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Original poster

Supposed to take moviprep but I can’t stomach it

67 replies

Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 18:12

I’m aware I have food issues and I’m supposed to drink a litre of this tonight and another tomorrow morning for a colonoscopy tomorrow afternoon. But I just can’t. I’ve managed two mouthfuls and that nearly made me throw up

I now cannot go near it or even smell it without my stomach turning.

I’ll stay fasting cos I still have an endoscopy as well tomorrow, but is there any chance the colonoscopy can still go ahead? I’ll have to explain to the doctors I know and I’m sure they won’t be impressed but I just can’t do it

OP posts:
theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 19/10/2023 18:16

I imagine not but happy to be corrected.

I've had several colonoscopies and you need to be very empty for them to see everything during the procedure. The amount you get rid of after those awful drinks is unreal. I watched my last colonoscopy and I was so 'clean' inside!

Can you hold your nose and down a pint of the moviprep? I know the suggest drinking it through a straw but that just prolongs it 🤢

IthinkIamAnAlien · 19/10/2023 18:17

Mix it with something, lemonade, lime juice, something fizzy, don't try and drink it all at once. Take it in stages. It's better cold from the fridge. It's not as bad as you think, you'll get there. Good luck.
You'll get more responses if you post under health and include colonoscopy in the title.

Permanentlyunimpressed · 19/10/2023 18:19

No I don't think they'll be able to do it if you don't take it, it really clears you out!. Sympathies, I had to drink 2 litres of the stuff a few weeks ago. The struggle was real! Like drinking salt water Envy. I had squash to take after every couple of gulps, it was the only way for me. I don't know how I kept it down, I was gagging and had to leave a bit at the end.

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Iheartmysmart · 19/10/2023 18:19

I couldn’t tolerate it either and ended up postponing the procedure. I was sent a different prep - Picolax - that meant there was only a small amount of liquid to drink.

mrsdolittle · 19/10/2023 18:20

Try drinking it really really cold (maybe use ice as part of the dilution mixture). I found it much more bearable like that. It is grim but they won't be able to perform the colonoscopy if your bowels aren't clear.

Cumbrianlife · 19/10/2023 18:20

I can't have the prep so I have regular virtual ones in a CT scanner.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 19/10/2023 18:22

The colonoscopy won’t go ahead if you don’t clean your bowel out. They can’t get a clear view if it’s full of 💩. Can you put it into a travel mug with a lid or a sports bottle so you can’t smell it? I Mixed it in Iced cold water helped me to get it down.
Depending on the time of your appointment you’re cutting it fine if you don’t do it soon.
My first was Picolax and that wasn’t too bad, the second was Moviprep and sennacot tablets. Grim.

Philomenacunk1 · 19/10/2023 18:25

Mixing it with something sweet like orange juice plus loads and loads of ice will make it better. Drinking it with your eyes shut also helps for some reason! My sympathies, it’s really grim but it’s worth it to get the procedure over and done with.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 18:26

I don’t think I can do it. I have an extremely sensitive taste buds and gag reflex… I’ll go ahead the endoscopy but I think I’ll end up postponing the colonoscopy. Ask for something different or ask for the ct version.

OP posts:
theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 19/10/2023 18:28

Yes @Soubriquet you need to get going if your procedure is tomorrow. Much later and you won't get any sleep tonight...

Autumn1990 · 19/10/2023 18:32

I mixed it with less water than stated and then glugged back some squash immediately after each mouthful. I managed half the required amount. It was fine though because I’d followed the restricted diet for the week or however long it is before.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 18:32

Yeah the few mouthfuls I’ve had has just made my stomach pain worse. So I’m gonna stop and talk to the doctors tomorrow

thanks for the help

OP posts:
Zingy123 · 19/10/2023 18:36

There is no way they will do it. I mixed mine with lemonade. I would let them know early in the morning so they can use your slot for someone else.

Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 18:56

I’ll let them know in the morning but I do have an endoscopy at the same time so not exactly a wasted appointment. I’ll try with the lemonade

OP posts:
Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:12

I’ve done a half lemonade half meds prep and that seems to be more palatable. Thanks

OP posts:
Robotalkingrubbish · 19/10/2023 19:26

Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:12

I’ve done a half lemonade half meds prep and that seems to be more palatable. Thanks

Hold your nose, so you can’t taste it. It’s not so bad really, it just tastes a bit salty. Go on, you can do it. 💪

enchantedsquirrelwood · 19/10/2023 19:29

Cumbrianlife · 19/10/2023 18:20

I can't have the prep so I have regular virtual ones in a CT scanner.

Edited

But you have to clear yourself out for those, too. Although I know the prep is different.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 19/10/2023 19:31

It's interesting so many people are saying they would not do it if you haven't cleared yourself out correctly. My mum recently had a colonoscopy and she always follows rules about this sort of thing to the letter. But I can imagine loads of people don't. Do they really turn these people away?

mauvish · 19/10/2023 19:35

It's not really a question of "turning people away", which sounds punitive (though the end effect is the same!)

If you haven't taken the prep, they can't see the lining of the bowel. So there's no point going ahead. Simple as that.

Loverofoxbowlakes · 19/10/2023 19:36

Not quite the same level but I frequently have to take laxido. I quarter the amount of water used to mix it then glug it down, followed by the rest of the liquid mixed as squash.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 19/10/2023 19:38

Cold and chugging it through a wide straw is the only way I can get it down, it usually involves a fair bit of gagging but is worth it to get the investigation done.

Nursemumma92 · 19/10/2023 19:38

enchantedsquirrelwood · 19/10/2023 19:31

It's interesting so many people are saying they would not do it if you haven't cleared yourself out correctly. My mum recently had a colonoscopy and she always follows rules about this sort of thing to the letter. But I can imagine loads of people don't. Do they really turn these people away?

It's not a case of turning people away, it's that someone would go through an invasive procedure for literally no point as nothing would be visible when the bowel is full of faeces. They would then have to return to have it done again. I know I'd rather be told it can't go ahead than them try knowing it's futile when it's not a pleasant procedure for someone to have done.

AnnaMagnani · 19/10/2023 19:39

Do they really turn these people away?

Yes they do. Or they start the procedure and abandon it quickly as soon as it's apparent they can't see your bowel because it's still full of poo.

The whole point of a colonoscopy is to see the insides of your bowel, if you haven't taken the prep, there's no point in doing one.

Daisydue · 19/10/2023 19:42

I have a tube of toothpaste and keep rubbing it on my teeth after every glug.

Very sensitive palate and gag reflex but this helped me get through it. And chewing gum.

try and get through it, it will be worth it tomorrow when you have it all behind you

Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:43

Yeah I’ve just thrown the lot up….

OP posts: