So I posted the other day about having to get a colonoscopy, and I'm worried it will trigger my aFib. Now I'm guessing it won't be the colonoscopy but rather the 240grams of Miralax they are telling me I need to take in the 24 hours prior to the exam. I called into the office 2 days ago and the doc reiterated she wants me to make sure I take the regular dose daily this week up until my exam, to make sure my constipation is under control.
The first time I took it a week ago, I got so dehydrated, dry mouth, and woke up with a leg cramp and a headache. Then I had ectopics all day. So I didn't take it again. So following her orders as well as I'm willing to, again the last 2 days, WITH HALF a dose (8 grams or so) and same thing again. I drink 2-3, 24 oz bottles of water a day + 2, 12oz cups of tea, and yesterday on top of that I also drank an 8oz glass of coconut water. I still woke up this morning with dry mouth and a leg cramp again. And I don't even have diarrhea or anything! (at least not yet) All day yesterday ectopics also. I'm terrified of downing a whole Miralax bottle in 24 hours Guess I'll drink more coconut water and hope the extra potassium will fix whatever is causing this stuff? I don't know what to do.
I plan to, and coconut water is on the clear liquids list for the 2 days prior. They have me mixing the Miralax with 2 32oz bottles of gatorade (which also has electrolytes) and I have to drink half the evening before, and again in the morning. My concern is that I'm downing all these liquids NOW and having symptoms from the Miralax, what is going to happen when I take 20+ times what I'm taking now. AND I have to drink 10 oz of magnesium citrate on top of the Miralax at noon the day prior.
I don't know if there's time, but if you react badly to Miralax, they often use Magnesium Citrate or other pre colonoscopy clean outs. Not saying you will do better on that, but you could ask. They do need you empty using something to do the procedure.
I'd just love to know how much more water I need to drink to try to counteract it - I don't want to end up in afib. I'm well over the daily water recommendation at this point.
I'm really sorry you're having to deal with all this! Having the medication set off ectopics must be very unsettling, not to mention the headache and leg cramps. The last time I had a colonoscopy I was feeling very unwell from months of diarrhea (I'm a Coeliac so diarrhea was a lifestyle for me for decades, until I was diagnosed). A totally different scenario to yours, I know, but still pretty miserable.
Does the doctor understand your fears and concerns? Possibly she can suggest a different medication? We're all different and can have reactions to medications that aren't a problem for many.
Sorry I can't offer anything more than that, but my heart goes out to you. I hope, one way or another, it goes okay x
in reply to
Thanks Helen. I'm pretty much stuck with this regimen I'm sure, just venting my worry because I am not happy about the prospect of ending up in Afib for the procedure, and it's feeling likely as I know my body. The ectopics are a warning sign. Trying to stay calm about it though, wouldn't want to add stress to the list of things to trigger it 🙃 I hear the propofol might stop the afib though during the actual procedure LOL
Thanks for the good luck. When I get hit with a bad episode it is debilitating, as in my heart rate is over 200bpm ranging even up to 300 - I absolutely cannot function and start to black out. That's why I'm concerned.
Hi again, yes I am similar my heart rate was going around 150bpm when I had my colonoscopy and I kept going light headed. I did go through with it though and pleased I did although I felt dreadful at the time. This afib sucks doesn't it?I dread it and every time mine kicks off I know I am in it for at least 36 hours! How long do your episodes last? In case I missed it what meds do you take?
I've been in Permanent though largely asymptomatic y after many years of paroxysmal AF.I had my 3rd colonoscopy in 3 years, following a CT scan and sigmoidoscopy 3 years earlier.
I had to take Moviprep beforehand on the night before. It worked well though I only had two hours sleep. My procedure was scheduled for noon. I'm single so went on the bus to the treatment centre.
As usual iy was fascinating to see the camera going up through my colon. No one spotted any polyps. I was awake throughout the procedure, as I had chosen to be during previous colonoscopies. I was polyp free for the first time in 6 years. My BP and heart were monitored throughout the procedure.
Thanks Thomas - I considered asking to do the procedure without meds but then I read the propofol can actually help return aFib to NSR - so I figure if I end up in aFib it might be better this way.
If your bowel isn’t completely empty, the colonoscopy might easily fail. I guess they are trying to make sure your motions are not hardened so the final laxative will work properly to cleanse the bowel prior to the procedure.
Dehydration is a much overused term in the media and on social media these days and has entered the realm of myth. Drinking excessive quantities of water can quite quickly dilute the water soluble minerals, vitamins and electrolytes in the system and can in itself lead to health problems.
I would drink a healthy quantity of liquid, maybe1.5l (50fl. oz.) a day (if you live in a temperate climate and have the usual level of activity and food intake - 20% of water comes from food remember).
You can include a bottle of isotonic sports’ drink containing sodium, potassium and magnesium, to be sure your minerals and electrolytes are replaced if you have reason to think they’re low. This is unlikely as the bodily process called homeostasis is very finely balanced and capable of maintaining electrolyte levels and general hydration.
This seems to be a well balanced and sensible guide:
Thanks I am drinking coconut water to get extra potassium and I take 400mg of magnesium taurate a day. Hopefully I'll get through it without it triggering a major episode. 🙃
I had a colonoscopy and the whole preparation put me into Afib as I found out during the procedure. The GI doctor and staff were nonchalant about it all, kind of not their problem. Next time I will ensure my EP approves the preparation.
Is the Cologuard available for you? I won’t do a colonoscopy either due to the crap they make you drink. I have heard drs say the Cologuard is a better option anyway.
Cologuard is not as effective as a colonoscopy. It only detects maybe 42% of any lesions or polyps. Colonoscopy detects 95% plus they are removed same time they are found. My friends son recently had a colonoscopy and had 60 polyps removed. Never would have happened with the cologuard. If a Dr tells anyone it's just as good as a colonoscopy he/she is lying. But here in the states if you have crummy insurance like I have (unfortunately all I can afford on limited income) that's all you'll get is the cologuard. And the Drs don't give a rat's behind.
He's not quite 60 years old. He's had many removed before this. But this is the most. I've never heard anyone before him having so many. Sounds crazy but it's true. You take care.
I can’t process the chemicals they want you to drink for one so I choose the cologuard
Update on the morning of colonoscopy. They have had me on a clear liquid diet since Saturday morning because of the constipation, I have not had a blip from my heart since Friday. Clearly my digestive system being empty means no heart hiccups for me. Kind of jives with the rest of what I experience - every single episode I've ever had has been because of acid, bloating, and/or constipation. Going into it feeling fine- other than hunger LOL.
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Guess I'll drink more coconut water and hope the extra potassium will fix whatever is causing this stuff? I don't know what to do.
I am drinking coconut water to get extra potassium and I take 400mg of magnesium taurate a day. Hopefully I'll get through it without it triggering a major episode. 🙃
So I finally went to the GI doc
How long to get back to NSR after a colonoscopy? 
Warfarin and Body Pain
I got the job - and have date for ablation!
