Upcoming Colonoscopy......

[Minnie64]

Hi

I have a very long story... cut short basically I have always suffered with chronic constipation and struggle to go more than once or twice a week without help. Other than that i've been quite fit and well.

In August I suffered a bad heart attack and was started on DAPT which is anti-platelet therapy as I had a stent fitted after angiogram, it is basically a blood thinner and Aspirin. A week after leaving hospital I was readmitted after passing black stools.. They thought I had a gastric bleed but after undergoing an endoscopy, nothing was discovered and all got back to normal and I was discharged.

However, on having a blood test it was discovered my haemoglobin has dropped significantly and now they want to do a colonoscopy to check for any bleeding..... I am certain it is only since I started on the blood thinners I have had this problem but no one seems to be listening.

I went for the pre assessment today and have been given a double preparation due to the constipation ! I have to take 2 sachets of Laxido twice a day for a week before and then on the day before I have been given Plenvu to start at 7pm the night before and then the second dose at 4.30 am on the morning of the procedure which is scheduled for 8.30 am. I also have to stop my iron tablets 7 days before and not take my blood thinning meds on the day.

I am really nervous as it seems really late to be taking the second dose of laxatives and i'm scared about getting to the appointment without needing the toilet on the way etc. I am wondering if I could take the first dose a bit earlier and the second a bit earlier. Has anyone experience of Plenvu ? any help would be very appreciated. I have ten days left before the dreaded procedure.

Thank you so much for any advice

[MyStar86]

bless you it sounds like you are going through it but to calm you that’s not double the dose that’s the normal dose you always have to take two batches of bowel prep to ensure that you are fully cleared out as the first batch is the clear the poo and the second batch is to clean the bowel. You can definitely take them earlier than they state I always do it about 2 hours before to make sure it’s all ok. That is a strange dosing time because usually when you have a morning colonoscopy you would take both batches the day before the test and not one on the morning so I would double check with someone that they have given you the right instructions because usually it would be the day before you take the first dose at 12pm then the second dose at 5pm so that’s definitely something I would check. Good luck I hope it all goes well I used to take a capful of milk of magnesia at bedtime for a few days before as well because that’s like rocket fuel for me and it helped get things moving. Also iron tablets can give you black stools so try not to worry too much and iron tablets can also make you constipated xx

[Minnie64 in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you for replying MyStar86.... I have checked with the hospital and they definitely said they have given me the correct times.... It seems ridiculous to have to get up so early to take the 2nd dose but I think I may take them a bit earlier as I presume once you are empty you are empty ? It is the 4 sachets of Laxido every day before that, which scares me, especially with my heart problems I just don't want to put my body through such an ordeal and am very scared to be honest. I just want it all over to be honest. I'm not usually such a coward but have always dreaded colonoscopy for some reason. I hope you are well and thank you so much for your reply xx

[MyStar86 in reply to Minnie64]

That is quite extreme I never had to do the prep before the prep so I do feel for you on that one but hopefully it won’t be too brutal just stick to a really low fibre diet to make it as easy as possible don’t go having lots of vegetables or fruit just keep it white it’s boring and bland but it makes doing the prep a lot less painful and it makes it work quicker. I’ve had hundreds of colonoscopies in my time the thought of them is worse than they are as you just get on and do it don’t get me wrong t they are not fun but they are worth it. I’m lucky now as I have an ileostomy so I never have to touch the dreaded prep again in my life which I’m very happy about and I love my bag it’s given me some life back again 🎉. Let me know how you get on and take care keep up the fluids alongside the prep try electrolyte drinks like lucozade just not the red one 💓 I had lots of ice lollies as well with mine to keep up the hydration xx

[Minnie64 in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you so much for the advice, I will definitely get some ice lollies and Lucozade. I'm sorry you now have an ileostomy but glad that it has given you some life back. Life is hard isn't it !

My colonoscopy is on the 9th Dec so another week to go but I am going to follow your advice for the week and stick to bland foods and hopefully this will help.

I will let you know how things go and thank you once again for your advice I truly appreciate it xx

[MyStar86 in reply to Minnie64]

That’s ok I’ll always be here if you need to chat even whilst doing the prep I’m happy to help so you don’t feel you are going through it on your own 😃. What I used to do with the prep is drink a glass of prep and then chase it with another drink that tasted nice as the prep does get really nasty but chasing it down with another non prep one helped me a lot and also keeps you hydrated so you feel less weak. The one that you have to do the morning of you scope I would definitely do it earlier than they have stated just to ensure you are all clear. Definitely opt for sedation for during the scope as well because it’s so worth it to be out of it you don’t want to be awake for it!! I used to set alarms to ensure I drank 250mls every 15mins as well which helped as it forces you to keep going plus I would make it up in a bottle and keep it in the fridge as it’s much more palatable when it’s cold!! Just some little tips I learnt from doing so many over the years. It’s ok re my ileostomy I wouldn’t be without it it’s changed my life and I love it xx