Colonoscopy prep & Breastfeeding

[Oliversmummy19]

I am due to have a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. I do not yet know which bowel prep ill have as I'm awaiting all the info.

I have a phobia of diarrhoea which I am currently having CBT for. As I know that this will cause diarrhoea I feel OK about it but I'd love to know people's experiences in all their gory glory so I can mentally prepare.

In particular I'd like to know:

Does the feeling of needing to go after drinking the prep come on suddenly like when you have norovirus or something similar?

How long are you stuck to the toilet after taking the prep? Does it all come out over a few hours and then you don't need to go anymore or are you back and forth overnight aswell?

My appointment is 9am. Do you feel safe on the drive to the hospital or is it possible that I'll still be needing to go?

Has anyone had the prep whilst breastfeeding? Did it affect your milk or are you able to stay adequately hydrated alongside the prep?

Does drinking water after you've finished clearing out also go straight through you?

After the procedure is done do you continue to have diarrhoea or do your stools return to normal fairly quickly afterwards?

I am not worried about drinking the prep. I am aware that it'll be vile whatever it is and have read lots of posts wit tips on how to make it bearable. I am also not worried about the procedure itself. I am purely worried about the aftermath of the prep. I have a 7 month old and a 3 year old and it scares me thinking I cant look after them whilst going through it. My husband is incredibly supportive and will take whatever time off work is needed.

I am a planner and like to know what I'm getting into so I'd be really grateful for people experiences no matter how bad. If I prepare for the worst then it can only get better!

Thanks x

I had moviprep

keep in fridge as it goes down better cold, drink with a straw and take sips of clear squash inbetween

I wasn’t too bad after the first lot, but after the second it took about half an hour before it kicked in. I didn’t sit on loo all evening but I was within 10 seconds of it - sat on sofa in kitchen w downstairs loo next door.

put sudocrem or Vaseline on bum hole prior to shitting to stop sting. Get wipes - don’t bother wiping after every shit if you’re just sitting on the loo

i was ok overnight but did a few in the morning again. Wasn’t urgent. Dh drove me to the hospital.

I didn’t go for a couple of days after as you’re totally cleared out.

can’t help with breastfeeding side of things

good luck. I had sedation but not sure it did much. I was awake. It was a bit uncomfortable but not painful.

I don’t know about the breastfeeding part but I can talk about the rest.

I had picolax and within half an hour of taking it I was glued to the toilet. It went on for about 2 hours. Don’t go far from the bathroom. It’s more like water coming out your backside inside of diarrhoea but after a while I’m afraid it does burn like acid so a bit of sudocrem on your bum hole will be a bit relief

Just about to start mine - not looking forward to it. Good tip about lubrication.

It took me about 6 hours to clear everything out and then I got to sleep and didn’t need to go in the night.
Do not wipe with paper, you will get sore, use wipes or just flush the toilet and stay sat on it.
I was able to go back and forth but I ended up sore so I might’ve been better just staying put.
If it’s any consolation the prep is by far the worst bit. After that the operation itself is a walk in the park. I quite liked watching the screen and seeing my insides. You will be put in recovery whilst your sedation wears off with 1:1 nursing care. You will fart ALOT during this period but they are used to it.

I had a ct scan today and had to do the colon prep.

It was rough... agree about Vaseline. Why didn't I think of that? If u have a bidet, washing is better than using tissue. I took the train into the hospital and needed the loo twice for my 1.5hr journey but it was controlled. While I was taking the movprep day before, i was on the loo for most of the evening...

The procedure itself was over in less than 15 mins.

Good luck

I am back from mine.
The prep is the worst part by far.
I found the drink revolting and I struggled to get it down in the timeframe.
Took first dose st 6pm, it kicked in at 9pm, so I was a little late starting dose 2 and it took me longer to finish.
I was on off the loo for the next 3 hours, finished about 12. Slept OK and a little bit the next morning. OK on the hours drive to the hospital.
Took the advise above about vasaline barrier and dabbed rather that wiped. I also have the Wype cleanser which helps.
I did take a dose of senakot the day before to get things moving, which I think helped. Light breakfast and lunch on prep day.
Actual procedure was OK. I took the sedation but I was fine, I actually watched the proceedings on the TV. The air they put in you gives a bit of discomfort. Take the drugs as I was quite relaxed.