digestive problems

[Granny333]

I am going to digestive care Dr. and she wanted me to have a colonoscopy. So I did the prep. I got so sick from test that I couldn’t go do the test. So now I do not know what I will do.

[Hazelgreen]

I would hope your physician would now decide that she can offer advice without the colonoscopy. Perhaps, there are other or simpler methods to tell this physician what she needs to know. If not, I would look for another specialty that deals with the digestive track.

[KMBL_]

Can you tell me what the prep was. If it included magnesium citrate, I threw that right back up. There is a Miralax and Gatorade combo that is much easier to go down.

[Granny333 in reply to KMBL_]

Hi, the prep was Gatorade and Miralax

[KMBL_ in reply to Granny333]

Shoot. Okay. So sorry you got so sick.

[monkeygirl62]

Hi Granny333, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this this, I would throw up also mixing Gatorade with Miralax. It may be the Gatorade combo. I have done Miralax in hot tea with honey. Maybe you could do a practice run of tea and Miralax to see if it would make you nauseous. I don't do like pepto bismal or anything like that or I will throw up but I have been ok on Miralax with tea. Also Zofran, an anti nausea med might help, it's taken 30 minutes before you take the combo. I am surprised none of your doctors suggested that after your experience of throwing up. Hope you can find something that would work for you. Hugs 🤗.

[CTGirl1962]

Hello!! I get sick from the liquid prep. I now request the tablets. They are a little large, but I do not get sick from them. You might want to try them. Good luck and I’m sending love & hugs. 🩷

Jody

[awesome4ever]

Hi Granny333. Colonoscopy preps are not easy and definitely the older you are it is harder on your body. I guess my question to you is what digestive issues were you having that warranted a consultation with a gastroenterologist? I have briefly looked through your previous posts and saw a mention of diverticulosis. That is extremely common finding on CT's. In fact with your age of around 80 years I hope the gastroenterologist informed you that 75% of people will have diverticulosis. The only reasons that I could see the need of a colonoscopy at your age would be blood in your stool, anemia with low ferritin or potential abdominal pain that is constant and associated with inflammation and fever. Otherwise most digestive issues can be dealt with taking a good history and potentially doing a gastroscopy (which doesn't require a prep other than fasting). I guess what I am saying is the need for a colonoscopy at your age is questionable to me and certainly since you have tried and failed to tolerate the prep I would sit down and have a good discussion with your oncology team. Unfortunately if you get consulted to a gastroenterologist they really have 2 standard tests that they use to guide treatment. I imagine your 'digestive issues ' are likely related somehow to the treatment you are taking for the cancer. Therefore a detailed history with a symptom pin-pointer of when they start would be a better way to get to the bottom of things(no pun intended).Please let us know how this gets resolved for you. Take care.

[Granny333 in reply to awesome4ever]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will have a talk with my Onc.

[ba5083]

Sorry to hear of your experience. The last colonoscopy I had I took pills for my prep. Much better than the drinks.

[Granny333 in reply to ba5083]

if gastric doctor wants me to try to have again, I will ask for pill.

[ba5083 in reply to Granny333]

I think it was about 24 pills - 2 servings of 12. If memory serves correctly I had to take each serving (12) in 10 minutes. Much better than drinking the old concoction

[Elle713]

The prep I have been given is called Clenpiq. It’s not overwhelming in quantity. Bottle is small.

[GentleBreeze]

For my last colonoscopy the nurse suggested I use a straw. It was the first time I was able to keep the nausea under control. Don’t know why that made the huge amount of liquid prep go down easier but it sure made a difference!