HELP...colonoscopy prep ?

[dmarie]

I am totally freaking out right now. I was constipated last week and after straining, I noticed bright red blood on my stool for a few days. I also am noticing some mucus. I had a colonoscopy 7 years ago, prior to IC. My brother was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 36. I just turned 36! I really can't deal with one more health issue....fibromyagia, IC, and now whatever this may be. Anyway, what preps for the colonoscopy will not flare my bladder? The last time I drank 2 little bottles of phospa-soda (I think?) mixed with water and then took quite a few Dulcolax laxatives which caused MAJOR cramping!!!! What is bladder friendly? I am also so worried that this could be colitis or that the Elmiron which is working for me is causing rectal bleeding. Sorry for rambling...I am so scared. I'm not eating or sleeping!

Dawn

[ICNDonna]

Are you scheduled for a colonoscopy? When I had mine, I had to drink a lot of a not very tasty liquid, but it didn't bother my bladder. Usually bright red blood is from very near the rectum --- it could even be hemorrhoids. If bleeding is occurring futther up, the blood would be very dark by the time it exits in a bowel movement.

Did you have any polyps or other growths when you had your test done? Try not to worry, but do get in touch with your doctor.

Donna

[dmarie]

I called my doctor and have an appt scheduled for Nov 12th. A good friend of mine works in the office and she is trying to get me seen sooner. My scope was clear 7 years ago. Did you drink a gallon of the prep? I know that is one of the other options but I know I can't drink that one.

Thank you so much for your response!!!!

Dawn

[SharonA]

There is a pill that you can take as the prep. From what I understand, it works very well. Ask your doctor about it. :)

[ICNDonna]

I did the drink. I just set my timer for ten minutes and chugged another 6 ounces every ten minutes. It goes right through so you don't get an overload.

Donna

[Annie2]

I recommend you talk with your doctor and describe your previous experience as well as your IC with them so they can determine the prep routine that would be right for you. I didn't have IC when I had my first colonoscopy, but did for my last one. My doctor had me drink a solution (not phospho soda or Go Lytely...can't remember which it was exactly....maybe a Miralax solution???) and take just a couple Dulcolax. My bladder was fine with it and I had no cramping. Lots of us with IC have been through this and our bladders handled it well. Your doctor should be able to determine which prep routine is best for you. Since you've had a colonoscopy before, you know the prep is the worst part of the whole thing. The colonoscopy procedure itself is easy compared to that.

I certainly understand your concerns. My mother and 2 of her sisters developed colon cancer in their 60s. All were caught early, treated and all 3 lived well into their 80s and never had another problem with it. Because of my family history, I am checked regularly and know the key is catching it very early. My last colonoscopy showed I have ulcerative proctitis (mild form of colitis confined to the last part of the colon). It took awhile to adjust to that being added to my IC and other problems, but now it's just another thing I deal with. Like with IC, I reached acceptance and now do what I need to do to take care of myself. I still have a very active and fulfilling life.

Hopefully your colonoscopy will show nothing serious going on and you will be relieved of your concerns. A colonoscopy (and the prep---ugh!) is not my idea of a fun way to spend a day, but very necessary. Good luck and please let us know how things go!

[Godsgirl22]

Thanks for everything. Yes i did have a colonscopy did 3 years ago they said i was fine. I had every test you possible could have but i didnt have a lower GI so that is what i am going to try next. I will take all your advice and seek another doctor.. :) thanks again is great to know people care.

rachael

[dbritts]

I chose the pill for my last colonoscopy because I have alot of nausea with the liquid preps. The pills worked great and no nausea or bladder problems.

Debbie

[SrMaggie]

I, too, have trouble with the liquid prep, so the doc finally okayed the pillsssss
It's not just one pill - I think it was 28! It was much easier for me to take the pills with plain water and wait. It was like an explosion, but it didn't make me nauseated like the liquid prep. The doc was reluctant to use the pills because he said it doesn't clean as well as the liquid. Maybe they can do an enema before the procedure to be sure it's clean.
Sorry you have to go through all this. It is a pain in the....

[dmarie]

I'm kind of disappointed. The doctor I saw talked to me for about 10 minutes, did no physical exam on my bottom, and scheduled me for a colonoscopy for next week. I was really hoping he would look and see a fissure or hemmorhoid....I could at least relax a little bit then. Now I'm sitting crying and worrying that I may have colon cancer. He told me that Halflytely should be fine with my bladder. He tells me that it does not have a bad taste.....can I believe this? I have to drink 8 (8ounce glasses). I can mix in cherry, orange, or lemon-lime flavoring. Can I try any of these? Should I call back and ask for the pills? I am going to be a mess until next Wed. HELP!!!!

Dawn

[SandyRN]

I've had so many colonoscopies I've truly lost count and I'm scheduled for one and an upper scope (EGD) on the 26th of this month. I do not do well with any of those liquid preps and if he told you it doesn't taste bad he lied to you. They do have flavor packets you can choose from, but they really don't help it taste any better...and the consistency of this liquid is a little thick, hard to get down. I am going to be using the pills, all 28 of them for my prep because the reason I'm having this stuff done is because I've been nauseated and vomiting a lot. It seemed reasonable to me that I wouldn't be able to get the liquid down.

If you can, you might call and tell him you would like to take the pills for the prep, and tell him you have a problem swallowing large amounts of liquid or something. The only thing with the pills is you MUST drink LARGE amounts of fluid to keep your kidney's from being harmed...otherwise I've heard it so much better than the go lightly or half lightly.

Sandy

[Jenny76]

The liquid can be extremely nauseating and unpleasant. If the pill is an option, I would opt for that. I didn't have that option so I had to go with the liquid. I didn't have a good response to it at all. The pill sounds like a much better option especially because of the IC. Good luck and try not to worry too much, it will only cause you to flare and make things worse. You are in my prayers. :angel:

[dmarie]

After I looked at the liquid prep Half-litely and saw it had potassium something or other and the flavors were orange, cherry, and lemon-lime......I began to panic. I called the doctors office and said I just did not trust the prep solution. The nurse called me back and said I could do the Osmo-prep pills (32 pills).....YEAH (I guess!?!?!?!?). Now I just want it to be OVER!!!! I am letting negative thoughts totally freak me out!!!! I hate this!!!!!!!!!! Please pray that I get good news (for a change) next Wednesday!

Dawn

[SandyRN]

Glad you got the rx for the pills. Make sure you drink a LOT of gatorade...I was told to drink at least 2 2 liter bottles of it that day to make sure there were no kidney complications because of the pills. If you're dehydrated it can cause damage to the kidneys, so drink, drink, drink the day of the prep. I know you're worried, I am too and mine is still a couple weeks away but at least you'll have an answer.

Take care, Sandy

[SandyRN]

Glad you got the rx for the pills. Make sure you drink a LOT of gatorade...I was told to drink at least 2 2 liter bottles of it that day to make sure there were no kidney complications because of the pills. If you're dehydrated it can cause damage to the kidneys, so drink, drink, drink the day of the prep. I know you're worried, I am too and mine is still a couple weeks away but at least you'll have an answer.

Take care, Sandy

[SandyRN]

Glad you got the rx for the pills. Make sure you drink a LOT of gatorade...I was told to drink at least 2 2 liter bottles of it that day to make sure there were no kidney complications because of the pills. If you're dehydrated it can cause damage to the kidneys, so drink, drink, drink the day of the prep. I know you're worried, I am too and mine is still a couple weeks away but at least you'll have an answer.

Take care, Sandy

[dmarie]

I don't know if Gatorade will flare my bladder or not. I hope water is ok.

Dawn

[SandyRN]

I know...but that's what they told me to drink and for that one day I'm going to drink it. I can get away with the orange most days and not have a problem with it. Sometimes I feel like I have to take the chance that my bladder will rebel on me and do what the rest of my body needs...if that makes sense. I read the literature that comes with the pills and it says gatorade as well. I guess because it has the electrolytes, etc and will keep you from getting dehydrated. I'd rather suffer a flare than ruin my kidneys. :(

[NKC]

I'm having one on the 21st and I met with my Gastro. a second time, just to talk about the prep and IC. He said that the pills have many more potential problems than the liquid, and with urinary tract problems already he said it isn't a good idea to stress the kidneys. He also said that the prep goes right through you and isn't absorbed by the body, so there's no way it could make it into the bladder. I've read posts from about 15 people who've taken the prep and none reported an IC reaction from the drink or the pills, so hopefully he's right - but it just sounds fishy to me. If you drink liquid, won't some of it inevitably go through your bladder? I also find it puzzling that if there's no absorption, what's the point in adding potassium to the solution anyway? How can it restore you're electrolyte balance if it isn't absorbed?

[Astirk]

Hiya, I read your post and I feel awful for you, I know how youre feeling.
a few years ago I had some constipation probs, it felt like I was pooing glass (sorry for the example) and noticed alot of blood in the toilet. I called my mom and she said it was probably anal fissures.....which will leave red smears of blood on the stools....lots of people have them, and they are usually caused by constipation. Even though you can't see them you might have them......I know your mind automatically flies to cancer, seems like we all do that when we see something not normal :) I havent had blood in my stool or in the toilet since, I really freaked out as well. just wanted to share my story since I had that happen to me as well. Ever since then I think to myself, I might have colon cancer, but the rational part of my brain comes through in the end. Praying everthing turns out ok.
Krista

[SandyRN]

I didn't have any problems at all taking the pills, not bladder wise anyway. It can, and does cause withdrawl if you take opiod pain medications so your doctor should be aware of this. I made an official complaint to the drug co that makes the med. Other than that it worked great for me. I gag, and vomit with that nasty liquid and refuse to drink it ever again and we figured out how to keep me out of withdrawl as well.

Hope things went ok if you've had it done by now.

Sandy

[Goldfinch]

I know that colon cancer can run in families, so you are doing the right thing by have colonoscopies before age 50. One thing about colon cancer is that it is slow-growing. That's why most of us who are not at risk only need to have them every ten years. It sounds like you have had one colonoscopy 7 years ago as a baseline, so being checked now is a great thing; most polyps don't have a chance to become malignant in seven years, and if they found any seven years ago they would have snipped them. My husband owes his life to a colonoscopy--they found the type of polyp that can't be snipped, he had surgery, and it turned out to be pre-cancerous. All good.

If you mention your concern about the bleeding to the doctor perhaps there this will be a good opportunity to find out what that's about. If you want to be as out-of-it as possible I suggest you tell the doctor that. When I had my colonoscopy I asked for maximum drugs and got them. I "woke up" and didn't even realize it had already been done. You will have someone pick you up to take you home: my advice is to have that person be there when the doctor tells you the results. My husband was too groggy to focus well and didn't make sense of what the doctor told him, so it was a good thing for me to be there with an extra pair of ears.

[malone]

Hi--I had terrible problems with the pills!! They flared my bladder horribly! Sandy is right about the gatorade....they did not tell me so I just drank gallons of water and got so dehydrated I am still sick. Just try and take it a day at a time. Ginny

[georgecoolname]

Did the prep affect anyone's urine output?