Colonoscopy prep?

chynabear
chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
It's been a while since I've had a scope and know that there are new and better "preps" available these days, but I was having trouble finding the posts. I have a co-worker who is going to be scoped up and down because of persistent pain and I was hoping I could pass along some advice on a good prep.

So, tell me, what is your favorite "prep" medicine and why?

Thanks

Tricia

Comments

  • RuthieAnne
    RuthieAnne Member Posts: 3
    #2
    Prep
    The OsmoPrep is good if you can swallow large pills. You have to take 4 every 15 minutes for a total of 32 pills (the first 20, then the last 12 a few hours later) with 8 oz of GatorAde. They are salty so it helps to put them on the back of your tongue where you can't taste salt. The clean out is complete but not too harsh. I could never go back to the liquid preps again.
  • MoonDragon
    MoonDragon Member Posts: 183
    #3
    I'm so with RuthieAnn!
    I'm so with RuthieAnn! Osmoprep all the way. The last time I took the liquid sewer water I ended up throwing it all back up and having to start over. I take the Osmoprep with Smart Water and it replaces the electolytes that your body gets drained of. It really, really makes the prep a lot more tolerable!!

    Jorie
  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    #4
    I have used the 1/2 go lytely - 4 times
    You take a few laxative pills with some water - wait an hour or so for them to work and then drink 8 -8oz glasses of the icky stuff (pick the orange flavor - the rest are awful). You drink the water about 10 to 12 minutes apart. Make sure it is cold. I have been totally done with the prep in about 3 hours. You can have breakfast the day you do the prep. Start around 2 or 3 p.m. You can have unlimited clear fluids, jello, gatorade chicken broth, apple juice, etc. My biggest issue - I get a little hungry at the end of the day.

    I have done the full - 132 oz prep for surgery. The 1/2 go lytely - to me is a walk in the park. It doesn't stay in your stomach - it just passes through and "rinses."

    Pam
  • MoonDragon
    MoonDragon Member Posts: 183
    #5
    pamness said:

    I have used the 1/2 go lytely - 4 times
    You take a few laxative pills with some water - wait an hour or so for them to work and then drink 8 -8oz glasses of the icky stuff (pick the orange flavor - the rest are awful). You drink the water about 10 to 12 minutes apart. Make sure it is cold. I have been totally done with the prep in about 3 hours. You can have breakfast the day you do the prep. Start around 2 or 3 p.m. You can have unlimited clear fluids, jello, gatorade chicken broth, apple juice, etc. My biggest issue - I get a little hungry at the end of the day.

    I have done the full - 132 oz prep for surgery. The 1/2 go lytely - to me is a walk in the park. It doesn't stay in your stomach - it just passes through and "rinses."

    Pam

    Wow, how awesome to have it
    Wow, how awesome to have it done in 3 hours!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    I've tried both....PhosphoSoda and OsmoPrep....
    Never could finish the PhosphoSoda...

    Used the OsmoPrep last time....it was GREAT!!! (well, not considering what the reaction is, but I finished!!!!) My doc didn't want to use this, and my insurance wouldn't pay for it (!), but I still tried it, and man, I won't go back!

    In the news, PhosphoSoda is done. And OsmoPrep is the same stuff, different delivery, so there is talk of 'black box' labeling (warnings). But it has to do with not drinking enough fluid and flushing the kidneys, I think. I drank alot of Propel, strained reduced-salt chicken soup (I HATE chicken broth!!!!), jello (green), colorless popsicles...along with tea...and water...And I started eating a soft diet the day before.
    I agree, you must be able to take pills, ALOT of pills, the size of a multi vitamin. But, for me, it was the difference between completeing the cleanout, and not...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    #7
    OsmoPrep for sure
    I cannot tolerate GoLightly or the other liquid prep - has to do with my allergies. When I tried GoLightly I ended up in emergency with violent vomiting, etc. The OsmoPrep was a breeze after that. I guess the body processes it differently. My insurance also classifies it as a "Brand Name" drug, so it costs $40 instead of $10- well worth it! When I had to do it twice in a week (for more tests) my doc gave me samples from his office. They don't always have them, though...

    Vicki
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #8
    VickiCO said:

    OsmoPrep for sure
    I cannot tolerate GoLightly or the other liquid prep - has to do with my allergies. When I tried GoLightly I ended up in emergency with violent vomiting, etc. The OsmoPrep was a breeze after that. I guess the body processes it differently. My insurance also classifies it as a "Brand Name" drug, so it costs $40 instead of $10- well worth it! When I had to do it twice in a week (for more tests) my doc gave me samples from his office. They don't always have them, though...

    Vicki

    Thanks!
    Thanks for the responses!

    I think it must be the OsmoPrep that I remember reading about and thinking that's what I was going to ask for next scoope. I think I will definitely print this out and use it for reference when I have to do my scope in October and to pass it along.

    I used the GoLitely the first time, and barely made it through.

    Did the HalfLitely the second time with better success... and did the HalfLitely the last time, and nearly puked it all back up and felt very sick. It tasted like boiled, rotten gym socks with a mild lemon flavor that didn't quite cover the taste lol.

    My co-worker was prescribed TriLyte, and told to use Dulcolax and Phenergan. I've not heard of the TriLyte or the Phenergan. Any info?
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #9
    chynabear said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks for the responses!

    I think it must be the OsmoPrep that I remember reading about and thinking that's what I was going to ask for next scoope. I think I will definitely print this out and use it for reference when I have to do my scope in October and to pass it along.

    I used the GoLitely the first time, and barely made it through.

    Did the HalfLitely the second time with better success... and did the HalfLitely the last time, and nearly puked it all back up and felt very sick. It tasted like boiled, rotten gym socks with a mild lemon flavor that didn't quite cover the taste lol.

    My co-worker was prescribed TriLyte, and told to use Dulcolax and Phenergan. I've not heard of the TriLyte or the Phenergan. Any info?

    prep
    it is really interesting to hear all these prep names...maybe we just do not have them in Canada....I do not know but on Thurs last week the tumour board declared another colonoscopy for me before chemo. Talked to my surgeon and the only prep he allows is the liquid Fleet phos-pho soda. It is so crappy....I can taste it already. I won;t even buy it yet because I don't want to look at it till next thurs when prep starts.

    love the boiled rotten gym socks!!1 it really is pukey stuff

    thanks for all the info
    Mags
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    maglets said:

    prep
    it is really interesting to hear all these prep names...maybe we just do not have them in Canada....I do not know but on Thurs last week the tumour board declared another colonoscopy for me before chemo. Talked to my surgeon and the only prep he allows is the liquid Fleet phos-pho soda. It is so crappy....I can taste it already. I won;t even buy it yet because I don't want to look at it till next thurs when prep starts.

    love the boiled rotten gym socks!!1 it really is pukey stuff

    thanks for all the info
    Mags

    Think margarita time....
    PhosphoSoda. Put it in the freezer (it won't freeze, too much salt). Blend it, and margarita mix (low pulp kind), and ice. Pour into margarita glass. Drink while thinking about Antonio Banderas. (the saltiness of the drink is expected with a margarita, just DO NOT salt the rim!!!!).

    Keep us posted on the results...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #11
    KathiM said:

    Think margarita time....
    PhosphoSoda. Put it in the freezer (it won't freeze, too much salt). Blend it, and margarita mix (low pulp kind), and ice. Pour into margarita glass. Drink while thinking about Antonio Banderas. (the saltiness of the drink is expected with a margarita, just DO NOT salt the rim!!!!).

    Keep us posted on the results...

    Hugs, Kathi

    best darned
    Oh Kathi....if that isn't the best darned recipe I have ever heard.....I Don't know what is...thanks so much!!!

    another friend I met this afternoon suggested a good dose of gravol first so gravol with the margarita mix....should be good to go....so to speak

    hugs to you, Mags
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #12
    KathiM said:

    I've tried both....PhosphoSoda and OsmoPrep....
    Never could finish the PhosphoSoda...

    Used the OsmoPrep last time....it was GREAT!!! (well, not considering what the reaction is, but I finished!!!!) My doc didn't want to use this, and my insurance wouldn't pay for it (!), but I still tried it, and man, I won't go back!

    In the news, PhosphoSoda is done. And OsmoPrep is the same stuff, different delivery, so there is talk of 'black box' labeling (warnings). But it has to do with not drinking enough fluid and flushing the kidneys, I think. I drank alot of Propel, strained reduced-salt chicken soup (I HATE chicken broth!!!!), jello (green), colorless popsicles...along with tea...and water...And I started eating a soft diet the day before.
    I agree, you must be able to take pills, ALOT of pills, the size of a multi vitamin. But, for me, it was the difference between completeing the cleanout, and not...

    Hugs, Kathi

    GREEN JELLO!
    Food of the gods!!!! I love that stuff and other people think i'm nuts :)
    mary
  • tiny one
    tiny one Member Posts: 465 Member
    #13
    KathiM said:

    I've tried both....PhosphoSoda and OsmoPrep....
    Never could finish the PhosphoSoda...

    Used the OsmoPrep last time....it was GREAT!!! (well, not considering what the reaction is, but I finished!!!!) My doc didn't want to use this, and my insurance wouldn't pay for it (!), but I still tried it, and man, I won't go back!

    In the news, PhosphoSoda is done. And OsmoPrep is the same stuff, different delivery, so there is talk of 'black box' labeling (warnings). But it has to do with not drinking enough fluid and flushing the kidneys, I think. I drank alot of Propel, strained reduced-salt chicken soup (I HATE chicken broth!!!!), jello (green), colorless popsicles...along with tea...and water...And I started eating a soft diet the day before.
    I agree, you must be able to take pills, ALOT of pills, the size of a multi vitamin. But, for me, it was the difference between completeing the cleanout, and not...

    Hugs, Kathi

    colonoscopy prep
    I've only used the phosphosoda prep. I use orajel and numb my mouth, tongue and throat. You don't taste this nasty stuff quite as bad.
  • baymare
    baymare Member Posts: 5
    #14
    KathiM said:

    Think margarita time....
    PhosphoSoda. Put it in the freezer (it won't freeze, too much salt). Blend it, and margarita mix (low pulp kind), and ice. Pour into margarita glass. Drink while thinking about Antonio Banderas. (the saltiness of the drink is expected with a margarita, just DO NOT salt the rim!!!!).

    Keep us posted on the results...

    Hugs, Kathi

    phososoda prep
    I've only ever been told to use the Fleet liquid (gag a maggot) but I just was a good little patient and got thru it.
    Now, Kathi, I'm sober over 7 years now but I gotta tell you, I could kiss you right now just knowing that I can use your tip, next time I have to prep. And that'll be soon. I'm scheduled for a colostomy/vaginal re-section and reconstruction due to a T4 colon cancer.
    I think even my AA sponsor would approve this solution to having to swallow that vomitous elixir. lmao Thank you, thankyouthankyou!
    Mare
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #15
    baymare said:

    phososoda prep
    I've only ever been told to use the Fleet liquid (gag a maggot) but I just was a good little patient and got thru it.
    Now, Kathi, I'm sober over 7 years now but I gotta tell you, I could kiss you right now just knowing that I can use your tip, next time I have to prep. And that'll be soon. I'm scheduled for a colostomy/vaginal re-section and reconstruction due to a T4 colon cancer.
    I think even my AA sponsor would approve this solution to having to swallow that vomitous elixir. lmao Thank you, thankyouthankyou!
    Mare

    crappy stuff
    Hi Mare....my prep was last thurs and I made it thru the first bottle of fleet and hurled the second. I have to confess i didn't try Kathi's recipe but i am wodering if i should have. I used a lot of gravol and I don't know if that helped. It was one sip of water that started my vomiting....sometimes I think when yo9u are that state a little sugar helps keeps thigs down....would have been better with ginger ale.

    good luck kiddo....you will be fine
    do you have a surgery date???

    Best Hugs,
    Maggie
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #16
    Miralax prep
    Sorry to be chiming in late on this, but I have had soooo much trouble with preps, I wanted to pass on the easiest one I've ever had. The phospho soda makes me hurl pretty quickly and violently. I was so sick and dehydrated trying to get it down, I needed IV fluids to rehydrate. My GI doc has stopped using it since the warnings of potential kidney damage. The Go Litely stuff makes me even more nauseous, if that is possible.
    I did go back to the old fashioned citrate of mangnesia for one of my follow up colonoscopies, and, while I kept it down, I was nauseous and developed a rare migraine.
    My GI doc then suggested a Miralax prep. I take a dose of the stuff each day due to a lazy bowel since surgery.
    The prep is a god send! I mix a bottle of the Miralax with diluted white grape juice; there is NO taste, just a more slippery, viscous feel to the drink. No nausea, not too harsh; I'll never consider anything else. I do a low residue diet the day before the prep, clear liquids the day of, and I'm clean as a whistle and feel just fine during and after.
    The barium liquid for the contrast CT scan also makes me really ill; there is a substitute for that, too, called gastrogaffin (sp?) powder, that I mix with a quart of cranberry juice cocktail and sip away.
    I have my colonscopy next week; I used to get sick just thinking about it!
    Best of luck, Judy

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