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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:
Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:46

I don’t seem to tolerate medical drinks very well. I was supposed to take a contrast solution about 4 weeks ago whilst in hospital for a ct contrast. I threw all that up too. They resorted to putting an NG tube in me and you piping it in that way….and I still threw it all up which surprised the nurses and doctors

OP posts:
Destiny123 · 19/10/2023 19:50

I'm a Dr. Its totally pointless to even attempt a colonoscopy without prep. They may agree to try but pretty certain it will be such a poor view as still full of undigested food they'll abandon and bring you back another day

I'd try pinch ur nose and swallow it quickly then have something nice to immediately drink after swallowing

MrsClatterbuck · 19/10/2023 19:51

I mixed mine with elderflower cordial or you could have orange squash as advised by a nurse after my barium enema. I also found drinking it through a straw made it a lot easier
Also make sure it is cold

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General health
tothelefttotheleft · 19/10/2023 19:51

If your colonoscopy is rescheduled ask for picolax. It's a tiny amount of stuff to drink. Like a individual juice carton. Doesn't taste bad either. It's like lemon sherbet.

Daddylonglegs123 · 19/10/2023 19:54

It is awful and I also have a string gag reflex. It is better cold and just get it over with.

TheSparkling · 19/10/2023 19:54

Yes, they generally do turn people away if the prep hasn't been good enough. There is little point doing the procedure if the doctor can't see anything because your bowel is still full.

Destiny123 · 19/10/2023 19:56

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?

They'll refuse to do it. Scopes aren't without risk of bowel perforation the risk is small but we arent going to put someone through it when it's pointless as the view will be so poor it will be abandoned mid procedure

Original poster
Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:57

I’ve thrown the stuff up…so kinda pointless now I guess

OP posts:
ladeluge · 19/10/2023 19:57

If picolax is so much easier to take why is moviprep given as standard does anyone know? Cost maybe, or it might not work as well as moviprep, I don't know. As a veteran of colonoscopies I'd love a juice sized carton of prep please! I'll ask next time, nothing to lose...

Jewelspun · 19/10/2023 19:58

Use a straw?

nocoolnamesleft · 19/10/2023 20:00

ladeluge · 19/10/2023 19:57

If picolax is so much easier to take why is moviprep given as standard does anyone know? Cost maybe, or it might not work as well as moviprep, I don't know. As a veteran of colonoscopies I'd love a juice sized carton of prep please! I'll ask next time, nothing to lose...

I found moviprep way worse than picolax, so it does vary from individual to individual.

Dillane · 19/10/2023 20:01

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

it will be worth it tomorrow when you have it all behind you

Sorry but that made me laugh.

I do sympathise OP the mixture is hard to drink but it’s worth getting it over with. Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Daisydue · 19/10/2023 20:03

Someone got my joke! Terrible sense of humour

Miyagi99 · 19/10/2023 20:07

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?

They won’t do it if people let on they haven’t taken the prep, other lie but the scope can’t see anything so it’s a waste of a slot for someone and a waste of everyone’s time.

MissHoollie · 19/10/2023 20:10

I once had an emergency colonoscopy and they gave me an enema on the day.

Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather · 19/10/2023 20:11

I was told to drink it cold with a straw so you can't taste the vile stuff!

Worriedaboutc · 19/10/2023 20:12

Cumbrianlife · 19/10/2023 18:20

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

Edited

How does this work is it just a ct scan? Do you need contrast?

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 20:17

Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:46

I don’t seem to tolerate medical drinks very well. I was supposed to take a contrast solution about 4 weeks ago whilst in hospital for a ct contrast. I threw all that up too. They resorted to putting an NG tube in me and you piping it in that way….and I still threw it all up which surprised the nurses and doctors

It's literally the same solution for both procedures, just if they're using it for scan contrast you have to drink it and then they scan you while it's still in your bowel because it improves the images.

Then they send you home to enjoy the after effects.

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 20:18

MissHoollie · 19/10/2023 20:10

I once had an emergency colonoscopy and they gave me an enema on the day.

AFAIK, they can usually only do a sigmoidoscopy that way as an enema won't empty your whole large intestine.

Pushkinini · 19/10/2023 20:20

I have these every two years. Mix it with really cold Coke Zero and chug it down. It's grim, but marginally better that way.

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 20:21

ladeluge · 19/10/2023 19:57

If picolax is so much easier to take why is moviprep given as standard does anyone know? Cost maybe, or it might not work as well as moviprep, I don't know. As a veteran of colonoscopies I'd love a juice sized carton of prep please! I'll ask next time, nothing to lose...

This is the NHS. It's always about cost. You have to fail with the cheapest option before you can have the option that's actually in your best interests.

user1846385927482658 · 19/10/2023 20:22

Soubriquet · 19/10/2023 19:57

I’ve thrown the stuff up…so kinda pointless now I guess

They can probably give you an enema and do a sigmoidoscopy instead. Better than nothing at all.

Gingernaut · 19/10/2023 20:22

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?

Of course they do

Without the colon cleared, the procedure is a waste of time.

All they're going to see is literal shit, instead of the colon walls

Limetreee · 19/10/2023 20:26

My friend had one last month they gave her a pessary to use just before the procedure. Think it depends where you live, as to what they give you. Good luck

Lizzieregina · 19/10/2023 20:30

Sorry didn’t read all the responses, but do you have a straw? Ice cold and through a straw enabled me to drink that glop. I’m delighted that it’s no longer the required prep and next time I won’t have to drink it!