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?

good grief, don't think I can manage double the dose.

I had a load of paperwork so sorted and kept one instruction sheet with me that came with the letter from the hospital about when to arrive etc. Although they were printed instructions turns out they were wrong. I was having a morning appt and the instructions said I could have a light lunch but nothing after 1pm. I only found out at the appt that that was wrong and I shouldn't have had anything after 9am but my bowel prep was recorded as good. I do think it was due to the fact I'd cut out fibre for a couple of days before but I could be wrong.

I deffo think cutting out the fibre helps. i did the same for 2 days and my prep was described as good.

I cut out fibre for 4 days prior to the accident (just ate cheese and white bread) and the prep still failed. I think some people just respond slowly to it. I was still having the watery motions more than 24 hours after taking it.

Accident should read procedure - doing 2 things at once here!

I've just read that Moviprep is the first choice for bowel prep over Picolax 😬. When I had the Picolax before my bowel was well and truly prepped to the point it was nothing but clear water in the end.

Egghead what a nightmare for you.

Thanks Fraxiin. What with a gastroscopy that gave me 2 days of flashbacks and this I’ll certainly be glad when this whole thing is over. I’ve lost sight of worrying about the results - just getting through the procedures!

Absolutely dreading the whole thing. Told my husband he's not allowed to eat in the house when I'm fasting 😂.

Fraxion, I've got news for you, Moviprep (for me anyway) meant watery expulsions from my second visit to the loo! Like a full on tap lol.

Wasn't bad though, no cramps or anything, no nausea.
Use Vaseline from the very start, and moist wipes (I had no trouble with a sore ar$e either).

Hope it will be the same for you.

Thanks @shurrup, fingers crossed no nausea, don't think I could cope with both ends!

I didnt have any cramps or nausea either, in fact i just felt bored sat on the loo (even with MN!) I didn't have a sore bum either but tbh (TMI WARNING) in the begining i was just sat on the loo, going every 2 or 3 minutes, so i didn't wipe every time to try as i wasnt moving and wanted to avoid soreness!

mrsed1987 can I ask you a question?

Did you get a report after your procedure? If so can ask the amount of sedative/painkiller you got as you said it worked well for you?

Cheers x

i was just sat on the loo, going every 2 or 3 minutes

That's what happened to me with Picolax but throughout the whole night, didn't get any sleep at all. Although as I said before they prescribed me too much.

@shurrup yeah no problem it says i had fentanyl 50mcg and midazolam 2mg

I got 50ug fentanyl and 1.5mg midazolam

It wasn't enough, but as I said that could be because of the time taken.

Oh god, I'll be asking them to throw the lot at me. I've had major knee surgery whilst wide awake, not sure why I'm getting in such a state about this.

Just reading this thread as i start choking down my moviprep, its vile I'll be needing to care for an 11month old overnight and the next day (appt tomorrow afternoon) should I expect to struggle?

Hello, fellow bowel preppers!

Having my colonoscopy on Saturday, Movicol at the ready! Have cut dpwn on food already and limiting myself to the listed foods. I know it's early, but am going by past experience. This will be my 3rd colonoscopy in about 10 years. Am really hoping for answers.

Good luck to everyone enduring the joys!

Good luck mimmy and beloved. Mimmy - I think people’s experiences are extremely variable. I felt fine with the moviprep (but then it didn’t really work so maybe I am just immune) whereas my sister felt very nauseous on it and developed painful nappy-type rash. Is there anyone who can help with the 11-month-old if necessary?

Egghead68, not really unfortunately. My mum is watching her during the colonoscopy but cant really take a 2nd day off and my husband got refused any annual leave (helpful of his work!) My neighbours are pretty decent so if im struggling they might help

@mimmy87 I would have struggled to look after my lo who is 5 months as i was on the toilet for 2 hours after each litre of moviprep

@mrsed1987 luckily OH is here tonight its just after the procedure. Also started drinking at 7pm and havent been yet but oh my goodness the cramps. When should i expect to go by roughly?

I started mine at 5.45pm and starting going at 8pm. Oh after the procedure i was totally fine

Good luck mimmy and beloved . I've got my telephone pre-assessment tomorrow morning and I have the awful feeling they might want to see me at the clinic to be assessed but hopefully not.

@Fraxion good luck with your assessment. Im onto my second litre now, tbh I found drinking it the hardest part, the actual toilet trips were intense but over quickly

Good luck to both of you today