DS having an endoscopy

[mayaknew]

Upper and lower as inpatient

Any tips how to get him through prep and fasting?

He's 6

Ok - talk him through what's going to happen and why. Im guessing he'll be sedated (he really does need to be sedated).

Before you start the prep maybe give him a low residue diet for 3 days - loww fibre, low fruit, low veg. That will make the next stage easier.

What prep is he getting? You may need to think of some rewards (bribes) to get him to take it. He will need to be very near a toilet when it gets going, he may well mess himself several times and he should expect that. Protect all the floors bw where he is and the loo and get a bucket of hot soapy water ready. Ideally get camped out in the bathroom for the latter stages which are, frankly, grim. He will get very tired and fed up so be ready with tv, tablet, toys or whatever to distract him.

Think about pull ups for the trip to the hospital the next day in case he's still leaking.

Good luck - prep is not fun. The endoscopy/colonoscopy is a doddle in comparison. Afterwards you can treat him to his favorite food.

He's having it as an inpatient so will be in hospital when having the prep so don't need to worry about him messing the house, but I'm guessing I should take several changes of clothes for him?

Also he is having it under a general anaesthetic

Thanks this is all very helpful

So far he knows he will need to drink something that will make him poo, and that it might not taste nice. And he knows he will be getting put to sleep for a while.

I'm finding it hard to prepare him because I don't really know that much about it myself

Take lots of spare pants. I think what youve told him is fine, maybe also that he wont be able to eat til afterwards.

Lots of things to distract him. Prep is by far the worst part.

GA is good. I always have these done with no anaethetic because I'm well hard a control freak and I wouldnt recommend it for a child. Not painful but v unpleasant whilst happening.

He may be uncomfirtable with eind after as they pump you full of air. So be prepared for lots of wet farts (sorry).

Spare pants are def the thing!

I hope he copes well. I have a general anaesthetic for endoscopies (I've had 20+) and can't manage the prep for a colonoscopy so with shortly be having a CT (virtual) colonoscopy which is none invasive and requires only minimal gastrographin prep.

Ok these are great thank you so much. Is he allowed to drink fluids but not eat is that correct ? But he'll be no fluids before GA

They should provide you w detailed info about what he can eat and drink and how long before. Certain coloured drinks like blackcurrant are not advised but again they should advise you.

Ok thanks it's next week and haven't had a letter or anything just a phone call. Hopefully letter will come in soon.

If he's like to soil frequently they may provide pads or him on the ward? I will bring plenty of changes anyway just incase.

IPad and DS and Lego to occupy him.

Will he get any sleep overnight or will he be up all night going to the toilet?

I'd take pullups to the hospital and put him in them before he starts the prep. Much nicer than changing all his clothes., bed etc.

Whether he's up all night will depend on the type of prep and when its administered in relation to the anaesthetic. There's not much sleep during the actual emptying process but that can start several hours after its administered. And when its done you can sleep of course. What I do is prep in the afternoon/early evening and then sleep the night before the tests but of course Im not a child and the prep he will get is likely to be totally different. I find it hard to believe that theyd schedule it to keep him up all night though.

Ok this is all really helpful.
I agree I think they will give the prep so he will be cleared by night time.

He has to arrive at the ward at 2pm