Has anyone ever been sick from having colonoscopy prep?

[IBlameTheDog]

DD (18) has been urgently referred for a colonoscopy. She has calprotectin of 415. She suffers from extreme emetophobia and I'm scared the prep is going to make her gag. If it does, she won't continue and she won't be able to have it done.

Is this a common thing? I've read a few articles that say it can make you gag and/or actually vomit.

Any tips to help her drink it all would be useful. I've read a lot of threads on here and understand that cold and with a straw seems to be the way forward. Her emetophobia makes her scared of foods that she doesn't like at the best of times so she'll really struggle with this.

Is one of the brands less in volume than another?

Terrified of what it may find, terrified of her going through it and trying desperately hard not to show any of it 😕

Yes, I have Crohn's and will just vomit Moviprep back up. If I am given Picolax I keep it down; the volume is a lot less. Some trusts will also administer a Fleet enema at the hospital too, if they think you need it.

Has your DD got her prep yet? There are some brands that are better than others but it is very dependent on local protocol and the consultant which one is used.

I have had quite a few colonoscopies over the years and have tried everything to make it taste better. My personal method is to get the prep in as quickly as possible (so as little liquid as possible) and then follow it with lots of water/lemonade. But I know that doesn't work for everyone.

When I was about your daughter's age I diluted with lemonade and drank it that way!! You can ask them to give her some anti sickness meds to take with it!!

Thanks for the replies - I was hoping everyone would say it had never made them vomit 🙁

She hasn't got anything yet - just saw the doctor this morning. She's going to get an urgent referral so I think she'll be in within the next couple of weeks.

I wonder if I can ask for Picolax? I couldn't speak to GP about my concerns as I didn't want to put ideas into DD's head.

This is literally her worst nightmare. I feel so awful for her.

I've had two colonoscopies. No vomiting. Chilling the prep drink makes it more palatable

The second dose of Moviprep did make me sick. I tried diluting it and I think that made it worse for me as I was taking in so much liquid. I would second the suggestion to request anti sickness meds or something other than Moviprep.

All the best to you and your daughter, you are doing all the right things x

Is she scared just of vomit or diarrhea too? I've never had the prep, but I have been given meds when I had a blockage (that didn't work). They didn't make me sick. In the end the enema was the best but feels like diarrhea (I'm emet but not scared of diarrhea).

They gave me an anti-emetic pill to take first, it was called Metoclopramide. Maybe that could be a possibility.

Many antisickness medicines can cause constipation (the opposite of what you need to achieve here) so speak to the department organising the procedure before taking anything.

It would be a shame to go through the procedure and for them not to get a good view.

I had a total gastrectomy so can't take the preps. As a result I have virtual ones in a CT scanner.

I'm also going to have to have a colonoscopy soon, I'm very worried as I'm the first person to be sick at any reason at all. Good luck to your DD, OP.

She's not scared of diarrhoea in itself. But she does associate it with being sick as that happened last time she got sickness bug.

I think the fact that she'll know she isn't poorly will take that worry away.

Taking on board that the lower volume prep maybe better for her and her will definitely ask for anti sickness meds just in case.

I wonder if I can call the GP and explain just how bad her emet is? I know GP won't discuss DD with me, but will she listen if I explain about her?

She doesn't even want to go to hospital as scared of sitting with ill people and will be mortified if she has to be in any kind of ward/waiting room with other people.

I was told to use drinking straw as stops you tasting it so much. The murse told me there were different flavours. I was offered lemon I think it was. didn't vomit but cried as didn't like taste. added coke to it which made it slightly better. hugs to your daughter

I dearly dearly wish DD could have this. Wonder if I could pay for her to have it done privately? Do you know if they're as accurate as colonoscopy?

Thanks so much @colonoscopyfears

Really hope it goes ok for you - both the procedure and the results 🤞🏻

Thank you. Such an invasive procedure...

That's a good idea re Coke. I think other people have suggested lemonade too. Does it not matter that it's fizzy?

Thanks, mine is to remove a polyp then test to see if it's cancerous, so hopefully the colonoscopy should be the end of things if I can get through the prep!

I was worried I'd be sick too, especially as I had to take a second dose at the crack of dawn. Some good advice I found was to start the low residue diet a few days earlier than the instructions say and eat very little before the prep. This ensures there isn't to much to 'come out' so makes the process a little less uncomfortable.

I started an hour earlier than the time indicated on the instructions and drank it over a longer period with longer breaks in between, finishing the dose at the instructed time. Didn't want to prolong the agony with straws so I took big swigs. I slugged down ice cold water straight after each swig of the prep - the taste and texture were the worst bits. I didn't vomit but can't say it was pleasant.

You just need to keep going until nothing is coming out the other end but yellow liquid. It is important not to get dehydrated though. I drank dilute dehydration salts as my sodium was already a bit low - but don't use any that are orange flavoured.

@ForPearlViper

This is really helpful, thanks.

To be fair, she eats very little and is incredibly slim so hopefully if she takes your advice it might be not too awful.

I don't think she'll manage big swigs though. She hates trying anything new at the best of times and is deeply suspicious of new foods.

I think cold, with a straw and something to take the taste away might be the way for her.

Another vote for Picolax rather than Moviprep. Chilled and with ice and a straw. I have been known to drink it out of a cocktail glass, pinky aloft, for the psychological benefits. 😉

Also use other fluids to take away the taste - you can have black tea and coffee, lemonade, ginger ale (also good for nausea) and apple juice. I often have Bovril because the prep makes me crave salt.

Good luck to DD - I’ve had a colonoscopy every year since 2006 and only vomited once! 🤞

Haha! She's more of a hot chocolate fan - maybe I can tell her to put some marshmallows on the top!!

Will definitely enquire as to whether we can ask for Picolax.

Thank you for replying - that's really good to hear!

The last time I had a colonoscopy they had changed the prep and I vomited during the second dose. It wasn't Moviprep but can't remember the name of the product they changed to. I had a telephone appointment with the pharmacist attached to my GP practice afterwards to record my concerns. I was told that if I need another colonoscopy I can be given the prep in tablet form so just a case of swallowing a few tablets. I haven't had another colonoscopy so no idea if they would follow through on this if asked. I'm thinking the tablets must be more expensive and that is why they are not generally offered. No idea if I am right or not. I would willingly pay £20 (or more) to have the tablet option if available
Might be worth asking about this.

I had to postpone my colonoscopy as I couldn’t keep the Moviprep down. The hospital sent me Picolax instead which was okay. I’m terrified of being sick as well so completely understand your daughter’s fear.

I’ve had 3 colonoscopies didn’t vomit with any of them one of them was picolax can’t remember the others. My mum just had one with a different prep than I had, no vomiting, actually other family members too no vomiting at all. 🤞it’s all ok x

Poor girl. I had procedure last week. Plenvue. Vile stuff. Used a straw but still awful! God they awful

Really??

This is what I was really hoping for. I think I will ring the GP tomorrow. They know she has emetophobia as she's having counselling for it at the moment so it will all be in her notes but I don't think many people realise just how debilitating it can be.

My biggest fear is that she'll get herself psyched up for it and then won't be able to have it done because she can't stomach the prep.

I'll make enquiries tomorrow. Thank you!