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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Colonoscopy prep failed twice

55 replies

HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:02

Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help.

I had a colonoscopy booked 2 weeks ago and I was given MoviPrep as the laxative to use. Absolutely disgusting stuff but I drank it and fasted the day before the prep.
On the day of the prep my stool was still sludgy with bits.
So, I re-booked.

My new appointment was meant to be for today but I had to cancel.
The reason for cancelling my second prep didn't work either!!

This time I was given Picolax.
I fasted for 2 days, Sunday and Monday - last meal was before 9pm Saturday - 1 crossaint and decaf tea.

2 weeks from the cancellation of the first appointment to this today's, I stopped all vitamin intake, I had a low fibre, low residue diet.

I had a colonic irrigation Sunday afternoon.
I had Picolax 1st sachet Monday about 1.30pm ish.
2 nd sachet today Tuesday at 5am - 6 hours before appointment as instructed.

The private hospital is 2 hours away so I had to make a decision by 7am.
I cancelled because my stool although it doesn't have any actual stool in it and it's consistency is like water, however it is still a very dark yellow that does not allow me to see the bottom of the toilet.

What the hospital is looking for is clear like water, light urine or light urine type colour so you can see the bottom of the toilet.

I don't understand, I went above what was needed and still not clear.

I really need this colonoscopy but I can't because I can't get clean enough.

I can't explain how distressed I am.

Can anyone give me any tips how to get
clean enough?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:03

Sorry, no AIBU - posting for traffic.

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 07/12/2021 08:06

I’ve had a colonoscopy with picolax. Mine wasn’t completely clear either - just like you describe and they still did it and were able to get to results. Have you spoken to them about it and they advised you to cancel or did you just decide to cancel yourself because you thought you needed to? I think you need to speak with them and explain what’s happened, they may just want you to do it anyway.

Platax · 07/12/2021 08:07

Sorry, I don't know much about this, but when I had a colonoscopy the hospital didn't tell me my stool had to reach any particular stage of wateriness. I'd have thought you could have gone.

Is there any reason why you are having to travel so far and using a private hospital?

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:09

08:06Bagelsandbrie

I rang them and explained
They said if you can't see to the bottom of the toilet then the camera can't see inside you, so to cancel and re-book.
Sorry to sound disgusting, can you describe your stool that was considered acceptable?
Thanks

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 07/12/2021 08:10

I took Moviprep on the morning of my colonoscopy and sat on the loo for 3 and a half hours. By the end there was nothing left to come out! The hospital never told me what to expect or how I had to be when I got there.

StCharlotte · 07/12/2021 08:10

When I had one a couple of years ago, they sent an enema to use at home. It worked a treat (horrific but efficient!).

Disfordarkchocolate · 07/12/2021 08:11

I was advices to eat a light diet for the week before the prep, basically I ate lots of soups. It worked.

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:11

08:07Platax

What was your stool like before you went?

My GP practice hadn't answered their phone in 2 years hence, the private hospital.

OP posts:
ThePontiacBandit · 07/12/2021 08:11

I work in this field and honestly if someone says it’s yellow liquid we’d class that as good! As long as there’s no bits in it you’ll get a good view. I wouldn’t advise have colonic irrigation again. Did you follow the dietary changes strictly?
Do you have a tendency to be constipated? Sometimes they offer laxatives in the week running up to the prep so your bowel has started to clear, this makes the prep more effective. You need to speak to the team who are doing your procedure about the best course of action but currently Moviprep is the best prep out there so I’d say that along with laxatives beforehand would work for you.

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:13

08:10mdh2020
What did it look like, your stool at the end?

I really want to know what people's end results were so I can then ring back and ask them does it have to absolutely be the golden colour they are looking for.

OP posts:
SexyNeckbeard · 07/12/2021 08:14

You should probably have gone today - I found picolax doesn't work as well as moviprep (I've had one of each - the upside is there's far less of it to drink) and when I have had both my colonoscopies at private hospitals I've been left waiting at the hospital for hours so plenty of time for it to keep working it's way through. As far as I recall mine was yellow at my picolax one but they still did the procedure.

Having said that if you contacted the hospital and they told you not to come then maybe they can give you some advice about what you could be doing or what realistically they can work with?

canyon2000 · 07/12/2021 08:15

The endoscopist can use suction in the bowel if there is something in the way or too much liquid.

Bagelsandbrie · 07/12/2021 08:17

Mine was like yellow water I think. Not clear. But this was years ago so I can’t completely remember! I know no one gave me specific instructions about it, the hospitals approach sounds odd. My dh has had quite a few done on the NHS and they’ve never told him it has to be a certain way before going in - just to use the laxatives and turn up!

Kshhuxnxk · 07/12/2021 08:18

I have had about 10 colonoscopies and never been a see to see the bottom of the toilet didn't know I was meant to.

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:19

08:11ThePontiacBandit

Sorry forgot to mention I did take 4 dulcolax tablets, 1 every 12 hours.
They did not recommend this.

They are going to send out Klean Prep for the third time.

I'm really worried all this prep and laxatives will ruin my liver and kidneys.

So MoviPrep is better than Klean Prep?

What don't you recommend the colonic irrigation?

Thanks

OP posts:
Kshhuxnxk · 07/12/2021 08:19

Should say 10 colonoscopies because I have crohns nit because the prep didn't work.

SexyNeckbeard · 07/12/2021 08:21

Sorry that took me ages to type so I see you have contacted them. The thing is that they tell you to come at 9am but when I had mine done they had everyone for the morning all turn up at 9 then they kept moving the running order around.

I don't remember how clear mine was but I do remember being so worried about it I ended up mentioning it to the nurse in case it wasn't good enough but it didn't matter they did it anyway

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:22

08:14SexyNeckbeard

Dark yellow or light yellow?

OP posts:
GotToGoBye · 07/12/2021 08:29

I think today was reasonable to go with what you describe and if similar next time, go with this. How much water are you drinking?

Laxatives and bowel prep will not damage your liver or kidneys in the way you are using them.

The waiting lists for colonoscopy here are so long and getting longer as GPs continue to refer patients but only suspected cancer ones are booked. “Urgent” ones would be years.

notimagain · 07/12/2021 08:31

@Bagelsandbrie

Mine was like yellow water I think. Not clear. But this was years ago so I can’t completely remember! I know no one gave me specific instructions about it, the hospitals approach sounds odd. My dh has had quite a few done on the NHS and they’ve never told him it has to be a certain way before going in - just to use the laxatives and turn up!
I’m also a bit of a frequent flyer when it comes to these Blush and agree with all the above….I stick with the dietary advice and the chemical prep to the letter and then turn up to have the procedure done…..

Never been asked or told to do any quality control at home.

Londonnight · 07/12/2021 08:32

The prep is the worst thing with colonoscopies, as well as having to do the low residue beforehand, so I am not sure why you keep cancelling?

My son, with crohns, has had many colonoscopies and his stools have never been completely clear and his scopes have gone ahead with no problem.
You need for your stools to get really watery and you will be fine

Doyouwantcoffee · 07/12/2021 08:32

You need to start a low fibre diet about a week before the colonoscopy.

Doyouwantcoffee · 07/12/2021 08:33

Here is an example but your doctor may also be able to advise.

www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/colonoscopy-preparation

romdowa · 07/12/2021 08:35

I've had a few and ive never had to wait until my bowel movements were clear. Weirdly my father went for one and even though he did the prep he still wasn't clear inside. Turns out one of his meds makes stools sticky and it was sticking to his bowl and intestines. He had to come off it before the next one.

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 08:46

08:29GotToGoBye

2 litres or more since today and yesterday
But not on a daily basis
Do you think that this is where it failed?
Not drinking enough on a daily basis?

OP posts:
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