Experiences of moviprep / colonoscopy

[Mycarsmellsoflavender]

My mother had bowel cancer in her 50s and I have had some symptoms which could be signs of, amongst many other things, bowel cancer. So I went to my GP and am booked in for a colonoscopy next Wednesday. I have read through the instructions given to me with the moviprep as well as googling it, and I'm dreading it. It lists nausea and vomiting as common side effects. Malaise and pyrexia ( fever - I had to google that one) as very common. I have to be up at the hospital about 40 mins drive away at 7.15 am so was planning to drive myself, but will I be in a fit state to drive the morning after taking the moviprep and after 24 hours fasting? I have to take the moviprep at 1 pm and 6 pm ( I think) on the day before. I feel queasy just thinking about it. Any tips?

@fraxion thanks me too! At least i dont have to take the next dose until 6am as my appointment is in the afternoon. Things seem to be slowing down now too, 10 minutes between toilet trips lol (although i have stayed in the toilet lol)

Havent been for 40 minutes now so thats good lol. Maybe i will get some sleep after all!

fraxion, don't dread Moviprep, it's not bad. I was panicking at the sheer volume as I don't drink loads generally but I found okay, maybe because your stomach is empty from not eating?

Anyway, your anxiety about it will be worse than actually doing it.

How are you feeling mrsed - not as bad as your thought?

@shurrup the worst bit was that my little boy is not well and I could hear him crying but couldnt do anything!

Aw that's awful.
I live on my own now, so no distractions.

Well laying in bed and made a dash for the loo, but it was an hour an 40 mins since the last time so thats good. Going to try and get some rest now hopefully for a few houre before my 6am dose.

have a good night. I'm up at 6.30 for parkrun. If I remember, I'll check in. Good luck tomorrow afternoon. x

Second dose started! Interestingly it was my son that kept waking me up! Lol worked out nicely though as took him downstairs for a feed which meant my husband can have a bit of a rest lol

Even though I a big gap between doses, the 2nd lot is harder to get down. The effects started after about 30 mins though rather than 70 mins yesturday. Im trying the tactic of taking 4 gulps every 10 minutes lol

Morning! Yep it is harder but you'll do it! Halfway there and it'll soon be Sunday!

Good luck later today. x

Thanks and enjoy your park run! I will of course report back whatever the outcome

Good luck today mrsed! Enjoy your park run shurrup.

@fraxion one thing i advise is to keep warm! I am so cold after drinking a litre of liquid straight from the fridge as well as various drinks of juice with slightly warmer but still cold tap water lol

Well prep all done think i left the toliet about 8.10am, ive had a couple of dashes to the loo but actually had 1.5 hours sleep. Just waiting now, appointment not until 14.45pm, going to get there for about 2ish i think see if i can get in first lol.

Well done. Do you agree not as bad as you expect?

Glad the prep is finished! Good luck this afternoon, been thinking about you. I just wish mine was sooner rather than later to get it over with.

@fraxion thank you, I know exactly what you mean, i saw the consultant on 6th march! Apparently been some issues with the machines at my local hospital so have only been able to do 2 week wait cases.

Im actually booked in at a local private hospital as an nhs patient so should be interesting.

And the prep was no where near as bad as i thought. What i will say is although my instructions us said on the day to eat white bread and avoid fibre, i did the same the day before too, as i read it helps and i think it probably did.

Oh you might get some nice sandwiches etc afterwards on proper plates! Are you going for sedation? My mum had a colonoscopy last year with no sedation, her choice 😱. I am definitely asking for it.

6th March till now is a bloody long wait! Not sure what will happen after my phone assessment on Wednesday, hope the waiting list isn't too long.

Im deffo going for sedation lol. Just here waiting now. Its a long wait, hope yours will be quicker!

Yes I think fibre avoidance for a couple of days helps too.

I had sedation. Well I say that, they gave it me on the table and it was a miniscule dose. Don't think it worked actually and partic as my procedure was 4 times longer than normal!

Good luck again. Nearly over. #thumbsup

thought they had to see you within 2 weeks? From going to GP that's all I waited.

I didnt hit enough of the red flag symptoms lol.

Anyway im all done and all clear!!!! Two biopsies taken to check for inflamation but no cancer (which is what i was worried about)

Sedation is amazing highly reccomend it lol

Good news mrsed, so pleased it all went well for you!

Excellent news.

My 'sedation' was none existent!

WellI have found out that moviprep fails in 15-48% cases which seems pretty high. Mine didn’t work and I now have to have a redo with a double dose of moviprep in the same time window. I’m also going to do water enemas, otc laxatives and a low fibre diet for 5 days and clear liquids only for 2. Hopefully at least I’ll lose some weight.