To wish they told me I was getting industrial grade laxatives?

[TheCatOfAthenry]

I'm not a poo troll, I promise!

I was getting an MRI small bowel and was told I was getting some kind of contrast by the secretary.

I'm a doctor, but not a radiologist, so maybe they assumed I knew?

They gave me a liquid a few hours before that tasted nothing like the prep for my colonoscopy recently. I know I should have asked more, but I always tell my patients why I'm prescribing what I'm prescribing and I really don't want to be 'that fussy patient who is a doctor.'

On driving home after scan, the cramping started. I can only describe what happened on arrival at my bathroom as 'profuse.'

I called hospital and they confirmed that it was klean prep. And the effects lasted longer because I wasn't fasting afterwards.

Oh the horror! I'm so glad I hadn't planned anything for that afternoon. Could have been far worse.

At least you made it to the toilet!

I'm amazed you managed to wait until you got home! I've had moviprep and am doing it again this week. I couldn't be further than 10m from a toilet for hours 😳

Oh poor you, sounds nasty. Yes, they should have warned you, and should do so automatically, regardless of the patient's profession.

Hope you're okay now.

Not so much the bottom falling out of your world
...
More the world falling out of your bottom

Thank you people. I felt like such an idiot! It was moviprep I had for the colonoscopy so that's why it tasted different.

All better now. Just hope it doesn't happen to other unsuspecting unfortunates!

'Profuse' bowel movements is the best description of diarrhoea i've ever heard.

I feel your pain. I just had my medication dosage changed and for the last two weeks I've had to be near the toilet. Not '10 minutes' near. 10 seconds near. I'm keeping the Immodium people in business!

Conclusion: worry less about being THAT patient and more about what they are doing to you!

Serioulsy, you might be doing hinges very well as a doctor but please don't assume that people in front of you will (and no they shouldn't assume that you know)

@RedPeppers sound advice! From hereon in I shall proudly be that patient.

Crikey - why ever didn't they tell you what to expect? What if you had had a longer journey home?! Doesn't bear thinking about really!

(also - extra points for profuse! )

At least you weren't on a train.

Is it wrong to admit I envy you? I had a small op to repair a prolapse on Wednesday an am currently worrying if I will ever shit again!

Not wrong at all, @AudTheDeepMinded! Grass is browner greener and whatnot...

We used to prescribe Klean prep for colonoscopy in our hospital, I know it's vicious but it does produce a pristine bowel! We moved to movi prep and tbh the results with that are ok but not brilliant.

I know how you feel! Every time I've had a small bowel mri or ct I've ended up having an accidental breakdown on a nurse cos I'm so terrified of having an accident on purpose. The first time I was so paranoid after about it kicking in I was paranoid the whole way home...then it kicked it. The second time there was nothing!! At least with movi prep you know what's coming!
Hoping now I finally have a diagnosis I won't need anymore!
Good luck op!

Kleanprep isn't contrast so you may actually have had something else like gastrografin which is VERY effective.

@bringmelaughter on my further questioning I had it confirmed there was no contrast!

I live and learn.

Hope it's all settled now

OMG OP, that sound horrific, especially if you weren't expecting it! Why on earth would they give you something for that that wouldn't kick in until AFTER the scan - surely that defeats the purpose somewhat?

Would have cleared small bowel before it hit the large bowel.

0/10. Would not recommend.

Ah yes, klean prep. 4litres every 6 months. It definitely requires all plans to be cancelled for at least a day

My lowest bowel moment was formerly klean prep based, but has been recently usurped by having a proctogram with a curtain screen that only came up to mid eye level.

I had a small bowel mri a few years ago. Had to run to the toilet several times before I even got called in. Ended up with poor imaging of the terminal ilium. Had a doctor tell me that perhaps the contrast hadn't got that far. I assured him that it bloody well did! Who on earth thinks it's a good idea to give an industrial strength laxative before sticking you in a confined space for 30 mins!?

Thank god for IV buscopan, that's all I can say.

Oh god, poor You.

I've had Klean Prep previously for a colonoscopy but couldn't keep enough of it down to make it super effective. Like drinking dirty sea water.

Klean prep is the devils work. Certainly the old stylee I had to do for colonoscopy. Hated the doc that insisted on it. I vomited loads with it too but because he got perfect pictures he loved it. Changed it for small bowel MRI and it was much better. Then I and a reaction to the buscopan and had to be rushed out and monitored by cardio... That was fun!