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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for colonoscopy prep help

31 replies

seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 11:02

I am due to have both ends done tomorrow. I have been given picolax and senna. I have previously used citramag and senna and found that prep to be ok. I am scared about what I have read/heard about picolax - how 'forceful' it can be!! - and wanted to see what others' experience is??

For background I have possible long covid so my starting point is severe fatigue, palpitations, gastric issues, reflux, shortness of breath etc etc.

I am worried that the prep will wipe me out so much that I can't get to the hospital or that the propofol will set me back massively or that I will react badly.

I need the investigations done but has such awful palpitations all night last night I thought I might be having a heart attack or some sort of arrithmya...

What's your experience of picolax Vs citramag?
Anyone else with chronic fatigue undergone all this and come out ok??

Help!!

OP posts:
ExclamationPerfume · 07/01/2021 11:15

It can take a while to work but once it does you shouldn't be far from a toilet. Use some vaseline as your bum will get sore. I was fine by the next morning to travel.

missyB1 · 07/01/2021 11:20

Well it makes you feel tired and a bit nauseous so it's not pleasant, but even patients who are poorly enough to be in hospital usually manage to take it without serious issues. The important thing is to drink loads and loads of water! Do not let yourself get dehydrated.
To be honest there isnt much difference between any of the preps except Kleen Prep where the volume you have to drink is much more.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 07/01/2021 11:23

Picolax is the best of a bad bunch - trust me, I've got Crohn's and I've had them all! It's the volume that gets me. Moviprep is the worst; salty, lemony litres of it - bleugh. I've not got CFS but I have prepped for a colonoscopy when very, very weak before. It was OK. Hope you've got some posh loo roll and a tub of Sudocrem for the aftermath, OP.

Mumof1fun · 07/01/2021 11:24

I had both ends a few days ago using Moviprep. Stock up on lucozade sport orange. It'll help give you electrolytes and energy.

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 11:52

Thanks all. I have some sudocream and wet loo wipes (will bin them not flush!)...

@BobbinThreadbare123 was the picolax experience more forceful /explosive than citramag? There isn't much difference in terms of volume to drink but I think picolax has one more ingredient than citramag and I have heard it makes all the difference! I already have an unsettled tum/loose bowel so I'm just a bit nervous about what impact it might have - and the nerves clearly aren't helping 😁!

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 07/01/2021 11:57

I actually found the Pico to be reasonable. I will caveat that it is one of the few I haven't vomited back up (and then been made to have a Fleet at the hospital)! It's over and done with pretty quickly and then you can go to sleep instead of lying awake worrying.

LateKate · 07/01/2021 11:59

Picolax is the best one I have taken and given the choice is the one I will choose. It takes a while to get going then is an unpleasant hour or two of thinking you might never leave the bathroom followed by several hours that aren't as bad but involve running back and forth to the loo but it is worth it as it is much quicker and more palatable to drink.

I would recommend a good coating of vaseline before you start, decent quality loo roll and plenty of suncream. Also lots of clear fluid to drink too.

It's not a pleasant experience but much better than moviprep etc. Hope the procedure goes well, take all the drugs and it will soon be over.

Good luck.

ancientgran · 07/01/2021 11:59

I didn't find it as bad as I expected. Definitely once it starts to work you will need to be ready for many hurried trips to the loo but I was dreading bad stomach cramps and I had none of that. I do suffer from painful cramps so that was a big relief.

The cup of tea and ham sandwich they gave me afterwards was the most wonderful thing I've ever eaten.

A few months after my colonoscopy I had an angiogram so I had a good look round my digestive system and then through my artery to my heart. I was glad I was awake, it was very interesting.

Good luck, hope all goes well.

Eng123 · 07/01/2021 12:28

Hi
I've recently had the same experience.
Picolax is ok. Follow the instructions, drink plenty and relax both between movements and during them. After a couple of movements it's basically just liquid. I found that I could still "choose when to go" as such (though stay at home) this meant I dodnt have to constantly run to the loo and probably helped stop me becoming sore. Also I found it more comfortable to have a quick wipe but rinse under the shower - maybe my choice of paper is too rough!
It's not the nicest experience but it's not horrific. I decided to opt for the sedatives for the procedure and this was ok to.

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 12:32

Thank you all for the reassurance. It's much harder to relax and de-stress with the kids at home and they will have to be dragged to the hospital twice to drop me off and pick me up. I am looking forward to Friday afternoon when it's all done (hopefully with no serious findings!!)....

OP posts:
Katkincake · 07/01/2021 14:14

Hope it all goes smoothly OP. Can’t advise on pico as I’ve only used moviprep in past.

Interesting that you have gastric problems since Covid though, I had suspected Covid mid-March and have awful gastric problems, reflux & shortness of breath since - thankfully no fatigue. GP is making me taper down my Lazoprazole and come off it as been in a high dose since July. Next stop endoscopy if symptoms continue. (Already have diverticulitis- hence past colonoscopy).

Hope you get some answers

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 18:47

Thanks for the help. I have taken the plunge. Picolax is grim, I know there isn't that much to drink but I have really struggled!

I feel really bloated and nauseous and the 'action' started really quickly!! Shock

Please distract me with funny memes (unrelated to bowels!) or kind words!

OP posts:
OldGreyBoots · 07/01/2021 19:07

I hope you feel a bit better soon and you get good results! DF had to do this in 2019 and reckoned Moviprep was the worst thing he'd ever had, it was all over quickly though Smile
I have no good memes but I'll hopefully attach a pic of DDog at Christmas Grin

To ask for colonoscopy prep help
DorisDances · 07/01/2021 19:09

I had moviprep and it is dire. Goid luck op - good idea re the wipes rather than using paper and keep delicate parts slathered in vaseline or sudocrem. A moppingbupnkit is a good idea and no more than two paces from the toilet - a towel draped over a comfy chair and a hot water bottle will help.

Unreasonabubble · 07/01/2021 19:14

@seriouslynonames Good luck on Friday! I am watching this thread most ardently as I have mine on Saturday Grin so do please be very kind and report back that is was all an absolute breeze!!!

Seriously though, I hope they find absolutely nothing and it all goes very well. Flowers

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 19:31

Ahhh cute Christmas dog @OldGreyBoots !
Thanks @DorisDances - good idea re hot water bottle, will text downstairs for service Smile

@Unreasonabubble good luck on Saturday! I am not looking forward to the next sachet of picolax - it's really only a glass of it to drink, but I struggle drinking when I'm not thirsty! And you needs a fair bit of water after you drink it, my instructions say half a litre. So I am bloated which is causing the nausea I think!

It isn't as bad as I thought so far though, so hopefully will be a breeze for you (I have the disadvantage of being so unwell with fatigue already!).

If you are using picolax (other preps are available!) it is super sweet so have a glass of water right there to sip in-between sips of prep, and using a straw seems to help. Definitely cool it in the fridge for 30 mins after making it up before you drink.

Wish me luck with the next sachet.... !

OP posts:
Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 20:36

Urgh can't manage half of the second picolax, am having to clench everything to stop bringing it back up!!!

Does anyone know does it matter if I drink it over longer than half an hour??

I am meant to take a third sachet in the morning, I really hope the first two clear me out enough so I don't have to!!!

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 07/01/2021 20:39

I've always necked it but never drink that much afterwards. Wait a bit and have a peppermint tea, if you've got any. It really is horrible to bloat your stomach up with so much liquid! You'll be reet, @seriouslynonames. It'll all come out!

midsummabreak · 07/01/2021 20:46

Unfortunately you need to take it as directed, or you risk having to repeat the colonoscopy as they may not be able to get a clear view of your gut
Hope you are feeling ok to take it, and it goes quickly for you

ancientgran · 07/01/2021 20:58

I feel really bloated and nauseous and the 'action' started really quickly!! I was the opposite and got really worried it wasn't going to work at all.

Hope this makes you smile. I was given a pair of modesty pants to wear with a split at the back to enable access, the nurse told me the men all put them on backwards making them more like y fronts. Bit dim, why would you need the access at the front?

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 07/01/2021 21:57

Thanks all, have been otherwise engaged for a while and have managed to finish the second one even if a bit late!!

It's definitely working, just hope it keeps on coming for a bit longer to make sure I'm as squeaky clean as possible or I will have to take the third one in the morning, at 6am!!!

Thanks @ancientgran that did make me chuckle Smile

OP posts:
kissmelittleass · 07/01/2021 22:32

Hi I have a colonoscopy tomorrow afternoon I'm scared!!
I'm taking Plenvu started drinking it slowly with a straw at 6pm it was supposed to be drank slowly in 30 minutes but took me 55 minutes!! Then had to drink 500ml water slowly over the next 30 minutes.
I could feel it working just as I finished the horrible Plenvu and had a shat fart tmi! not pleasant had to get changed.
Been in the toilet since 7pm it's been a bit quiet for the last hour but I'm afraid to leave incase it starts again I don't want an accident.
Have to get up at 5.30am to take the next lot really not looking forward to it, I'm not running clear so I'm hoping to run clear eventually in the morning.
How are you doing my colonoscopy prep buddy?

Original poster
seriouslynonames · 08/01/2021 12:31

Hello @kissmelittleass hope you're has gone well!

I am out of theatre and resting now.

I couldn't take my third sachet of picolax this morning but it seems to have been ok nonetheless. I felt yuk all night and was in the loo every hour do didn't sleep at all!

But it's over...

Hopefully results ok, but have to wait for biopsy to come back.

Hope all clear for you!!

OP posts:
Unreasonabubble · 08/01/2021 15:20

@seriouslynonames glad to hear that it is all over and done with now. I am about to take my second lovely drink now...

What sedation did you have?

ancientgran · 08/01/2021 15:38

Glad it is all over and hope the laugh helped. Did you get the best cup of tea and ham sandwich afterwards or is that just my hospital?