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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone couldn’t finish colonoscopy prep?

85 replies

BottomStress · 15/05/2021 21:19

Shamelessly posting here for traffic, sorry Blush

I have a colonoscopy tomorrow lunchtime, so started the moviprep at 5pm. I found the first litre absolutely horrendous. I felt so sick, among other things, and was a little bit sick (sorry!) twice. I had an hour break between doses one and two and drank two glasses of water as advised. I tried to drink some of the second about half an hour ago and was very violently sick. I imagine it all of the water I’d drunk and I imagine some of the moviprep too. I left it 5 minutes, tried to drink some more and was sick again.

I’ve spoken to a lovely nurse who advised leaving it another hour and trying again but she said that if I keep being sick or feeling very sick to stop drinking it. I think they’re going to call me in the morning to discuss options, apparently there’s a chance they might give me an enema Blush

Has this happened to anyone else? I feel absolutely pathetic that it’s affecting me so badly, but also much better after being sick! I’ve had to take time off work so I don’t want to not be able to have the colonoscopy done but I’m also not sure I can physically drink another litre of it...

Anyone have any words of advice? I am drinking it cold, through a straw, mixed with lime cordial and I’m sipping cold water with it too!

OP posts:
Elouera · 15/05/2021 22:16

An enema only clears so far up and it makes no difference how many exact mls you drink! The main thing is that what you are passing rectally is absolutely clear! If there is poo blocking the view and preventing biopsies or the camera, they will re-book you, and you will have to do it all again!!! Keep your fluids up, try sips and you will most likely end up sitting on the loo all night! best of luck, but its very important to clear it all out, otherwise, there is no point.

MoiraRose4 · 15/05/2021 22:16

I couldn’t finish it, but the procedure went fine. Good luck.

Schooldilemma2021 · 15/05/2021 22:16

Didn’t manage to complete it but what little I did take all of a sudden really worked when I arrived for the procedure, and was all clear internally Grin

Goodasgolden · 15/05/2021 22:16

How big are you? I only managed 7 out of 8 glasses and when I told them this at the hospital the next morning they laughed and said I’d done really well. But I’m 55kg so it just have easily been enough for me. Good luck! It’s such vile stuff.

omgthepain · 15/05/2021 22:19

@BottomStress

I had this and got called back as the prep didn't give clear enough images! Try pouring a clear squash like apple and elderflower or lemon into the mix but it is vile I agree

I poured mine into those disposable Party cups - one down every few minutes

They need to invent something not so awful

I really hope it goes well for you tomorrow

Goodasgolden · 15/05/2021 22:21

Also I can’t remember if it’s the one that slowly turns to mush??! If it is really try to get as much down while it’s still liquid because it only gets worse. I can’t look at a pot of custard now after doing the low residue thing before hand. I ate dozens of the buggers GrinGrinGrin

Original poster
BottomStress · 15/05/2021 22:22

@Elouera I don’t know how effective an enema would be but it’s what the nurse suggested might happen. I guess I’ll potentially find out tomorrow! I’m doing my best to drink it, but I don’t think I’m going to make it to two litres as I’m throwing it up. I’ve already been sick 4 times!

@Goodasgolden I wish I only weighed 55kg Grin I’m about 68kg.

OP posts:
PeanuttyButter · 15/05/2021 22:23

Drink with a straw and add some lime cordial it helps.

justasking111 · 15/05/2021 22:30

Drank with straw holding my nose, then chewed mint gum before letting go of nose. Also drank icy cold from fridge. Only managed 3/4 Of it but it worked fine

knightinshiningwhatever · 15/05/2021 22:31

I got DH to buy 6 bags of jelly babies and I had the yellow ones! In 6 bags there probably ten or so Hmm anyway I had one after every mouthful so it didn't taste so utterly rancid

purplegirl13 · 15/05/2021 22:34

I've also had a few enemas at the hospital when they want to do a flex sig. instead of a colonoscopy. The enema won't clear you out as high up but I suppose it all depends why they're choosing to take a look. So an enema may well work for their purposes. If l were you, I'd stop for a while now. No point forcing yourself if you're just going to vomit it back up

Unfortunately the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy

purplegirl13 · 15/05/2021 22:37

I think after the first time, l now only have about 1.3/5litres instead of 2 and that's worked for me. But I've done it enough to know when its ok to stop drinking the prep.

Tonnerre · 15/05/2021 22:49

If you ever have to do it again, I recommend asking for picolax. I had a colonoscopy recently and had to take 10 senna tablets, then a picolax sachet around 4 hours later, then another picolax early the following morning. I only had to mix the sachet contents with around 100 ml of water and It didn't taste too bad. Once it started working, I basically had an hour anchored to the loo and then the worst was over and done with.

Toddlerteaplease · 15/05/2021 22:49

I give it to kids and they rarely manage
All of it.

Gilead · 15/05/2021 23:02

I have UC and have lost count of how much moviprep I’ve had. Foul stuff!

If you’ve managed somewhnear Alf of the second dose you’ll probably be fine. Keep drinking clear fluids (NO Blackcurrant) and you’ll probably find you’re running clear by morning.
Good luck!

flippertygibbit · 15/05/2021 23:02

Ah, moviprep, I won't take it any more. Took it once, said I wasn't ever taking it again. Drank the first litre and a bit of the second and threw it all up. Managed another glass but that was about it. Didn't tell hospital, they didn't mention it caused any issues. So long as you're going to the toilet and it's clear just drink lots of water now.

Spiderysummer · 15/05/2021 23:04

It's horrible stuff and I found it very hard not to be sick. I ended up having a sip of bovril in between each mouthful of the prep as the contrast in taste helped. It felt like the longest night of my life! Sadly no tea or toast when I had mine earlier in the year. Good luck, hope it all goes well.

MrsPsmalls · 15/05/2021 23:05

dfil had this. He still attended, but the procedure couldn't be done. Well it was started but they couldn't see enough if you get my meaning, so he is awaiting his second go and not looking forward to it at all.

Original poster
BottomStress · 15/05/2021 23:06

Only 650ml left now! I feel really sick again though, and my head is hurting so I’m going to have a break now and drink lots of water just in case that’s the cause of the headache. Plan is to set an alarm for around 7 and try to finish it off then.

Thank you very much for the advice everyone!

OP posts:
Jessbow · 15/05/2021 23:17

Ice pops ready at hand are good, suck like fury after downing the vile stuff
drink the stuff really cold and thru a straw right at the back of your mouth

Velvian · 15/05/2021 23:20

I didn't drink much at all of the second lot, as I thought I would bring it straight up again. I was fine though. I was cleared out (TMI)

The colonoscopy was easy compared to the Moviprep.

beefest · 15/05/2021 23:27

I did this last year. I managed 2/3 of both lots and was worried I hadn't drunk enough. If what's coming out is yellow then you're ok (sorry) mine was perfectly fine to go ahead.

BagORats · 15/05/2021 23:29

You're doing great OP! I have had 2 colonoscopies one with moviprep and one with picolax. I never finished my moviprep and it was OK, the Dr managed to get what they needed. I think you need to stop throwing it up so taking a break is very sensible, you're probably full to bursting with liquid right now. It's vile stuff.

To anyone else reading it don't mix it with blackcurrant that's one of the worst things to have and ask and push for picolax - it's not as effective but you drink much less of it

Mdghteryhddhh · 15/05/2021 23:32

I downed each litre in one go, it really isn’t that bad. All you need to do is hold your nose, no point on trying to flavour the stuff. Just hold nose and neck it! Good luck!

hitsvilleuk · 15/05/2021 23:33

Drink as much other clear fluid as you can, get the prep really cold and flavour it - I found lemon juice the best. Drink what you can then stop if you feel sick and drink some regular fluid until the sickness settles. Keep repeating this with breaks and you can usually get it down
You need to be passing clear watery fluid or its impossible to see inside properly
Good luck