1st colonoscopy
Posted by countofmoldycrisco@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 66 comments
Mine's coming up next week and I am DREADING it. The actual procedure I know I can endure, but I don't know how I'm going to eat nothing but jello and brother the day before. Not to mention the colon blow just prior. Who's gone through it? Any tips?
pjhk75@reddit
Not sure what kind of prep options you've been given, but mine was all OTC: 3 bottles of mag citrate (spaced throughout 15 hours or so) plus two Dulcolax. I was prepared to basically live in the bathroom based on others' experiences, but not so. Others have recommended wet wipes - I fully agree. Add a little dab of vaseline to the mix to cut down on irritation.
sweet_jane_13@reddit
I did my first one about a month ago. It was a combo with an endoscopy. I paid out of pocket for the supposedly less bad prep (Suprep I think the name is) and it was VILE, so I can't imagine how bad the worse one is. I was also stressed about not eating for 24 hours (closer to 27/8 in my case) but I kind of got used to it. The procedure itself was fine. I was pretty out of it but do remember a few instances of pain. Immediately after leaving the hospital I got a fried chicken sandwich and Mac and cheese, which was a terrible idea in retrospect, but more because of the endoscopy, my esophagus was sore for days. I had no issues post procedure with the colonoscopy.
toomuchtv987@reddit
It’s a cinch. Piece of cake. The worst part for me was drinking the prep, and that was only because it was SO MUCH liquid pretty quick. My stomach was so full. But it really isn’t that bad. Get some flavoring for it, get it COLD, and drink it with a straw. I wasn’t on the toilet for nearly as much as I thought I would be.
look_ima_frog@reddit
As a frequent flier, I can offer some different advice. If they give you GoLytely, just fucking throw it away.
The purpose of prep is to make sure your guts are empty, doodoo free and clean. GoLytely is like using a goddamn pressure washer to wipe your ass. Your doctor and others will disagree, but just don't bother with that garbage. You'll be shitting AND puking if you actually try and get it all down.
Go to the pharmacy. Get three bottles of magnesium citrate. Drink one and chase it with an equal amount of water. Prepare for blastoff! Let that first bottle work it's magic, stay hydrated; as things are slowing down, get the 2nd bottle, more water, hit the toilet. By the time the 2nd bottle starts tapering out, you should be mostly pooping water, keep hydrating (remember, no red dyed anything). Put the third bottle down and more water. You should be shootin' water at this point. Whole thing should take about a day. Start in the morning, you'll be in the clear by bedtime. The only real hard part is not eating, but chicken broth is reasonably satisfying.
I've done this like five times now and I always get a clean report. Back before they banned saline laxative (basically you drank a bottle of visene), my MIL nurse had me use those. WOW was that stuff potent! Shame it was abused and taken off the market.
Remember, clean asshole means good imaging. Docs don't care how you got it clean, they're sitting on a stool all day shoving cameras up peoples asses. As long as there's no doodoo up there, they're just going to shove that sucker in and pull it out while they inspect. A good doc will take their time on the withdraw, that's when they're usually looking for oddities. Bad doc will act like they're trying to start a gas powered weed whacker with the scope.
scarred_but_whole@reddit
This. Ignore the flavoring packet that comes with it. Chill the whole big bottle, use a Stanley/water bottle with a straw, and flavor each "batch" in the cup/bottle with a packet of drink mix that's not blue, red, or purple. It was so much easier when I couldn't see how much I had left and just kept drinking according to how I could handle it. Also get yourself some wet wipes (don't flush them) and pat yourself clean with those after every trip to the toilet. You'll reduce the chance of irritation.
Toblogan@reddit
I second the wet wipes!
mojo4394@reddit
Just get a bidet, no wet wipes necessary!
fermentedradical@reddit
It's easy. I have IBS so in a weird way the prep wasn't much different than what I usually have to do. But it won't be that bad. I'd say get some good bone broth, it's a lifesaver.
Also the drug induced nap during the colonoscopy is the best. Enjoy.
No_Proposal7812@reddit
I came here to say the same. I have Crohn's so running to the toilet wasn't that different than a typical day, except I don't usually chug a gallon of Gatorade.
The nap is the absolute best.
DigitalMunkey@reddit
Agreed, the prep is terrible, the procedure was quick and easy.
al_brownie@reddit
Yep exactly this. Drink it through a straw as fast as you can without getting brain freeze. I actually wasn’t all that hungry the day before, especially after trying to eat jello and just throwing it in the trash lol
mojo4394@reddit
The not eating isn't much of an issue. The actual pooping part of the process honestly isn't bad either. I had a "split" drink which means I had half my dose the night before and the other half the morning of the procedure. I really struggled to drink the second half that morning because I was hungry, tired, and it honestly tasted really really bad at that point.
Electrical-Pie-8192@reddit
First off, good for you getting it done. I was given the choice of the box or colonoscopy and I'm 100% glad I chose colonoscopy as they found several polyps and am on a 3 year plan now.
Baby wipes and witch hazel to dab your tush. Don't wipe. Don't trust a fart- you may not know you're pooping until you hear it hit the water. Prep is really salty and that really bothered me. I found sipping ginger tea after gulping down as much prep as I could stand helped me not gag.
I went no sedation because I was afraid of anesthesia - the worst part was how intimidating the procedure room was and that last only a few minutes. My doctor explained everything and I watched on the screen. It was actually very interesting and only slightly uncomfortable a few times, no pain. Mostly it felt like I was going to poop.
Slight_Second1963@reddit
I ate bread, broth, and crackers for three days prior to prep, and drank only water, and only when I was very hungry. Why? Because I knew the prep would be terrible for me. I did not sleep after I started the prep intentionally. I set an alarm for 45 minutes and would wake up/get up each time and chug the stuff in a small glass with a mint stuck in my cheek.
After there the procedure was just fine. Next time I’ll probably demand to do the pill version….
Overall_Falcon_8526@reddit
Yeah, this is where I was at. Prep was utterly vile and I only got about 2/3 into the container. But I had spent the prior two days on very light food (white rice, chicken broth, green Jell-O, in that order), so I was clean as a whistle.
walter_grimsley@reddit
wet wipes, plenty of broth, try eat less the week prior to get your body used to needing less calories. Its not so bad, only a day of real inconvenience.
Spartan04@reddit
It’s really not a big deal. The prep isn’t pleasant but was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I put a small table in the bathroom and set my tablet on it so I could watch shows while the prep was doing its thing. Having a bidet really helped too.
Along with Jello and broth get some liquids with calories like Sprite, apple juice, or Gatorade (in one of the colors that’s allowed). I went with cherry Gatorade Frost flavor since it’s clear (cherry flavored but no red dye). That helps keep your energy up.
Be prepared to get little or no sleep the night before, depending on your prep schedule. I had to take my second dose at 4am and by the time the first dose stopped working it wasn’t worth trying to sleep so I just stayed up.
Something else that really helped was I went with SuTab for my prep and being pills I found it much easier than the liquid. It also allows you to have a low residual breakfast the morning before and then go to clear liquids only after that, made it much more manageable. Just something worth considering if you haven’t gotten your prep yet.
The procedure itself was nothing. After they wheeled me into the room they had me lie on my side, then there was a few seconds of everything getting hazy and feeling really loopy and next thing I know it’s over and I’m waking up back where I started.
erino3120@reddit
So not a big deal. They treat you like royalty because you’re grumpy and hungry and tired and about to have something put up your butt.
No_Proposal7812@reddit
It's not that bad. But as someone with Crohn's I was already used to the multiple times a day diarrhea. For me jello in the morning wasn't too bad. The hardest part was drinking that much Gatorade in a short amount of time. Definitely forget about eating when you're chugging a gallon of yellow Gatorade. I have only done the Gatorade miralax for all of mine.
Solo4114@reddit
It sucks, but you get through it. The prep stuff is gross. Tastes like you're drinking plastic (because, basically, you are). I had beef broth as my "I need SOMETHING" liquid, and it was...marginally better than other options as I recall.
It's an unpleasant experience altogether. I HATED the procedure itself, or at least the part where they drugged me up. Felt very weird to me. I'd heard propofol described as like waking up from a nap, but I still felt pretty drugged up and not "refreshed" the way others sometimes describe it. That's why they have someone drive you home, I guess.
On the upside, no polyps, so I'm cleared for 10 years.
GrindhouseWhiskey@reddit
It’s easy. I’ve done a few. The prep tastes gross, that’s it. Your body doesn’t want to drink it because it knows it will empty your guts, but that’s the point!
This time around I have a bidet and it made things much more comfortable. If you can put one on before I recommend it.
AR5579@reddit
It really isn’t bad at all. I did my first one last summer and was shocked at how easy it was. I wouldn’t say it’s FUN, but if you put it in the context of other possible medical procedures there are so many worse things. I honestly won’t think twice when I need to do it again in 10 years.
Yeah, you’ll be hungry for a bit but I just kept thinking about all of the options for my first meal post-scope.
I strongly recommend treating yourself to whatever meal you’re craving afterwards. You earned it for doing the right thing and taking care of yourself.
Toblogan@reddit
Yeah, for my last colonoscopy, everyone in the waiting room was talking about what they were going get to eat after their procedure. We actually all settled on Raising Cane's even though we didn't all go eat together. 🙂 Good luck OP!
AR5579@reddit
This should be its own thread if it isn’t already! I had chicken parm from Redd’s in Seabrook, NH. I can still taste that first bite.
LeopardDue1112@reddit
It's really not that bad. The worst part is having to drink that awful solution. I threw up at one point, so it was coming out of both ends, lol. But I was not on the toilet all night like I imagined I would be.
The actual procedure is a piece of cake - you won't feel a thing, you will get a nice Propofol nap, and then you can go out for a nice big meal.
AnswerSure271@reddit
Look forward to the nap. I hear it’s the best you will ever have. Hope you have a bidet.
Slownavyguy@reddit
The prep has gotten SO MUCH better. Had my first procedure done at about 30 (long story - I'm ok). That was 18 years ago. Since then had one every 3 years and the prep now is pretty simple. You still $hit out everything that you've ever eaten, but the drink used to be the worst part. The meds they give you during the procedure send you to lala land and by an hour or so after you're totally fine and lost a bunch of weight. :D
IdioticEarnestness@reddit
I dragged my recliner to right outside the bathroom, set up a table and a lamp next to it, and read and drank the prep. Only a few steps to the toilet. Super easy. Barely and inconvenience.
guyako@reddit
I found none of it to be as bad as the horror stories. I ate cottage cheese and drank chicken broth. By the time you have to cut that off, your stomach is used to not having much input.
The one huge piece of advice I can offer: Because they pump air in you to get your insides open, you’re going to have to fart a lot after. None of those farts are to be trusted. Sit on the toilet at the doctor’s before you leave, and get as much air out as possible. Then squinch until you get home and can sit on your own toilet. Do not fart anywhere other than sitting on a toilet for the first hour or three unless you want to devastate your underwear.
Suitable_Database467@reddit
Pick a late appointment, you don't want it to have to start toilet time at 4am
countofmoldycrisco@reddit (OP)
Supposedly they call me the day before and tell me what time it will be. I don't think I get to choose.
Suitable_Database467@reddit
I got the date and time email shortly after when I scheduled it 3 months out at Denver Digestive Health Specialist but I didn't know 10am was a bit early considering the prep time and didn't request a later time. It may be the same situation but I guarantee you when I have to do it again I'm going to ask for a later time if possible. Good luck!
Suitable_Database467@reddit
That's a bit rough, I used Denver Digestive Health Specialist near Rose Medical and I was able to set the day 1 or 2 months in advance but I didn't know at the time, since it was my first colonoscopy, that the time of the appointment was as important to my mental well-being
zeravlaf478@reddit
I just had my first one last week. While i did get mildly hangry, liquid diet day wasn’t too bad. Until I had to start drinking the prep solution, I had a lot of tea and broth and apple juice. You can also have Gatorade, some sodas, and coffee, just make sure to avoid dairy products, alcohol, and anything with red/blue coloring.
The prep solution wasn’t awful as I expected, but wasn’t great either. After each dose, I chased it with some juice or ginger ale to get the taste out of my mouth.
I think the most important thing for me was to keep myself occupied throughout liquid diet day. For me that was lots of movies and gaming.
If you do everything right and they find nothing in your colon, you’re set for ten years. Good luck!!
BonesAreTheirMoney86@reddit
Ginger ale chaser was key for me! I would take a sip of Gatorade, then the prep drink (without the nasty flavoring packet provided), then ginger ale to fizz away the taste of the prep drink.
fictionalbandit@reddit
Y’all got a flavor packet?!
CindyBijouWho@reddit
It’s really not as bad as you’d think. Once you start drinking the prep, you really won’t be hungry. Get some jello and broth for the day and, whatever you do, get wet wipes and diaper cream! Blot, don’t wipe!
Potential-Budgie994@reddit
It’s fine, it’s just one day!
SubNine5@reddit
Mines in a couple of hours. Can't wait to eat later.
memyselfandi78@reddit
My first one is this Friday. I can't eat anything all day Thursday and my procedure isn't until 3:15 on Friday. Maybe I'll lose some of this perimenopause weight.
OkBaconBurger@reddit
I don’t remmuch about my first so I appreciate part all the tips here. All I know is I slept a lot afterwards and then woke up and ate a whole googling subway sandwich
Inevitable_Tone3021@reddit
I've done it three times due to family history and for me the worse part is just how HUNGRY I get during the prep.
I have a fast metabolism and I've learned that I can cheat the diet a little bit (I'm not recommending this to anyone else, I just know myself). There is a diabetic version of the prep diet which allows you to eat a little food the day before and I basically do that and I still get cleaned out just fine.
blimpcitybbq@reddit
I did the pills and it wasn’t awful.
The sedation was some of the best sleep I’ve had in years. After it was over we went out for a huge breakfast and it was so good
BrianVUTF@reddit
I was freaking out the whole week before. I was given a 3L jug of golytley I had to drink. It really wasn’t bad. I used the flavor packet and it tasted like the old school lemon ice Gatorade and was totally fine. I didn’t think it was gross at all, drank it with zero issues. I did take some gas ex a few times during the drinking as a precaution.
Started drinking my prep at 5:45. “Activity” started around 6:20 and was done and asleep by 1:30 in the morning. The worst was just being hungry the day before.
Soup broth helped. Gatorade the day of helped. And anything you can do to get your mind off being hungry. I actually rotated my tires that morning, played some video games and watched some football in the afternoon just to stay distracted.
I made the mistake of reading others’ experiences and got so worried. It was actually way easier than I had thought. Don’t stress at all. Just keep your mind busy so you aren’t worried about not eating all day.
IslandGrover@reddit
Oh Jesus, people, it’s such a nothing burger. We have been conditioned to be so terrified of the dreaded butt boogeyman. It s a couple days of fasting and violent poo, then a nice nap and a big breakfast. Simple. The prep is no different than any of the “cleanses” that Kim K hawks to fit into her dress before the gala.
goswitchthelaundry@reddit
My 12 year old has Crohn’s and has rocked out several colonoscopies so far. Being so young (this all started when she was 5), she struggled with forcing herself to drink the entire dose every 30min. So, we made it into a game of annoyance.
Game of Annoyance: Play Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” at the beginning of each round of prep chugging. You are not allowed to turn it off until you’ve finished it all. By the time it’s starting to get hard to chug, this song has become so annoying that it motivates you to push through and get it done.
Bulky_Goat_9624@reddit
Piece of cake! Good luck!
sgrams04@reddit
The prep drink is the worst part of it. The fasting is manageable. The procedure is super easy and quick.
People say you can’t taste the MiraLAX but it isn’t the flavor, it’s the texture that bothers me and I’m instantly gagging. You just have to grin and bear it. Pretend that it’s just Gatorade and tell your brain “there is no colonoscopy. You’re just drinking Gatorade, nothing to see here” and then relax your brain muscles and down it. By the last glass you won’t be able to take much more of it but you can power through it.
Stay hydrated and drink some broth to get sodium and other protein you can’t get from jello. Headaches and nausea will be your worst enemy the morning-of if you don’t.
SnarkyHealthNut@reddit
Baby wipes and diaper cream. Sounds crazy- butttttt…. 🤣
malai556@reddit
our doctor recommended Ensure Clear. It's actually really filling. Also, "clear liquids" just means anything that's not viscous, so you can still have soda and coffee, just make sure it doesn't have the red/purple food coloring in it. Your doctor should have given you a list of what's permissable.
sportow@reddit
The worst part is the prep. Once you get to the hospital, it’s just some waiting. Really a common procedure
InNausetWeTrust@reddit
It’s actually the best nap ever! At least for me it was. Not sure what other people thought….😀
mander00@reddit
I had one in Sept. It was easy as can be. I had the pills prep instead of liquid. Just make sure you understand what you can eat the day before....mine had no red or orange colored jello as a requirement.
Bastard1066@reddit
The worst part was not being able to eat, I love food so much! I made sugar free lemon jello, drank herbal teas when I got peckish, took a sleeping pill and went to bed super early. With the concoction you have to drink, drink it slow through a straw. Take it easy, and remember the blissful nothingness that knocks you out will be there soon!
PopsiclesForChickens@reddit
Had stage 3 colorectal cancer...been through 3 of them, plus the same prep for 2 GI surgeries and I'll turn 45 next year.
It's not bad, unless they find cancer. Good luck!
ttredraider2000@reddit
Hope you're doing well. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer at 45 and has done this prep so many times. We finally bought a really nice bidet, which helps.
burnitdwn@reddit
Dont eat your brother!
MartialBob@reddit
I had my first one a few years ago and I am looking forward to many of my future because colon cancer is in my family. The prep is the worst part of the whole process. Having to limit your diet and then eventually after you take the laxatives spending an uncomfortable amount of time on the toilet. No one likes that. The actual procedure itself is a complete non-issue unless you're one of those weird people who doesn't opt for being knocked out. When I had mine I remember the doctor pushing the plunger on the drugs that we're going to knock me out. At first I felt nothing and then in less than a second I felt my face feel a little bit fuzzy and then I pick my head up and they're rolling me out because they're already done. My personal perception of time between the injection going in and it being done is maybe 3 seconds. After that you just pass a lot of gas because they had to fill you up so they could get a good look and then that's it.
Comfortable-Sky-9569@reddit
Follow the directions exactly. Nothing red, orange or purple dye. What made hard for me was not being able to put cream in my coffee the day before. I was okay with going low fiber. Yeah the prep the day before was the worst!
Ippus_21@reddit
It's really not as bad as it sounds.
The prep isn't fun, but honestly being on the liquid-only diet and being hungry is the hardest part; and that's easily remedied as soon as you wake up. Just pack some snacks.
The procedure itself is just a glorified nap.
mollyjwink@reddit
Just power through it. Colon cancer is no joke.
CaptPotter47@reddit
Start the prep early that way there is a chance of sleeping. Once you are done cleaning out, you really don’t poop much at all. So if you complete the prep at 11, you should be able to sleep.
JackBlackBowserSlaps@reddit
Never would I ever admit to spending a day eating my brother’s liquid meal.
monikermonitor@reddit
When I did it there was an option to gobble a bunch of pills instead of drink the stuff, which is recommended. You just wake up every few hours and blow ass, then back to sleep.
The actual procedure is easy. You take a great nap and then eat like a bastard.
Wasn’t as bad as I expected.
dabeeman@reddit
yeah don’t be a baby. not eating for a day is not hard.
poindxtrwv@reddit
I honestly think that when I get mine next year, I'm not going to bother consuming anything but tea and water. I had some chicken broth, clear soup from a hibachi restaurant, and pineapple jello this year. After the procedure, the thought of any of those made me queasy for a few weeks. I'm getting over it, but it makes me think I'm just not going to even try next year.
The pooping your brains out sucks too. Get yourself some baby wipes for it. Just use TP to dry yourself afterward.