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Hi Everyone!

I have to go for a Colonoscopy in early June.  Last time I had once, I ended up being diagnosed with UC and admitted to the hospital for a week because I was that sick. 

Now that I am in remission, does anyone have tips on how to make the procedure, mainly the prep go smoothly?  I'm very nervous for this procedure because I remember how things went last time.  Any advice or pep talks would be appreciated!

Em

 Reply posted for Emily Kate.

i find it good to make it a exercise day this ways you think of it as more as hydrating than having to drink it. this also gets things moving in there speeding the process so it doent take all day for your poop to be clear.

 Reply posted for Emily Kate.

I just had my first Colonoscopy in April to confirm the diagnosis of CD. I actually looked forward to the prep because I had been backed up for days and thought my system needed a good cleaning out!
I tried to make my prep day a stress free day. I stayed in my pajamas, ate broth and jello and drank tons of water. I watched movies and just tried to keep my mind off of things (even though I was at the end of a flare up so it wasn't too comfortable).
I did the gallon prep and it was pretty tough, it was a full gallon of the solution and I had to drink half the night before and the other half the morning of the procedure. I had to psyche myself up before each glass but made it through.  I agree about having the scope done in the AM instead of having to think about it all day. By the time I had finished my prep and gotten dressed, it was time to go.
Also, I made sure I showered and shaved my legs the night before, and put makeup on and put my hair back nicely that morning. Something about looking and feeling good made me feel better about being so "exposed"
Another great tip I got was to have a tube of diaper cream on hand in the bathroom during the prep. With all that watery stool it helps to put some on after each time you go to ease the burning.
Good luck to you.

 Reply posted for Emily Kate.

I've only had one colonoscopy, but used a prep called PicoSalax (?spelling) It was 3 doses over an 18 hour period. You only have to mix it with 4 ounces of water and tastes like strong lemonade. Just had to drink lots of water between rounds. One of my colitis books suggested using Asusol between trips to the bathroom to help prevent any soreness or rawness. I made sure I had lots of lemon jello, ginger ale, and apple juice on hand as well to fill my belly. I can only drink so much water.It worked for me. I was lucky I didn't have a lot of cramps with this prep. I was in plenty of discomfort after though with gas cramps all afternoon. Good luck!

 Reply posted for NeverEnding.

Hello.  Thank you for your well wishes.  I am doing the Movi (I believe this is how it is spelled) prep for the colonoscopy. I am really nervous, but I just need to try and think positive.  I did the miralax/gatorade last year when I had this procedure done before.  I refuse to drink gatorade or lemonade at all because of this.  I can't even stand the smell anymore :(  Again  Thank you for your wishes!  Hoping things go well!

 Reply posted for Smiller68.

Hello!  Thank you for your advice.  I actually scheduled my colonscopy for 8 a.m. June 10th.  I wanted it early to get it out of the way.  I had no desire to wait until 3 p.m.  I appreciate your advice!

 Reply posted for Emily Kate.

The prep. is much easier now than it was before...I've had many and just the thought of the old one used to make me ill/nauseous!  You take Dulcolax and drink the Miralax with some gatorade and you don't get as dehydrated either.  THE BEST ADVICE  I GIVE IS TO GET YOUR   COLONOSCOPY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!!  You already are basically up "going" and instead of waiting around and being nervous or the doctor getting backed up-no pun intended-get 'er done early and then you can get home and rest(unless you're like some of my family who goes out to eat after!!)!

Good luck

 Reply posted for Emily Kate.

Hopefully now that you know what you're dealing with it will be a little easier on you this time.  What are they having you do for prep? I know I had to drink this really salty tasting stuff for mine, and I think it was a half gallon or more that I had to take, but when my boyfriend got a colonoscopy they let him just get over the counter Miralax and had him mix it with Gatorade, and he said that it really wasn't so bad.  My stuff I remember pretty much living in the bathroom while I was doing it. He just had to run in and out a lot of times.  Sometimes they tell you to finish all of the prep no matter what too, but I had a nurse tell me that as long as everything is coming out pretty much like water you can quit.  I wish that I had more advice to offer you, but I can't think of much else to say.  If you're feeling well, then hopefully they'll just discover that you're doing well inside! It should be a little easier this time though because you've already been diagnosed, and you more than likely won't have any surprises. I hope everything goes well!