Re:colonoscopy prep and hiv meds

[Guest guest]

Earlier this month I went through this lovely procedure. The information I was sent advised me to take 4 laxative pills at noon and then mix the full amount of laxative powder in 64 oz of Gatorade and start drinking an 8 oz glass of it between 1 and 3 until it was finished. I was on a total liquid diet for the entire 24 hours beforehand which was not easy being diabetic. Drink plenty of liquids that are "clear" tea, soda, coffee, water, broth, popsicles, jello and juice, BUT it must not be RED in color. Red food coloring will make it more difficult for the doctor doing the procedure. I'm sure you can figure out why. Stop taking any vitamins containing iron 5 days ahead of the procedure.

Plan to stay home once you start taking the laxatives. I was not away from my bathroom for more than 15 - 20 minutes at a time.

As for HIV and other medications....I was told to stick to my schedule as closely as possible. If you take blood pressure medicine you should definitely take it -- at least that's what I was told.

You can only have sips of water in the hours before the procedure. Nothing more -- again what I was told.

The worst part of the procedure is the prep beforefand. I was given a "twilight drug" and don't remember a bit of the procedure. Someone must accompany you even if you are taking a cab or public transportation because you will be too groggy to ride alone.

Treat yourself to a huge feast afterwards.

Best wishes to you and a clean bill of health in this respect! It was a great relief when I got this news.

Joe

From: hoppefaith@... <hoppefaith@...>Subject: Re:colonoscopy prep and hiv meds Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 12:02 PM

I was wondering if taking the laxatives the night before a colonoscopy procedure will diminish the effectiveness of my atripla regimen. that I usually take at 11pm.. . I'm thinking that when you take the pills to clean out your colon, you are "shitting your brains out for hours." Any thoughts? thanks

[Guest guest]

I've also had a very recent colonoscopy so this is very, ahem, "fresh" in my mind. There's really no issue with your HIV meds if you time it right.

If you usually take your meds at 11pm, start your colonoscopy prep no later than about 6 or 7 pm. For most people the ensuing flood happens pretty quickly. If you're slow to react to these things, adjust accordingly, but for me it's pretty immediate. By 11pm your system will proably have settled down, and you'll be taking your meds on a (very) empty stomach.

>> I was wondering if taking the laxatives the night before a colonoscopy > procedure will diminish the effectiveness of my atripla regimen. that I usually > take at 11pm.. . I'm thinking that when you take the pills to clean out your > colon, you are "shitting your brains out for hours." Any thoughts? thanks