To ask if anyone has ever had to drink this vile stuff?

[el1zabeth]

I know this isn't really an AIBU topic, but it seems to get the most response when posting here hence my reason for doing so. I have a colonoscopy booked for the morning and I have to drink 2 litres of the most vile drink known as Moviprep. It's supposed to clear you out in order for the bowel to be completely empty for the procedure, but I just don't think I can drink it all. I have until around midnight to consume it but it's soooooo vile, it's already making me heave when I take a mouthful. I hold my nose when I sip it so I can't taste it fully, however, the last sip made me heave so much that I think it's going to come up rather than 'go downwards' to do the job it was meant for. Has anyone else ever had to drink this and if so, are there any tips on what I can do to get it down?

It doesn't start as an explosion - it starts exactly as you say, with wind and gurgling, then small spurts, gradually increasing in volume. I felt exactly as you did - that it wasn't working - but, trust me, it will work and you'll know it has worked. You might be in for a wakeful night, though .

If you’re really keen to get things going you can bounce sitting on a Swiss ball or alternatively walk/ jog on the spot. But only do so if you are next to a loo.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 el1zabeth. So far, nowhere near as bad as I expected though.

Good to know, TheMemoryLingers, hopefully you're right as I would hate to have to repeat this if I'm not cleared out enough!

@Letticerabbit mine are on the NHS but I have had four major operations and have no stomach or duodenum. I also have a surgeon and nutritionist I still see regularly and they know there's no way I can keep the prep down.

Started on 2nd prep. Had no issues overnight, so not sure it will work!

Yeah didn’t sleep after for fear I may do
Something in the bed I shouldn’t too! I just downed a pint at a time then somehow
Managed not to throw up 🤢 But I can do a pint in about 1-2 gulps ( most spent youth in pubs with drink challenges )

Mine didn’t work the first time and I followed the instructions to the letter.

What happened? Was there a poo explosion?

Shamelessly placemarking ...

Oh God. I have to do this later this month. Am dreading it now.

Didn't go much at all, and was able to control when I went. Got about 4 hours sleep, but more couldn't sleep with nerves. Drank 2nd prep quicker, then got called in early as they had several no-shows.
Went to toilet 2 or 3 times after the 2nd prep, but again could easily make it to the toilet and could even hold it, as 1 time I wanted to watch the last 20 mins of a program.
Had procedure and going home now. They've said everything looks ok (although they cant see the small intestine). They've taken some biopsies which will take 2-3 weeks for results. Had sedation, but was able to watch whole procedure, which was interesting.

Hope things went well, el1zabeth.

I knew what this 'drink' was going to be before I opened your post!

Yes, I have had to drink this vile stuff. Lots and lots of water and holding your nose whilst you swallow is the only thing that works I have found.

Good luck with your colonoscopy.

@Laylight I'm sure I just had a tiny amount of gastrographin, (not sure how it's spelt) which they know I can tolerate as I have it for another test when I've had strictures. Maybe having no stomach and duodenum they made allowances for me.

Update: I'm back home now and the results show no signs of cancer at all, yay. I do however need to go back in about a month to have 3 small benign polyps removed. They couldn't do it this morning as my bowel prep had not worked sufficiently well to do so. I had no poo explosions at all, more of a small dribble than anything and certainly I wasn't on the toilet all night nor did I shit the bed thank god.
For the next procedure they have suggested Picolax which apparently is far better with regards to the volume (probably tastes as bad though, but not 2 litres of it)
I actually enjoyed the procedure with the sedative and all the nurses were really lovely.
Thanks for all the support on this thread. It did help get through the Moviprep easier than if I'd been struggling alone.

So pleased you got good news....

That's great that it all worked out well!

Really glad that everything went okay for you both!

My husband mixed it with squash and chilled it was much more palatable. But he couldn't finish it all in the end

Picolax is far less volume.

Yes, it is the most vile substance. I just mostly necked it, gets it over with. I'm nearly heaving at the thought 🤢

So pleased there’s no sign of cancer. How annoying you have to do it again though. Hopefully the picolax will be more effective and you can get the polyps sorted.

My dh was picked up by the routine over 55 bowel screening. No symptoms, thing hopefully stopped in it’s tracks - so please anyone’invited’ for screening do go! The ‘journey’ has involved a number of procedures so far and he has had to do the Moviprep thing. It is really grim and can cause nausea and vomiting, so maybe don’t try and neck it down too quickly. For some of his visits he has just had to have an enema. They provide the kit to do this at home and although a bit grim is straightforward and nowhere near as bad as the Moviprep experience. Given the option I would say home administered enema preferable to getting it done at hospital. Hope your procedure went well OP.

I have. NEVER AGAIN! I vomited all over my bedroom floor and then again just outside the hospital.

All our taste buds are on the side and front of the tongue and putting the straw at the back of your mouth bypasses them so you don't taste it. Worked for me.

For the best description ever of the effects of Picolax see this thread by a cyclist singletrackworld.com/2009/02/the-picolax-thread-returns/