Failed colonoscopy twice as couldn’t tolerate prep TMI warning

[Lomaamina]

Hi all, any advice? I’ve twice failed to finish colonoscopy prep due to nausea from prep. They’ve tried me on moviprep and now fleet. Even fleet, which is minimal volume, made me gag and then ... on the second dose. I went through the scope today, but they only managed to get through half, before failing to have a clear route. Now they've refereed me for a CT Pnuemocolon, which I thought would solve things, but it also requires prep. Has anyone experience of alternatives for someone who literally cannot swallow the stuff?

Ps this is purely routine, due to family history.

Isnt fleet suppose to go up your bum?

What do you mean you "literally cannot swallow" it? It's not pleasant and it makes most people gag to be honest. Did you try mixing it with cordial? Making it really cold? Drinking through a straw? Having another drink to drink straight away afterwards? Holding your nose while drinking it?

Otherwise can they not give an enema? You'd probably be better asking them for their advice as then you'll know which options are actually available to you at your hospital.

No, fleet is swallowed.

Yes, literally couldn’t swallow it. Chilled it, drank through straw, but throat closed up. Couldn’t swallow, even after resting.

Yes, I’ll ask hospital, but so far they seem oblivious to the issue. It doesn’t help I’m dealing with the specialist at second to third remove.

I suspect enema is only useful for the lower section...

Yes, it is. But possibly if combined with a few days if not eating. That's why I suggest you speak to them about the options as they'll know what is actually feasible.

Thanks. I will do.

Hmm I've seen it given via NG tube before although that was under kind of unusual circumstances. Do they do capsule endoscopy at your hospital?

So my Dh has them due to family history and failed to tolerate the traditional sort so had a ct one. The prep they gave him was different and although he struggled it wasn't as bad and he did manage to have it done. I can't remember the exact details of what they did give him but there were definitely options...Will ask him when he gets in.

I spent hours vomiting it back up, but thankfully enough went through to be successful on the two occasions I had it. Even if you can get some of it down it might be enough.

I can't tolerate fleet. I drink it then throw up - even an hour or so after drinking it. I requested picolax last time. It wasn't pleasant but I tolerated it better

If it doesn’t make you vomit then the chances are that you need to buckle down and get it down as best you can. It does make you feel sick and psychologically the idea that you are forcing something down that is going to keep you on the toilet for hours is horrible. For me the prep is the worst part of the whole thing.

It makes me vomit. Sorry, was trying to avoid TMI!

katycb and all, thanks.

Feeling quite depressed at the moment that I went through this almost for nothing. Though at least I know half the colon is clear of any nasties!

ragamuffin, sadly, despite keeping down all the first prep, clearly I didn’t keep down enough of the second prep for it to clear my small intestine. SO glad it worked for you.

Looks like capsule option still requires clear out..

ask for picolax?

itbemay thanks for the suggestion, but isn’t that just as difficult to swallow?

Capsule endoscopy doesn't need prep but I can't have it as I have a stricture and we tried a dummy capsule but it didn't pass through the stricture so I can't have the capsule now. If you don't have that problem the capsule might be the answer.

I don't find picolax as bad. Fleet is like drinking sea water plus it's the volume of water that you have to drink with it that makes me sick.

I don't like picolax but I'm not sick.

Picolax is mixed with 150ml of water for each dose, so there really isn't that much to get down. It's a kind of very synthetic, bitter citrus taste.

I know my Mum (family history as well) really struggled with moviprep.

My son had Picolax (two doses) and it didn't clear him out enough so they did and scope and then moaned at me that it wasn't clear.

Sorry you're having trouble, I think an enema might be a good idea if you can't keep it in the stomach.

Ok, thanks folks. Looks as though I’ve two options of picolax or a capsule. Now to persuade the busy consultant to spare five minutes to speak to me.

Plan b is to leave things as they are, as the lower tract was found to be “normal”.

Oh @Lomaamina I feel for you. I was so upset when I had my colonoscopy and the result said my bowel prep was "fair". It was so hard! I remember doing a lot of throwing up.

My only advice is add Ribena, chill it, and drink through a straw. And (as hard as it is) you have to relax, because the anxiety is what's making your throat close I imagine. Maybe download a mindfulness app and have a go.

Ask for Picolax. My husband has used it on three occasions and he has a very sensitive gag reflex as well as reflux due to hernia in oesophagus (spelled correctly I hope).

I found picolax much easier than moviprep purely because there was so much less of it to drink.

You mentioned that you need the scope due to family history - if this is because of Lynch/HNPCC I think cancers are more likely to occur in the bits they get to later, so worth persevering if you can. Might get a polyp removed before it can turn nasty!

I think Picolax was the one I drank mixed in very cold lemon squash. It was fairly tolerable, and I really struggle with those things generally.

Thanks again for all the sympathy folks. I’m sure anxiety is part of the problem. I had elevated blood pressure before the scope. I never have a problem with my BP normally!