I did mine today. I had to drink 4L of Peglyte the day before. Just drink it every 15 minutes, try not fill your tummy once or you will puke. The prep was not really that bad. The actual procedure went very smooth and it’s really fast. Good luck to everyone.
Kaahinyare, tell me how did you prepare and for how many days before the Colonoscopy? After the Diagnosis, did you go back to your House by driving your own vehicle? If yes, did you feel dizzy while driving?
As a colon cancer survivor and a veteran of about 10 colonoscopies I recommend eating less a day or two before the test, don't starve yourself just eat less. And since starving and waiting sucks try to get the very earliest appointment available.
Had my first colonoscopy this morning. Prep is no fun - unless you enjoy doing a garden hose out the butt impression for 12 hours. The actual procedure was a cake walk. Was under in a flash and had the best restful nap ever. Bottom line. This is nothing to be afraid of. The Dr. told me he removed 5 polyps. Hopefully they biopsy benign and all will be well. To me, those are now 5 less chances for a cancer.
There are several better preps than the gallon!! I thought I would die from drinking it!! I made the mistake of mixing the lemon/lime flavoring that comes with the prep into the WHOLE gallon!! 🤮 It was like drinking a gallon of pine-sol!! Glad things worked out for you!!
I've had quite a few colonoscopy procedures. Prep has advanced for the better!! Had a polyp grow to almost an inch in less than 3 years!! Non cancerous...thank God!!
THERES A MAIL IN TEST U CAN GET THAT IS FREE---I THINK U WOULD BE EXCELLENT CANDIDATE. CANT REMEMBER THE SITE BUT U CAN PUT" MAIL IN COLONOSCOPY TEST." IN YOUR SEARCH BOX. I DO IT EVERY YEAR.
My exam is tomorrow!! YAY!! I mixed the Miralax powder (totally no flavour at all when I tested a bit on my tongue) with some coconut, mango, pineapple flavoured sparkling vitamin water and its mighty tasty. I am not sure what kind of prep everyone else was given, but the only thing missing from mine is some vodka and an umbrella with fruit! 😜 As for the “diet”, Not a big deal. I am a OMAD/IF follower so I chose to eat my one meal yesterday at noon and today and tomorrow I will fast...may even push my fast to 5 days as this is a great opportunity to let my body clean itself! WOOT! 🤙
I had my colonoscopy on this past Thursday. And it’s true what they say, the prep is the hardest part. My advice is to add crystal light or a flavor pack to the mixture. Make it the morning that you are to drink it. Drink it cold with a straw. I couldn’t drink it fast, I started to gag so I took my time. I had a good result. My colonoscopy went well. I was scared of going under I thought I was going to be semi sedated. After the anesthesiologist asked how I felt when she administered it I said fine and that’s the last thing I remember. Next thing I know someone is calling my name and rubbing my shoulder to wake me up. I don’t remember the procedure. Didn’t have any pain. The Dr found one 3mm polyp. He removed it. And sent to the lab. I was just so happy to be able to eat after I got discharged. They made me feel so welcome. It was nice.
You can still be slightly awake and still not remember the procedure. The drugs also help you forget. I know I was sedated not fully asleep, because they were playing the radio while they worked. That's the only thing I noticed, didn't hear, see or feel anything else. Plus, whatever they were giving me, I didn't care or find it scary that I was aware of anything. Not as deeply anesthetized as during surgery.
Ana Elkettari I'm getting mine on the 23 of this month a day after my b day Which sucks I'm nervous I'm getting the endoscopy found colonoscopy the same day
My uncle who has special needs and is a diabetic has a colonoscopy ths Monday. Starting his prep on Sunday. Im nervous about the preparation but you guys comments are helping allot. Thank you 😊
Should have set the empty bottle on fire & watched it melt! Not sure if it would. I, ummm, tried to melt 3 plastic things in teen years. No cable, no license, no mall, boredom! I'm glad that your test came out great! 💐👍👍💋 What hard candy, jello, & popsicles can i have? No red or purple & i hate yellow & green. How about orange candy like lollipops at the bank & orange jello & butterscotch discs? They are yellow. I gotta be on a very strict diet Thursday through Sunday & get colonoscopy Monday afternoon
divisioneight you had to mention cake? I haven't been allowed to have pastries for nearly 5 days! Did they find anything in yours? My boyfriend said I'm old, so doctor will definitely find something. Nice, huh? I'm a lot older than him, but he recently had appendectomy last year & i still have mine! A lot of my health problems came out when i was younger. Which kit did you use? What was your first meal after test?
happymemories Sorry about the cake mention there happymemories. The "formula" was a dry white powder in a gallor palstic jug from the local CVS that you mixed with water and had to ingest over a 8 hour period. I did it in less simply to get the process done sooner. All the folks at CVS asked is "what flavor do you want?" So I chose lemonade - which given the vile nature of the substance didn't really matter in the end. They found a few polyps, but nothing major. Definitely worth it - being screened is clean and you sleep better knowing that you can stay ahead of the statistics and lead a healthy, happy lifestyle. I don't remember my first meal - it was breakfast I think since I had the procedure done first thing in the morning - which I recommend.
Crikey, this video is 12 years old. What an amazingly clear, lucid lady this is. I cannot imagine how wonderful it would be to be married to somebody so sparklingly clever. Thank you Dr. Lynn, your video is still entirely relevant 12 years after you made it.
I’m so glad I found this video . . I am the patient that has been stalling because I hate the prep so much. Sometimes I think I’d rather die. Maybe this time it will be easier using this woman’s instructions! Thank you and God bless you 🙏🙏🙏
One more helpful tip, as you drink the prep have a cup of coffee and take a sip after each drink of prep the bitterness helps with the intensity of the sugar prep
I watched this when having my second test..it was very helpful. The most helpful thing I figured out was, I would put 2-3 8oz glasses ready to go in the fridge, then refill them on the 3rd glass, and kept those going. When the instructions said to stop and use the rest the next morning, I only took 2-3 hour break and finished early because I didn’t want to get caught in traffic the morning having diarrhea. The different Crystal Lights helped so much. I also had a fan and wet cool towels in reach while sitting on the potty..
Thanks Dr. Butterly, an excellant tutorial. I just had my first colonoscopy 2days ago and wished I had watched this tutorial first. My instructions were very detailed but this video definatly adds to the understanding of the procedure. Highly recommend this to anyone who has to undergo a colonoscopy.
I'm age 55 and had my first colonoscopy today. The prep, procedure and afterwards the "recovery" was astonishingly easy and since they found three polyps it was well worth it! The anesthesia was very mild and was like a light drowsiness-no fainting or dizziness and I was able to walk quite effortlessly afterward. I feel like they over-prepare but it is in your best interest to be on the safe side than risk a severe injury due to a slip-trip-fall accident. They knocked me out so I never saw or felt anything and the prep was "Sup-prep" (sp). It's NOT two days; it's about a 24-hour period. You start with 16oz of water and a 6oz bottle of the solution and then you drink two more 16-oz cups of water over the next one hour so I simply drank a third of a cup every ten minutes for that full hour after I drank the solution. You do the same the next morning, about three hours before your appointment and yes it's wise to stay near your restroom, it will give you major trots that you will feel coming on and in between you will be able to push a lot out that you will not even feel. The solution tastes like prune juice and Alka Seltzer. The entire process was painless, easy and well worth the "preventive medicine." A few farts, a day of drinking solution and water and a cab ride and one doctor appointment is well worth preventing cancer. Get it done and feel proud and relieved you either had a clean test or had early prevention and your polyps removed-they take them out as they go. Good luck!
I'm going for my first colonoscopy in 3 months - I've had endoscopies and have been told it's a similar sedation procedure which is great because I always wake up after it's over in another room. Praying for a similar experience with no polyps. The hardest part is focusing on drinking that much of anything - I'm not a big drinker in general. It's all about focus.....and pooping. LOL
Excellent advice! I have had several colonoscopies without being given any medication and have chosen to watch the procedure. There has been no pain involved at all. The prep I took also had a very pleasant taste, so the worst part has been having to stay relatively close to the bathroom and then timing your travel to the appointment such that you don't need to find a bathroom along the way. Just watched the live video of a gastroenterologist being given a colonoscopy without medication. Everyone in the 40s and older should see this- it would certainly calm anyone who is concerned about having the procedure.
A great video from a wonderful physician. Thank you so much for these intelligent, helpful and informative tips. I had a colonoscopy five years ago, and my doctor removed some polyps. I have to go back this year to have another colonoscopy due to the polyps (rather than the usual ten years), and this helps so much. I feel the prep is the toughest part but this will help considerably.
My aunt has been fighting colon cancer for 4 yrs now. She never knew to have a colonoscopy as a screening. I get my first one tomorrow. The Prep sucks.
I just finished my prep for next day colonoscopy. I still have am prep to do before procedure. I wish I had seen this first!!!! I have no Crystal Light in the house and stores are closed. UGH!! Excellent video. Thank you will share this to any friends to watch before they have a prep for colonoscopy.
I have been getting colonoscopies for the last 45 years due to Colin disease and this is the best video addressing how to get the prep down. Even though the prep is gagalicious, it is better than the old way which was to drink 7 oz of castor oil in 15 minutes.
@Penny It's ok, you got this :) I recommend you ask your doctor what anti nausea pill you can take for this procedure, it really helped me! Makes the experience so much better. I also took painkillers like tylenol an hour before I take the product because when you take the product it reduces your absorption of the meds. Again, ask your doctor. Also, I used vaseline on my butt so it doesn't get as irritated with all the acidic stuff. All of these things really made my last time so much better than the other times. Also, don't drink more product if you feel like you're gonna throw it up anyways, you're only torturing yourself for nothing, in the end you're not gonna more product in you if you throw it up, maybe even less. Also, during the time I was allowed to drink liquids I drank a vegetable broth I made with a piece of ginger in it while cooking it on a stove. Ginger is anti nausea, and just a little bit of it gave a good taste to the broth. Having a heating pad that you can have on your belly also helps. I think the product that you have to drink the least liquid is much better, it makes you feel less full and therefore have less nausea, but that's something to see with your doctor again. And finally, you can use your phone to watch stuff to distract yourself all day. My last time really was so much better than the other times, and I wish the same for you, good luck!
I’m 29 years old and I have to get a colonoscopy. This seems painful. The only thing I’m worried about is pooping in my pants while in the car going to the hospital. 21 minute drive lol
My doctor has sent me a few videos already and have been in constant contact with me with what I need to do which has really been helpful. One video they just sent me was followed up by Dr. Butterly's video. Thank you Dr. Butterly for doing this! This has really helped answer some other questions I've had calmed me down a little bit. I really appreciate your tips.
just finished my prep and I’m waiting to go to my procedure and for some reason, I landed here. anyway, when she held the jug up at the end and says “here’s to your health”, it felt like a personal attack lol
Thank you for this information. This will be the first time I have a colonoscopy appointment and I’m really nervous but at the same time I’m getting different info from different sources and it all makes sense to the goal. Prayers, y’all.
Update I went to bed and woke up around 1:30 it’s about two now and I haven’t left the toilet 😂 it’s liquid and it just feels wrong. PRO TIP: apply Vaseline every time you’re done pooping.
Use a bidet and you will never wipe with pulverized wood again lol. Also after the shortage of toilet paper at the start of the pandemic I realized that my bidet was worth it’s weight in gold 😵. Another thing to think about is if you got shit on your hand would you simply wipe it off with a paper towel or would you wash your hands? 🤔
This was a GREAT video. Very helpful and through. I thought Dr. Butterly did a fantastic job. She was clear, concise and explained everything so well. I loved her presentation and I liked her. She seems very nice. Thank you so much for sharing this video, Dr. Butterly. (However, I have to say I would personally never drive an hour and a half to my colonoscopy, as she mentioned. I'm not sure who, in their right mind, would. LOL)!!
Regrettably, I have to. I figured my procedure is the day after a holiday, so my husband is driving me up to a hotel near the hospital, and going to catch an Uber the next day. Yep, going it alone. That is how my family rolls. Then I will give him a call to pick me up. We live out in the country and have animals to be taken care of.
Nice video. I had my first colonoscopy this morning, and the entire experience was much less troublesome than I feared. Even good videos like this warn of the laxative being hard to drink, but to me it had almost zero taste and was not hard to drink (except for maybe the 17th glass). It was PEG-3350, 2 liters at night and 2 in the morning, and I had it on ice with a straw. Was not difficult. And exam turned up no major problems (yay). Much easier than expected (see Dave Barry on that).
If you are old like me , why go through this torture for nothing. They only find 5% to 10% of nothing. Just a money scam to make you feel better and bill insurance companies.
The only thing I do not like about having a Colonoscopy is not eating food for so long! I gladly drink the prep but it is the constant hunger that gets to me. I wish I could stop eating real food 12 hours prior the colonoscopy and then do the prep with the clearing liquid and the pills. I do not consider eating broth and Jello the same as eating real food. Then after clearing my colon, go to sleep in time to wake up in the morning to go have the colonoscopy. I always have my procedure scheduled for early in the morning to get it over with so I can eat right afterwards and drive away the hunger.This is my dream colonoscopy.
April the prep is not painful. The hunger is painful after a fashion. I hate to be hungry and not eat. And the actual procedure is nothing as you will be knocked out. The best part is eating right after the colonoscopy once you leave the clinic or hospital.
Had my 1st colonoscopy 3 weeks ago. What I did Antonio, was practice fasting in the days leading up to the "prep day". I'd practice not eating for 4 hours on a Sunday, practiced for 4 hours at night on a Friday. Lucked out another day, fasted during the workday for 4-5 hours, only because I had to go to see my dentist that day and gave up my lunch. Then, when it came time for my "prep day" I put it all together, and was prepared for a day and a half without food. But honestly after drinking half of that prep fluid, I had NO desire to eat anything at all. It literally killed my tastebuds and appetite. Procedure was a cakewalk. Lovvvvved that deep sleep! Dreamt I was at a bar with very little lighting. So glad I did it, no polyps. Next one, in my 50s. 41 now. Mike
I used the lemon flavor that came with the Golightly & didn't find it distasteful at all. Also, a little HARD candy without MILK helps along with chicken broth. I wanted my dr to have a very CLEAR VIEW! First colonoscopy, 7 polyps removed.
tomorrow is my 2nd colonoscopy. 1st was about 15 years ago. i've already taken magnesium citrate and 2 laxative tabs Yesterday along with clear fluids and broth. today, i've had my 17 laxative tabs, and am starting my miralax 8oz glasses every 15 mins for 2 hours. i'm praying for a movement as my stomach feels extremely full and i have to drink MORE miralax. the colonoscopy is SIMPLE. the prep is horrible.
I have had many colonoscopies over the last several years and have had several polyps removed, all which were benign. As of this point in time I am scheduled to have another colonoscopy next month, ( February, 2022) and am already thinking about the colon preparation. It is not bad but you have to get yourself mentally prepared and realize that this is typically a 2 day prep time plus the time for the doctor to do the procedure which is usually less than an hour. The sedatives given work quickly and you will remember nothing.
@@getorganizednotpianoized239 The prep is the only bad part . The procedure is actually quite lovely! Ha! But seriously, best drugs and most relaxed ever! Then abracadabra, it's over and you don't remember a thing.
Don't drink a gallon of that crap! I always tell people to use Suprep bowel prep (split prep) instead. Get a doctor's prescription for it. You have less solution to drink and it's split into 2 doses. First taken at night, second in the morning before procedure. Also make sure you schedule the colonoscopy late in the afternoon the next day (2pm or 3pm), so you don't have to wake up at 6am to drink the second dose. The second dose must be drank 5 hours before procedure. Also, it really helps to mix solution with gingerale or sprite and suck through a straw, so your gag reflex won't go haywire. Suck on lemons between gulps if necessary, to temporarily kill the taste. Hope this helps someone! REPLY
Only get Suprep if you have really great Prescription Insurance Coverage. CVS said my co-pay for Suprep would be $106. Asked my dr. to call in the generic, Gavalyte, instead. My co-pay for Gavalyte was only $6.00
I'm approaching 50 and my doctor had said I would need to have a colonoscopy shortly after, and I feel a bit jittery about that probably partly because I've never been under anesthesia before. so it helps to watch videos to get me familiar with it ahead of time especially with my anxiety!
I've had 2 colonoscopies having just finished my 2nd one today, 12 years after the first. Fasting the day before was no problem for me. I found that getting the powdered sugar free flavor from Walmart was a great idea and I strongly recommend it. Their store brand is really good. No need to spend more. Peach flavor is my personal favorite but there are several choices including lemonade. I mix the liquid a day before I need it and put it in the refrigerator. I personally find the cold liquid much better and easier to drink. There's really nothing to this. Just a little planning ahead and following the very simple procedures is all that is required. Just relax and stay close to the bathroom. Things just naturally take care of themselves.
the newest way that isnt as unpleasant is to take mirilax which is unflavored powder mixed in 64 oz clear gatorade and 4 dulcolax tablets ; ask your dr for this "recipe"
@Penny Cuff thanks. But no, not Kaiser . Maybe every place does it different? I wish I would have got two jugs instead of the big one . I’m sure it’s a little less intimidating .
Please have one. I had one and I had a rectal polyp it was benign. My doctor wants to see me in 7 years, which is now in 5 years. I had a very good experience I won't miss going back, my health means a lot to me . This test can save your life. Don't procrastinate if you need a allie please don't ask for help. It can be scary but it's a good thing for you to do.
Procedure wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Drinking that crap was the worst part. Doctor found a couple of polyp's. They removed one successfully. But couldn't remove the other because it was too painful for me. I have to get that one removed at a later date under anesthesia. Not looking forward to drinking that toilet water again.🤷🏾♀️ But at least I know what to expect the next time.♥️
I have had 3 of them. Read all these suggestions and do whatever you doctor says to do. I started eating light 2-3 days before procedure - white bread, jello, potato without skins, etc. They will tell you what time to start according to when your procedure starts. I started at 5:30 night before. Pooped it out about 1-1/2 hr later. Then went to bed and slept until 2 a.m. and started again. Then had to be done drinking by 4 a.m. and no fluids after prep done. Done pooping by about 4 to 4:30. Checked in hospital at 6 a.m., test at 7:00. The prep is always the worst part. I found I needed to stand up when I was drinking so I didn't barf or bump anything up. I had no accidents before I got to hospital room to get IV. I went to bathroom again, but only to urinate. No problems - procedure went well.
I just had a colonoscopy and would not do it again. The insurance company called me twice to say that since I was over 60 I should have a colonoscopy and that it was a covered benefit. I had the procedure and a very small polyp was discovered and removed. Then the insurance company refused to pay for the procedure, telling me that it wasn't covered because of the polyp, leaving me with a very large bill that I wasn't prepared to pay. I would have been a long time dead before that little polyp ever caused me any problems. Nearly everyone over 60 is going to have a polyp so I tell everyone I know, don't do it, it is a trick, kind of like asking a girl out on a date, then making her pay.
It’s also VERY IMPORTANT to go to the store before your prep begins to BUY A PACKAGE OF ADULT DIAPERS. While I received in my colonoscopy prep package a bottle of powdered laxative, drink mix, lemon flavored jello, chicken broth and medicated wipes, there were no diapers. I’m so glad I anticipated I would need this. I put a diaper on before the prep and when I was sleeping in bed. During the prep, you will be extremely incontinent. You will feel weak and tired as a result. I only got about 3 hours sleep that night and all that came out of me was a yellow liquid, which stayed in the diaper instead of being all over my bed. Buy a package of adult diapers and put them on before you start the prep. You will be grateful you remembered to do this when you’re done.
Had mine a month ago. Had polyps and tumour. Since then I have had some sort of vile drink that contained some dye in it and CT scan luckily the Cancer has t spread now I am waiting for op to be done by keyhole surgery. I have my pre op assessment next week to see if I am healthy enough for op. Then it's just a matter of time.
This is my 2nd colonoscopy. The first I was in the hospital and couldn't finish all of the lovely cocktail..However the nurse let me eat red jello a few hours before the procedure. Ugh..this 2nd is a repeat. This is hard not to throw up drinking this.. I found walking around helps..They got to come up with something else for prep. I did half in the evening and put the other half in the fridge. I filled 4 half glasses up total of 8 half glasses until container is empty.. The prep is the hardest the colonoscopy is not bad at all...Be brave, cheers.
I'm 14 and bad digestive crap runs in the family. This is the second time I've had really bad stomach pains, and my younger brother had it too! I'm okay with the fasting shit because I haven't ate all week. I just throw up everything, so I can't really eat. And in like 2012 I had really bad problems and lost like 50 pounds from not eating. And in august I had this, and was in the ER and doctors a couple times. This time is worse though. I've been to the ER two times and they did nothing about it telling me it's heartburn even though I know it's not. I'm a baby and I can't take pills, and they put me on like 8 medications after the second time in the hospital. I went to my normal doctor Monday, and today I went to a GI, and they did another blood test, my third one in 5 days. They said I shouldn't be taking any of the medications I was given, and wants me to stop my pain medicine. Which I can not do because when I'm in the worst pain I've ever been in on the floor pale crying my eyes out not eating or drinking. I threw up 8 times 2 days ago and all I had was a donut. I missed a whole week of school so far.. anyways.. in the GI today they did the tests and shit, and said in like 3 weeks to come back and do a colonoscopy most likely depending on the results. And one of the nurses there said "oh my I'm so mad the hospital bruised up your arms like that!!" Because both of my arms had blood drawn and IVs and they messed up a lot and it's all bruised... but yeah... and I haven't slept all week and I'm so tired... I feel like I'm young to be having all these problems....
‘You are to young to be having all these problems’ SO KEEP PRAYING AND FIGHTING FOR YOUR HEALTH. A BLESSED LIFE is what I am praying for. you to see. Only a loving GOD would give you this battle because HE knows you are special and WILL BE VICTORIOUS. He brought you to it and he will bring you through it. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
15 here can’t go to doc bc of pandemic. I go on Monday for stomach pain. Risky have to wear mask have been waiting so long have been having stomach pain and diarhea
Lots of great tips, thank you! What many of these videos do not tell you is that adult diapers also help, in case of accidents and so you don't have to sit on the toilet for long periods specially if your legs are falling asleep or you have back problems...etc..I'm having my 2nd in a week. You'd think with all advances in science absolutely no one has come up with a better way to prep than force people to drink this crap that tastes like a$$? As others have stated, the procedure itself is a walk in the park compared to the nasty prep. PS Yes, there are some better tasting preps out there, problem is that not everyone can drink those. Some insurances do not cover the more costly better tasting prep stuff and some people need longer fasts. I have to fast for 3 days where most folks only have to do one day, some two. It all depends on the individual, their coverage and what their gastro recommends.
This is my comment after the 2nd procedure: 2nd time they put me to sleep. When I woke up I noticed a sore throat. Asked if I was intubated, they said no but that they used something to remove saliva. My throat was beet red when I looked in a mirror. My suggestion, have throat lozenges handy.
Have my first one tomorrow at age 56. I’m drinking it now, and my Dr. Instructed 4p and 10pm for the 32oz each. I’m not looking forward to the procedure, but my primary care physician insisted.
Don't worry! I started mine in my 20's, and I'm due for my yearly next month. When I had digestive issues, they had to do not one, but two upper endoscopies and combined a colonoscopy with one. Even though you are young, better to start young and catch it. Hope everything went well today!
Thank goodness I don’t have this prep again. I almost passed out the last time and thought I was going to have to stop drinking the solution. The one I have for next week requires splitting the drink over two days.
I live in Finland, from the US, and having mine done tomorrow morning. The prep here is not like everywhere else which concerns me. I am told I can eat soft foods up until 1pm today, then clear fluids from now til tomorrow morning. I haven't been prescribed any special drink to clear out my bowels either, just told to take a certain OTC laxative (which has yet to work at all). I'm worried I won't be 'clean' enough for the procedure. :/
*I woke halfway through the surgery facing a large monitor, so the doctor and I did a play by play while a camera , a wire loop and cold snare is shoved up my you know what*
Great tips! I just finished my first colonoscopy several hours ago. The straws helped, wish I had thought to vary how I flavored the laxative liquid (I’ll never look at Sprite the same way again!). Keeping the prep cold was a great idea. All went well!
I am doing the 2 step prep now. I drank the 1st part at 5pm and was having clear movements by 6:30pm and still clear. I do the 2nd step in a half hour at 9pm. Think I will only do half of it.
