Really struggling with Bowel prep ahead of tomorrows operation

Hi Scoutabout 

Oh, I feel for you. Horrible stuff. I was the same - managed about half the 1st dose and then threw up. And the vomiting was constant after that so stopped even trying to drink it about 2 sips into the 2nd dose. I couldn't manage the pre-op drinks either. When I phoned the ward I was told the same as you - try what you can and tell staff in the morning when you arrive.

Next morning I spoke to the colorectal nurse who came to mark me up and the anaesthetist. Both asked if there had been some effect from the little I'd ingested - and there had been so they went ahead. Colorectal nurse reassured me that they often do these ops as an emergency anyhow so no time for bowel prep in those cases.

Sorry, I can't give you any tips other than try to get some of it down so there's at least limited effect. I struggle with electrolyte tablets too ( theyre not as bad as bowel prep though) but find that dissolving them in orange juice, chilling it in the fridge, and drinking a sip of water between each glug makes it slightly more tolerable.

Good luck for tomorrow and best wishes for a speedy recovery. It will soon feel like a bad dream.

Take care x

Oh @Scoutabout I feel for you. It's absolutely disgusting stuff, but as you know it's needed for a reason and the more you can manage to  drink the better. It sounds as if you;ve already got the 'chilled through a straw' recommendation and it's not really working, so I don't know what else to suggest - just giving you a virtual hug and hoping that all goes well for you tomorrow.... .  hang in there !  

Thanks for this.  Today has been so stressful.  I think it was the antibiotics that made me feel unwell.  I’m one of these who has a phobia about being sick.  So even looking at it now makes me feel unwell.  I didn’t think about why they gave me 1ltr prep because for the colonoscopy I get a different brand that was just 400 or 500 ml.  

it’s definitely had an effect and sheer nerves have been doing their thing too. 

I’ll be devastated if they can’t operate.  I’ll just be in the same situation on another day.  

xxx

Hi Scoutabout 

Yes, I was the same - Plenvu for the colonoscopy which was doable (just) and Moviprep for the op. I don't know why they give different preps and I really don't know why, in this day and age, they can't just develop a pill and tell you to drink 500mls of water with it.

You can only do what you can do. Just try your best, even if it's just a few more mouthfuls. If it's having some effect then that's good. I really hope that someone comes on with a solution that works for you.

Think of the end goal - it will all be worth it.

Stay positive.  I'm sure that this scenario happens more often than we might realise and there will be a solution.

Wishing you all the best. X

Hi Scoutabout 

I had a different surgery to what you’re having, but I did have my rectum removed and have a colostomy. I didn’t have to complete any of the prep you’re having to do, it was never even suggested, even though my surgery was planned and not an emergency.

Those which are emergencies will not have done the bowel prep, so I’m hoping for your sake that your surgery can go ahead. all the best.

Sarah xx

The prep is simply horrible. Ive done a lot of colonoscopy preps. I will take a big gulp then rinse my mouth out. Wait 5 min and take another gulp. Normally I can get through it that way.

For my surgery, I was very sick when doing the prep and I vomited a lot of it. I was most definitely not cleaned out by the time of surgery. I had active diarrhea. I told them and they went ahead with the surgery anyway. 

I'll be thinking of you and sending you hugs... 

What they give you seems to vary between hospitals. I understand that they have to clear you out even more before the colonoscopy as they are wanting to see inside your bowel with the camera on the colonoscope.

For the op itself, as they open you up, even if keyhole, and they probably drain you, it's not so critical.

For my colonoscopy. I was given the 2 sachets to make up the Movieprep in 1 litre of water, twice, at 4 hours apart. They said keep it in the fridge and drink a glass every 15 minutes until it's gone, so 4-5 glasses. Also you can take other clear fluids between mouthfuls. And follow up with at least 500ml clear fluid.

Then for my operation I was given Picolax to take the day before at home: 1 sachet in a glass and follow with 1 lite of water over the next 2 hours. Taken at 9am and 5pm. The Picolax was not as bad as the Movieprep. I also had to take two antibiotics, at 9:00, 15:00 and 21:00. Then on the day, at the last, some pre-op carbohydrate drinks (Ensure?, tastes horrible). I've had Picolax before for an op, 26 years ago, and it wasn't as bad as I remembered when I took it the first time. But that time I was already in hospital and this time at home.

Anyway here's hoping they get to operate and you get a good result on the day.

So I managed 500 or 600ml of the first dose.  I’ve been to the loo a good few times but not clear.  I feel so sick now and absolutely deflated and a failure.   

No, absolutely not, you are NOT a failure. Please don't think that.  It's a vile treatment and you've done your best. Many of us have been in exactly the same boat and know how you're feeling. I remember heading to the hospital with a bowl on my knees as I was feeling so sick, in tears and feeling a right wus. Thinking that I'd get a lecture and sent home as I couldn't complete this seemingly simple task. And you know what happened - nothing. I was treated with respect and sympathy. Reassured that the op would go ahead, that they often carry bowel ops out as an emergency so no time for bowel prep in these circumstances and they have special.procedures in place for this scenario. 

The staff will put you at ease and, before you know it, you'll be hauling on the elastic stockings and heading for theatre. And then you can forget about everything......just let them do their thing and know that when you wake up the tumour will be gone and you will feel so relieved.

Sending hugs x

Please don't think like that  - you've managed to do far more that you thought you could when you first posted. We'll all be thinking of you today and hoping all goes well for you.