Tips for colonoscopy prep

[foreverchangingnappies]

Ive got one booked next week (finally) and I’m honestly terrified about it! More so the prep than actually having it done..

Any top tips to do in the days leading up to it to make it better? Luckily I can be home all afternoon!

also the actual procedure… does it hurt? I’m having sedation but still a little worried it will hurt.

I did it for an operation and it wasn’t that bad. Mixed it with lemonade and used a straw

For the prep:
*Follow the guidance on diet for a few days prior (basically ‘white food’ only).
*Take the prep day off work.
*The prep liquid can be difficult to drink, keep it cold, some people find it easier to drink with a straw. Have something else to drink to take the taste away.
*Some Sudacrem or Vaseline can be useful to protect sensitive areas while everything is running out of you.

The procedure:

• I had mine without sedation - just gas + air - as I had nobody to collect me afterwards. Not too uncomfortable, but depends on your anatomy, some of the corners can be a little uncomfortable, but certainly not unbearable.
• It’s a bit undignified, but otherwise OK.

Prep really isn’t that bad. It’s not like being ill because you know it’s going to happen. I also didn’t feel unwell - just needed the loo.

download some films onto an iPad and stay very close to the loo. Get moist loo roll and some cream.

warm blanket as I got very cold.

For the prep chill it and take it with orange squash.

You can eat jelly which helped me.

Don’t be embarrassed about the farting afterwards. Just let it rip. It can’t be helped

I could just tell the woman in the bed next to me was in pain trying to hold it in as she was embarrassed (behind curtains obviously) so I was just letting them rip and finally she just gave them up. Competition ensued. It was hilarious

@Whatsthatsheila😂

Maybe take a pad too actually. They shouldn’t let you go til you feel like you’ve emptied your bowels out but it may make you feel a bit more secure to have a pad on

My tip is Lucozade as a chaser for the prep. I bought loads of options- 7 Up, apple juice, sparkling apple juice etc- but Lucozade was the only thing that genuinely took the taste away immediately. I'd only bought one bottle so recommend at least 4.

The prep is awful, much worse than the procedure in my experience. I actually felt a bit ill doing it and famously shat on the hall carpet trying to get to the loo! You will think you're going to be uncomfortably hungry but I didn't feel hungry at all.

I had sedation and it didn't hurt apart from a little bit at the end when it had worn off. Everyone was lovely. I didn't get given anything to eat after so take something with you just in case.

Having done it I wouldn't be scared of having another.

@BulbsbulbsbulbsStrange isn’t it I found the procedure much worse than the prep!
Actual procedure was SO painful even with sedation and gas and air. It really does depend on your anatomy though but my advice OP is take all the drugs they offer!

I had a glass with Fanta Lemon and a glass with the prep, straw in each and sucked both at the same time. I couldn’t drink the prep on its own. Straw as far back on the tongue as possible so less taste buds (I might have made that up but it could be true).

Following as my mum is having this done next week. Will she be ok to travel there on public transport? We have a lift home it’s just getting there that’s the issue….

depends when she is scheduled to have the prep. I did all mine the night before so was completely empty in the morning. She should be ok but I had a lift both ways.

I found taking the prep liquid the most difficult thing. If I did it again I'd mix it up with minimal liquid - drink some then follow up with a mug of water and repeat.

I had sedation. Was told I had a long tortuous bowel but had no pain. The bed did get moved into different angles which they didn't actually warn me about. It didn't hurt but felt odd as i wasn't expecting it.

Love this

@smilerI think she’s been told 2pm the day before and then we need to leave 7am the following morning - I think she is just nervous she won’t be empty by then?

Make sure that in the 3 days before you start the prep, you stick to a very light diet. This makes the toilet trips much less unpleasant. I was terrified so could not eat much anyway. It was nowhere as bad as I thought. Neither the prep or the procedure.

Doing the prep correctly is very important. A lady waiting with me said that this was her second colonoscopy as she had not done the prep thoroughly on the previous one,

Beginning to feel I was robbed. I done the prep ok but got nothing for the procedure and looked 9 months pregnant at the end which went down after couple hours of releasing. It wasnt painful, just uncomfortable. Went straight home (drove myself as no GA/sedation was being used.

@ChateauProvenceShe will probably be ok by then. Maybe get a big pad just in case? She may also feel a bit weak

@HelloPuppyPiethank you! I think I’m just as nervous as her - also about what they will find but what can you do 🤷🏼‍♀️

The prep is worse than the actual thing. Prepare for that.

Get some tena pants. They'll give you extra time to get to the toilet and give you some reassurance on the way to the hospital, as you'll still be feeling the urge.

Use vaseline when wiping from the off. Don't wait until you're sore.

I had mine without sedation. I wanted to leave as soon as it was done. And a settee day the day after as you feel a bit bruised and tender.

I've got mine on Tuesday afternoon, I've had low fibre beige food since last night. Once I've had lunch tomorrow I will eat the bare minimum until after the procedure. Makes the "expelling" a lot more bearable and the consultant said last time what a clean colon I had 🤣🤣

Didn't have sedation last time, was offered gas and air but didn't really need it and wanted to go home straight after whereas you have to wait 30 mins if you've had gas.

Make the prep up then chill it. It's easier cold.

Use a straw, as far back in your mouth as you can. I had Fanta Lemon as a chaser, immediately after each mouthful.

Stay near the loo.

I was very cold, so a hot water bottle and warm socks were essentials, and comfy joggers.

I'd always have sedation. For me, it means I'm relaxed but definitely not asleep.

The cuppa and sandwich after are post-birth-style!

The liquid prep was so awful that I couldn’t actually finish it (I managed about 3/4 and was still adequately cleaned out). I was crying and retching trying to get it all down. I agree that next time I’d mix it with less water and then do a water chaser. The procedure was absolutely fine as the drugs were glorious.

I had one recently. I was quite frightened of the prep but with hindsight it was OK. Do stay near the loo though as there comes a point that you are expelling water-like liquid. And don't fart on your way to the bathroom!
My procedure was ok. I had sedation but I'm not sure it did much. I can remember it all. I had to have a few gulps of gas & air as they went round the corners.
Bizarrely I wasn't full of gas afterwards. I wonder where it all went?

Wrap up warm, eat all the white bread you can stomach and stay hydrated.

take the sedation if you can, it will give you the most blissful sleep after the procedure is over.

I found it easier to chug the liquid at room temperature.

You think it’s not working, then holy moly!