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AIBU?

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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:
mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 07/12/2021 08:59

As the careful owner of only one kidney now (and a proven stone maker), I was told to drink 3 litres of water or v watery clear fluids every day for life. It has had a lot of advantages, including improving bowel function. Definitely drink more than 2 a day.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 07/12/2021 09:03

Meant to add, I have had 2 colonoscopies and prep is better if you drink as much clear fluid (preferably water) as possible.

fourandnomore · 07/12/2021 09:08

I’ve had a fair few and never even had this discussion, as long as I’ve drunk it all and it has worked. Once I had my colonoscopy moved from 1.30 to 11 so was still clearing my bowel when I got there! Getting there was an absolute nightmare but they still went ahead. I think whoever you’ve spoken to is either misunderstanding your description or being totally overboard in what it needs to look like. Putting yourself through the prep repeatedly is horrendous. Don’t cancel again. Ask for an enema kit alternatively, they sent me one as prep once.

sunnyandshare · 07/12/2021 09:15

I've had one and my end result was like watery diarrhoea. I watched the TV screen and there was still bits floating around (I caved and ate something on the morning of the procedure) and they just suction Ed it out.

HoppingPavlova · 07/12/2021 09:23

I’m fortunate in that Have mine privately and opt to do so in the afternoons as it’s a more convenient schedule for me than am. I’ll give the schedule my guy uses and with this I’ve never had a score under 9 for the prep outcome.

Low fibre, residue foods only for 7 days prior.
The day before, no food, clear fluids only (such as clear soup broth).
6pm the night before drink one sachet of Glycoprep in one litre of water.
At 7pm drink one sachet of Picoprep in a glass on ginger ale.
Drink 6 large glasses of Powerade/Gatorade/ginger ale/water before bed (make sure not coloured Powerade so it does not stain bowel).
Next day 5 hours before colonoscopy repeat the Glycoprep - drink sachet dissolved in one litre water over an hour.
Dissolve a sachet of Picoprep in a glass of ginger ale then drink four large glasses ginger ale or water until 2 hours before colonoscopy then nil by mouth.

Essentially from half way through the night before you should be constantly on the toilet pretty much until you leave for your colonoscopy (and even then I have to wear adult nappy in the car on the way), and your bum should be red raw and sore as hell. You can use Vaseline but I don’t bother.

Obviously if diabetic, have specific medication requirements or health issues it’s critical to work with your specialist on an appropriate bowel prep program for you to take this into account.

HoppingPavlova · 07/12/2021 09:24

Should have added I have clear liquid coming out at the end.

INeedNewShoes · 07/12/2021 09:32

I've seen the word 'sludge' written on my most recent report. They just suctioned it out though and the procedure went ahead fine. This is the NHS though where they'd stand to gain nothing by me canceling at the last minute.

Are you having to pay for each cancelled procedure? I'm feeling cynical!

MissyB1 · 07/12/2021 09:36

Yellow liquid would be ok, they can suck a lot of it away, they can also flush with water. I am a former endoscopy nurse and Dh is an Endoscopist.

Rainbowqueeen · 07/12/2021 09:42

Definitely do a low fibre diet for at least 4 days beforehand. So white bread, white rice. No fruit with seeds. Peel apples before eating. Plain yoghurt.

No seeds or nuts No red meat. No raw veges or fatty foods. No peas, brocolli or corn.

It’s super boring but it helps

Cocogreen · 07/12/2021 09:56

Did one recently and followed the prep exactly, to the minute! Drank heaps of water, so much water. Also until you get stuck on the loo, walk around a bit to encourage everything to move. Yellow extremely watery stool is ok - doctor was really happy with me.

Bushkin · 07/12/2021 10:27

I’d have gone today and let them try the procedure definitely

ThePontiacBandit · 07/12/2021 11:25

Moviprep is currently standard for colons at my workplace, we are trialling the Klean Prep. The colonic irrigation…there’s very little evidence to suggest it actually has any benefits! And you can actually flush out some of the good stuff (“friendly” bacteria) in your gut.

As pp said, liquids can be sucked up. It’s only solid stool that can’t be navigated around so honestly I think next time take the prep, drink lots of water and go regardless! They may well say “We’ll see what we can see”.

ElsieMc · 07/12/2021 12:20

Just had my second one op and mine was as you describe and absolutely no problem for the procedure. The same first time. I would have gone ahead op because the prep is brutal and you cannot keep doing this. The only issue they cared about was whether I had taken antibiotics within six weeks because they will not do it then.

The prep is really awfu op yet the procedure, whilst humiliating, is definitely not as bad. Just hurts a bit. I was awake and the clinician was telling me what he was having for his tea. I truly admire the staff who undertake this role, imagine doing this each day! The nurse was superkind to me, making me hot chocolate afterwards.

To me, you were clean op. I don't think yours failed, I think it was as mine was both times and I was told I prepped well. I went NHS, maybe they are super fussy private?

You cannot do any more than this. I was given the newer prep this time and I found it worse tbh because you do it twice. I preferred not to have to suffer the nightmare twice. Also a 2 hr drive when you are not feeling great is less than ideal.

I wont be having another one. In fact the nurse who rang me to book me in did ask me if I felt I could go through with it because so many cannot. Also was seen quickly and that says it all.

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 13:06

09:03mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork

Thanks for info
I thought 3 litres would be too much but I'll try and get 3 in daily from now on

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

Today 09:08fourandnomore
Thanks I'll ask for an enema kit.

OP posts:
BitBroken · 07/12/2021 13:08

When I had a colonoscopy I just had to have a water enema 20 mins before the procedure and no food after midnight.

Cheerbear24 · 07/12/2021 13:14

The consistency should br like yellow water, mine has never been clear but bright yellow water (from the bile). As long as there’s no ‘thickness’ to it I think it should be ok.
I’ve had crohns for many years so I’ve had lots of these and never had a failed prep with picolâx or really vicious stuff that is Kleanprep. Moviprep is ok for rectum only.
There will still be little pools of liquid In you that they just suck out with the machine, so you aren’t completely ‘clear’ but more like ‘washed’ on the inside if you see what I mean.
Good luck - the prep is the worst part!

Original poster
HelpMyColon · 07/12/2021 13:15

09:32INeedNewShoes
Bi, I only pay once the procedure is done

OP posts:
Platax · 07/12/2021 13:22

@HelpMyColon

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.

Wasn't really happening at all, so far as I remember.
Platax · 07/12/2021 13:23

If your GP's surgery doesn't answer the phone, it sounds like it's time to move to a different one.

smoko · 07/12/2021 13:43

It sounds like you’re not doing the right meal prep the week before. I remember could only have white foods / broth before (or similar)

You mentioned fasting before, but nothing about the pre-prep diet

Cheerbear24 · 07/12/2021 14:16

@smoko

It sounds like you’re not doing the right meal prep the week before. I remember could only have white foods / broth before (or similar)

You mentioned fasting before, but nothing about the pre-prep diet

If you take the prep fully and properly (with the full amount of water) I really don’t think what you eat beforehand makes a lot of difference. These preps can clear a fecal impaction.
Imohsotired · 07/12/2021 14:27

I’ve had many over the years and yellow water at the end has been fine. Are you worried about paying twice if it’s unsuccessful? Understandable if you are but I’ve always understood water consistency to be the end goal rather than colour!

Alleycat1 · 07/12/2021 14:49

I have had colonoscopies every three years for 30 years following colon cancer. For 3 days
before I just drink a lot of water and eat boiled eggs. Stool is yellow water and never had a problem. The croissant was not a good idea.

gogohm · 07/12/2021 15:10

Dp's leaflet just said take 4 hours prior, didn't mention colour etc. They didn't complain