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Original poster

On laxatives today (picolax) not sure what to expect

96 replies

SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 08:22

And nobody else is home.

Anyone care to join me?

Slightly worried that it's going to be awful. Took them 20 mins ago. Nothing yet.

How long should they take to work?

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 09:23

I have had picolax before - a double dose like you.

You will be ok, don't panic

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 09:26

The consomme and jelly are "low residue" foods and should not produce anything that needs to pass through! TMI!!! You will find you get a sore bum, and wiping will become an issue after a while. Get in the bath/shower if necessary and if you get really sore use a hairdryer on lowest setting to dry your bum. (Top tip!)

It gets a bit depressing but it's all for a good cause in the end.

I have not had what you are having but have had lots of other "bum" things done to me. All I can advise is to try and relax. My surgeon was lovely, very kind and gentle. It's embarrasing but it's their job, and they are usually very sensitive.

Wishing you all the best. I am in and out all day but keep posting if you want to chat/need moral support.
Jo x

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:26

Thanks Dumbledoresgirl, it's definately been bearable (sp?) so far.

No idea if it's over yet tho!!

OP posts:
Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:28

Thanks Jojo,

It's def helping being able to check back for re assurance if I hadn't been I'd probably have gotten myself into a right pickle already!

Reaaaaally tired, spent most of last night worrying about it but i'm going to try and wait a bit longer before I try to sleep.

OP posts:
CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 09:29

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it almost certainly isn't over just yet...

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:31

OWWWWWWWWWWWW!

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/01/2009 09:32

Pats ABC gently on the back. It'll be over in a bit, have you a hot water bottle to sooth your tummy?

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:34

Candlequeen.. you were right.

OYBBK, good idea!

It'll all be worth it in the end.

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 09:36

Is the wind you get a few days later caused by taking the Picolax then? (just read CandleQueen's post). I assumed when I had wind after taking Picolax that it was the after effect of the surgery I also had (although I did not have bowel surgery, they had a major major rummage around my entire abdomen ).

CountessDracula · 28/01/2009 09:37

It takes a while to work the first time
Then it is like a high-pressure hose squirting out of your bottom!
It doesn't hurt at all - it is a bit surprising the first time it happens!

DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 09:37

Also, Simple, I want you to bear in mind that I was seriously ill when I had my Picolax and I don't think I had been to the loo for a few days so I did have an awful lot of clearing out to do.

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 09:39

Trying to remeber my experience. It was about 6 years ago. If I took second dose at 2pm, I definitely remember being "stuck" on the loo at 6pm. Some friends arrived who were going to look after my children the next day, as I had to be in hospital by 7am. I recall shouting "Hello" to them from the throne!! It was about an hour later before I actually ventured downstairs to meet them.
Think it subsised but never quite stopped. You may wish to wear some protection, in case of small leakages. Sorry.........x

jojo43 · 28/01/2009 09:41

Subsided

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:43

I've been told to expect wind, although for a different reason.. Like the funny agent picolax post, my bowel will be inflated so that they can look for "polyps"?

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 09:44

I don't remember any leakages (came close though!) but I was in a hospital bed and completely out of it most of the time as I was so ill. Maybe the nurses went in with industrial sized buckets of disinfectant after I left for surgery?

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:44

oh no! i wanted to go out for a bit tonight, just to see dp, but that's not a good idea is it?

OP posts:
jojo43 · 28/01/2009 09:47

I wouldn't leave the house, unless you have a loo strapped on!

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:47

dumbledore it sounds as if you had a really rotten time of it, this is nothing in comparison!

OP posts:
Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:50

i can imagine his face if i turned up like that!

oh well, see him tomorrow. at least i don't need to worry about trying to wash and dry my hair. that'd be fun

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 09:52

Yes my experience was awful but also, fortunately, fairly unique (when DG has a life threatening illness, it has to be one no-one has ever heard of before! ).

But I keep meaning to emphasize that the picolax part of it was not really that bad. In fact, I found the hardest part was swallowing the foul stuff in the first place. Once it is in you, well, no-one wants to sit on a loo all day, but there isn't anything worse than that to fear. I wouldn't go out tonight if I were you, just to be on the safe side. Can't your dp come and visit you?

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 09:56

Yeah, he could. But i'll prob wait until tomorrow, I wouldn't be very good company, up and down to the loo all night!

Swallowing it was disgusting... really really rank.

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 28/01/2009 10:00

Set up a radio and some books - perhaps its a good opportunity to give yourself a bit of a manicure!

CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 10:03

Your bowel will nee to be inflated for the flexi, so that's what causes all the wind after.

Original poster
SimpleAsABC · 28/01/2009 10:15

whats the difference between a flexi and a colonoscopy??

OP posts:
CandleQueen · 28/01/2009 10:19

Sigmoid bowel is only a little way "up", so a flexi doesn't go as far as colonoscopy, which goes all the way up and round!
You don't need sedation for a flexi, but it is recommended to a colonoscopy.