[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Arfcom; Colonoscopy prep advice? (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 7/18/2016 5:23:55 PM EDT
|
Wednesday is the "big day" I've turned 41 and... welp, yeah... time to get checked.
I've heard horror stories about the prep. It begin's tonight "sorta" right now I'm headed out to go shopping. I've heard, read horror stories. My beginner question is what flavor of poison? I'm quoting the instructions below. What am I in for? I figured there would be some experienced gentlemen here who have done this once or twice. I did a google search of "ar15.com Colonoscopy" The results were " Lemon Lime is good" and Pay the 2k and get knocked out for the procedure. Sadly my brands are MiraLax, and Gycolax, and I don't have a spare $2,000. Help? 
Preparing for your Colonoscopy:
If you are currently prescribed, or take as needed, any type of blood thinning medications such as ibuprofen, Naproxen, or NSAIDS, we ask that you hold these for three days prior to the procedure. If you take Aspirin for a heart condition - please continue. If you take Aspirin for heart health/ preventative - please hold for 3 days prior to the procedure. If needed, you may take Tylenol during the three days prior to your procedure. ****If you are prescribed Coumadin or Pradaxa, contact the physician that prescribes it for instructions on holding. If you are prescribed Plavix, you may continue. If you are an insulin dependant diabetic, please contact the physician who monitors your diabetes to see if there are any recommendations as to altering your insulin dosage while you are modifying your diet and taking the colon cleanse prior to your procedure. Please do not take any fiber supplements or any iron supplements three days prior to your procedure. All other regular medications you may take up until 3 hours prior to your scheduled procedure unless otherwise instructed. In order to allow Dr. Ramannoodlejaminani to have the best view of your colon you will be asked to modify your diet for 3 - 5 days prior to your procedure. We request that you avoid all nuts, corn, seeds, popcorn, and raw fruits and vegetables. Cooked vegetables are fine and canned fruits and vegetables are fine as well w/ the exception of corn ****On the day BEFORE your procedure, if your procedure is scheduled before noon please stay on clear liquids all day. IF YOUR PROCEDURE IS IN THE AFTERNOON, YOU MAY HAVE A LIGHT BREAKFAST ON THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE UNTIL 9:00AM**** Clear liquids include: water, clear broth or bullion, coffee or tea without milk or creamer, Gatorade, sodas, fruit flavored drinks, clear juices without pulp, jell-o, and popsicles. Please avoid anything red and or purple colored. All liquids listed okay to have up until ___3____ hrs prior to your scheduled procedure time. The evening before your procedure and again the morning of, you will need to cleanse your colon. You have been given instructions to do the MIRALAX and GATORADE PREP - please see next page. . Any questions regarding the above information please call xxx)xxx-xxxx (M-F 8:30 – 4:30 PM) and ask for Kim. Miralax/Gatorade Prep AM WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: ? Purchase FOUR Bisacodyl 5 mg tablets (Dulcolax 5 mg tablets are the same thing.) The Bisacodyl tablets can be purchased over-the-counter and you wil not need a prescription. ? Purchase one bottle of MiraLax 238 grams (generic name is Gycolax). It can be purchased over-the-counter and you will not need a prescription. ? Purchase one 2 liter bottle of Gatorade/ G2 series for lower sugar (64 ounces), any flavor except a red colored drink. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE EXAMINATION ? Before bed take 2 of the Dulcolax 5 mg tablets with a glass of water DAY BEFORE THE EXAMINATION: AFTERNOON: ? Mix the whole bottle of MiraLax with the bottle of Gatorade and refrigerate. ? At 3:00 p.m. take the 2 Bisacodyl 5 mg tablets with 8-12 ounces of clear liquid. ? At 6:00 p.m. begin drinking the solution. Drink an 8 ounce glass every 10-15 minutes for a total of 6 glasses. It’s ok to drink the liquid through a straw. ? Follow with an 8 ounce glass of a clear liquid drink of your choice. ? You may drink clear liquids, chew gum and suck on hard candy or popsicles while drinking the prep. ? You may drink clear liquids up to 12 midnight. ? Some people may feel full or sick after starting to drink the solution. This disappears with time, especially when you start passing stool. If you feel sick, stop drinking for about 30 minutes and see if you can pass some stool. The problem should resolve and you should be able to start drinking again. MORNING OF THE PROCEDURE: ? Begin drinking the solution 4 hours prior to scheduled procedure. Drink an 8 ounce glass every 10-15 minutes to complete the remainder of container. ? Follow with an 8 ounce glass of a clear liquid drink of your choice. Then nothing. |
|
Some prep instructions say to have vaseline handy. There's a reason for that!
The doctor that did mine was a woman, so she had a different perspective on the whole thing. She says it was sort of like dating. First date was just talking and getting to know each other. Leading up to the second date was lots of drinking. Then there were some really good drugs. After that, there was penetration and some significant intimate knowledge, if you know what I mean! 
|
|
Quoted:
unless you've got something unusual going on you don't need an ass scope until age 50 I can't speak for the OP but because of my strong family history of colon cancer I started getting regular colonoscopies at 42. I've been clean for the last three instances and am on the five-year plan now (at 58). |
|
Quoted:
I can't speak for the OP but because of my strong family history of colon cancer I started getting regular colonoscopies at 42. I've been clean for the last three instances and am on the five-year plan now (at 58). Quoted:
Quoted:
unless you've got something unusual going on you don't need an ass scope until age 50 I can't speak for the OP but because of my strong family history of colon cancer I started getting regular colonoscopies at 42. I've been clean for the last three instances and am on the five-year plan now (at 58). IIRC family history is one trigger in the guidelines for starting at 40 instead of 50 |
|
Quoted:
Had mine this morning. I used a prescription prep called suprep. My wife made the comment as we checked in "first time since I've known him he's not full of shit"..... I used SUPREP as well. It actually wasn't as bad as I expected. Went in for procedure. Propafol was amazing!!! Didn't even have any gas after the scope. All in all, listening to the horror stories was the worst part. |
|
Like others have said, it's not a huge deal. However, listen to my advice to you. Get wet wipes and be near a toilet.
I had to start getting them regularly at an early age due to higher potential for colon cancer, so I know this routine well. Ease off the food, then when you get into the 'night before' part, stick by a toilet, take your mirolax/dulcolax/gatorade combo, shit your brains out, then get some sleep. When the procedure is done you'll be groggy, probably fart like a clydesdale and then be on your way to a steak or something thereafter. 
|
|
Quoted:
Worst part is not eating. Also make sure to crack a witty joke about why you are there when they ask before the procedure. When they tell you to count backwards from 10 or whatever it's nuts, you'll just wake up elsewhere.  Right before the procedure I looked at the nurse and said "Will you still respect me after this?" She got a kick out of it, the doc not so much. Some of you guys get put under for this? Do you look like this?: 
|
|
Quoted:
Actually, it's not that bad. Imagine the worst case of diarrhea you ever had and double it. To me the worst is the hunger pangs between when you wake up and the procedure is done. You will appreciate wet wipes! Not eating was WAY worse to me. Wasnt near as bad as i had heard or expected it would be. Watched a bunch of movies waiting for soething to happen. When it finally started honestly wasnt too bad except for about a 2 hr period whete I figured, " Why wipe and get up? I'll just be right back in here." I did however, wake up very irate/ sorta violent. They had to get me wife to calm me down. Then she took me to McDs. |
|
The actual procedure is nothing - best sleep you will ever get. The day before prep of not eating and peeing out your butt is the worst part. Wet wipes and prep H are your friend. Just put a chair in your bathroom and do not leave for any reason. Go from one seat to the other. |
|
Quoted:  This can't be a serious response. Quoted: Quoted: best advice I have is ... wait until you're 45 or 50. what's the rush? This can't be a serious response. The American Cancer Society recommends, beginning at age 50, both men and women follow one of these testing schedules for screening to find colon polyps and/or cancer:[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonoscopy#cite_note-Cancer_Screening_Guidelines-15][15][/url]
|
|
The prep is the worst part. That's absolutely true. And even that isn't that bad. Basically you chug the drink on a schedule and after two glasses of the stuff you start making waterfall trips to the bathroom. Yes it will be urgent, no you won't crap yourself. Just be sure to wipe gently from the start, maybe have wet wipes on hand. Otherwise you'll get raw by the end. Then at some point things stop and you go to bed. That's it.
I've been through ten of the things. Trust me, it's not that bad. |
|
Start the prep earlier than it says so you are well finished letting it run it's course through you well BEFORE you go to bed. The actual procedure isn't all that bad as long as you make sure and tell them if they didn't give you enough meds.
Drink as much of the prep stuff as you can possibly stand. You will eventually have little less coming out other than little green watery squirts. THat is when you know you are cleaned out. Wait a couple of hours after the last squirts before going to bed just to be sure. I actually slept pretty well the night before, and slept through the procedure. It isn't nearly as bad as you imagine it will be, otherwise no o e would go back the next time. And the medical profession knows how to keep customers coming back. |
|
Quoted:
Right before the procedure I looked at the nurse and said "Will you still respect me after this?" She got a kick out of it, the doc not so much. Some of you guys get put under for this? Do you look like this?: https://memecrunch.com/image/52b23d541605fb6050000080.jpg?w=316 Quoted:
Quoted:
Worst part is not eating. Also make sure to crack a witty joke about why you are there when they ask before the procedure. When they tell you to count backwards from 10 or whatever it's nuts, you'll just wake up elsewhere. Right before the procedure I looked at the nurse and said "Will you still respect me after this?" She got a kick out of it, the doc not so much. Some of you guys get put under for this? Do you look like this?: https://memecrunch.com/image/52b23d541605fb6050000080.jpg?w=316 Why would you not want to be under for this? Do you prefer to be conscious of things going up your butt? Because I can't think of any other reason why you would consider being knocked out to be wimpy or the less desirable option. |
|
Miralax works. Drink lots of water. Try to cut down on heavy food a couple of days before, AKA no 5 pound chops. Get a big pack of Tucks pads, you'll need them. Get some good reading material. I did it while I was awake/partially under...pretty entertaining. Painful too.  |
|
Quoted:
best advice I have is ... wait until you're 45 or 50. what's the rush? precancerous polyps. I had 2 cut out and a 3rd they won't touch until I can schedule a different surgery. Don't rush and they become cancerous. My step dad did the "I don't go to the Dr. thing unless I'm sick". We buried him after he lost 120 pounds to cancer and died. It is a slow cancer but it can kill you if you don't get on it. |