A patient recently shared their preference is to flavor the prep with Diet Dr. Pepper. Can’t fault that. What’s your favorite mixer or chaser for colon prep!?
Golytely....I used Countrytime Lemonade Mix. It was amazing. Small teaspoon size scoop in each 8oz, and it was a tremendous saver! I think it was the "tart" taste after. DO IT!
@@sherryknapp3011 I went to drug store to pick up Plenvue couldn't believe cost of that at $150. I'd much rather have Suprep prep a lot less expensive and taste isn't bad compared to Plenvue prep.
Haha. There is a pill but liquid is still needed. The fluid has to come from somewhere - so if you’re not drinking it, then it comes from you, causing dehydration and injury to the kidney.
We got to the moon by understanding laws of nature. Which include that matter can’t cease to exist. There’s no way to clean the colon without getting poop out. There’s no way to know what’s going on in there without looking. It’s the dark side of the moon.
@@MarkCooperMDI though this video was gonna be about the easier methods like the pills and powder. Even using those methods, I will need a lot of help. I was shocked that it was about the liquid! No thank you, not doing that
My advice to the doctors is to give patients choices. I was just given Plenvu without any input from me. That night I could not get it down. I called the Dr around 7 PM for advice and she started mentioning alternatives and one was pill based (Sutab). I requested that and luckily got it before the pharmacy closed. It was so much easier and I had my colonoscopy the next day. If I hadn't gotten that, I would have had to cancel. It would have been much less stressful to have had that option from the start.
I absolutely agree with you. I realized there were choices too late to replace mine. The nurse at the doctor's office said that they automatically prescribe that nasty prep solution since not all insurances cover the pill form. I will know next time to insist I be given the option. All patients should have the choice - especially since the prep keeps people from getting the procedure. It's so short-sighted not to give patients a choice.
The only way I could get the prep down was by one mouthful prep, two mouthfuls apple juice. Did it slowly over the day. Taking a tablet would be preferable.
I've had 2 colonoscopies already and another one coming for next month. I despise that disgusting tasting liquid stuff we have to take. It's such an ordeal to take it. Why in the world can't we have pills? It would be so much better for all of us.
The problem with the prep is starving myself for 14 hours and the feeling of my stomach destroying itself after being empty for so long. It's torture and by the time I get there I'm the most annoyed hangry pissed off person in the world.
same here. I could care less about the drinking the junk and bathroom trips. Not Eating Solid Food For Over 24 hours? That's a problem. And is singlehandedly the biggest reason I haven't made an appointment. For me, that will result in a horrible, horrible headache.
@amigos4erin you can do a stool test screening and as long as it's normal you are good. Regarding hypoglycemia, everything you drink has sugar in it so you shouldn't go hypoglycemic. I have blood sugar issues too and that wasn't a problem. There are preps that allow you to eat a low residue diet up until you take the laxative or maybe even later.
@@_star_e_D I just did it and have huge issues with not eating and also have stomach pain when it's empty. The liquids only was ok regarding hunger and stomach. There are calories in the liquids and fruit sorbets are on the list which eased my stomach and those were really good. Some hot broth is good after so much sweet stuff. Staining the noodles out of chicken noodle soup is pretty satisfying. Watered down Gatorade is my go to and it gives me energy without sugar spikes and crashes. It wasn't awesome but not as traumatic as expected. What makes me so angry is they people ignore how stressful the prep is even though that's the biggest reason people don't get Colonoscopies.
@@FortheBudgies oh that's a good idea bout the gatorade. I didn't think of it like that. I need to get it done regardless of how much I hate it. My dad died from metastasized CC by the time he was 61. so appointment is getting made. Thanks for that about the gatorade. That helps quite a bit.
@@FortheBudgies I agree, the prep IS stressful and so many people don't realize that. I, too, almost blew off colonoscopy just because I couldn't handle the stress of prep and not eating but I soldiered on, went through prep and had colonoscopy and now I'm glad I did.
Had my colonoscopy in May. Drank my prep with a drink of Gatorade after each glass! Not bad at all! Removed 3 polyps. So glad I had it done! Just do it!
I was told to make it cold, but I couldn’t keep any of the 2nd half down. Changed drs when he moved to another hospital. The nurse at my new dr said to keep it room temp and take a drink of peppermint tea after each glass and a whole cup in between, that did the trick.
The over the counter prep is what I was prescribed directly from the facility. I was told to not and didn’t have anything by mouth for 17hrs after finishing the prep. And I saw why. I don’t know how someone could just not have nothing by mouth for only 2 hrs before the colonoscopy. I would have been very embarrassed if was given that instruction as it actually took about 12 hrs to clear even after eat a star clear liquid diet all morning before prep. Good luck everyone.
I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I took 2 dulcolax at 5 pm and started drinking a bottle of Miralax in 128 ounces of water/lemon-lime gatorade mix at 6 pm. So it was quite diluted but just as effective. Drank more than half in the evening and the rest between 5-7 am. I didn't have my procedure until 3:15 pm, which sounds horrible but it really wasn't that bad. Clear broth, lemon ice pops and lemon jello the day before really helped stave off hunger. This prep solution is 1000x better than SuPrep, which is disgusting and really tests your gag reflex. The dulcolax/Miralax prep is the way to go. Much gentler and easier to drink.
I’m having mine tomorrow and I did exactly as you and the drink wasn’t to bad it’s the quantity! About 45 min after drinking I vomited so much. Fingers crossed I’m still good for tomorrow.
I have to have a Colonoscopy done in August. My prior surgeries I used the Miralax, Gatorade and dulcolax prep but this time they prescribed Plenvu Powder Packets. I never even heard of this before. I hope I can stomach it though!
@marlat.4221 My doctor gave me 2 options. I went with Miralax + duocolax. Did it in 2 phases (2nd one the morn of my procedure that wasn't until 2pm). It worked great!
I had a colonoscopy a few hours ago, and when I purchased my prep materials, I went with unflavored miralax, actually, the Walmar equivalent. I couldn't taste anything except the sugar-free Gatorade I drank. So, go for the unflavored stuff!
@@samhoskins8706I just had a colonoscopy and used the miralax prep. My favorite prep so far, only half a gallon total split in two doses. Very easy to take. However, I don't think I'm going to be wanting any gatorade for a long time! One other tip, drink it through a straw. That seems to help a lot.
As an RN I can't say enough how I appreciate my doctors And to have doctors take time to provide PSAs via videos, is just kinda comforting I'm putting on a nonchalant face, but I am internally going bat skat crazy at the prospect of being on the other side. I'm 45, my scope is in 7days... I'm beyond tripping out
In 2 of my 13 colonoscopies, I woke up in the middle of it. NOT FUN. Lol. It was seriously uncomfortable. I quickly shut my eyes and went back to dream land.
I filled up 8 oz water bottles that I was supposed to take every 10 minutes. Half the jug of solution .half the next day. Put some In crystal light sugar free lemonade powder When I was about to drink each one. Drank them very fast they went down good. Make sure the water is Cold but not ice cold. I was nervous about the procedure but is was pain free and fast.
My #1 tip: eat light a couple days before the prep. Its better to have less matter to get rid of. Once I am running clear I stop drinking the prep and switch to water, otherwise I will still have diarrhea in the car on the way to the procedure.
just had mine a couple of days. The doctor and nurses were amazing and I chose to be knocked out so it was like aesthesia in and they said you feel tired and the next thing I know I hear my heart beat in the monitor and the nurse slowly waking me up. It was all a blur and a great power nap lol My GI got me to use something called pico lax and like you 2 sachets at 150 ml each which is nothing and then drink 2 to 3 litres of water, gatorade, just not red, purple or blue, or apple juice gradually over the next 4 hours. It was explained it is not a race so don't guzzle it all done at once or you risk throwing it up. Because this process can easily dehydrate you I found orange gatorade was great. The pico lax was amazing because I honestly felt I was drinking orange tang. It took about an hour or less to work and it really cleaned me out. Taking the one the next morning was just as easy because the taste was so yummy and amazing and again about an hour later it flushed me out, but I was clean at that point so it was water in water out. Anyone that is afraid honestly don't be and remember you are doing this for your own health. I hope this helps anyone who reads this :)
Had my fifth procedure last week. This time was the easiest prep I have had yet. I've never used Gatorade. Don't remember what I used the first two, but the second two I just drank the Miralax in plain water. The solution was double the strength as prescribed - I would chug down 4 ounces as fast as possible and then chug 4 ounces of clean water. First time wasn't too bad. Second time, I was gagging by the time I was almost done and frankly, didn't finish. But the Dr. still got a good view. So, this time? This time I measured dry Miralax to just over an ounce and mixed with 3-4 ounces of liquid. I would have the rest of the liquid on hand in another glass. The liquids? I alternated between cream soda and white grape juice. Gotta say, as a guy with a lot of practice, trust me on this!
Thank you for your calm and therefore calming explanation. I wish all doctors would realise how important their demeanour is in a patient's ability to face and overcome these "challenges".
After not eating for an entire day, I have a hard time sleeping. I have found that sleeping with a hot water bottle on my stomach helped mask the hunger pangs and allow me to sleep.
I have had around 20 colonoscopies in my lifetime and prep has never gone well. Suprep was the best but my insurance won't cover it anymore. I usually develop hyperthermia from the prep. And can never seem to start the prep when i'm supposed too. I just can't get my mind over matter going. Plus i can't seem to finish the whole prep. Have one in 2 weeks. Really dreading it!😞
I've done 13 of them. This year was the first time I saw generic Suprep so maybe your insurance will cover it. I paid nothing this time whereas the last 9 or so were Suprep costing me $150 each time. But I'm not going back to the other stuff. I think you're dehydrating too quickly. Drink some electrolyte the day before and in between your preps. I know drinking more liquid in between is insane. But that did happen to me on one occasion. Ever since I make sure I'm very hydrated and not lacking salt in my body by the day before my prep.
Just fast (only water) for 2 to 3 days before the procedure, then drink 600ml of prep and 600ml of water 12 hours before your procedure, don't drink anything 6 hours before the the procedure, I done this it worked perfectly
Today was my third colonoscopy and this prep was totally different from the first two. The first two involved Golytely(may have been Suprep,don't remember), drinking two bottles of nasty carp mixed with a bunch of water. Those made me gag trying to get them down. In fact the second time I couldn't get the second bottle down, thankfully it was enough to complete the colonoscopy. THIS time however was light years different. The prep included taking two Dulcolax 5mg tablets at 4pm (my procedure wouldn't be till the next day at 2pm), then mix 4ozs of Miralax powder with 32oz of the flavor of Gatoraide you prefer and drink 8oz at a time for a hour till it's gone(make sure you like the taste, it'll make all the difference because you'll be drinking a lot of it and refrigerate it, it's easier to get down). Then at 9pm, two more Dulcolax tabs drinking lots of water through the day. The next day I mixed 4oz of Miralax with the second 32oz Gatoraide and drank that at 9 am and that was it. This was LIGHT years easier than the Golytely/Suprep junk! I was dreading the prep before this but man this was so easy it was crazy! What a difference Miralax and Ducolax made. SOO much easier prep! I wrote it down in fact because that's the prep regimen I'm going with next time Not unpleasant at all. That's why I said chose a good/better tasting Gatoraide because basically that's all you're going to taste. It was great and highly recommended. It was so easy I told my wife I can't believe I just prepped, doesn't feel like it at all. Just feel like I drank too much Gatoraide lol.
For me, I rinsed my mouth out with ginger ale and immediately gulped down the prep. And rinsed my mouth immediately after. Masks the aweful taste almost completely
I'm getting my colonoscopy today at 1:30 pm. I started the prep 2 days prior, taking 20 mg Dulcolax at 2pm; this caused me nausea; the next day suffers headache and started my clear diet. At 2pm I got another 20 mg Dulcolax and at 5pm start drinking 110 g Miralax mixed with Gatorade. My other half of Miralax and Gatorade drinking now and feeling good.
USE A STRAW PEOPLE. You can bypass some of your tastebuds doing this. Also keep the prep ice cold. Did this,for my first colonoscopy and it really helped!
Ice cold is harder for me. Room temperature goes down easier. Hardest part for me was not the prep solution but the constant drinking. Absolutely refuse to take sips. I'm a get it over with quickly guy. I down my prep in a minute or so.
What doesn't make sense is giving the same amount of prep to people of all sizes. How can you give a person who weighs 100lbs and eats little the same amount of prep as person who weighs 250lbs and eats huge meals. How can you expect them to drink the same amount?
Their colon tend to be pretty similar in length. I’d estimate most people are only 10 cm give or take from the “norm.” The colon just lays differently to pack it all in the abdomen. We do vary prep amount based on regularity of stool.
been doing this for over 20 years ( ulcerative colitis) there is NOTHING you can do to make the taste better PERIOD. I started using the MiraLAX prep about 3 years ago and my first reaction was WHY wasn't I told about this sooner. The taste is NO taste to a slightly sweet taste which is SO much better than tasting like someone just poured a full salt shaker into a can of 7up. I mix it with my favorite vitamin water and have no problem drinking it. Now the GI establishment has decided to not use this prep anymore saying it's not clearing ppl out as well as they like. ( not once did my GI doc say I wasn't cleaned out) well lucky you don't need a script. I will only do MiraLax prep. I've decided to do that last drink with YUCK Magnesium citrate but it's only 8oz. followed by the vitamin water.
For my one and only colonoscopy 4 years ago, the doctor ordered a Happy Colon Foods kit. It was actual food that I ate along with tablets that I took to get things cleared out. I was super surprised because I had only seen the jugs of liquid others had to drink. It worked really well and I had the procedure with a clean colon.
This is a great presentation! I'm still a "poor prep" patient, but my wonderful doctor managed to deal with it without scolding me. Certainly I tried my best with the prep! The 1st 4 Miralax drinks weren't too bad. I mixed Miralax with a chilled organic lemon drink which, unfortunately, had too much sugar! Luckily, I had 4 extra packets of Miralax so I was able to use another lemon drink with much less sugar (sweetener is stevia, not sucralose which I can't stand). I eliminated one of those lemon drinks by mixing Miralax with hot pepermint tea, unsweetened. The tea was very good and it helped a lot! I could even have had an extra cup of tea instead of the lemon drink. Miniature ice cubes also helped with the cold drinks. When I struggled to finish off the last 2 glasses of lemon drink, I actually licked the salt off a few of my favorite crackers which helped also. I had 8 polyps removed 😢! The next time, I will reduce portion size of food to about half the usual about a full week before the procedure as eating more lightly seems like a good idea. Colon cancer is in our family, so I am very grateful that colonoscopies can prevent cancer. I'm willing to have 1 day of fasting so I can enjoy 3 more years before the next colonoscopy! That puts it in perspective. The breakfast I had after the procedure was the very best, along with milk in my coffee! I had some of my favorite salty crackers later that day! Oh the joy of solid food and coffee ☕ with milk in it! I hope this helps someone who might be reading this!
Your post is comforting to me as I'm also a "poor prep" patient. Odd that I rarely feel hungry, but of course, day of prep, food is all I think about! I am having Colonosopy tomorrow and have been whiney all day. It's 8:30 p.m. and still haven't finished prep. Might be a late night! Lol
thanks for this. im having a colonoscopy tomorrow and have to drink 2 litres of fortrans for it. Last time i had to drink only 1 litre and had a full on motivational session with eye of the tiger playing. Seeing your comment made me feel better knowing others share in this pain hahah. Cheers to a healthy gut and stomaching the prep drinks 😁
@winkeydink. My procedures done yesterday, and I was fully cleaned out from prep. Oddly proud of myself. 😆 Two polyps removed. I never eat junk food, but endulged in McDonald's afterwards. Can't believe you are rqrd to drink 120 oz of prep. I did break prep into 2 parts. Did 2nd part morning of procedure (started at 4:30 a.m. procedure was at 2pm. I'm still recovering day after. Good luck!!
I've been getting colonoscopies for nearly 30 years. My tip is to drink the prep stuff through a straw quickly then follow with a Coffee flavored hard candy. Have it un -wrapped and ready to pop in your mouth after finishing the the prep liquid. It makes it lees terrible
I can’t do the standard prep as I threw up the first half dose I struggled to get through within 10 minutes. It also caused me heart palpitations and hives. When I called the doctor’s office (25 minutes before they closed) the day before my prep, I explained what had happened and the doctor himself called me back about an hour later and guided me through the process for the Miralax prep. He said he also can’t stomach the usual prep as this is what he does. He suggested sports drinks, iced tea or non pulp lemonade. I did iced tea which worked great it’s no issues.
i started taking a stool softener 3x week 2wks before the prep, did only liquids 2 days before. last time i bled like crazy-hemmoroids..but softener kept them more small n liquid. cant get past the salty part of the PEG(?) tho no matter what i do! its lemon but more like alkaseltzer ugh nasty!
Why does it taste so bad. Theres got to be someway to make it taste better or not taste like anything. After mine I was talking with a coworker about how bad it was. He said it was not that bad. He chugged the medicine straight down then drank all the water. I cannot imagine how foul one of those bottles was much less two
I had Colonosopy yesterday. Watched this video before I started prep. Very helpful!! Initially I fought idea of 2-step prep. But your comments convinced me. Thank you, Dr. Cooper. I got a score of 9 on prep. I credit doing 2nd part of prep the morning of procedure. Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I started @ 3:30 a.m. (2nd step). Very successful procedures. He did find Cameron lesions + confirmed large hiatal hernia, and 2 polyps. Procedure was yesterday and I'm still quite sore, but worth it!! I would have caved in on proper prep if not for your video! Thank you so much.
@MarkCooperMD If anything, I hope feedback encourages you to keep educating us! This was my 4th Endoscopy, but the Cameron lesions were missed by previous gastro doctor. I really needed this Intel after so long with mystery occult blood loss. So happy it's going to be fixed!!
@amandaallen9460...I'm 70 and 20 years ago had my first colonoscopy talk about how bad prep was back then can I say horrible. It took all I could to drink that horrible prep medication. Trust me there has been a big improvement in 20 years.
I had colonoscopy last week and took Sutabs as prep since I could NOT tolerate the alternate liquid laxatives I've used in the past. The Sutabs were much better and easier to tolerate, although I still had to drink lots of water and I did get the 'tummy rumbles" for a bit. If I ever have to get another colonoscopy, I'll definitely take Sutabs even if I have to pay out of pocket (insurance may not cover the cost as they're expensive)
Sutab is good but it’s important to understand that it’s not a pill and a glass of water. It’s a lot of water. Skimping on the water will equal a bad prep and may leave you feeling shabby.
Hey Doc, thanks for the video. for someone of low body weight of 120 pounds and is hypersensitive to any medication and supplements, would it be necessary or possibly even dangerous, to take the full dosage of Dulcolax and MiraLAX? How can it be the same dosage for any body weight? Thanks!
Most pediatric medications are weight based dosing but by the time you weigh 120 your weight based dosing will usually match the adult dose or there’s little difference. If you have concerns start with a low dose and see how you tolerate it.
Being AWAKE for about 24 hrs ahead of the procedure is what no one talks about...Sleeping is next to Impossible while your constantly on toilet......Horrible
I have a tube stomach and intestinal failure. I live on TPN, I can drink very little I am admitted a day earlier and flushed through the tube. I'm having it under general anesthesia or lots of propofol sedation. We have a professor who is developing a poop vacuum cleaner so that you don't have to rinse anymore or much less
I had the Miralax treatment, starting at 6 pm. I vomited from 8 to 3am, projectile. Luckily I had no polyps. I'm 68, I will never again have this test.
Thoroughly chill and suck it through a straw worked for me. I followed up each 8 ounce glass with some Gatorade. Half gallon night before, half gallon 5 hours before. I needed almost every bit of the prep to get my stools solid free, yellow colored.
Sorry you’re going through that. Prep is difficult if you have IBS symptoms, especially if you lean toward the constipated side. I hope once things start to move, your nausea is relieved.
I have colonoscopy 2moro at 2pm. They want me to do part 1 at 5pm and then part 2 at 4am. I feel like these times are incorrect with the procedure so late in the day. Any tips?
Thanks for watching. I hope you were able to contact the office of the GI you are seeing. Sorry I can’t give appropriate advice as I don’t know their specific protocols. Hopefully you have a good exam today!
Excellent videos. Short and informative. After four or five colonoscopies, I had an unusual problem before my last colonoscopy. The prep did NOT work. Yeah, it worked, but I wasn't cleaned out. I had to cancel the scheduled colonoscopy in the morning and do the prep a SECOND time. At the end of the day, I still wasn't where you want to be. Have you ever had a prep not work for a patient? What do you do?
I liked the tip about splitting the liquid into 8 oz glasses and chilling it. That stuff is awful tasting anyway you look at it but, this method seems to help a little. The explanation of the procedure was very helpful to help understand why the prep is necessary and why the awful tasting liquid is necessary. A great video! ! !
I have had several Colonoscopies in my life time. The prep doesn't bother me and the procedure is a piece of cake. What bothers me is the starving for a day or two! It is hard not eating. Yea there is jello and broth but no real food! Oh the humanity! I am happy by the time I have to drink the prep because it fills me up!
I’m so nervous, i’ve had a gastric bypass 13 years ago. I’ve done several colonoscopies in the past, which has caused dumping syndrome. The prep solution I I’ve used in the past were Plenvu and magnesium citrate last time. I almost had to go to hospital because of how severe the dumping syndrome was. I swore off colonoscopies for the rest of my life. Due to extreme weight loss and constant diarrhea, I’m faced with having to do another colonoscopy. This time I’m going to try the MiraLAX mixed with a sugar free drink. Do you think this might help prevent the dumping syndrome? Is the dumping syndrome from the sugary prep in the past or the the volume of drinking? Thank you!
Prep went well, no dumping thank God! Not enough info out there about p/o bariatric patient prep for colonoscopies. Miralax is the way to go plus low sugar Gatorade. Thanks again!
I have problems with low blood pressure I think from long covid. I have Covid now again. I was wondering what I could do to keep me from being low or passing out. I dread this.
The problem for me isn't taste it's the harshness, I.e. it works too well too fast. I can barely make it to a washroom in time and I'm very weak and extremely sore. Oh and after all that, ya I'm not even cleaned out! Now, take all of this and imagine an elderly person who can't move fast.... Yes, there needs to be a much better way. 😢
I make the prep very cold and put a flavor I like in it. I do it like you said. I drink it fast and get it down easily. I know it is to help me so I don't think of the prep. I don't do the second half that close to my procedure as I fear not being cleaned out. 3 days before the procedure I go to a light day of eating such as yogurt,, etc. and nothing that is heavy. It helps shrink my appetite too. I gulp and have never had nausea.
Had a colonoscopy & endoscopy yesterday @ HRH by Dr Sohi 😇I was prescribed as colon cleanser Peglyte fruit flavour, delicious easy to drink the 4 gallons divided in 2, day before & next morning before 6 am: The whole experience was painless easy & rewarding, overcoming my immense fears & apprehension: Merci Dr Cooper your series of TH-cam videos were so reassuring for me ❤What a Champ🏆
you have nice eyes dr 😍 I am going for colonoscopy Friday 💩 the dr wasnt that nice but i'm going to go anyways because I was able to get fast appoinment with him🤗
I use a LONG straw (a rubber tube, actually) to get that fluid WAY past my tongue. I use a LOT of ice. I use a strong dash of line juice. and if fasting is something you can handle, then here is something a doctor might not approve of: I use just HALF of each dose. Why? because I fast for TWO days before the procedure, previously adhering to a very low residue diet. The night-before half dose comes out almost completely clear, and the morning half-dose never shows anything but fluid.
Ive done Moviprep & it was vile - i couldnt get there. Second time, they gave me Glycoprep - perfect. Did all the prep beginning around 4pm the night before ... done in about 3 hours. I interspersed the chilled prep with kemonade, and half-way through, had a rest, and had a cup of strainedchicked stock i' d made the day before - it was delicious & warmed my stomach up. I think an all-in-one night-before prep is great - getting up at 4am to start more prep is awful.
Why can't the manufactures add to this prep a flavor that can be tolerated my all people. They can put a man onthe moon, put no one can make a prep bearable to swallow
Recently had a colonoscopy. Completely nailed the prep, followed it to a T. Had no problem drinking the solution, chugged it all down easily. Strictly followed all the dietary restrictions in the proceeding days exactly as the doctor told me. Towards the end of the prep, the discharge was a clear yellow liquid with no residue whatsoever. I eat very healthy and aware of my diet and how it impacts me so I am no beginner to this stuff. The day of the colonoscopy, they told me that the prep was no good and then I have to come back. The colon was completely clean with no issues, but the secum had residue that they could not see through. I really don’t understand what I could’ve done differently. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Its 2024 you would think the makers of that nasty prep could have found a way to make it taste like a chocolate milkshake?! The one I get comes with a small lemon packet. YUK. Like that is going to make a difference.
I had a colonoscopy 9 years ago, and the prep consisted of one day of clear liquid diet and a bottle of Miralax in the early evening. I will be having a second colonoscopy next week, and my current gastroenterologist requires a prep consisting of two days of clear liquids, one bottle of Miralax on the first evening, and two bottles of Miralax on the second evening. Is there some reason for such an increased regimen? The doctor requires this of all his normal-health patients.
I've heard that colon hydrotherapy is AMA approved for colonoscopy prep. In fact there's a hospital a few hours north of me that offers that prep to their patients. I asked my doctor about it and he never heard of it.
It depends on what the actual procedure is. The American Medical Association doesn’t make statements about this sort of thing to my knowledge and would defer to the GI societies. I know of GI practices who offer what I would describe as hydrotherapy for colon prep. I think it’s effective for the purpose of preparing for a colonoscopy.
What if you also got Bisacodyl 5mg tablet delayed release? It does say take 2 tablets by mouth one time at 4pm. on the day before procedure. I know it says it on the pill bottle but making sure bc I don’t remember having to take any pills the last 2 times I got one. Oh and this other pill I got. Gas relief 80mg chewable tablet. Says take by mouth per gastroenterology dept. colonoscopy instructions. With this pill do I just bring with me and they will tell me when to take it? Man I pretty bright and could figure most things out on my own pretty quickly. But I see ppl. each day that get confused about everything and could see them do everything wrong for this prep and take the pills given all during their prep. You almost need a medical certificate to know all the things you need to do and not the 3 mins. speech they give you when giving you the meds. Lol!
Please call the GI office performing your procedure. Usually the pills are all taken day before procedure just ahead of the actual liquid prep. Hope you do well.
Y’all. GINGER BEER missed with the prep saved me. I quite literally could not taste the prep at all!! I got permission from my doctor to do this because I could not handle the prep.
Ginger beer was an excellent chaser because the ginger flavor really overpowers the prep taste. Mine didn't have any sediments - it was actually a soda stream cordial
I dont want to do the prep! I am not sure how i feel about putting that in my body. Can i just do an enema each day running up to my colonoscopy? If i do 3 enemas and restrict my diet to the point of fasting and eating very little surely this would do the job?? I feel that is safer than any of these prep soloutions/chemicals. Some of the reviews i have read are horrible.
Your right colon won’t be cleaned by enemas and fasting. There will be residual stool coating the walls of the colon, which makes it difficult to find polyps, which is the intent of the exam.
Question. How does bowl prep compare to gastrograffin? Just curious. I had a CT and the above was no Bueno. I did make it home before it hit. Inside of my mouth was red and sore and my tongue felt like it had been burned. My GI system didn't normalize for around 2 weeks after. The bowel prep doesn't have the same effect does it?
Gastrograffin is used for contrast. It contains iodine which makes it a non started for those with iodine allergy. I’d estimate its rougher on the gut and less effective for prep. So bowel prep should be easier.
Thank You! I cancelled my last one because I couldn't get that horrible stuff down. I keep putting it off, but I know I really need one, I have another in a few months and I'm doing it! I am mad at myself!
I avoid all fruits and vegetables for 48 hours *before* I start the prep--otherwise the prep doesn't work well on me. Even so, I just had a colonoscopy this past week, and the prep didn't give me complete results. The doctor on call told me to drink an extra half bottle of Miralax--and that started things really moving the following morning. My problem is I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and my colon went into spasms as soon as they sent the scope up there. Once the anesthesia wore off, I had absolutely horrible cramping for the next 36 hours. All of that torture just to have them diagnose me with hemorrhoids.
Why not let patients do a colonic irrigation? I have had a terrible time post colonoscopy with atypical anorexia. Since having to fast for the test it's been incredibly hard. 😭
Horrible horrible torture! I am not a vomiter. But I could not even get 4 oz down without full on projectile vomiting. It was chilled ice cold. I drank with a large straw. I tried diluting it with more water. Nothing worked. I spent $125 for this garbage. Why can we build a multi billion dollar telescope into space but we cannot fix this. No wonder people fail to get preventative care if they have to drink 64 ounces of this vile stuff! I canceled my colonoscopy. Now I have to go thru this again! 😢
I could never go through the colonscopy prep, just for the simple reason that I would feel totally sick and awful without food for 24 hours!! If I don´t eat for 12 hours, I get dissy and feel like I am dyring. I could never survive 24 hours without eating real food...I think it is torture that they expect people not to eat for 24 hours....(and no, drinking juice and such is not food...).
A few months ago I did the prep my dr. gave me and ended up with it coming out of both ends in the middle of the night, passing out on the bathroom floor and ending up taken by ambulance to the ER. It was such a horrible experience that I just cannot even go through it again. I have to have a colonoscopy done because of problems I've been having to see what's going on but just cannot go through that again. I am looking for an easier way.
I have a mag citrate powder that tastes fine. Why we have to drink this foul mess is just mean. With that being said, you are a delight. I also make my own electrolyte drink. Another unsweetened unflavored option. 🤷🏻♀️
It's harder the next morning of the procedure because no food of course, empty stomach and drink that shit so you can shit.yellow juice that is!, but be strong and you won't throw up.
I hot a colonoscopy and endoscopy with biopsy in 3 weeks but 2 weeks before i have it done ima start cleaning out my system with miralax laxatives, and water enema while being on a clear liquid diet, because the prep i cant do it.
I like this idea. Taken a step further - Why not have it be through Mark Cubans pharmacy and you select your flavor and have it shipped to you. Good brainstorming session!
You basically end up peeing out your bum. First time using any type of laxative and can tell you it’s weird. Bloating from drinking the formula, to losing it not long after stomach started rumbling lol 😂
If I do a 5 day fast 1-2 times per year, usually last poop is on day 3. Wouldn't this clean a person out enough to do a colonoscopy without the laxative? If you aren't putting any solids in for 5 days, it seams you should be clean. Most people don't know how to eat to be able to fast, but it's not hard once you know what to do and it is not a bad thing to do occasionally as long as you take in enough water and electrolytes during that time. Why isn't this ever a discussion in terms of a colonoscopy prep?
I'm prepping today my colonoscopy is tomorr at 9:30 and they told me the same thing. Midnight is my cutoff time for drinking any thing, she told me to prep from 6- 8 pm part 1 and 10-12 pm part 2. But I'm doing early prep with 3 rounds of MiraLax. I'm not drinking the gallon prep they gave me. MiraLax prep is working well so far, on round 2 of cleasning. How did your colonoscopy go? Hope it went well!
Did my split prep but a few hrs before going to my appt I was not cleaned out ! They did not tell me to come to the appointment ,so I canceled . They asked me if I wanted to come the next day but I couldn’t comprehend what I was supposed to do for the whole day ! Was I supposed to fast for the whole day ?
I am 32 and having my first colonoscopy in less than 2 weeks. Extremely nervous. They gave me these new pills to take but I cannot take them as they are too large. I was told they were small little tablets like ibuprofen size so that was a waste of $40. No idea what liquid they will give me.
Good luck and God bless you, sweetie. I'm getting ready for my fourth colonoscopy and I was prescribed the huge pills also. There is nothing to worry about regarding the procedure itself. You'll be basically asleep and unaware of what is going on. The thing that has always been difficult for me is being severely nauseated with dry heaves after the prep is completed. The doctor prescribed the pills for me this time because he said people get less nauseated with this type of prep. I also got a prescribed anti-nausea med, Zofran. Thought you should know about this. All the best! ❤
Omg. It was so bad. I had to add a ton of extra water. I powered thru the first bottle. The second bottle was worse. The issue was no matter how much water I added it tasted bad. I had to do both preps at night. First one at 6 pm Second one at 9pm. Then nothing. Procedure was scheduled for 9am. I had to be there at 8am.
I had a failed prep last October and in conversation with my doctor we cancelled the procedure. We rescheduled and had a virtual visit with my doctor about 2 weeks prior. I started eating a low residue diet a week before and drank a bottle of milk of magnesia in two doses about 6 hours before I started the prep. This time I’d gone clear about 4 AM and we had a good result with a 5 year return date. I finished my prep anyway and I also had propofol for anesthesia and I highly recommend it. I was neither groggy nor nauseous when I woke up. Don’t be afraid to call your doctor if you aren’t clear the morning of the procedure! Oh and doctors, if you don’t have a nurse on staff please be aware “The office manager said to do X” is not enough, CALL your patient or have a virtual visit a couple weeks prior to the proceedings, in the 5 years since my last go-round the recommendations had changed to something I knew wouldn’t work for my body. I said that to the office staff and when they wouldn’t change the instructions I asked for the doctor to call me, he never got the message 😢and as a result I wasn’t fully prepped and we had to cancel the procedure!
i have hemiparesis, and with that spaticity which does affect bowel. first prep(miralax) failed as there wasnt enough time. started at noon, still diahreaha hour b4 appt. NOW am trying the gallon jug and had half of it down when i threw up. i'm taking an hour break and starting again. positive cologuard this test needs to happen!
i couldnt drink it, i when in there and it all black they had to shoot water to clear it, when they get to the end he just took pic and didnt even shoot water to see what it is., i couldnt drink it all, only half of it, and i cant even dump it out on the toilet but not coming out.
Having the drinks cold and not room temperature is a must for me. Having to drink a lot of cold prep in a short time can cause me to chill so I have a heating pad and blanket handy.
A patient recently shared their preference is to flavor the prep with Diet Dr. Pepper. Can’t fault that. What’s your favorite mixer or chaser for colon prep!?
Golytely....I used Countrytime Lemonade Mix. It was amazing. Small teaspoon size scoop in each 8oz, and it was a tremendous saver! I think it was the "tart" taste after. DO IT!
I'm trying something new called plenvue it's a liquid for my procedure in April
I did the miralax with sports drink dulcolax and linzess
@@sherryknapp3011 I went to drug store to pick up Plenvue couldn't believe cost of that at $150. I'd much rather have Suprep prep a lot less expensive and taste isn't bad compared to Plenvue prep.
Lemon
It's 2023, why don't we have a pill system to clear us completely out, without a ton of liquid?! I'm sure Taco Bell could help with the research.
Haha. There is a pill but liquid is still needed. The fluid has to come from somewhere - so if you’re not drinking it, then it comes from you, causing dehydration and injury to the kidney.
They could make a pill or two, then drink 4 litres of fluid instead of the gloop that is the prep, would be so much better.
Ask for Sutab. It's 12 pills, no nasty prep to drink. Stay hydrated and it's easy!
Lol right?!
😂😂😂😂
It's barbaric. Got to the moon 50 years ago, gotta be able to do better than this.
We got to the moon by understanding laws of nature. Which include that matter can’t cease to exist. There’s no way to clean the colon without getting poop out. There’s no way to know what’s going on in there without looking. It’s the dark side of the moon.
Totally agree
@@MarkCooperMDThe procedure will look like a lobotomy at some point in the future. Or bell bottom jeans lol
@@MarkCooperMDI though this video was gonna be about the easier methods like the pills and powder. Even using those methods, I will need a lot of help. I was shocked that it was about the liquid! No thank you, not doing that
Omygawd, I agree! I can’t believe we don’t have an easier and quicker way to have this done with all of our technological advances today!
My advice to the doctors is to give patients choices. I was just given Plenvu without any input from me. That night I could not get it down. I called the Dr around 7 PM for advice and she started mentioning alternatives and one was pill based (Sutab). I requested that and luckily got it before the pharmacy closed. It was so much easier and I had my colonoscopy the next day. If I hadn't gotten that, I would have had to cancel. It would have been much less stressful to have had that option from the start.
I absolutely agree with you. I realized there were choices too late to replace mine. The nurse at the doctor's office said that they automatically prescribe that nasty prep solution since not all insurances cover the pill form. I will know next time to insist I be given the option. All patients should have the choice - especially since the prep keeps people from getting the procedure. It's so short-sighted not to give patients a choice.
The only way I could get the prep down was by one mouthful prep, two mouthfuls apple juice. Did it slowly over the day. Taking a tablet would be preferable.
Omg thank you so much, will try before, yes I agree, give people choices of what to take❤ GodBless
I've had 2 colonoscopies already and another one coming for next month. I despise that disgusting tasting liquid stuff we have to take. It's such an ordeal to take it.
Why in the world can't we have pills? It would be so much better for all of us.
@@monikahack-primeau7548 Have you asked for the pills? I don't see why they wouldn't let you take them.
The problem with the prep is starving myself for 14 hours and the feeling of my stomach destroying itself after being empty for so long. It's torture and by the time I get there I'm the most annoyed hangry pissed off person in the world.
same here. I could care less about the drinking the junk and bathroom trips. Not Eating Solid Food For Over 24 hours? That's a problem. And is singlehandedly the biggest reason I haven't made an appointment. For me, that will result in a horrible, horrible headache.
@amigos4erin you can do a stool test screening and as long as it's normal you are good. Regarding hypoglycemia, everything you drink has sugar in it so you shouldn't go hypoglycemic. I have blood sugar issues too and that wasn't a problem. There are preps that allow you to eat a low residue diet up until you take the laxative or maybe even later.
@@_star_e_D I just did it and have huge issues with not eating and also have stomach pain when it's empty. The liquids only was ok regarding hunger and stomach. There are calories in the liquids and fruit sorbets are on the list which eased my stomach and those were really good. Some hot broth is good after so much sweet stuff. Staining the noodles out of chicken noodle soup is pretty satisfying. Watered down Gatorade is my go to and it gives me energy without sugar spikes and crashes. It wasn't awesome but not as traumatic as expected. What makes me so angry is they people ignore how stressful the prep is even though that's the biggest reason people don't get Colonoscopies.
@@FortheBudgies oh that's a good idea bout the gatorade. I didn't think of it like that. I need to get it done regardless of how much I hate it. My dad died from metastasized CC by the time he was 61. so appointment is getting made. Thanks for that about the gatorade. That helps quite a bit.
@@FortheBudgies I agree, the prep IS stressful and so many people don't realize that. I, too, almost blew off colonoscopy just because I couldn't handle the stress of prep and not eating but I soldiered on, went through prep and had colonoscopy and now I'm glad I did.
Had my colonoscopy in May. Drank my prep with a drink of Gatorade after each glass! Not bad at all! Removed 3 polyps. So glad I had it done! Just do it!
I was told to make it cold, but I couldn’t keep any of the 2nd half down. Changed drs when he moved to another hospital. The nurse at my new dr said to keep it room temp and take a drink of peppermint tea after each glass and a whole cup in between, that did the trick.
The over the counter prep is what I was prescribed directly from the facility. I was told to not and didn’t have anything by mouth for 17hrs after finishing the prep. And I saw why. I don’t know how someone could just not have nothing by mouth for only 2 hrs before the colonoscopy. I would have been very embarrassed if was given that instruction as it actually took about 12 hrs to clear even after eat a star clear liquid diet all morning before prep. Good luck everyone.
I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I took 2 dulcolax at 5 pm and started drinking a bottle of Miralax in 128 ounces of water/lemon-lime gatorade mix at 6 pm. So it was quite diluted but just as effective. Drank more than half in the evening and the rest between 5-7 am. I didn't have my procedure until 3:15 pm, which sounds horrible but it really wasn't that bad. Clear broth, lemon ice pops and lemon jello the day before really helped stave off hunger. This prep solution is 1000x better than SuPrep, which is disgusting and really tests your gag reflex. The dulcolax/Miralax prep is the way to go. Much gentler and easier to drink.
I’m having mine tomorrow and I did exactly as you and the drink wasn’t to bad it’s the quantity! About 45 min after drinking I vomited so much. Fingers crossed I’m still good for tomorrow.
I have to have a Colonoscopy done in August. My prior surgeries I used the Miralax, Gatorade and dulcolax prep but this time they prescribed Plenvu Powder Packets. I never even heard of this before. I hope I can stomach it though!
@marlat.4221 My doctor gave me 2 options. I went with Miralax + duocolax. Did it in 2 phases (2nd one the morn of my procedure that wasn't until 2pm). It worked great!
@@MH-zr3reomg 😢
@@MH-zr3reHow did it go?
I had a colonoscopy a few hours ago, and when I purchased my prep materials, I went with unflavored miralax, actually, the Walmar equivalent. I couldn't taste anything except the sugar-free Gatorade I drank. So, go for the unflavored stuff!
Thanks for sharing!
That miralax solution sounds fantastic. I don't know why it's not recommended all the time. Why is that doc?
@@samhoskins8706I just had a colonoscopy and used the miralax prep. My favorite prep so far, only half a gallon total split in two doses. Very easy to take. However, I don't think I'm going to be wanting any gatorade for a long time! One other tip, drink it through a straw. That seems to help a lot.
The reason they recommend mixing it with Gatorade is to replace lost electrolytes.
As an RN I can't say enough how I appreciate my doctors
And to have doctors take time to provide PSAs via videos, is just kinda comforting
I'm putting on a nonchalant face, but I am internally going bat skat crazy at the prospect of being on the other side.
I'm 45, my scope is in 7days...
I'm beyond tripping out
Thanks. I consider doing it awake myself. Not out of concern of anesthesia but wanting to see for myself.
How did you go?
In 2 of my 13 colonoscopies, I woke up in the middle of it. NOT FUN. Lol. It was seriously uncomfortable. I quickly shut my eyes and went back to dream land.
I filled up 8 oz water bottles that I was supposed to take every 10 minutes. Half the jug of solution .half the next day. Put some In crystal light sugar free lemonade powder When I was about to drink each one. Drank them very fast they went down good. Make sure the water is Cold but not ice cold. I was nervous about the procedure but is was pain free and fast.
My #1 tip: eat light a couple days before the prep. Its better to have less matter to get rid of. Once I am running clear I stop drinking the prep and switch to water, otherwise I will still have diarrhea in the car on the way to the procedure.
I found this to be true and low load foods like scrambled eggs and toast
Works for me too. I eat NOTHING for 2 days before, and clear-out is very effective with much less of the nasty solution.
@@StevenBanks123
Exactly what I'm planning to do too !
just had mine a couple of days. The doctor and nurses were amazing and I chose to be knocked out so it was like aesthesia in and they said you feel tired and the next thing I know I hear my heart beat in the monitor and the nurse slowly waking me up. It was all a blur and a great power nap lol My GI got me to use something called pico lax and like you 2 sachets at 150 ml each which is nothing and then drink 2 to 3 litres of water, gatorade, just not red, purple or blue, or apple juice gradually over the next 4 hours. It was explained it is not a race so don't guzzle it all done at once or you risk throwing it up. Because this process can easily dehydrate you I found orange gatorade was great. The pico lax was amazing because I honestly felt I was drinking orange tang. It took about an hour or less to work and it really cleaned me out. Taking the one the next morning was just as easy because the taste was so yummy and amazing and again about an hour later it flushed me out, but I was clean at that point so it was water in water out. Anyone that is afraid honestly don't be and remember you are doing this for your own health. I hope this helps anyone who reads this :)
Had my fifth procedure last week. This time was the easiest prep I have had yet. I've never used Gatorade. Don't remember what I used the first two, but the second two I just drank the Miralax in plain water. The solution was double the strength as prescribed - I would chug down 4 ounces as fast as possible and then chug 4 ounces of clean water. First time wasn't too bad. Second time, I was gagging by the time I was almost done and frankly, didn't finish. But the Dr. still got a good view.
So, this time? This time I measured dry Miralax to just over an ounce and mixed with 3-4 ounces of liquid. I would have the rest of the liquid on hand in another glass. The liquids? I alternated between cream soda and white grape juice.
Gotta say, as a guy with a lot of practice, trust me on this!
Thank you for your calm and therefore calming explanation. I wish all doctors would realise how important their demeanour is in a patient's ability to face and overcome these "challenges".
Thanks John - I appreciate you sharing that. Take care.
After not eating for an entire day, I have a hard time sleeping. I have found that sleeping with a hot water bottle on my stomach helped mask the hunger pangs and allow me to sleep.
Thank you for sharing that. Helpful.
I'll just take my sleeping pill. It will knock me out the whole day 😂
I have had around 20 colonoscopies in my lifetime and prep has never gone well. Suprep was the best but my insurance won't cover it anymore. I usually develop hyperthermia from the prep. And can never seem to start the prep when i'm supposed too. I just can't get my mind over matter going. Plus i can't seem to finish the whole prep. Have one in 2 weeks. Really dreading it!😞
I've done 13 of them. This year was the first time I saw generic Suprep so maybe your insurance will cover it. I paid nothing this time whereas the last 9 or so were Suprep costing me $150 each time. But I'm not going back to the other stuff. I think you're dehydrating too quickly. Drink some electrolyte the day before and in between your preps. I know drinking more liquid in between is insane. But that did happen to me on one occasion. Ever since I make sure I'm very hydrated and not lacking salt in my body by the day before my prep.
Just fast (only water) for 2 to 3 days before the procedure, then drink 600ml of prep and 600ml of water 12 hours before your procedure, don't drink anything 6 hours before the the procedure, I done this it worked perfectly
Today was my third colonoscopy and this prep was totally different from the first two. The first two involved Golytely(may have been Suprep,don't remember), drinking two bottles of nasty carp mixed with a bunch of water. Those made me gag trying to get them down. In fact the second time I couldn't get the second bottle down, thankfully it was enough to complete the colonoscopy. THIS time however was light years different. The prep included taking two Dulcolax 5mg tablets at 4pm (my procedure wouldn't be till the next day at 2pm), then mix 4ozs of Miralax powder with 32oz of the flavor of Gatoraide you prefer and drink 8oz at a time for a hour till it's gone(make sure you like the taste, it'll make all the difference because you'll be drinking a lot of it and refrigerate it, it's easier to get down). Then at 9pm, two more Dulcolax tabs drinking lots of water through the day. The next day I mixed 4oz of Miralax with the second 32oz Gatoraide and drank that at 9 am and that was it. This was LIGHT years easier than the Golytely/Suprep junk! I was dreading the prep before this but man this was so easy it was crazy! What a difference Miralax and Ducolax made. SOO much easier prep! I wrote it down in fact because that's the prep regimen I'm going with next time Not unpleasant at all. That's why I said chose a good/better tasting Gatoraide because basically that's all you're going to taste. It was great and highly recommended. It was so easy I told my wife I can't believe I just prepped, doesn't feel like it at all. Just feel like I drank too much Gatoraide lol.
9pm up all night ? or could you sleep at all thx
Slept fine. Had to go once.
For me, I rinsed my mouth out with ginger ale and immediately gulped down the prep. And rinsed my mouth immediately after.
Masks the aweful taste almost completely
So you only did half of the total miralax dosage? 4oz day before, and 4oz day-of? Instead of 8oz day before and 8oz day-of?
I'm getting my colonoscopy today at 1:30 pm. I started the prep 2 days prior, taking 20 mg Dulcolax at 2pm; this caused me nausea; the next day suffers headache and started my clear diet. At 2pm I got another 20 mg Dulcolax and at 5pm start drinking 110 g Miralax mixed with Gatorade. My other half of Miralax and Gatorade drinking now and feeling good.
USE A STRAW PEOPLE. You can bypass some of your tastebuds doing this. Also keep the prep ice cold. Did this,for my first colonoscopy and it really helped!
That’s a great tip!
Absolutely does not work
Ice cold is harder for me. Room temperature goes down easier. Hardest part for me was not the prep solution but the constant drinking. Absolutely refuse to take sips. I'm a get it over with quickly guy. I down my prep in a minute or so.
My condolences
What doesn't make sense is giving the same amount of prep to people of all sizes. How can you give a person who weighs 100lbs and eats little the same amount of prep as person who weighs 250lbs and eats huge meals. How can you expect them to drink the same amount?
Their colon tend to be pretty similar in length. I’d estimate most people are only 10 cm give or take from the “norm.” The colon just lays differently to pack it all in the abdomen.
We do vary prep amount based on regularity of stool.
been doing this for over 20 years ( ulcerative colitis) there is NOTHING you can do to make the taste better PERIOD. I started using the MiraLAX prep about 3 years ago and my first reaction was WHY wasn't I told about this sooner. The taste is NO taste to a slightly sweet taste which is SO much better than tasting like someone just poured a full salt shaker into a can of 7up.
I mix it with my favorite vitamin water and have no problem drinking it.
Now the GI establishment has decided to not use this prep anymore saying it's not clearing ppl out as well as they like. ( not once did my GI doc say I wasn't cleaned out)
well lucky you don't need a script. I will only do MiraLax prep. I've decided to do that last drink with YUCK Magnesium citrate but it's only 8oz. followed by the vitamin water.
For my one and only colonoscopy 4 years ago, the doctor ordered a Happy Colon Foods kit. It was actual food that I ate along with tablets that I took to get things cleared out. I was super surprised because I had only seen the jugs of liquid others had to drink. It worked really well and I had the procedure with a clean colon.
I'm still freaking out 😮😳
I don't care what you do, the prep is disgusting 🥴
Acceptance is the first step on the path to enlightenment
Colon prep is straight up the devil lol
This is a great presentation! I'm still a "poor prep" patient, but my wonderful doctor managed to deal with it without scolding me. Certainly I tried my best with the prep! The 1st 4 Miralax drinks weren't too bad. I mixed Miralax with a chilled organic lemon drink which, unfortunately, had too much sugar! Luckily, I had 4 extra packets of Miralax so I was able to use another lemon drink with much less sugar (sweetener is stevia, not sucralose which I can't stand). I eliminated one of those lemon drinks by mixing Miralax with hot pepermint tea, unsweetened. The tea was very good and it helped a lot! I could even have had an extra cup of tea instead of the lemon drink. Miniature ice cubes also helped with the cold drinks. When I struggled to finish off the last 2 glasses of lemon drink, I actually licked the salt off a few of my favorite crackers which helped also. I had 8 polyps removed 😢! The next time, I will reduce portion size of food to about half the usual about a full week before the procedure as eating more lightly seems like a good idea. Colon cancer is in our family, so I am very grateful that colonoscopies can prevent cancer. I'm willing to have 1 day of fasting so I can enjoy 3 more years before the next colonoscopy! That puts it in perspective. The breakfast I had after the procedure was the very best, along with milk in my coffee! I had some of my favorite salty crackers later that day! Oh the joy of solid food and coffee ☕ with milk in it! I hope this helps someone who might be reading this!
Your post is comforting to me as I'm also a "poor prep" patient. Odd that I rarely feel hungry, but of course, day of prep, food is all I think about! I am having Colonosopy tomorrow and have been whiney all day. It's 8:30 p.m. and still haven't finished prep. Might be a late night! Lol
thanks for this. im having a colonoscopy tomorrow and have to drink 2 litres of fortrans for it. Last time i had to drink only 1 litre and had a full on motivational session with eye of the tiger playing. Seeing your comment made me feel better knowing others share in this pain hahah. Cheers to a healthy gut and stomaching the prep drinks 😁
@winkeydink. My procedures done yesterday, and I was fully cleaned out from prep. Oddly proud of myself. 😆
Two polyps removed. I never eat junk food, but endulged in McDonald's afterwards. Can't believe you are rqrd to drink 120 oz of prep. I did break prep into 2 parts. Did 2nd part morning of procedure (started at 4:30 a.m. procedure was at 2pm. I'm still recovering day after. Good luck!!
I've been getting colonoscopies for nearly 30 years. My tip is to drink the prep stuff through a straw quickly then follow with a Coffee flavored hard candy. Have it un -wrapped and ready to pop in your mouth after finishing the the prep liquid. It makes it lees terrible
Thanks for sharing.
I can’t do the standard prep as I threw up the first half dose I struggled to get through within 10 minutes. It also caused me heart palpitations and hives. When I called the doctor’s office (25 minutes before they closed) the day before my prep, I explained what had happened and the doctor himself called me back about an hour later and guided me through the process for the Miralax prep. He said he also can’t stomach the usual prep as this is what he does. He suggested sports drinks, iced tea or non pulp lemonade. I did iced tea which worked great it’s no issues.
Exactly. Doctors fail to mention that nasty mess can cause serious heart arrhythmias and kidney problems!
i started taking a stool softener 3x week 2wks before the prep, did only liquids 2 days before. last time i bled like crazy-hemmoroids..but softener kept them more small n liquid. cant get past the salty part of the PEG(?) tho no matter what i do! its lemon but more like alkaseltzer ugh nasty!
Hey there! I'm going for my first colonoscopy tomorrow and after watching your videos, I'm not as nervous...thanks!
I have one scheduled for August and I’m so ready to get it over with but I’m not feeling the prepping. I hope everything turns out well for you!!
How was is it ? Mine on Friday afternoon
Why does it taste so bad. Theres got to be someway to make it taste better or not taste like anything.
After mine I was talking with a coworker about how bad it was.
He said it was not that bad.
He chugged the medicine straight down then drank all the water.
I cannot imagine how foul one of those bottles was much less two
What prep was this?
You sound like Ryan Reynolds. Anyway thank you for the tips. This puts my mind at ease.
I had Colonosopy yesterday. Watched this video before I started prep. Very helpful!! Initially I fought idea of 2-step prep. But your comments convinced me. Thank you, Dr. Cooper. I got a score of 9 on prep. I credit doing 2nd part of prep the morning of procedure. Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I started @ 3:30 a.m. (2nd step). Very successful procedures. He did find Cameron lesions + confirmed large hiatal hernia, and 2 polyps. Procedure was yesterday and I'm still quite sore, but worth it!! I would have caved in on proper prep if not for your video! Thank you so much.
Cool. Thanks for letting me know it went well.
@MarkCooperMD If anything, I hope feedback encourages you to keep educating us! This was my 4th Endoscopy, but the Cameron lesions were missed by previous gastro doctor. I really needed this Intel after so long with mystery occult blood loss. So happy it's going to be fixed!!
@@MarkCooperMD what percent of patients get anesthesia? You recommend for most ppl?
I'm 10 years away from needing to do this but am already looking for ways to get over the prep issues..
Hope something better will be available, maybe you will make it.
@amandaallen9460...I'm 70 and 20 years ago had my first colonoscopy talk about how bad prep was back then can I say horrible. It took all I could to drink that horrible prep medication. Trust me there has been a big improvement in 20 years.
I had colonoscopy last week and took Sutabs as prep since I could NOT tolerate the alternate liquid laxatives I've used in the past. The Sutabs were much better and easier to tolerate, although I still had to drink lots of water and I did get the 'tummy rumbles" for a bit. If I ever have to get another colonoscopy, I'll definitely take Sutabs even if I have to pay out of pocket (insurance may not cover the cost as they're expensive)
Sutab is good but it’s important to understand that it’s not a pill and a glass of water. It’s a lot of water. Skimping on the water will equal a bad prep and may leave you feeling shabby.
Excellent video, very helpful. Thank you for the information!
Your welcome. Judging by your picture, you're a member of our uniformed services? Thank you and happy Memorial Day!
Hey Doc, thanks for the video. for someone of low body weight of 120 pounds and is hypersensitive to any medication and supplements, would it be necessary or possibly even dangerous, to take the full dosage of Dulcolax and MiraLAX? How can it be the same dosage for any body weight? Thanks!
Most pediatric medications are weight based dosing but by the time you weigh 120 your weight based dosing will usually match the adult dose or there’s little difference. If you have concerns start with a low dose and see how you tolerate it.
Being AWAKE for about 24 hrs ahead of the procedure is what no one talks about...Sleeping is next to Impossible while your constantly on toilet......Horrible
I have a tube stomach and intestinal failure. I live on TPN, I can drink very little I am admitted a day earlier and flushed through the tube. I'm having it under general anesthesia or lots of propofol sedation. We have a professor who is developing a poop vacuum cleaner so that you don't have to rinse anymore or much less
To kill nausea rub alcohol swab under your nose
I had the Miralax treatment, starting at 6 pm. I vomited from 8 to 3am, projectile. Luckily I had no polyps. I'm 68, I will never again have this test.
What do you think about a low residue diet that people are doing with good results?
I can't believe that every doctor on You Tube talking about the "prep" totally IGNORES the worst part of the whole thing and it kinda ticks me off.
Thoroughly chill and suck it through a straw worked for me. I followed up each 8 ounce glass with some Gatorade. Half gallon night before, half gallon 5 hours before. I needed almost every bit of the prep to get my stools solid free, yellow colored.
I have mine tomorrow and keep throwing up…I puked the water/liquids before the prep and then threw up my second glass of prep.
Sorry you’re going through that. Prep is difficult if you have IBS symptoms, especially if you lean toward the constipated side. I hope once things start to move, your nausea is relieved.
Super helpful video , thanks. Half way thought the prep and doing great.
I have colonoscopy 2moro at 2pm. They want me to do part 1 at 5pm and then part 2 at 4am. I feel like these times are incorrect with the procedure so late in the day. Any tips?
Thanks for watching. I hope you were able to contact the office of the GI you are seeing. Sorry I can’t give appropriate advice as I don’t know their specific protocols. Hopefully you have a good exam today!
Excellent videos. Short and informative. After four or five colonoscopies, I had an unusual problem before my last colonoscopy. The prep did NOT work. Yeah, it worked, but I wasn't cleaned out. I had to cancel the scheduled colonoscopy in the morning and do the prep a SECOND time. At the end of the day, I still wasn't where you want to be. Have you ever had a prep not work for a patient? What do you do?
I liked the tip about splitting the liquid into 8 oz glasses and chilling it. That stuff is awful tasting anyway you look at it but, this method seems to help a little. The explanation of the procedure was very helpful to help understand why the prep is necessary and why the awful tasting liquid is necessary. A great video! ! !
My poor father had cancer (esophageal) and had to have regular colonoscopies. They made him throw up every time he had a sip. 😢
I have had several Colonoscopies in my life time. The prep doesn't bother me and the procedure is a piece of cake. What bothers me is the starving for a day or two! It is hard not eating. Yea there is jello and broth but no real food! Oh the humanity! I am happy by the time I have to drink the prep because it fills me up!
I’m so nervous, i’ve had a gastric bypass 13 years ago. I’ve done several colonoscopies in the past, which has caused dumping syndrome. The prep solution I I’ve used in the past were Plenvu and magnesium citrate last time.
I almost had to go to hospital because of how severe the dumping syndrome was.
I swore off colonoscopies for the rest of my life.
Due to extreme weight loss and constant diarrhea, I’m faced with having to do another colonoscopy.
This time I’m going to try the MiraLAX mixed with a sugar free drink. Do you think this might help prevent the dumping syndrome? Is the dumping syndrome from the sugary prep in the past or the the volume of drinking? Thank you!
The sugar is a big driver. I hope this goes better. Please update how it works.
Thank you, I appreciate the response!
Prep went well, no dumping thank God! Not enough info out there about p/o bariatric patient prep for colonoscopies. Miralax is the way to go plus low sugar Gatorade. Thanks again!
@@claudsdale that’s great it went well. Thanks for the great question.
What is dumping syndrome?
I have problems with low blood pressure I think from long covid. I have Covid now again. I was wondering what I could do to keep me from being low or passing out. I dread this.
The problem for me isn't taste it's the harshness, I.e. it works too well too fast. I can barely make it to a washroom in time and I'm very weak and extremely sore. Oh and after all that, ya I'm not even cleaned out! Now, take all of this and imagine an elderly person who can't move fast.... Yes, there needs to be a much better way. 😢
Agree with all you said. I found using baby wipes instead of toilet paper was helpful
Why don’t they just come up with something better. Insane.
I know right. Scientists and doctors are just dumb lazy people.
I make the prep very cold and put a flavor I like in it. I do it like you said. I drink it fast and get it down easily. I know it is to help me so I don't think of the prep. I don't do the second half that close to my procedure as I fear not being cleaned out. 3 days before the procedure I go to a light day of eating such as yogurt,, etc. and nothing that is heavy. It helps shrink my appetite too. I gulp and have never had nausea.
Had a colonoscopy & endoscopy yesterday @ HRH by Dr Sohi 😇I was prescribed as colon cleanser Peglyte fruit flavour, delicious easy to drink the 4 gallons divided in 2, day before & next morning before 6 am: The whole experience was painless easy & rewarding, overcoming my immense fears & apprehension: Merci Dr Cooper your series of TH-cam videos were so reassuring for me ❤What a Champ🏆
Delicious ??? I wouldn’t go that far
you have nice eyes dr 😍 I am going for colonoscopy Friday 💩 the dr wasnt that nice but i'm going to go anyways because I was able to get fast appoinment with him🤗
I use a LONG straw (a rubber tube, actually) to get that fluid WAY past my tongue.
I use a LOT of ice.
I use a strong dash of line juice.
and if fasting is something you can handle, then here is something a doctor might not approve of: I use just HALF of each dose. Why? because I fast for TWO days before the procedure, previously adhering to a very low residue diet. The night-before half dose comes out almost completely clear, and the morning half-dose never shows anything but fluid.
Ive done Moviprep & it was vile - i couldnt get there. Second time, they gave me Glycoprep - perfect. Did all the prep beginning around 4pm the night before ... done in about 3 hours. I interspersed the chilled prep with kemonade, and half-way through, had a rest, and had a cup of strainedchicked stock i' d made the day before - it was delicious & warmed my stomach up. I think an all-in-one night-before prep is great - getting up at 4am to start more prep is awful.
Yes Picolax is preferable. Powder fizzes in Glass. Sent by post. Moviprep is disgusting 3 sml bottles sent by post. Free prep n colonoscopy.NHS
Why can't the manufactures add to this prep a flavor that can be tolerated my all people. They can put a man onthe moon, put no one can make a prep bearable to swallow
Recently had a colonoscopy. Completely nailed the prep, followed it to a T. Had no problem drinking the solution, chugged it all down easily. Strictly followed all the dietary restrictions in the proceeding days exactly as the doctor told me. Towards the end of the prep, the discharge was a clear yellow liquid with no residue whatsoever. I eat very healthy and aware of my diet and how it impacts me so I am no beginner to this stuff. The day of the colonoscopy, they told me that the prep was no good and then I have to come back. The colon was completely clean with no issues, but the secum had residue that they could not see through. I really don’t understand what I could’ve done differently. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Its 2024 you would think the makers of that nasty prep could have found a way to make it taste like a chocolate milkshake?! The one I get comes with a small lemon packet. YUK. Like that is going to make a difference.
I’m 45 scared to get this done😞
Same 😢
I’m 30 and getting it done tomorrow 🥲
Same im jst reading as soon will be undergoing unknown symptoms as it s first n hopefully last one too
Omg you guys my sample was negative! 😀❤️
I had a colonoscopy 9 years ago, and the prep consisted of one day of clear liquid diet and a bottle of Miralax in the early evening. I will be having a second colonoscopy next week, and my current gastroenterologist requires a prep consisting of two days of clear liquids, one bottle of Miralax on the first evening, and two bottles of Miralax on the second evening. Is there some reason for such an increased regimen? The doctor requires this of all his normal-health patients.
The first prep you describe is typical. The second generally is reserved for people with constipation.
Did anyone mention drinking the prep through a straw? I find that very helpful.
Yes that’s been mentioned and is worth mentioning again.
I've heard that colon hydrotherapy is AMA approved for colonoscopy prep. In fact there's a hospital a few hours north of me that offers that prep to their patients. I asked my doctor about it and he never heard of it.
It depends on what the actual procedure is. The American Medical Association doesn’t make statements about this sort of thing to my knowledge and would defer to the GI societies.
I know of GI practices who offer what I would describe as hydrotherapy for colon prep. I think it’s effective for the purpose of preparing for a colonoscopy.
What if you also got Bisacodyl 5mg tablet delayed release? It does say take 2 tablets by mouth one time at 4pm. on the day before procedure. I know it says it on the pill bottle but making sure bc I don’t remember having to take any pills the last 2 times I got one.
Oh and this other pill I got. Gas relief 80mg chewable tablet. Says take by mouth per gastroenterology dept. colonoscopy instructions. With this pill do I just bring with me and they will tell me when to take it?
Man I pretty bright and could figure most things out on my own pretty quickly. But I see ppl. each day that get confused about everything and could see them do everything wrong for this prep and take the pills given all during their prep. You almost need a medical certificate to know all the things you need to do and not the 3 mins. speech they give you when giving you the meds. Lol!
Please call the GI office performing your procedure. Usually the pills are all taken day before procedure just ahead of the actual liquid prep. Hope you do well.
I prefer Champagne and Flowers afterwards.
Basically you drink this prep all night and poop. No sleeping..sigh..
Epsom salt. After the so called prep didn’t work well. Old school. BOOM!
Super Merci 🎉for your verbalisation of what we can do to make it easier while drinking the colon cleansing ❤
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
What about orange gatorade? Is that colour okay? Im guessing since it's not purple or red.
Orange usually works out well.
Y’all. GINGER BEER missed with the prep saved me. I quite literally could not taste the prep at all!! I got permission from my doctor to do this because I could not handle the prep.
Was there much sediment in the ginger beer?
Ginger beer was an excellent chaser because the ginger flavor really overpowers the prep taste. Mine didn't have any sediments - it was actually a soda stream cordial
I’ve got mine on 27th dec this has helped me a lot to be ready 👍
Thanks for sharing. I hope your exam goes well and the prep is smooth. Remember - egg nog is not a clear liquid. 😉
Will knocking back a couple of bottles of mag citrate do the trick?
For me, it is the 5 day low fiber diet that kills me. It is not a good diet. I dont ever eat like that
I dont want to do the prep! I am not sure how i feel about putting that in my body. Can i just do an enema each day running up to my colonoscopy? If i do 3 enemas and restrict my diet to the point of fasting and eating very little surely this would do the job?? I feel that is safer than any of these prep soloutions/chemicals. Some of the reviews i have read are horrible.
Your right colon won’t be cleaned by enemas and fasting. There will be residual stool coating the walls of the colon, which makes it difficult to find polyps, which is the intent of the exam.
@@MarkCooperMD oh thats a shame i really would have prefered to clear out my system without using moviprep.. thank you for replying to me.
Question. How does bowl prep compare to gastrograffin? Just curious. I had a CT and the above was no Bueno. I did make it home before it hit. Inside of my mouth was red and sore and my tongue felt like it had been burned. My GI system didn't normalize for around 2 weeks after. The bowel prep doesn't have the same effect does it?
Gastrograffin is used for contrast. It contains iodine which makes it a non started for those with iodine allergy. I’d estimate its rougher on the gut and less effective for prep. So bowel prep should be easier.
Thank You! I cancelled my last one because I couldn't get that horrible stuff down. I keep putting it off, but I know I really need one, I have another in a few months and I'm doing it! I am mad at myself!
Get the sutabs, they're so much better! See my comment above.
I understand. It is overwhelming. I like the alternative suggestions if the dr Will approve. My mom and sister died of colon cancer.
I avoid all fruits and vegetables for 48 hours *before* I start the prep--otherwise the prep doesn't work well on me. Even so, I just had a colonoscopy this past week, and the prep didn't give me complete results. The doctor on call told me to drink an extra half bottle of Miralax--and that started things really moving the following morning.
My problem is I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and my colon went into spasms as soon as they sent the scope up there. Once the anesthesia wore off, I had absolutely horrible cramping for the next 36 hours.
All of that torture just to have them diagnose me with hemorrhoids.
Why not let patients do a colonic irrigation? I have had a terrible time post colonoscopy with atypical anorexia. Since having to fast for the test it's been incredibly hard. 😭
Horrible horrible torture! I am not a vomiter. But I could not even get 4 oz down without full on projectile vomiting. It was chilled ice cold. I drank with a large straw. I tried diluting it with more water. Nothing worked. I spent $125 for this garbage. Why can we build a multi billion dollar telescope into space but we cannot fix this. No wonder people fail to get preventative care if they have to drink 64 ounces of this vile stuff! I canceled my colonoscopy. Now I have to go thru this again! 😢
I could never go through the colonscopy prep, just for the simple reason that I would feel totally sick and awful without food for 24 hours!! If I don´t eat for 12 hours, I get dissy and feel like I am dyring. I could never survive 24 hours without eating real food...I think it is torture that they expect people not to eat for 24 hours....(and no, drinking juice and such is not food...).
A few months ago I did the prep my dr. gave me and ended up with it coming out of both ends in the middle of the night, passing out on the bathroom floor and ending up taken by ambulance to the ER. It was such a horrible experience that I just cannot even go through it again. I have to have a colonoscopy done because of problems I've been having to see what's going on but just cannot go through that again. I am looking for an easier way.
I have a mag citrate powder that tastes fine. Why we have to drink this foul mess is just mean. With that being said, you are a delight. I also make my own electrolyte drink. Another unsweetened unflavored option. 🤷🏻♀️
It's harder the next morning of the procedure because no food of course, empty stomach and drink that shit so you can shit.yellow juice that is!, but be strong and you won't throw up.
I hot a colonoscopy and endoscopy with biopsy in 3 weeks but 2 weeks before i have it done ima start cleaning out my system with miralax laxatives, and water enema while being on a clear liquid diet, because the prep i cant do it.
They put all kinds of Flavours in drinks why can’t they make different prep flavours like say coffee flavours or soda flavours
I like this idea. Taken a step further - Why not have it be through Mark Cubans pharmacy and you select your flavor and have it shipped to you.
Good brainstorming session!
You basically end up peeing out your bum. First time using any type of laxative and can tell you it’s weird. Bloating from drinking the formula, to losing it not long after stomach started rumbling lol 😂
I have mine in a week, it's going to take that long to clean me out.
The pain and blood is unbearable
If I do a 5 day fast 1-2 times per year, usually last poop is on day 3. Wouldn't this clean a person out enough to do a colonoscopy without the laxative? If you aren't putting any solids in for 5 days, it seams you should be clean. Most people don't know how to eat to be able to fast, but it's not hard once you know what to do and it is not a bad thing to do occasionally as long as you take in enough water and electrolytes during that time. Why isn't this ever a discussion in terms of a colonoscopy prep?
This isn’t discussed because you’d be likely to still have tons of residue on the inner lining making for a low quality exam.
My prep instructions say to not drink anything after midnight. Why drink 4 hours before ?
I'm prepping today my colonoscopy is tomorr at 9:30 and they told me the same thing. Midnight is my cutoff time for drinking any thing, she told me to prep from 6- 8 pm part 1 and 10-12 pm part 2. But I'm doing early prep with 3 rounds of MiraLax. I'm not drinking the gallon prep they gave me. MiraLax prep is working well so far, on round 2 of cleasning. How did your colonoscopy go? Hope it went well!
The colonoscopy is easy compared to the prep@@maxineglenn2843
Did my split prep but a few hrs before going to my appt I was not cleaned out ! They did not tell me to come to the appointment ,so I canceled . They asked me if I wanted to come the next day but I couldn’t comprehend what I was supposed to do for the whole day ! Was I supposed to fast for the whole day ?
I am 32 and having my first colonoscopy in less than 2 weeks. Extremely nervous. They gave me these new pills to take but I cannot take them as they are too large. I was told they were small little tablets like ibuprofen size so that was a waste of $40. No idea what liquid they will give me.
Good luck and God bless you, sweetie. I'm getting ready for my fourth colonoscopy and I was prescribed the huge pills also. There is nothing to worry about regarding the procedure itself. You'll be basically asleep and unaware of what is going on. The thing that has always been difficult for me is being severely nauseated with dry heaves after the prep is completed. The doctor prescribed the pills for me this time because he said people get less nauseated with this type of prep. I also got a prescribed anti-nausea med, Zofran. Thought you should know about this. All the best! ❤
Omg. It was so bad.
I had to add a ton of extra water.
I powered thru the first bottle. The second bottle was worse. The issue was no matter how much water I added it tasted bad.
I had to do both preps at night.
First one at 6 pm Second one at 9pm. Then nothing.
Procedure was scheduled for 9am. I had to be there at 8am.
I had a failed prep last October and in conversation with my doctor we cancelled the procedure. We rescheduled and had a virtual visit with my doctor about 2 weeks prior. I started eating a low residue diet a week before and drank a bottle of milk of magnesia in two doses about 6 hours before I started the prep. This time I’d gone clear about 4 AM and we had a good result with a 5 year return date. I finished my prep anyway and I also had propofol for anesthesia and I highly recommend it. I was neither groggy nor nauseous when I woke up. Don’t be afraid to call your doctor if you aren’t clear the morning of the procedure!
Oh and doctors, if you don’t have a nurse on staff please be aware “The office manager said to do X” is not enough, CALL your patient or have a virtual visit a couple weeks prior to the proceedings, in the 5 years since my last go-round the recommendations had changed to something I knew wouldn’t work for my body. I said that to the office staff and when they wouldn’t change the instructions I asked for the doctor to call me, he never got the message 😢and as a result I wasn’t fully prepped and we had to cancel the procedure!
i have hemiparesis, and with that spaticity which does affect bowel. first prep(miralax) failed as there wasnt enough time. started at noon, still diahreaha hour b4 appt. NOW am trying the gallon jug and had half of it down when i threw up. i'm taking an hour break and starting again. positive cologuard this test needs to happen!
i couldnt drink it, i when in there and it all black they had to shoot water to clear it, when they get to the end he just took pic and didnt even shoot water to see what it is., i couldnt drink it all, only half of it, and i cant even dump it out on the toilet but not coming out.
The prep medicine is absolutely horrific, not just getting it down but you will feel sick for the next 2 hours
Having the drinks cold and not room temperature is a must for me. Having to drink a lot of cold prep in a short time can cause me to chill so I have a heating pad and blanket handy.
Nice. Tip for the complications of the tip.