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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:
CointreauVersial · 15/05/2021 23:40

Oh, you poor thing, you have my sympathies. My strategy is to divide the dose into cups and set a timer, so every 10 minutes you down a cup. Ice cold, with elderflower cordial added, and drink through a straw. I agree with others; the actual procedure is a breeze compared with the prep. I have to have one every two years, and have just had one....thank goodness.

Stillfunny · 15/05/2021 23:49

I have had quite a few . Some had to be repeated as didnt get clear enough. Can not keep it down at all.Immediately violently sick. Finally learned to eat " white " a few days before and asked for picolax. Only way I can do it. I did have a dye and a CT scan and had to be removed quickly as I started get sick while in the scanner! Horrible all around.
Good luck.

memberofthewedding · 16/05/2021 00:34

Also they should give you tea and toast shortly after, which many patients have described to me as the best meal of their lives

This is certainly true.

When I was chatting to other women afterwards in recovery it seemed I was the only one who had contrived to down all the movieprep. However they still managed to have a successful procedure. The doctor wrote on my notes "good bowel prep"

pepperaunt · 16/05/2021 00:52

Annual colonoscopies here! Moviprep is the devils work! I chug a glass every 15 minutes, it’s the only way. I usually barf up the last glass or two but have never been sent home (though last time the report said my prep was only adequate)

Redcherries · 16/05/2021 02:44

Making it really really cold then drinking it through a straw as close to the back of the mouth helps. Vile stuff.

DorisFlies · 16/05/2021 06:17

Moviprep is the work of the devil - hideous to take and the effects are desperate. Thinking about you op and hoping you were able to get through the procedure

Rangoon · 16/05/2021 06:38

I must have had some different stuff - two glasses hours apart the day before and lots of water. I'm not in the UK though. Still tasted vile. I think we used to use what you are describing.

Original poster
BottomStress · 16/05/2021 06:38

Thank you very much everyone! I’ve just managed another 350ml, so the majority of it is gone. I think I’m going to stop now though as I need to give it time to kick in and then for everything to stop before we leave for the hospital!

I have my fingers crossed that this will be enough, I don’t want to waste the doctor’s time or have to do it again Sad

Almost has told me that the prep for a colonoscopy is worse than the procedure, but I rather naively thought they meant the diarrhoea not drinking the moviprep!

OP posts:
Rfjkf · 16/05/2021 08:48

I hope the colonoscopy goes well for you

redcandlelight · 16/05/2021 09:06

I was prescribed picolax for my prep.
it was only 2 doses (1 cup each) and worked really well in addition with the 'white' diet beforehand.

what is the reason prescribing a regime that is so awful that many people struggle with it?

op I hope all goes well!

Ostara212 · 16/05/2021 09:11

@wildeverose

I've had 7, and an enema every time! I've never heard of this but it sounds horrific!
Yes an enema sounds better

A family member has been recommended to do a colonoscopy, didn't know enema was an option. Sounds much better.

Franklin12 · 16/05/2021 09:14

I had picolax. Straw and serve it cold. Don’t think about it too much and hold your nose. It was staggering how many people were incapable of reading the instructions when I was checking in at the hospital. The lady next to being prepared had ticked the box for no sedation but wanted one. Someone else had taken some of the prep but couldn’t possibly ‘starve’ herself so had carried on eating.

They sent her home and she wasn’t best pleased.

The colonoscopy was a breeze. Dr was very good.

BagORats · 16/05/2021 09:28

Hope it goes well OP. If it does need doing again ask for picolax next time but I'm sure you'll be fine

Soozikinzi · 16/05/2021 09:38

Hope it goes well OP hubby had his last week and he found it very interesting! Hope yours goes as well as his !

unruly336 · 16/05/2021 11:36

An enema-only prep is only an option in a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy only looking at the lower bowel and rectum. But definitely the more comfortable option.

Also good look with today OP!! Flowers

justasking111 · 16/05/2021 13:20

Good luck OP I never finished the moviprep but I was pooping pale yellow moviprep so decided yep I am done. I did eat a light diet, beforehand. When going to the loo in the hospital had a funny turn faintness, afterwards the cup of tea was the best had since I had my babies.

Wallywobbles · 16/05/2021 13:58

This is a thread about picolax. Very very funny if the link still works

singletrackworld.com/2009/02/the-picolax-thread-returns/

Whanganui · 16/05/2021 14:45

I've had 2 over the years & failed to drink that vile stuff on both occasions. I wasn't sick, but it made me gag, badly, & my body just couldn't take that amount of liquid as I wasn't very big. The 2nd time was the same, even though I'd gained a few stone, but still I couldn't drink that amount. They still did both colonoscopy, but it was recorded on my medical. notes that I was disturbed throughout & was swearing. If you do get to drink it, remove all of your bottom clothing, open all doors, raise toilet seat, don't trust a fart, & RUN!

Whanganui · 16/05/2021 14:56

Sorry I was too late posting OP, hope all went well for you & your bum ain't too sore.

Franklin12 · 17/05/2021 13:25

Can I check how you got on please. The prep is by far the worst.

Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 13:49

@Franklin12 Yes of course! Thank you for checking back in, I just saw your message when I came back to update the thread.

My bowel prep was fine in the end, the Doctor and the nurses thought it was verrrrry funny when I told them I’d only managed 1.7 litres and then doctor asked me if I was a medic Blush

The actual colonoscopy was fine too, but I wasn’t very keen on the sedation. It made the whole process very easy but it’s a bit odd to have gone through a medical procedure but not really remember it! If I were to have to have another one I might consider having it without the sedation or just with gas and air.

The outcome was that I’ve got Crohn’s (they are almost certain that I have anyway) and haemorrhoids. It was a bit of a shock as I was expecting just the haemorrhoids (I have no physical symptoms of Crohn’s) but at least now I know. Should have an appointment with a gastroenterologist soon to discuss the next steps Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 13:49

Thank you to everyone who offered advice and wished me luck too, by the way!

You’re all fabulous and you helped a lot Flowers

OP posts:
BobbinThreadbare123 · 17/05/2021 13:54

Glad it all went well, OP. I am also a Crohn-y! I can't do the Moviprep - I puke it back up because there's too much and it's salty. Picolax is the best of a bad bunch. I've been subjected to the ignominy of a Fleet once or twice because I've not been able to keep the bowel prep down, so well done to anyone that can!

Original poster
BottomStress · 17/05/2021 14:11

Thanks @BobbinThreadbare123! Yes, I think it was the salt that was the issue for me too.

I’ve been doing a bit of googling about Crohn’s today, so I know what sort of questions to ask when I get my appointment. I am obviously pleased that I don’t feel ill with it (one of my good friends has IBS and suffers considerably more than I do) but it’s also a bit worrying that it’s become quite bad without me realising there was anything wrong!

OP posts:
Bumtrouble · 17/05/2021 15:13

I'm on picolax today in prep for a colonoscopy tomorrow. I had no idea how bad the prep was going to be. I'm already on my 3rd change of clothes & I've only just taken the 2nd dose

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