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?

Thanks Mimmy, it went fine, fit to proceed as they had my blood test results and they were okay. Tuesday 30th July for me but I asked to be put down for a cancellation. I'm being given Picolax rather than Moviprep so fairly pleased as you only have to drink 2 pints of the mixture, the rest is clear fluids.

Good luck today ladies!

Oh and I requested sedation, choices were Entonox or sedation with painkillers 😬.

I had entonox too at one point

I'll take whatever they throw at me, terrified!

I am so glad I’ve found this page!
I start my moviprep at 5 and I’m petrified! I’m being investigated for crohns/IBD so I’m praying it’s not as pas as when I have my flair ups!
I’m going private thankfully so hoping il be in and out quickly! I’m nervous as to how long il be on the loo and don’t want another accident in my car (I’ve actually had a few accidents when I’ve been ill so I guess it takes the embarrassment away lol)
Anyone else prepping tonight? Or anyone who has theirs recently were you eating as normal the same day? I’m starving and already planning a take away tomorrow lol

My husband wants me to go private but I stupidly didn't opt into his employee health scheme so it would cost us over 2K. Good luck Mama.

Just left with the all clear. Genuinely didn't feel a thing. @mamabear1987 i hope it all goee well. I had my 2nd batch at 6am and by 10 was feeling fine its just the drink is gross

Glad to hear it Mimmy!

Did anyone have theirs with pethidine and midazolam? If so, are you willing to share the dose and whether it worked? Also how long it needed to kick in and whether you needed any top up?

Great news mimmy! You give me hope! Just drunk my first glass and it was hard! Why does a clear drink taste so thick?!
I’m drinking it with lemon squash now on the side as needed something more than water I’m hoping that’s ok?

How have you ladies managed the drink? Had my second glass and I want to throw up

Chilling it and sipping it slowly seems to help some people.

Chilled it and took a big glup of orange cordial after

Hi all, I'm an endoscopy nurse, feel free to ask me any questions about colonoscopies here :)
Obviously procedure/policy varies from unit to unit but I can help as best I can.
Good luck with your procedures!

Hi faelavie - thank you very much.

My question is: my colonoscopy failed because of poor bowel prep despite a low fibre diet for 3 days, clear liquids for one day and consuming all my moviprep the night before (starting at 5 then a 2hour break, then starting again with bed at 11 for morning procedure). I think I am just a very slow responder as was still producing brown sludge (sorry for tmi) right up to going into theatre and then for the rest of the day. They have given me a double dose of moviprep to take next time on the same time schedule. Is there anything else I can do? Enemas? Laxatives the week before? Start the clear liquids several days earlier? I can’t face another failure and don’t want to waste anymore NHS money. Thank you for any help.

I’m not sure mines working properly, taking 2nd jug now. Only just started going to the loo from my 5pm lot and it’s not painful or anything :/ i don’t know if it’s just because I get really bad flair ups so doesn’t seem bad, but I’m worried I’m not going enough?

Sounds like mine, which didn’t work, but your situation could be completely different. Fingers crossed.

@Egghead68 Maybe your bowel is a bit sluggish, I'd be surprised if double Moviprep doesn't sort you out! Poor you though having to go through all that, usually we offer an alternative prep. Don't worry about an enema, that'd only clear the lower part of the bowel anyway. Laxatives can sometimes make your bowel lazier in the long term. Drink plenty of water, and the low fibre diet you already know about (maybe extend it longer than 3 days if you can tolerate this). Good luck, I hope it goes well and that the prep works better :)

@Mamabear1987 Try not to panic yet, all bowels are different. For some it kicks in overnight! It's not always painful for everybody either :)

So pleased for you @Mimmy87, glad it went well.

Many thanks Faelavie. I’ll up the water and do the low fibre diet for a week (p.s. are dairy products allowed in the low fibre part? Some sites say yes and some no)

@Egghead68 Our info says yes to dairy. Try this advice (not from my trust but a useful list of yes and nos!) <a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/dietetics/Low_Residue_Diet.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwij96fkjojjAhXSYMAKHTwWD98QFjABegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw0m9i-ZoaM3DZTdgwPlgHXP&cshid=1561585467328" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patients/PatientLeaflets/dietetics/Low_Residue_Diet.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwij96fkjojjAhXSYMAKHTwWD98QFjABegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw0m9i-ZoaM3DZTdgwPlgHXP&cshid=1561585467328

Hi faelavie

Im having a colonoscopy on Saturday, looking for IBD. My bad flare up has passed - will IBD still show on the scope? Am worried they won't see anything as no longer flaring.

Thank you.

Thank you Faelavie . That’s a really helpful guide. I’ll try to do it for 2 weeks beforehand .

@faelavie

Hi, can I ask a question?

Do they look at the bowel when the scope is going in or just when they pull it out slowly?

How long will I have to stay in afterwards, if having sedation?

Thank you xx

@MyBeloved If inflammation is present it should be visible however sometimes colitis can be microscopic, it's up to the endoscopist if he wants to biopsy - good luck!

@boble1 Going in, the main aim is to get the scope to the caecum (to the end - as far as they need to go) though they'll likely see anything obvious on the way. It's on the way back they'll be having a closer look.
I can't answer how long they'll keep you afterwards as this varies from place to place - depends on the dosage they give, it's effect on you etc. Generally we keep people for 30 mins to an hour - make sure you bring someone with you to take you home. Good luck!

@faelavie

Thank you so much! xx