Colonoscopy question?

Question

Colonoscopy prep question...?
I had a colonscopy scheduled for tomorrow. This is my second attempt. The first time I couldn't stand the taste of the liquid you had to drink, so I had to cancel. Now tomorrow I have one and the prep was the visicol tablets. I couldn't swallow the pills (have trouble with them) and I have anxiety so it makes trying even harder. I attempted to crush them up, but I'm back to square one with the taste. Please, does anyone know if there are ANY other routes. I mean, I know there probably isn't, but any advice. I'm only 20, but my mother died of colon cancer at 43 and they want to check me soon.Also, I managed to get down about 12 pills through crushed form, but I just can't take any more. I am too sick. I have 28 in total that I am supposed to take. Any advice please!

Answer 1

I am very sorry for your loss. My own father died from colon cancer so you have my deepest sympathy. It is difficult to lose a parent to such a hideous disease. As you know, there are genetic risks of getting colon cancer. You probably have a lot of anxiety about the test and what you will do if it is positive for polyps or other abnormal tissue. It is something that you will have to face. The colonoscopy itself will not hurt. You will be sedated. If your colon is not clean enough, though, the gastroenterologist will have to take longer flushing the colon with water and the test may not be as thorough. The colon must be completely empty.

The liquid can be flavored with different flavor packets. You may ask your pharmacist for the flavor you prefer. A laxative such as Phospho soda will not sufficiently flush fecal matter from the intestines. When you finish the prep, you should be expelling an almost clear water.

Some people find that Coke or Pepsi somewhat temporarily numbs the taste buds. You should be able to consume liquids on the day of your bowel prep. Check with your physician to see if it would be permissible to sip Coke or Pepsi.

You may just have to grin and bear the yukky taste.

Virtual colonoscopy
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/virtualcolonoscopy/
is available in a handful of boutique screening centers around the country and in a number of hospitals where patients who don’t want or can’t tolerate conventional colonoscopy have the option of paying out of pocket for the noninvasive version. Most people receiving the screening, however, are high-risk patients in clinical trials designed to test whether CT colonography is ready for prime time. But the bad news is that you still have to do the bowel prep...

Screening for colorectal cancer has proven to be effective in reducing mortality from the disease that will kill nearly 57,000 Americans this year. Yet less than half of those who should be screened have ever had any type of screening.

Answer 2

12 pills? What?

Go to the drug store and get the liquid sodium phosphate (Phospha-Soda). Just ask for it at the pharmacy counter. You do not need a prescription. You buy some 7-Up, Sprite or Ginger Ale and you mix the whole bottle of the sodium phosphate (it's a very small bottle) with the soda and then drink lots of water afterwards. Mixed with the soda, you won't taste anything bad.

Answer 3

You need to just suck it up and take the pills. Nowadays they givr Fleets Phosphosoda instead of making you drink a gallon of the stuff.

The prep won't kill you, but colon cancer can, or make you wish you were dead. Just rank your priorities.

Answer 4

IT'S EITHER THE PILLS OR THE LIQUID - BOTH CLEANSE THE COLON WELL PRIOR TO THE COLONOSCOPY. TELL THE DOC BOTH HAVE HORRIBLE TASTE AND ASK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE? THE TEST CAN'T BE DONE WITH A GUT FULL OF FECES. THEY WILL PUT YOU TO SLEEP FOR THIS TEST.

Answer 5

Have you tried mixing them with anything? Or will they let you mix anything with them? If they will, try mixing them with apple sauce or fruit juice. It might make the taste better.. other then that I don't know what to tell you. Sorry.