fun, fun fun-NOT! I just drank my 10oz of magnesium citrate. Tastes like really strong undiluated lemonade or something. Not too bad. Wednesayd night I take that Moviprep stuff at 6:00pm and then again in the morning. Thursday at 2:00 is the exam. Say a prayer they don't find anything please! Thanks!!! Next week is my endoscopy.

Kathy this does not sound like fun no pun intended... My mom has done this many times for her returning bladder tumors and her many stomach issues... Hon I offer you a sincere prayer that all goes well healthwise and take care and keep us posted... Peace. Catherine

Here's hoping the worst you have to suffer is that nasty stuff! My prayers are with you.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Thanks all!

The citrate stuff isn't bad. I've never heard of the moviprep. OMG! Thursday at 2?? That's a long time to go without food. Ok, I'm thoroughly confused. You don't go for the test until Thursday and you started the prep Tuesday night? No food all day tomorrow until Thursday after the test? My past preps have been done the night before the test being first thing the next morning.

Lucky you!! I can eat on Tuesday (today) but not Wednesday. This is supposed to get the most thorough cleansing I guess. I can drink clear liquids. My only worry is that I tend to have low blood sugar and the only things I can drink are either fake sugar or real sugar drinks. I'm going to be pretty weak by the time I have to be there at 1:00 on Thursday. I worry about that more than the procedure.

That MoviPrep is the nastiest stuff ever. I kept gagging while drinking it! Good Luck!

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Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

I was told no sugar as it will ferment in an empty bowel. Nothing red in color such as sugar free Koolaid. My prep has always been a liquid diet, which didn't have to be clear, the day before. I'd buy a pint of real vanilla ice cream and eat the whole thing over the course of the day. After the procedure, don't be shy about passing the gas out of your intestines. It's a must or you'll have cramping. I remember the last time there was an elderly woman next to me (curtain inbetween) and she was lettin' 'em rip! DH and I were about to die laughing.

I took a prescription antinausea pill before starting. Even with that, I would still feel the urge to throw up but couldn't. Chug that stuff (mine was GoLytely) down at one time. Then use mouthwash or even just water to rinse your mouth.

I do NOT have fond memories of the prep for my colonoscopy, but I did the GoLytely thing and had mine at like 8am. So at least I didn't have to go without food for that long. Good luck on Thursday KTS.

Not fair-I would love to eat ice cream!!! lol The gas won't bother me. I'll probably have fun grossing my son out doing it! My list had Sprite, etc... How could you eat ice cream-it has sugar?

My sister took a pill. They never even offered me one. I'm not so sure I like this doctor to be honest. After I get these tests I 'm telling him off anyway! I will just have to pretend I'm on a reality show and drink that stuff down! When I went to my appt. he looked at me and said "if you were a 52 yr old man presenting with iron deficiency anemia (just barely by the way) I would ASSUME you have cancer. What's the point of that comment anyway???? I also said "should I be worried" and he said he didn't know. Geez, thanks for the comforting words doc. It's not like I've been symptomatic and have been putting it off. My regular doc said it's time to get checked so I went. I'm only 52, it's not that late to get one especially since this is the first time my doc said to do it. What that doc said has been bugging me alot. I see no reason to throw that out there.

Ok, I had to think a little bit harder on this one. GoLytely comes as a concentrate powder in a jug to be mixed. It could be mixed with water as it's already cherry flavored. Yuck!!, hate cherry. Or, mixed with no sugar Koolaid, Cyrstal Light or even 100% juice. However, not mixed with any sugared drink or red drink. If I remember correctly, I chose part water and part OJ because the OJ has natural sugar and would provide a little nutrition.

This next round says not to mix it with anything. And it specifically states no OJ. I like your doctor better! lol

Gee, everyone I know has always been told absolutely no dairy products and no sugar.

Wonder why your doctor would allow vanilla ice cream? That would make it much easier.

My prayers are with you.

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

This name always makes me just roll my eyes! Anyone who has taken that will tell you that if you take that--going lightly is out of the question....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

My pharmacist put me onto LightGoLytely with lower sodium. He warned me that it might not work as well and I told him I'd take my chances. It worked just fine.
I've never been through a prep that didn't leave my colon completely clean. The day before appointment a liquid diet which included vanilla ice cream. I don't understand the no ice cream orders. It's liquid and will most certainly be cleaned out. Absolutely no sugar after the prep is started. Prep doesn't start until 5 the evening before. I'd croak if I had a prep that had to be started 2 days before the appointment. Antinausea pill followed by the magnesium citrate around a half an hour later followed by the Golytely prep 15-30 minutes later. First prep I had to drink a whole gallon. Second prep half a gallon. First prep after the Golytely was 4 Dulcolax. I cramped all night long and couldn't sleep. Second prep was 1 or 2 Dulcolax although I don't think either is necessary.
Never had a prep that wasn't adequate and always ate a pint of ice cream the day before.
Too bad all doctors can't be on the same page for preps.

My dh just had his done a couple weeks ago and this is by far the worst part. I'm not sure what he drank but it was in a gallon jug that he added water to. It was salty but he could add Crystal Light to it. He could only have clear liquids the day before and could have coffee that morning but he had to drink it black. I don't think they said anything about no sugar. Once the took him back to have it done I don't think it was more than 15 min. and they were taking him to recovery. He stayed there for another 15 or 20 min. and we were on our way home. Good luck, I hope everything comes out fine.

lol I like Moviprep too!! It moves you alright! I bet we could think of some better names!

Question - do you have to have something like a Fleet enema before the procedure or do the pills take care of that sort of thing?
I'm 52 also, and I keep putting the procedure off.

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Donna

Well Donna, it's just a blast! Seems like there are many ways to do this. My doctor started me off with a bottle of magnesium citrate (I think that's what it was) that you get over the counter Tuesday evening. That got rid of quite a bit of stuff if you know what I mean. Then today I started the liquid only diet and at 6:00PM some disgusting stuff to mix and drink over a one hour period. I'ts now 9:15 and I'm still enjoying my bathroom although it's slowing down. I have to get up and do the disgusting stuff again at 8:00AM tomorrow and the procedure is at 2:00. I cannot tell you how sore my bottom is! lol I work from home and I've been sitting here working for the last three hours with a little table in front of me for my laptop!

Actually there is a prep that uses pills that have the same effect as the liquid prep. I haven't heard of anyone here on this forum that's used it. A friend told me about it and I looked it up OsmoPrep | The Tablet Colonoscopy Prep. The liquid prep described in this thread is the only prep that I've heard talk about. And more talk and more talk...
Kathy, one of us here should have remembered to tell you to have very good TP for this. Sorry...

Yep, my TP is good but nothing could be soft enough!

I hope all goes well Kathy. My husband had this procedure this morning. I bailed and spent the day with my mother and sisters Tuesday while he was on a liquid diet. I had already listened to him complain about it since they scheduled this for him last Thursday and knew I just might strangle him if I had to listen to that all day. As bad as I hate being up before the crack of dawn, he had to be there at 8 am and thankfully everything went quickly - well yeah, last night too, pun intended - everything went fine, no problems and the DR told him he would see him again in 10 years. We were out in plenty of time to grab breakfast before the FF places stopped serving. I think this was the ONLY test known to the medical establishment that he hadn't had since his stroke in 2006, at least we won't have to go thru this one for a wile. I sincerely hope that you goes as well as his did.

Wow - this is quite educational for me! You know, as Katie Couric began her crusade to get the word out about colonoscopies, I think some of the prep was downplayed. The whole prep process is much more involved than I ever knew, and we're still awaiting Kathy's report on the actual procedure.

Good luck later today, Kathy! You'll be so proud of yourself once it's behind you.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

I had a colonoscopy last fall and used the pills instead of the liquid. DH had one a year or two earlier and used the liquid. It didn't work the way it should have, so he ended up having to have two or three enemas before they could do the procedure. That didn't sound pleasant to me so I opted for the pill. I don't remember exactly, but I think there were 32 pills. You had to take 4 of them every half hour maybe with a full glass of water. By the time I was taking the last of them, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get any more water down and hold it. But I did, and I think I will use the pills again the next time.

As far as the actual procedure, it's a piece of cake! I never would have known that anything at all had been done to me if I didn't remember going in to the hospital.

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Linda

OOOOOhhhh MYYYYYYY GOOOSSSSSHHHHHHHHH. I thinik I have gone to the bathroom about 65-70 TIMES since Tuesday night. I was up until 3:00AM and now I have to take more of that stuff. I called the doctor to see if I really have to take this mornings prep because the last ten times on the potty last night ran clear and they said I do. I said what if I'm still going when I have to go to the office and they said - get this- just put two thick towels in the car. I'm so disgusted right now I could cry. I may change my mind but at this point I might not ever go to this doctor again. So many other people have had it easier-like my sister-and there are so many other ways to do this that I'm not doing it this way again. Of course if they find something that will be a different story.....But at this momemt, after my first morning glass, I'm totally disgusted.

From what everyone has written there are a lot of different ways that the prep is done. My husband only had one thing to drink. Once he was done that was it.

And if I have to do this again I'm looking into what the other gastro docs prescribe. I'm still worried I might have an accident on the way!

I hope everything is going all right for you by now, Kathy. I'm a thinkin I'll just put this procedure off for awhile longer.

You know also what makes this weird for me -- I know people who work in that department at the hospital. I don't want my hiney sticking out there.

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Donna

Hope You are ok, Kathy



Sure are a lot of different preps.

I drank a gallon of Colyte for my prep. I had surgery a few days later and had to repeat it.
After drinking it twice in one week I told the doctor that I would never take it again! He thought I was kidding, but I told him there HAS to be something else.

There is a Fleet Prep KIt and that is a lot better than the gallon of Colyte.

It is only -
one glass of liquid
4 pills
1 supository

You will still run to the bathroom!!!

Sincerely hope all went well and looks like you need afterwards the biggest softest big big pillow for your little bottom lol.. Honestly hope all when well, keep us posted peace. Catherine

Test is over-that part is a piece of cake. I thought I might not be able to get there with clean undies so I stuffed two overnight pads in my undies and some paper towels for the ride there! I didn't want to make a mess in my brothers car. No polyps or anything suspicious so I'm set for 10 years, unless something happens. Next Tuesday is my endoscopy. I hope that goes as well. Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers. I seriously did my work on the toilet for three hours last night. I had my son take a picture (side view and there's the shower so i just leaned forward and turned toward the doorway) of me working and I sent it to my boss and my supervisor. They laughed so hard! They said I dont' have to be that dedicated! lol We are a goofy bunch!

aw Kathy thats alot of times to go to the bathroom.... However I am happy to hear its over and I am hopefully with a sincere prayer you get wonderful results and most of all that you have been able to find humour in this hard difficult time of your life. May god bless you and I would love to see those pics too funny we need more laughter in our lives today... Peace.. Catherine

Glad everything went well, Kathy. I knew the test itself would be a piece of cake (although I have known one person who had some problems). You're lucky you have another 10 years before your next one. I have to have another after 5 years because my grandfather had colon cancer. It really doesn't bother me though, because it such an easy thing to go through.

Donnaquilt -- DON'T put it off. It is really an easy thing to do and it's important! Just ask your doctor about your options for premed.

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Linda

I wanted to post the pic on here but I'm not sure how to do it and my son said he won't help me! lol I got some great replies from work though! My son and I have had a ton of laughs about this whole thing. I'd be standing there talking to him and get this look and take off running and he'd start laughing. He said "I don't care who's getting that done that's so funny" to see someone get that look on their face and run to the bathroom. All in all, it wasn't that bad. I was pretty discouraged though this morning after I stayed up unitl 3:00AM and then had to get up early to take more of that stuff. That was the most discouraging part. But now I feel fine. I did have one icky part at the doctor. The young nurse was trying to get the iv in my hand and I have tiny veins and she thought it was in and then she told the other nurse something like "oh no, I blew that vein" and that kind of freaked me out. They reclined the chair and gave me a cold clothe 'cause I got really warm and pale. It just sounded so creepy. I got a bit dizzy when they gave me that sedation stuff but it didn't last long.

Glad it is all over , Kathy.

Actually the prep is the worst part.

The test is easy, because they give you a mixture of something so you don't know anything that is going on.

I go every 3 years now because I had colon surgury in 1994.
My next one is due next year.

Hope you're end is happy soon. Doesn't everyone love a happy ending???

Eat something awesome this weekend!!! YOu deserve it!

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

I got an Applebees hamburger with veggies for carryout on the way home. I only ate part of it because you are supposed to take it slow. I really wanted a COKE so I brought a can with me and sipped it on the way home. Yum I love my Coke!! I'm so glad to have a happy colon! lol lol lol OH yes, not to gross people out, like this hasn't already , but I do have fissures that bleed so maybe that's part of my anemia problem.

I am glad your test went well. I am actually scheduled on the 9th for the Endoscopy and Colonoscopy . I am dreading the prep. They gave me the Golytely and did tell me to mix it with something sweet. They said it is very salty. I am so worried I am not going to be able to drink it without vomiting. My test is scheduled for 1:00 and I have to space the drinking out(1/2 the night before and 1/2 in the morning) Now I am worried about being able to drive there without a diaper. If they don't find anything wrong with me they are sending me to a blood DR. I have been significantly anemic for years. I had a hysterectomy last summer and am on 3 iron pills a day and my levels just dropped again. I just want to feel good again.....

You poor thing! My son has decided I have a hiatal hernia, which is probably true. I just hope it won't need surgery or there are bad cells, etc... But maybe all will be well. I'm getting my scope on the 9th too!
As far as the stuff to drink, if you get to mix stuff in it that should help alot. And hold your nose and drink as much of it as you can get down all at once. I mostly got each dose down with two gulps. I also rinsed my mouth out with Listerine right before I took it and right after I took it. I think that helped a bit. I was reading online and one person posted to pretend there's a terrorist attack and the only way to live is to drink this stuff! lol It worked for her. You can ask for an anti-nausea drug. I'm pretty good with my gag reflex but a few times I had to fight it. But I didn't have the anti-nausea pill or flavoring and I still got it down. When my sister did hers about 10 years ago, she got to mix lemonade into hers and it was a nice day and she just went outside and walked in the yard and pretended she was just out drinking lemonade and she had the anti nausea pill too. She gags getting her back teeth cleaned so if she can do it you can do it!!! It's definitely a mindset thing. By the way, I don't think you can drive yourself. They won't do it here if you don't have a driver there and ready. They want you to have a driver and someone with you for 24 hours after the test. Are you doing both tests on the same day because you can't here. With the endosocopy they said you can't drink anything for 8 hrs before the test and if you have to drink the colonoscopy stuff in the am I don't see how that would work. But I think my doc is super particular. As far as a diaper I was SURE I would need something but the stuff really did stop in time to get there. I did stuff two overnight maxi pads and some papertowels in my pants just in case. My son (18) and I were laughing about it so much. You know, "my mom needs a diaper", etc... lol Gotta laugh your way through this stuff! I did get kind of weak at the hosptial when they tried to get the iv in my vein and the nurse finally said something like 'darn, I blew the vein". That kind of freaked me out. So they reclined me and put a cold clothe on my head and got another nurse. She put it in there and I swear I didn't even feel it go in. You will be fine! Just have a good book to read or a crossword puzzle book for the bathroom time! It's really not that bad. Cancer would be much worse. I also looked at the cup before I drank it and said "ok, Jesus, this is for you".
Seriously, you will be fine. Even if you "lose" a dose it should still be enough to clean you out. The procedure really is a piece of cake.
Good luck and let me know how you do. Pm me or start a thread if you need a pep talk while you are going through it!!! There are lots of people on here that will help you laugh your way through it!!! Or at least empathize!

Kathy I did my bathroom time halloween night and was the only one home to answer the door for the trick or treaters and there were a lot of them. Your son would have had a ball with a video camera that night tracking my "runs" between the door and the bathroom. The bathroom won! I am very happy for your good news.

Kathy it is so refreshing to hear that you and your son sould like you have a loving so fun relationship....Also I can only imagine the pictures and like you said I always believe with all you went through before the test was so hard and that the test was actually the easy part.. Feel better and keep posted with the results peace . Catherine

Can someone please explain the pun here? It is driving me crazy!

Rebecca

Because I simply mentioned the word fun and then I mentioned no pun intended for mentioning the word fun in what I considered to be a serious post, does that explain it... Peace. Catherine

No. There was no pun there.

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Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.

E. Roosevelt

I guess you could have just worn a tshirt and an exlarge Depends and that could have been your Halloween costume!!! lol No way can you plan ANYTHING with that stuff you have to drink. That's just too funny!

Thanks! My son and I really do have fun together. I will miss him so much when he goes off to college next year. I am soaking up all our fun times to remember! I don't know what I'd do without my sense of humor to get me through things like this. It almost makes things like trotting to the bathroom funny when we can laugh about it together!

KTS-the endoscopy (for me) was a piece of cake. The worst part was when they sprayed some numbing stuff on my throat (to stifle the gag reflex)--it was bad tasting. But then they put the Versed in my IV and the next thing I knew I was waking up.
VERSED is your friend!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Kathy I am sure from the person you are, and the relationship you have with your son is so wonderful and all the good and funny times and wonderful memories will stay within in your mind, heart and soul and get you through when you cannot be together. Again your truly blessed being a mom is the greatest gift next to having children... Peace... Catherine

Is versed what make me a little dizzy when it first entered my system?