I'm having bowel prep today, is it going to be awful ?

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

All I really know is that I've got to drink something that will have a laxative effect.

Does anyone know how the stuff tastes and also how quickly it works ?

It is awful.
Prepare your toilet with books, iPad etc and get ready for the long haul.
You will feel like your organs are exploding out your bum.

It doesn't taste too nice in all honesty...

I expected a volcanic type eruption from my bum but I never happened. You see, I was very clever and fasted and drank only water for the 24 hours prior so there wasn't too much to evacuate

That said it's a pretty sudden onset when it kicks in. I ended up sleeping in the spare room with the bathroom next door.

Good luck!

Oh god

I'm having it done on the ward so in hoping I'm in a private room with loo attached.

How long does it take to work and how long before I'm cleared out lol

I think it worked within the hour.

When do you have to take it? Can you fast until then

Try to have a natural bowel moment before if you can.

I had to take three lots over 12 hours I think. I didn't end up taking the third as it was just clear watery stuff coming out in the end (sorry for tmi)

For me the first 4 hours were the worse, then it died off. The stomach cramps aren't much fun though

Prepare for you to have the loudest stomach noises ever, just for this you should get your own room

My own experience (3 colonoscopies) is that once it takes effect and I "go" a few times (maybe every 15 mins), whilst still having to drink the rest of it (3L total) I end up permanently on the loo for several hours (5-6 maybe) because as soon as I wipe, wash hands etc I need to go again.

You will have no control so stick like glue to the loo.

Best tip is use vaseline before 1st eruption and reapply constantly throughout the evacuation procedure. TRUST ME this is well worth doing.

The actual camera up the bum bit is a doddle, you'll be sedated.

Nice cuppa and a sarnie afterwards taste like heaven, good luck!

On the plus side you should lose a few lb's

Not sure exactly when I'm taking it. I've got to be on the ward for 11 am.

They told me to have breakfast as normal but I'm thinking maybe I won't now lol.

Oh well lol

Oh blimey 50 shades

I'm not having a camera up my bum but a total abdominal hysterectomy, removal of endometriosis and a possible bowel resection/colostomy tomorrow !!

Feel like running far far away lol

The world will fall out of your arse :o

Seriously.. hope all goes well and a rapid recovery

Lol that did make me chuckle cilla

I'm
Having my 3rd on thurs. It's vile. But short lived.

Apparently the stuff they use these days isn't quite as vile as Picolax. But it won't be pleasant

Hope the following procedures aren't too bad - sounds like you've got a lot on your plate there!

Best of luck op. Here's to a speedy recovery

Thanks all

Hope yours goes ok too sassy.
Tbh my plate overflowed ages ago, I'm used to it now

They've let me bring the stuff home to do it

Got to have first sachet in a bit

Loads and loads of vasiline on your ringpiece , good luck.

You will be so glad you are in your own home once it starts. Hope you have charged your phone/ I pad etc so you have company in the loo!!

Well I took the first sachet at 1pm and apart from a normal small bm after, nothing.

My stomachs starting to make odd noises though so I think it's about to work. Got to take next sachet now

Sorry to hear about your condition nutty. DM has had this a couple of times and it took more than one sachet to work. Keep close to the loo and make sure you take a towel or disposable bed pad to sit on n the car, although there should be little if anything left by then.

I actually didn't find it too bad but was having a colonoscopy for diarrhoea/constipation erratically.

Took about. 4 or 5 hours for first sachet to work (started about 6pm) then continued every half an hour throughout the night except one hour and a half stretch of solid sleep. Not painful though - just weird and can't leave the house.

As it's already in your system the morning one works straight away.

Sorry to hear about your condition.

You'll either be sedated or put under (will be put under for hysterectomy I imagine but not sure about the rest).

Good luck :)

Good luck op that's a big op you are having, as a nurse I regularly give this to people and find it usually takes a few hours to get going!! But once it starts you need to be near the loo it's a good thing though?!?! Makes it easier for the surgery. Good luck with the op and drink plenty of water, also YY to TJ Vaseline..

Thanks for the replies.

I have had the second sachet and have been to the loo a few times now but only a bit each time. I'm worried it won't clear me out properly and they won't do the op.

My stomach is making a lot if noises though so it must still be doing something.

I feel a bit sick, is that normal ?

I also worried it wasn't working who I had to take bowel prep...then I exploded!!!!

Nutcracker I'm sorry your having to go through this. I found when I had a couple of years ago it took a while to work, then about 4 hours in it really "worked" didn't manage 3rd lot as felt sick from not eating and not having anything left in me . Hope it works soon for you

Lol krazipan

It is working now. No big explosions yet but lots of trips to the loo x

Have you blown yet? believe me there will be nothing left so your op should go ahead as planned.

And yes to the sickness, you might start to get a little shaky too...

Here if you can't sleep and need company