I've had IBS symptoms since January and have had several appointmentswith local GP's. I've had blood tests carried out and nothing much shows up so it's been decided I have to have a colonoscopy. My problem is I am very, very allergic/intolerent to the potions (picolax/moviprep). I have a violent and chronic reaction which is absolutely horrendous. It's much worse than most people experience. The last time I had to take the prep. I lost so much fluid with diahorrea and vomiting that I was very nearly unconscious. It gave me a severe migraine because I got so dehydrated which just about finished me off. I cannot properly describe how terrible it was as it's just too graphic but please try and imagine the worst case senario!. I was prostate on the bathroom floor with my head on the landing just about out cold, I was really ill.
I am now really very worried about having this procedure done again knowing that I have to go through all of the above yet again. I have read that it can be dangerious to take this type of medication if you are sensitive to it but nobody seems to understands what it does to me. If I don't have it done it seems that nothing else can show up what is wrong with me. The Gastroenterologist I saw was really very nice but he just didn't seem to understand what I have to go through. Has anybody else experienced this problem and if so how did you deal with it. I feel I must be the only person to react like this. Any comments or help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks for reading this. Feeling quite desperate.
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pump321
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Hi,I've had a colononoscopy somtime ago,and I said I wouldn't have one again.
There are other options,obviously I'm not a doctor,but a few weeks ago I seen a Colectrecal specialist who suggested another colonoscopy,but I refused, so he then suggested a colonography CTScan,which don't seem to bad. I have been given a little bottle of somthing to drink,but nothing like the prep for a colonoscopy.
My Gastroentrologist said this is a better test because it shows more. The only thing I can suggest to you is don't go through anything your not happy with. There are always options. Take care.
Hi Gemini71, Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I had hoped for a CT Scan but these consultants always seem to want to do the colonoscopy as a first choice. You were very brave to refuse. I will have to really think about it all very carefully before I go either go ahead or cancel. I much appreciate your comments and hope you get on on ok with your Colonography CT Scan. Good luck and many thanks again.
No I wasn't brave. Try to look at it from a different angle,it's your body your health,and without people like you and me they would not have a job. Be a bit more forceful,please don't suffer unnesaserily .
I had an extreme reaction to the moviprep this time (a colonoscopy I had about 25 years ago was fine) but when I got to the room to have the procedure the consultant wouldn't do it because he said it had been booked too soon after my perforated bowel. He was able to book an appointment for a CT colonoscopy the next day. I was given the innocent looking little bottle but without a leaflet. Soon after the first dose I felt as if hot water was flowing............quite a bit of bathroom was stained yellow (it contains dye). I am lucky to be able to move quickly or it could have been much worse - we have a new expensive mattress!
So be warned, my reaction was probably extreme because my bowels were already very empty and unhappy but make sure you read the leaflet 😱
I phoned the x-ray dept because I was worried I was having an allergic reaction (it has iodine in) and was told Oh no, in that case you would be in A&E by now! Then they said it tells you on the bottle that it makes you go to the toilet, then looked and found it didn't, then said I should have had a leaflet.
Anyway, yes it has a laxative effect and I guess like most laxatives it depends a bit on your sensitivity how much - I tend to be very sensitive.
I can really sympathise with you as I have written a post about this as well. I had mine on 31st October and kept to the exact instructions. After drinking 1 litre the same happened to me.God I felt terrible, my head felt like it was going to explode. I was sick for 4 days after, I am sure the prep (drain cleaner) poisoned my stomach.
The thought of trying another one terrifies me as well.
I am so sorry to hear you had a horrible reaction to the colonoscopy prep. It really is strong stuff and doesn't suit everybody. I think you are quite right, it is like a poison to some people who are allergic to it. Also it cannot do our stomachs any good to have such violent medication pumped through us, it must scar the lining of our intestines. I bet the gastroenterologists have never had to take it if not they would understand, they are very good at dishing it out though! I really wish I could offer you some help. I am still struggling along since January with stomach pain and chronic upset stomachs. I am just taking buscapan and painkillers but that is not the answer. Perhaps you can have an ordinary CT Scan, I know they are not as good but it's a start. I am going to have an ultrasound in a few weeks time but they are not confident it will show up anything. Good luck.
Thanks for your lovely email. So glad there are people like you on this site.
I keep my IBS pain at bay by taking a slippery elm tablet and a probiotic daily.It also stops the D and makes a nearly normal stool.
The American Indians have used slippery elm for centuries.It is amazing stuff for lots of ailments. You should be able to get it in your Health Food Shop. Please try it ?
Hi Palynn, Thanks for your very kind reply. May I ask what sort of probiotic you are taking? I used to take Acidophillus Extra 10 but wondered if it was making the D worse so stopped taking it. Some are stronger than others I expect. Thanks for your information.
Hi Palynn, Thanks for sending details of the probiotic you are taking. I have looked on the website but think this particular item is not available here in the UK as far as I can see. I'm sure I will be able to find another sort to take. Many thanks again for your help.
Hinthey suggested this for me but I'm not sure as the colonoscopy was stopped mostly due to the air getting trapped in the pockets caused by diverticulitis I couldn't stand the pain so can't imagine keeping still in ct with air in
I had a look online about the CT colonography and it's the laxative that's the problem as it contains Aspartame which I am so allergic too. Just can't seem to win. Thanks for your comments.
Pump,the laxative you take before a colonography is actually more a dye. It's called Gastrografin look it up on google. He has no mention of Aspartame.
Thanks Gemini71 for the info. about Gastrografin. I've had a look on google and it doesn't look quite so potent as the Moviprep. I think I'm going to try and get hold of my gastroenterologist and see if he will agree to do a CT Scan instead. There must be others who cannot tolerate these awful preps. Many thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.
Well in the notes I have for taking Gastrografin,they read if you don't open your bowels completely it don't really matter,that's why I thought it wasn't so much of a laxative.
I think it's worth getting another appointment with your Gastrologist and just suggest a few options to him,and really express your concerns. I had a few options wrote down,because I knew he was going to suggest a colonoscopy so I just said an outright no,and he come up with a colonography CT scan,so I let him think it was his suggestion.
I've just been reading a bit more about "Gastrografin" and I can see where it says "drink the Gastrografin liquid to ensure that only a small amount of faecal material is present in your bowel at the time of the scan" - so it looks as if this prep. is not so abrasive as others perhaps. I think you are right, I need to see my Gastroenterologist again and discuss all this further with him. I did ask him whlst I was with him last week about a CT Scan and he said i would still have to take the prep. I don't know if I can suggest the Gastrografin, I'll have to see how it goes. I don't want him to leave me like this without finding out what's wrong. I know they can do a straight CT Scan with no prep. but it doesn't show up so much but it did show up my diverticulitis the last time. Thanks again for your help.
Pump,I think you'll find there's all sorts of different CT scans,I'm just referring to a colonography CT scan. I was going to suggest a defecateing Proctrogram,if my consultant had not mentioned a colonography. I think your best bet,is look up all different tests that would be beneficial to you,write them down and have a chat with your Gastrologist . The test I mentioned above is a MRI scan,there are also Barium test,where they just put the Barium up your bottom. Just look what you can up.
There's a lady on this forum I've learned a lot from, her name is Rosie,if she picks this up,or you can pick her up,she has lots of good advise.
Hi all. I had a CT colonography done in October and I had to take picolax the night before and on the morning as well then once I got there I had to take the gastrografin. So for a CT colonography I had to take both not either or .
The picolax is to empty the bowels especially the large intestine and of course you are dehydrated and I calculated I had to go 12 times and it lasted for a couple of days afterwards . The gastrografin is different it has a bit of dye in it and you sip at it while in the waiting room before the procedure. To do a proper CT colonography with contrast they also have to inject you with a dye while you are about to have the procedure. I understood from the Gastroentergist that a CT colonography has the added benefit of seeing all the inside organs too. Like the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and uterus etc... While with a colonoscopy you can only see the inside of the large intestines .
It's still uncomfortable as they have to inflate the bowels a bit during the procedure to see them properly but it's not as invasive as the colonoscopy. This procedure I was awake for . It does not last long and it does really givea good view of the whole abdomen .
Maybe not the small intestine but it's still good to have . For the small intestine I had to Have an MRI and this is when I had the moviprep.
I don't react well as I have lactose intolerance and all the sugars too cause a reaction with me but it's a necessary evil to go through .
Good luck in whatever procedure you end up having. And if you can try and get tested for SIBO and lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption if you can as they are all related and could be indications of what's going wrong .
Hi,I only have to have 50mls of Gastrografin in the morning before the scan and another 50mls at 4-00pm the day before the scan, not on the day.
I don't have to take anything else. On the day I was told yes they slightly inflate the bowel,inject more dye,and also inject some Buscupan,to try and keep the colon still. I don't know why you had to take picolax as pump says,the bowel don't have to be completely empty.
I am glad that's all you have to take . For me I had to have a restricted diet for a couple of days and the picolax the night before at 6 pm and the morning of the procedure at 8 am then the gastrografin when I got there. The procedure was at 3 pm and because of all the above I was severely dehydrated so when they tried to inject the dye ( they failed on 4 attempts ) as my veins kept collapsing I only had to have the inflation device ) not fun 😉 ) and ended up with no dye or buscopan .
I also questioned the picolax with the gastroenterologist and the nurse and they insisted. It was not fun for a few days . But I complied .
Anyhow, if you don't have to take it then this is great . Good luck and keep us posted .
My results were clear only an issue with cysts on the liver then I had to have an MRI to check the small intestine this is when I took the moviprep and also had the dye injected as well as buscopan . It gives you a terrible headache but it clears fast enough . And moviprep was much easier for me to handle than the picolax but still not ideal .
I have ulcerative colitis so need regular colonoscopy but I keep putting it off, I'm probably about 3 years overdue but I really can't face the awful prep. There are different prep solutions so maybe you just need to ask for one without aspartame. Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Thanks for your reply. I have read that people like me shouldn't really be taking this prep. if we are allergic to it because it can be dangerous. I am seriously thinking of cancelling this colonoscopy. I told the gastroenterologist I couldn't take Picolax and he has suggested Moviprep which is just as bad. I really don't think they understand how bad my reaction is. I cannot see why they cannot just do an ordinary CT Scan with no contrast medication and clearing the bowels out to start off with. I had one once before and it showed up that I had diverticulitis. Isn't it awful what we have to go through. Thanks for your support. Will let you know what happens.
Thank you Gemini, Buffafly, Maggiejemmima and Bantam for all your useful comments. There's certainly a lot to think about for sure. I am definitely going to get back to my Gastroenterologist before I go any further with any kind of procedure. I need time to sort out what is really necessary. I've still got some blood tests and a stool test result to come in so I'm going to see how they go. I am grateful to you all for all the information you have given. Obviously some of us are very allergic/sensitive/intolerant to some or all of the preps. It's a bit of a minefield but it's really nice to be able to discuss it all and share info. I will keep in touch and let you know what my gastroenterologist comes back with. Many thanks to you all.
Hi I have posted about this too, I managed 1 litre of moviprep and became quite ill I got very hot face went bright red and burning to touch , severe nausea and eventual vomit and uncontrollable shaking I rang 111 and didn't take anymore . Unit said I hadn't taken enough so didn't go in. Now they are suggesting picolax or going in as inpatient and.taking prep in there under observation ! Not sure not having own loo a good idea but like the idea of being kept an eye on with drugs available ?
How are you getting on "Purplewoman"? I've just read your post from 2 weeks ago and can see that the Moviprep didn't suit you at all. I took Picolax several years ago and had the same allergic effect, severe vomiting etc. just like you but I took the whole lot but it made me seriously ill so I won't be taking it again. These preps. contain strong phosphates and just don't suit some of us. I cannot describe what picolax did to me as it would be too graphic! My husband was amazing and cleared me up for hours. Look at the ingredients on the internet and see what you think. I think Moviprep would have just the same effect on me.
I saw my gastroenterologist last Friday and he said he would do a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy which is not a full colonoscopy and he gave me a special diet sheet to cut out all solids for two days before the procedure and just drink clear soup, tea, coffee, bovril, fruit juices etc. I followed this and after the first day I had really bad diahorrea because the fluid just went straight through me. So I was emptied out before I got to the hospital. They gave me an enema when I got there and I then had the procedure done. I am hoping this might help. My stomach pain is lower down on the left side.
I wonder if you could have a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy like I had without the prep. using the fluid diet for a couple of days and then have an enema when you get to hospital. It would be better than nothing.
I really don't know how we are supposed to cope when we can't take this awful prep. stuff.
If you do take the picolax and they take you into hospital and you vomit a lot and lose lots of fluid they will be able to give you some fluid to replace what you've lost. Also there are little wards in most hospitals with a bed and a loo beside the bed as they took me into one on Monday. They have to have them for people having enemas as most people would never make it down the corrider for sure!
I really hope you find a way of having your examination done. I just wish there was an easier gentler way! Good luck
Thankyou for the reply I'm actually going in tomorrow to take prep as inpatient for colonoscopy on fri. No idea if I'm taking moviprep again or picolax I'm petrified and already running to loo at home! I asked for a side room and they said no I. Need to be in view of the nurses station in case I'm ill again and they will leave me a comode! I'm going to wear tenna pants!
I'm pleased you are going to go into hospital tomorrow and you will be taken care of for sure. Also if you are near the nurses station they will be able to monitor you. Tenna pants are a good idea if you are worried. Just think by Friday night it will be over. That's how i thought of it. I packed a bag to put in the car in case I had to stay overnight but didn't need to. As soon as the procedure was over I had a cup of tea and a sandwich and was allowed to come home. I will be thinking of you and hoping you get on all right. Please let us know how you get on. Wishing you good luck and take care.
I've been dairy and gluton free for 6 months to see if it makes any difference.not properly diagnosed intolerance but advised to try .i wonder if there is something in the prep that's got either of these in? How will I get from Ward to endoscopy unit if I'm sick and dizzy ?
Hi, just read both of your messages. Firstly if you do become poorly when you have taken some of the prep. I cannot imagine that they would encourage you to take any more especially if you choose not to. You can refuse if you feel you really can't go through with it. Please don't be afraid to say how you feel, there is no way they can force you and I really don't think that will happen so please don't worry about that. It really is your choice.
I'm not sure about the ingredients of Moviprep or picolax but will have a quick look for you. Don't worry about how you will get from the ward to endoscopy if you feel sick or dizzy, I am sure they will wheel you out on a bed if necessary. I went to walk beside the nurse and she said, oh we will wheel you down so I went on a bed and was wheeled back on a bed afterwards. Please don't worry, they are all very kind and will take care of you, you will be well cared for. I'll just have a look at the prep. ingredients and get back to you. x
It doesn't look like there is anything gluten or dairy in the ingredients. I really wish I could be more helpful. I am just pleased that you will be in safe hands. I was at home and wished I could have been in hospital the last time so you will be in the very best place. Explain to the nurses your worries when you arrive and tell them about your problems so they know everything. Once again the very best of luck and it will soon all be over. xx
Hospital and staff useless on Ward but that aside short version is picolax 60% better than moviprep. Though was still nipping to loo in endo unit! Sedation had no effect and 2 lots of pain killers didn't either. So they had to stop . It took 20 mins for pain to subside I had. Ever known anything like! In recovery they moved me side to side to release the wind
I'm so pleased it's all over for you now. I'm sorry the staff were useless, I thought they might be really helpful. It all sounds as if it was quite a painful experience one way and another but at least it's over now. You must feel so releived, I feel relieved for you knowing what I went through. Hope you are feeling more comfortable now.
Oh dear, what a shame. They have talked to me about a CT Scan with a Contrast Dye but I didn't think I would react well to the Contrast Dye so just had an ordinary scan but it doesn't show up the detail so well. I didn't know they filled you full of air for the CT Scan as well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. I am sorry you've got to go back again.
Well the only way they could do colonoscopy again is under a general. I've had the dye a few times before injected but I bit concerned some have to drink something for the ct! I would be worried about not needing the loo in scanner and embarrassing my self
Yes, I think they also request an empty bowel for the more indepth CT Scan so we will have to drink the wretched stuff again just for the scan. Did they say they would do a colonoscopy under general anesthetic?
Hi I've just been in and had picolax under observation in hospital overnight and it was barable this time as opposed to moviprep which did to me what it did to you! 'I havnt read th other replies yet but there are other preps available
although I don't know about your problem. but can I ask? do you take the picolax the night before. It might be best to leave that and just have the moviprep. it's more effective but kinder as it contains electrolytes and salts needed to keep you in balance. plus how much water did you drink with it?
I see you kindly replied to me 3 months ago about taking the Picolax. I had to take mine the night before the examination. I didn't know Moviprep was better and contains all the salts etc. we need. I hope I never have to have another colonoscopy as the whole thing is a nightmare for me. Thank you so much for repying.
Hi pump321 i would say "don't have the colonoscopy". It is old fashioned and if you have been reading this forum for some time you will know thst if you have IBS D you will have a very painful time. There must be a different method perhaps MRI scan. 99 times out of 100 nothing is found. Insist on a different method. You will have done all the other blood tests and found nothing so nothing to worry about. Let the doctors come up with a different solution. Besides, they have done one colonoscopy. Be brave doctors are public servants - they are working for us!! Good luck
Hi I had moviprep last night for colonoscopy today. . I found it disgusting to drink and was sick last night . When I woke up this morning I had the worst headache ever and as quick as it could I was on floor feeling so ill with diarrhoea and being sick at same time . I thought something was seriously wrong as not blood came up with reaching so much .got to hospital and they said this was normal and to top it up after being there 2 and half hours they cancelled everyone’s procedures as scopes hadn’t arrived . I am never going through that again ,
After my first bottle i ended up with severe burning like acid going through me. Laying on the bathroom floor too weak to get up. Ended up in ER. After three hours they sent me home. End it up the next morning back in the hospital for eight days with Bowel bleeding. They thought they were going to have to take part of my intestine out it was a nightmare a total nightmare I am scared to death to do it ever again
Just a note to thank all of you who replied to my problems with taking Picolax! I can so see many of have had problems taking it and Moviprep. I am absolutely sure these cannot be a safe substances for people to be using to clear their stomachs out! There must be something less aggressive! They have no idea what the side effects are for so many people, they don't even warn you! I just hope I never ever have to take anything like that again. I was so ill, I cannot describe the state of my bathroom after hours and hours of having diahorrea and being sick! It was coming out both ends and I got so dehydrated I collapsed on the floor and just lay there with my head on the landing, covered with a towel. It gave me a chronic migraine into the bargin. My husband was amazing and kept clearing up for me and hosing me down in the bath before I ended up on the floor. We rang the hospital but they didn't take any notice. I should have got an ambulance as I needed to be given fluid. If the gastroenterologists could see how this awful stuff affected us perhaps they would try and think of a better way to tackle this problem.
I had to have a sigmoidoscopy some time ago and I told the gastro. chap there was no way I could take Picolax again. He wasn't very helpful but in the end he said if I just went on a clear liquid diet for a couple of days and then come into hospital they would give me an enema and that would do the trick. It did! The liquid diet gave me diahorrea so I was empty when I got into hospital so after the enema my stomach was clear. The only thing was my intestines were so sore after being ill for so long I couldn't stand the pain of the camera. He said he could have done a colonoscopy at the same time but I was in so much pain he had to stop. Surely they could do something for the pain? I just hope I never have to go back again. Hope this may help somebody who cannot take Picolax. Perhaps your Gastroenterologist will allow you to just have a liquid diet and an enema.
Hi pump321. I haven't had a colonstopy but I'm wondering are there other tests you can have instead.
Thank you so much Read4 for your reply to a post I made about the prep. they give you for a colonoscopy. Thankfully, my stomach has settled down now and I did have a CT Scan done. I don't think this shows up as much as a colonoscopy. I hope in the future they come up with something to save people having to go through the present method of taking the awful prep. before a colonoscopy. It is a nightmare for some people who are intolerant to it.
I am having the ct scan with colonography tomorrow and have had low residue diet for 3days no solid food today. 2 sachets of picolax and 3x 33mls of gastrografin. It’s now 5 pm and I think I’m up to at least 20 times but now no real warning. I’m sure there must be better ways but I haven’t been sick but do have a really sore rear end and lots of washing to do. I am coeliac with lacto intolerance and ? IBS with lots of other symptoms and this scan is to make sure there is nothing more sinister going on so I have to believe it’s worth it. Would I have another one - no unless no other choice. I would get some inco panties ready. Thank you all for posting and will be glad when tomorrow is over.
Oh my goodness, you have all my sympathy! What a business it all is. I am sure you will be really glad when tomorrow is over. I hope you are able to get a little rest tonight. I think you must be nearly over the worst of it all now. Good luck tomorrow. I wish we didn't have to go through such terrible experiences. I think the gastroenterologists who prescribe this awful stuff should take it themselves and see how what a terrible experience it all is. Thinking of you and hoping all goes well for you.
Hi I have survived was not a pleasant experience especially when they pump the air into the bowel😩. However the staff at Good Hope hospital were excellent. So just got to wait for results.
Well done, so pleased to hear you have had the colonoscopy done and it's over now. It really isn't a pleasant thing to have done but somehow we live through these experiences. You must be so relieved it's all over. Rest, relax and take it easy after all you've been through. Take care.
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