy,have all the theoric procedure clear: the papers explaining it and the preparation, but wants other tips that come with folks who have experience, she's constipated so it may affect your suggestions, thanks!

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Walk walk walk

    I find that walking around really helps loosen me up and get that stuff moving through the system. I also walk and drink, and then it almost takes my mind off how absolutley gross it tastes.  - and I mean, walking around CLOSE to the bathroom -

    A nice warm bath doesn't go amiss either. As long as she can time it well.

    Wish her luck from me.   

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #3
    I find that starting a light

    I find that starting a light diet earlier by a day eases the prep. (My next one is in a few days.)  For someone who is constipated, definitely push fluids before the prep day, and possibly consider an enema a day or so ahead. My husband "failed" his prep several times until my onc recommended that he start his clear fluids a full day ahead and do enemas as well.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    abrub said:

    I find that starting a light

    I find that starting a light diet earlier by a day eases the prep. (My next one is in a few days.)  For someone who is constipated, definitely push fluids before the prep day, and possibly consider an enema a day or so ahead. My husband "failed" his prep several times until my onc recommended that he start his clear fluids a full day ahead and do enemas as well.

    Great advice, Alice.

    I shall remember this on my next Colonoscopy. Anything that makes it go a little snoother. 

     

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    edited July 2016 #5
    Here is the prep recommended for a constipated person

    who failed 2 preps, and had his colonoscopy canceled twice as a result.  This prep worked:

    For Weds. morning colonoscopy:

    Liquid diet starting after dinner 3rd night before (Sunday night); with 2 tap water enemas that night.  Clear liquids next day; Bottle of Mag Citrate that night (Monday night).   Continue Day 2 of liquid diet (Tuesday) with Miralax prep that afternoon/evening.  Enema next morning[Weds.] (morning of colonoscopy).  This prep was finally successful for the person who'd had so much trouble.

    My prep this time is clear liquids starting day before, with Mag Citrate that evening, followed by enema that night, and again in the morning before my procedure.  I don't think I can handle another Half-Lytely or other 2 quart prep.  [I'm not constipated and not worried about that.]  Hope this helps.  If you need more info, please Private Message me as I might not be on the forums again in the next few days.

    Alice

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #6
    abrub said:

    Here is the prep recommended for a constipated person

    who failed 2 preps, and had his colonoscopy canceled twice as a result.  This prep worked:

    For Weds. morning colonoscopy:

    Liquid diet starting after dinner 3rd night before (Sunday night); with 2 tap water enemas that night.  Clear liquids next day; Bottle of Mag Citrate that night (Monday night).   Continue Day 2 of liquid diet (Tuesday) with Miralax prep that afternoon/evening.  Enema next morning[Weds.] (morning of colonoscopy).  This prep was finally successful for the person who'd had so much trouble.

    My prep this time is clear liquids starting day before, with Mag Citrate that evening, followed by enema that night, and again in the morning before my procedure.  I don't think I can handle another Half-Lytely or other 2 quart prep.  [I'm not constipated and not worried about that.]  Hope this helps.  If you need more info, please Private Message me as I might not be on the forums again in the next few days.

    Alice

    PS - Mag Citrate is much easier to tolerate

    than a 2 or 4 quart prep.  One 10 ounce bottle of stuff to drink.  I think this prep isn't offered as much because it requires enemas, but that doesn't bother me.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited July 2016 #7
    abrub said:

    PS - Mag Citrate is much easier to tolerate

    than a 2 or 4 quart prep.  One 10 ounce bottle of stuff to drink.  I think this prep isn't offered as much because it requires enemas, but that doesn't bother me.

    Suprep

    My last GI had me take Suprep.  Not half as bad a GoLytely (which ends up over the bathroom walls and floor - can't keep it down), but still no fun. 

    I did take Mag Citrate when I was perparing for my bowel resection, and vaugly remember it went down fairly well. 

    I am after a new GI Doctor, and will go in with ideas as opposed to having him tell me what to do.

     

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    #8
    Cut Back

    I have had 7 colonoscopies throughout my stage 3b colon cancer journey. I will be 5 years NED on Jan 30, 2017

    My suggestions:

    • 1 week prior cut back on food volume
    • increase water
    • do not have red/blue food
    • follow the dr's info they provided
    • the prep is worse than the actual procedure
    • it is a very important procedure
    • I had SupPrep (I believe thats' what it is called)

    She will get through it and the staff will help with anything she needs

    Best of luck!

  • javier_garcia123
    javier_garcia123 Member Posts: 28
    #9
    it works

    I'm being told that some of the suggestions here worked, for example begin before the liquid diet: Almost all the day before was liquid, and walk close to the bath :) among others, thanks

    We are wondering if the cleaning of the machine is always optimum, and what do they use

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,428 Member
    edited August 2016 #10
    This Worked

    This one worked for me

    https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/how-prepare-your-colonoscopy-using-miralax

    Was better than the first one where I had the horrible salty stuff.  This I mixed in a 64 Oz bottle of Gatorade.  No taste.  The first time was perfect, the second time I started a bit late (including eating solid foods probably later that I should have on the day before, just a brain lapse) and realized I did not mix it properly.  So the prep was not as good.  Next time I am going to cut the solids off earlier.  

    My last prep I also had the "hey nothing is happening yet" for about three hours.  Do not let that fool your friend in a false sense of security (i.e., stay close to the bathroom :) )  Also some wipes, instead of just toilet tissues (get some of the soft ones there), make things a bit easier.  I cannot believe I talk about all this stuff now, cancer does strange things for sure ;)  

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #11
    Colonoscopy

    I go on a liquid diet for three days preceeding colo,  Try mixing go lightly with lemon gatorade. Tastes OK, just a little salty. After mixing return to gatorade bottles and refrigerate.  Two bottles the night before.  Will probably only need one bottle to run clear in the morning.  Good luck!

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