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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

On laxatives today (picolax) not sure what to expect

96 replies

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:22

And nobody else is home.

Anyone care to join me?

Slightly worried that it's going to be awful. Took them 20 mins ago. Nothing yet.

How long should they take to work?

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McDreamy · 28/01/2009 08:28

It doesn't take long and you might find you will need the toilet fast when it does work - don't go out! Poor you, why picolax? I have only used that for pre op bowel surgery patients in hospital.

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 08:28

Is it to "clean you out"? i.e. prior to surgery? If so expect to be stuck on the loo once they get going. Can't remember the name of ones I took but sounds familiar......was a few years ago. I took phone to loo with me!
Good luck.

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:39

I'm having a flexible sigmoidoscopy tomorrow.

Still feel ok, have been to loo (sorry tmi) but nothing out of the ordinary.

Could I go to sleep? Will the need to go waken me?

Jojo, i'll be taking the laptop, thank heavens for wireless!!

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SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:40

www.girl-torque.co.uk/picolax.txt This is very funny!

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Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 28/01/2009 08:40

Picolax can cause things to be a bit explosive IME Have you tried other things before this as I agree with McDreamy - it's more often used for a complete clear out before surgery.

McDreamy · 28/01/2009 08:40

Oh right well that makes sense. I think the sensation will wake you up if you did drift off to sleep. Good luck for tomorrow

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 28/01/2009 08:41

x-posts. Good luck with your procedure.

McDreamy · 28/01/2009 08:41

But you might need to be quick!

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 08:44

Yes good luck for the proceedure. I found it wasn't too bad initially, but did get more frequent. Depends on how much there is to shift I guess! Do you have kids at home that you need to look after? If so I'd get some help in just in case you get stuck!

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:45

Lol, I might just read instead! Apparently I need a full bowel preparation for them to be able to see clearly?

Does anyone have any experience of a flexible sigmoidoscopy?

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SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:50

No it's just me, that's the worrying part!!

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Bluestocking · 28/01/2009 08:52

That blog post is hilarious and accords precisely with my experience of Agent Picolax. I was given it in hospital the night before "a procedure" and spent most of the night sitting on the loo with tears pouring down my face. Not that I want to scare you or anything but I would't try to lie down and sleep before "the big one" hits you - because there's no-one with you to change your bed, if you get my drift, and you probably don't have an industrial-strength rubber sheet on your mattress.

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 08:53

You will be ok! It doesn't hurt at all. But as I said as time goes on you may find you are spending longer on the loo. In the end I do recall just sitting there as there was no point getting off! Eventuallly you will feel safe enough to retire elsewhere!

Did they tell you to take it this early in the day?

CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 08:56

DH had a flexi-sig on Monday. He only needed a self-administered enema though.
(Possibly because he's recently "cleaned out" with picolax and a barium enema!)
DH said it wasn't toon bad, he was given an injection of muscle relaxant when his bowel went into spasm. Most uncomfortable thing was the cramping and gas afterward.

Picolax can be very explosive - not taken it myself but has heard the results and cleaned the loo afterwards!

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:58

Oh crikey.

It's started and I must admit it's making me feel rather panicky.

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SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:59

I was told to take it at 8.00am and again at 2.00pm.

I'm sure I was told to have a light lunch in the middle but can't find the letter and I'm worried that I shouldn't.

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Bluestocking · 28/01/2009 09:02

Can you ring the hospital and get them to advise? I very much doubt you were told to eat a light lunch - they are trying to completely clear you out - it was probably the dreaded "clear fluids only" advice.
Don't worry, it does feel awful, but it isn't doing you any harm. Find a soothing radio programme to listen to while you sit on the bog.

CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 09:06

I'll see if I can find DH's picolax info. I think he had a light lunch the day before too.
So you;re taken dose now, at 2pm, Any more later or tomorrow?

Sorry for typos - ntyping one handed as baby asllep on my chest!

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:07

but the lady told me to eat yesterday too. thankfully I didn't have much. the other clear fluids advice that I've found is 48 hours. which obv I haven't done now!!

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SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:08

Nope, no food after tea time either, @ tea time i'm only allowed jelly or consomme (poss sp)!

Thanks

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CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 09:16

DH had a minestrone cup-a-soup with all the bits strained out, followed by a huge bowl of lime jelly. Yum

bramblebooks · 28/01/2009 09:18

All will be fine, but do not wear your favourite knickers. Old throwaway pants will be good. Not saying why ....

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SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:19

lol, tell me about it!

tomorrow I shall have something really yummy after it's all over. then next week I'm off to tenerife so I'll undoubtedly make up for it then.

am i naive to think that it may have stopped now??

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/01/2009 09:20

oh poor you with picolax. When I had it it got to the point where I gave up drinking it as what was coming out seemed to be exactly what was going in so I just gave up and poured it straight into the loo.
Don't panic though, it does pass.

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:22

I feel ok just now.. who knows??

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