New here with another question: do you ever feel extra sick when doing the pre colonoscopy stuff to get rid of whatever is in the gut?

[Avahw]

I have major phobia of vomiting and I’m scared to take these laxatives that they give you but I know I’ll need to do a colonoscopy some day (or do I?). So I wondered if it’s truly so bad?? Please share your experience. Thank you

[jennnyb012]

Not sure I understand your concern - when I had my colonoscopy I don’t remember any problem with what I had to swallow, I just remember being on the toilet a lot as my system cleared out.

[BabsyWabsy]

No, it did not make me feel nauseous. I just took it steady until everything was running clear. I would suggest a tube of nappy rash cream to help alleviate soreness. Blot, don't wipe. Take a good book with you, you'll be there a while. It was not as bad as I expected, it just takes time.

[Oxygen_guy]

No you don't feel sick with this formula. It doesn't taste very nice so my advice is to add extra juice to it to mix with it. The formula is a very strong laxative Powder that clears out what is ever in the stomach so don't be too far away from a toilet. You will need to drink about 2 litres of it so beware.As for the procedure my advice is to ask for the gas and air mixture because you may not want to have the feeling of being prodded about it can be a bit painful,You will feel pushing and pulling but that's about all. You will be fine.

[asenath]

I've done it twice and never felt sick at all, just all "bottom stuff". Bit annoying 'cause you can't eat anything for a while. The chap who did my sigmoidoscopy awarded me 100% for a perfect bowel prep. So proud of this for some uncertain reason.

In the UK. I was given Picolax powder made into a 150ml drink. not much taste to it.

[Sparrow58]

Hi Avahw I also have a vomiting phobia. Vomiting myself or others vomiting. If I take any new meds I always look for side effects of nausea and vomiting. But from what people are saying above this appears not. You may not need a colonoscopy there are other tests they do first.

[Chris2023]

There are all kinds of prep out there. Mine was two 8 oz bottles of a thick sweet liquid that tasted similar to Sour Kids candy. I did get a tiny bit nauseated on the 2nd bottle, but I was tired and tried to rush it.

Colonoscopies save lives. If you are 45 or older, I would highly recommend. If you absolutely cannot stand the idea, you can try the stool mail away screener, but it is much less accurate and would not catch early polyps.

[winfong]

Have you been diagnosed with IBS? Diarrhea, constipation or mixed?

There's a number of tests they run, including colonoscopies. I've had a number of those. The anticipatory anxiety is the worse part for first timers.

What other tests have you had?

[Luisa22]

I came straight out with it with my doctor. He was really good and understanding (in the Uk) I asked him was a colonoscopy definitetly needed? He said not necessarily. I really didn't want one!

This was during lockdown (the first time) I could understand if they didn't want to be doing referrals, but the doctor said they surely would if they found anything worrying in stool tests. I got that.

So my doc. left two packs for stool tests with the receptionist which I picked up next day. They tested for any traces of blood, and for Calprotectin and Lactoferrin (inflammation markers)

I was fingers crossed doing the tests, but the Lab came back with normal results. I was very relieved especially as I felt so rotten at the time.

Then my doc did a follow-up phone consultation to discuss results and told me a huge list of things it wasn't. Honestly I tried to write them all down, and it was a long list. His diagnosis as a result was IBS, nothing worse.

I got the tests re-done a few months later, and all was still "normal"..

I was told if anything got worse, changed significantly etc to come back, but so far nothing did. I am even slightly better on the whole than I was then about 3 years ago.

So what I'm saying is you may not even need a colonoscopy yet. But if in your doctor's opinion, you need further investigation, it's so important to get one.

[Makatwo]

Yes I was the same I was sick taking the stuff to clean me out where I lost control of my bowels but the second time I was fine and they took out a polyp that was benign