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Original poster

Travelling three hours for a colonoscopy after Plenvu bowel prep

29 replies

DownByTheLakeWhereTheWatermelonsGrow · 14/09/2026 09:33

I recently posted about having blood in stool. I was referred for an urgent consultants appointment and have now got a colonoscopy booked in October.

I'm absolutely terrified about the procedure and the prep, but to make it all worse my local (very regional) hospital doesn't have availability within the required timeframe so I have to go to the bigger hospital which is three hours drive away.

My appointment is at 14:15. I phoned the dept and they said I could take the two doses at 18:00 and 21:00 the evening before so that everything is over and cleared by the morning.

For those that have taken this medication (PlenVu) do you think this is realistic? I'm trying not to think about how hungry and faint I'll be (really struggle with hunger on a normal day). Can I travel 3 hours at say 10 am - 1 pm following the bowel prep? And then have the procedure and travel home again late at night? My husband will be driving.

Terrified.

OP posts:
Sparrowsandbudgies · 15/09/2026 08:35

WeDid2 · 15/09/2026 07:56

I’ve had at least 10 of these - I actually appreciate the bowel prep as a good clear out!

they’ve given you a protocol for a morning procedure I guess because of your drive

I am not good with the tube going into my mouth so I ask them to give me max dose of meds that put you into twighlight. The whole point of these drugs is access to the last part of bowel can be uncomfortable if you were fully awake - but you are not fully awake because of the meds. If anyone has felt pain the person in charge of the drugs is not doing their job!

my top tip for you if you are worried about bowel prep try and clear yourself out before you take it. Sometimes I have some movicol just one sach a day in lead up

I hope you are ok

I’ve never had a tube going into my mouth with a colonoscopy. Only an endoscopy.

bananaapplepears · 15/09/2026 08:45

WeDid2 · 15/09/2026 07:56

I’ve had at least 10 of these - I actually appreciate the bowel prep as a good clear out!

they’ve given you a protocol for a morning procedure I guess because of your drive

I am not good with the tube going into my mouth so I ask them to give me max dose of meds that put you into twighlight. The whole point of these drugs is access to the last part of bowel can be uncomfortable if you were fully awake - but you are not fully awake because of the meds. If anyone has felt pain the person in charge of the drugs is not doing their job!

my top tip for you if you are worried about bowel prep try and clear yourself out before you take it. Sometimes I have some movicol just one sach a day in lead up

I hope you are ok

What tube did you have in your mouth? You don't normally get that with a colonoscopy.

Op you might be ok. I had one a few months ago and it was fine. Plenvu wasnt that bad with lemonade. I didnt have any toilet accidents. It just comes out like water, no pain, no nausea. I've heard of people getting ot up walls and needing vaseline on bumholes etc but I had none of that. It started working about an hour after I'd finished the prep both times and continued for about an hour then I went to sleep as normal.
The sedation didn't work for me so I was fully aware and awake and felt everything. I enjoyed the biscuits after!

ArtieChoke · 15/09/2026 20:14

WeDid2 · 15/09/2026 07:56

I’ve had at least 10 of these - I actually appreciate the bowel prep as a good clear out!

they’ve given you a protocol for a morning procedure I guess because of your drive

I am not good with the tube going into my mouth so I ask them to give me max dose of meds that put you into twighlight. The whole point of these drugs is access to the last part of bowel can be uncomfortable if you were fully awake - but you are not fully awake because of the meds. If anyone has felt pain the person in charge of the drugs is not doing their job!

my top tip for you if you are worried about bowel prep try and clear yourself out before you take it. Sometimes I have some movicol just one sach a day in lead up

I hope you are ok

they don't put the tube down your mouth, it is the other end ?

WeDid2 · 18/09/2026 11:50

Sparrowsandbudgies · 15/09/2026 08:35

I’ve never had a tube going into my mouth with a colonoscopy. Only an endoscopy.

Show quote history

Yes sorry I usually had both at same time

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