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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if anyone couldn’t finish colonoscopy prep?

85 replies

BottomStress · 15/05/2021 21:19

Shamelessly posting here for traffic, sorry Blush

I have a colonoscopy tomorrow lunchtime, so started the moviprep at 5pm. I found the first litre absolutely horrendous. I felt so sick, among other things, and was a little bit sick (sorry!) twice. I had an hour break between doses one and two and drank two glasses of water as advised. I tried to drink some of the second about half an hour ago and was very violently sick. I imagine it all of the water I’d drunk and I imagine some of the moviprep too. I left it 5 minutes, tried to drink some more and was sick again.

I’ve spoken to a lovely nurse who advised leaving it another hour and trying again but she said that if I keep being sick or feeling very sick to stop drinking it. I think they’re going to call me in the morning to discuss options, apparently there’s a chance they might give me an enema Blush

Has this happened to anyone else? I feel absolutely pathetic that it’s affecting me so badly, but also much better after being sick! I’ve had to take time off work so I don’t want to not be able to have the colonoscopy done but I’m also not sure I can physically drink another litre of it...

Anyone have any words of advice? I am drinking it cold, through a straw, mixed with lime cordial and I’m sipping cold water with it too!

OP posts:
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Lookingtodate · 17/10/2024 00:45

Anything powdered and I'll boak and most likely bring back up. I tried to drink the stuff and ended up taking laxatives and lots of water

JohnSt1 · 17/10/2024 00:02

I've taken Klean Prep for mine. From the description it sounds similar. It's vile. I use a straw and aim for the back of my mouth so I don't taste it as much.

KenAdams · 16/10/2024 23:55

justasmalltownmum · 16/10/2024 18:53

I'm currently taking first dose. I have 300ml left. I can't do it. Any advice?

Hold your breath and drink loads through a straw. Aim for 125ml every 15 mins (if you're on a 500ml dose).

Tonnerre · 16/10/2024 23:50

Put it in the fridge so it's cold, hold your nose, think about something else and drink it as quickly as possible.

justasmalltownmum · 16/10/2024 18:53

I'm currently taking first dose. I have 300ml left. I can't do it. Any advice?

JenniferBooth · 02/06/2024 14:15

Ive just done the FIT test. i have had problems and diarrheoa on and off since autumn 2022. Its been miserable There is NO WAY i am putting myself through this after what ive already been through/am going through.

Soreinplacesiforgotabout · 21/01/2024 21:10

I'm like that now. It's a Sunday night and i'm due in to hospital in the morning.
So can't call anyone.

Flissitytricity · 17/05/2021 19:00

I will never forget the awful taste of Moviprep! I mixed it as instructed and took a spoonful. Hey this isn't so bad, sweet and lemony. WRONG! Oh my giddy aunt I struggled after the first few mouthfuls and had to force myself to drink some every 5 minutes but it was torture. I managed around 80% of it and it worked as expected.
The next day (actual colonoscopy) was unsuccessful and I blame the consultant as he was a bad mannered * and his attitude was disgusting.
He abandoned the test and I had a scan instead some weeks later. No health issues so at least that was a positive!

Moviprep though, vile VILE VILE!

Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 17:26

@Tonnerre I’m sorry it didn’t work very well for you. I didn’t think it was working at the time, but looking back it’s all a complete haze so it must have been! I remember saying to the doctor at one point that I could feel the tube, which was odd.

I know someone who has had two without any sedation and been fine with it, I guess it’s just personal preference. I asked the nurse whether it was the norm to have sedation and she said it was a mix of both. Hopefully I won’t have to have another one for a while!

Sorry you’re having such a tricky time @Bumtrouble! I think someone mentioned upthread that the picolax is quite a lot more violent when it starts working. Fingers crossed for you!

OP posts:
Tonnerre · 17/05/2021 16:41

The actual colonoscopy was fine too, but I wasn’t very keen on the sedation. It made the whole process very easy but it’s a bit odd to have gone through a medical procedure but not really remember it! If I were to have to have another one I might consider having it without the sedation or just with gas and air.

I opted for sedation but I don't think it worked. I didn't feel at all sleepy or dopey and was very conscious of everything that was happening. And I have to say that at times it was pretty painful, so I wouldn't really advocate volunteering to go without.

@Bumtrouble, I suggest just taking a good book/iPad or something into the bathroom and just settling in there till the worst is over. No point in having to keep running back and forth and change clothes. In my experience, after a very busy hour the worst was over.

Bumtrouble · 17/05/2021 15:13

I'm on picolax today in prep for a colonoscopy tomorrow. I had no idea how bad the prep was going to be. I'm already on my 3rd change of clothes & I've only just taken the 2nd dose

Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 14:11

Thanks @BobbinThreadbare123! Yes, I think it was the salt that was the issue for me too.

I’ve been doing a bit of googling about Crohn’s today, so I know what sort of questions to ask when I get my appointment. I am obviously pleased that I don’t feel ill with it (one of my good friends has IBS and suffers considerably more than I do) but it’s also a bit worrying that it’s become quite bad without me realising there was anything wrong!

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 17/05/2021 13:54

Glad it all went well, OP. I am also a Crohn-y! I can't do the Moviprep - I puke it back up because there's too much and it's salty. Picolax is the best of a bad bunch. I've been subjected to the ignominy of a Fleet once or twice because I've not been able to keep the bowel prep down, so well done to anyone that can!

Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 13:49

Thank you to everyone who offered advice and wished me luck too, by the way!

You’re all fabulous and you helped a lot Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 13:49

@Franklin12 Yes of course! Thank you for checking back in, I just saw your message when I came back to update the thread.

My bowel prep was fine in the end, the Doctor and the nurses thought it was verrrrry funny when I told them I’d only managed 1.7 litres and then doctor asked me if I was a medic Blush

The actual colonoscopy was fine too, but I wasn’t very keen on the sedation. It made the whole process very easy but it’s a bit odd to have gone through a medical procedure but not really remember it! If I were to have to have another one I might consider having it without the sedation or just with gas and air.

The outcome was that I’ve got Crohn’s (they are almost certain that I have anyway) and haemorrhoids. It was a bit of a shock as I was expecting just the haemorrhoids (I have no physical symptoms of Crohn’s) but at least now I know. Should have an appointment with a gastroenterologist soon to discuss the next steps Smile

OP posts:
Franklin12 · 17/05/2021 13:25

Can I check how you got on please. The prep is by far the worst.

Whanganui · 16/05/2021 14:56

Sorry I was too late posting OP, hope all went well for you & your bum ain't too sore.

Whanganui · 16/05/2021 14:45

I've had 2 over the years & failed to drink that vile stuff on both occasions. I wasn't sick, but it made me gag, badly, & my body just couldn't take that amount of liquid as I wasn't very big. The 2nd time was the same, even though I'd gained a few stone, but still I couldn't drink that amount. They still did both colonoscopy, but it was recorded on my medical. notes that I was disturbed throughout & was swearing. If you do get to drink it, remove all of your bottom clothing, open all doors, raise toilet seat, don't trust a fart, & RUN!

Wallywobbles · 16/05/2021 13:58

This is a thread about picolax. Very very funny if the link still works

singletrackworld.com/2009/02/the-picolax-thread-returns/

justasking111 · 16/05/2021 13:20

Good luck OP I never finished the moviprep but I was pooping pale yellow moviprep so decided yep I am done. I did eat a light diet, beforehand. When going to the loo in the hospital had a funny turn faintness, afterwards the cup of tea was the best had since I had my babies.

unruly336 · 16/05/2021 11:36

An enema-only prep is only an option in a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy only looking at the lower bowel and rectum. But definitely the more comfortable option.

Also good look with today OP!! Flowers

Soozikinzi · 16/05/2021 09:38

Hope it goes well OP hubby had his last week and he found it very interesting! Hope yours goes as well as his !

BagORats · 16/05/2021 09:28

Hope it goes well OP. If it does need doing again ask for picolax next time but I'm sure you'll be fine

Franklin12 · 16/05/2021 09:14

I had picolax. Straw and serve it cold. Don’t think about it too much and hold your nose. It was staggering how many people were incapable of reading the instructions when I was checking in at the hospital. The lady next to being prepared had ticked the box for no sedation but wanted one. Someone else had taken some of the prep but couldn’t possibly ‘starve’ herself so had carried on eating.

They sent her home and she wasn’t best pleased.

The colonoscopy was a breeze. Dr was very good.

Ostara212 · 16/05/2021 09:11

@wildeverose

I've had 7, and an enema every time! I've never heard of this but it sounds horrific!
Yes an enema sounds better

A family member has been recommended to do a colonoscopy, didn't know enema was an option. Sounds much better.