Colonoscopy Prep, per Marilyn's gastro

[Guest guest]

According to what I was told, the Fleet's Phospo has been discontinued

because of mounting evidence that it could cause kidney issues, even in

otherwise healthy individuals.

The gastro I saw also said that the Osmo-prep pills were discontinued by

his office because they did not do an adequate job of clean-out.

Bisacodyl (Ducolax), which is often prescribed to " get you

moving " before the vile drink, contains FOUR illegals.

What I ended up using was Walgreen's Easy-Lax, in which the active

ingredient is Docusate Sodium, 100 mg. The Easy-Lax did have a small

amount of sorbitol, but I figured that was minor compared to lactose,

sugar, confectioner's sugar and croscarmellose sodium. The endoscopy

nurse told me to take two of the Easy-Lax three hours before I began

taking the TriLyte.

The general instructions I was given were to:

Refrain from eating corn or foods with seeds, such as tomatoes, egg

plant, etc. at least three days (I was told four days.) before the

procedure. This included (sigh) my favorite zucchini.

At least two days before the procedure, get the prescription for the

TriLyte filled at your phamacy.

Eat only soft foods (pureed meat and vegetables) on the third day before

your procedure. Solid foods, milk, or milk products are not

recommended.

Eat only thick liquids on the second day before your procedure.

After 4pm, switch to clear liquids.

On the day before your procedure, consume only clear liquids -- for us

SCDers, this would mean homemade chicken broth, cider (filter it), pear

juice, white grape juice or water. Coffee or tea without any kind of

creamer is permitted. Popsicles which are not colored red, orange, or

purple. (For SCDers, freeze filtered apple, pear, or white grape juice to

make popsicles. You can also make SCD gelatin -- and at least in my

experience, the gelatin made from broth or fruit juices is more filling

and keeps you from thinking about how little you can actually eat all

day!)

Now -- these instructions were for a 7:30 am appointment.

At noon, add water to the Trilyte container obtained from your pharmacy.

DO not add sugar. (SCDers, DO NOT use the flavor packets: they are chock

full of illegals!) (They say to store it in the refrigerator. I recommend

against this. It tastes worse at room temperature, but dumping a

half-gallon of ice water into your body is guaranteed to give you chills

and nausea!)

At 4pm take 2 Easy-Lax. Follow with a full glass of water.

At 7 pm, begin drinking the Trilyte at a rate of 1 8-ounce glass every

ten minutes. Drink one half gallon of the solution. Rapid drinking of

each portion is better than drinking small amounts continuously. Watery

bowel movements should occur within one hour after the first glass.

Feelings of bloating and nausea are temporary and will disappear once

bowel movements begin. If the nausea really bothers you, rest for thirty

minutes, then resume drinking the TriLyte at longer intervals until these

symptoms disappear. Place the remaining half gallon of TriLyte in a

secure location.

Have homemade electrolyte fluid made, or E-lyte available to make up.

Although doctors claim their vile liquid has electrolytes in it, it has

not been adequate for me on either occasion I have had to do a clean-out.

I bought disposable pee-pads at the pet store and laid them on the floor

and on my bed. You can expect dribbles and squirts when trying to get to

the toilet, and these will save you from having to clean the mess up. (I

could not sit on the toilet for the three hours it took the stuff to come

through.)

At 3 am, drink the remaining TriLyte solution at a rate of 1 8-ounce

glass every ten minutes.

You may continue clear liquids until 4 hours before your scheduled

exam.

I recommend a heater fan in your bathroom, and one near your bed. Chills

are very likely.

Note: this double clean-out, although you don't get much sleep the night

before your procedure, appears to produce superior results. I was (as the

phrase goes) " running clear " at the end of the first half

gallon. But five hours later, when I drank the second half gallon, and

resumed eliminating, it was back to dark brown, then gradually went to

clear again.

The gastro's notes said my preparation was " good. "

Now, your gastro may have different instructions, but this is what mine

gave me, and it evidently worked well. I've talked to three other people

who had different instructions from a different gastro, and they're all

going to have to repeat the procedure because they were not adequately

cleaned out.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund