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Update Jan 27 --- Scope Prep During a Flare

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/18/2023 7:56 AM (GMT -8)
Do most of you find you require less of the prep during a flare? I always have a terrible time getting properly cleared out. I failed one and nearly failed a couple others (scope could be completed with a lot of effort on the part of the GI & nurse). For my last scope, I had to do a three day prep. I drank 6L of Colyte instead of the standard 4L. It was torturous but it worked. I am thinking since I am flaring - not a bad one, but still a flare - I will just drink 4L like a normal person.
Posted 1/18/2023 9:08 AM (GMT -8)
Sorry to read that you're flaring, Serenity. The key answer, I think, to determine how much prep you need to drink is whether or not you reach the stage of passing clear fluid only. If you still see brown or yellow, drink more, also more plain water. Wishing you good luck with prep and scope! Hang in there. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 1/18/2023 10:26 AM (GMT -8)
Well that is the most sensible answer. I would kind of need to plan ahead though, in order to get all the prep consumed in time for the scope. And I guess I was also not wanting to buy an additional 4L jug of the stuff if I could buy only one 4L jug.

Thanks for the well wishes!
Posted 1/18/2023 11:42 AM (GMT -8)
I assume you wouldn't need as much during a flare. I can't really comment though because I've never had issues getting cleaned out so I haven't had the same experience as you. I sincerely hope you don't have to do another 3-day prep though!
Posted 1/18/2023 11:57 AM (GMT -8)
Oh me too, that was brutal! Thanks.
Posted 1/18/2023 4:20 PM (GMT -8)
A point veteran UCers here have agreed on in the recent past: if doing the "day before scope" prep, start drinking earlier than the official instructions usually specify. That will hopefully enable you to clear out by bedtime, then you'll still have time to drink plain water before departing home for scoping site. I myself have found the earlier start beneficial, and gastro has commented on my results that "the quality of patient's prep was good"! (LOL!) / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 1/18/2023 5:23 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for the tip!
Posted 1/19/2023 11:07 AM (GMT -8)
Serenity,

I'm unsure. Apparently some people have little flicks if debris that really sticks to their colon wall and it takes either a slow longer process or a quick strong shorter process. The quick route messes with my electrolytes enough that I end up in the hospital each time with my heart going crazy.... So.....

I cheat. I start taking Milk of Magnesia the week before..... And I switch to pureed foods about 5 days before the evil potion... Then I do the chug a lug with whatever evil potion I have to ingest to get myself clear. I also start my doctor prep 12 to 16 hours sooner then they say and drink a ton of water.

It's still brutal.

Good luck. Please let us know how you do.

Clo

Good luck!
Posted 1/19/2023 12:21 PM (GMT -8)
It's absolutely brutal. I can't believe an easier, more humane way hasn't been invented in this day and age. One that doesn't cause damage to the body in the process. Thanks for the good luck wishes.

Haha - just had a thought. Maybe I should borrow some of your huge spiders--- that might be enough to scare the cr@p out of me.
Posted 1/19/2023 2:06 PM (GMT -8)
Hah! Good one Serenity! I have no advice as I have no problems with cleaning out as the preps work way too well on me. But brutal as hell. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Posted 1/19/2023 2:33 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks Flowers!
Posted 1/19/2023 4:31 PM (GMT -8)
I had a PA one time who didn't understand why I kept putting off a scope. I asked her if she ever did one and she said no. I said she needed to at least follow the prep instructions and then she would understand why.

Can you put the scope off until you're not flaring or is this a case where your doc just wants to see for himself that you are flaring? I had docs do that to me. Sucked.
Posted 1/19/2023 5:33 PM (GMT -8)
Should I not have it while I'm flaring?? This is my routine scope, postponed (due to health system constraints - COVID yada yada) from last August. I didn't think there was any reason not to do it while flaring. I was just wondering if the prep would be easier while flaring since most of my BMs are pretty liquidy already.

Now that you mention it, I wonder if my GI has even ever had a colonoscopy done. Let alone any of those young assistants.
Posted 1/19/2023 6:43 PM (GMT -8)
Alot of my scopes were done while flaring and my output was more liquid.

My scope was much better while flaring.... Cleaner.... Easier to see.

Clo
Posted 1/19/2023 7:40 PM (GMT -8)
Oh, that's interesting, Clo. Thanks. That gives me hope! ;)
Posted 1/19/2023 7:46 PM (GMT -8)
SN,

Lol...

Only a true IBD warrior would find hope in having a cleaner scope!

Please let us know how it goes.

Clo
Posted 1/20/2023 4:08 AM (GMT -8)
Most of my scopes were while I was flaring too. Only 2 were when I was in remission and I have had a lot of scopes. My old doc said to me "you had a lot of scopes" as if I had asked for them! Flippin idiot.
Posted 1/20/2023 6:23 AM (GMT -8)
LOL, Clo, that is true! What a thing to find hope in.

CC, wow, some of the things that doctors and nurses just boggle my mind.
Posted 1/20/2023 11:01 AM (GMT -8)
Makes more sense to do it while flaring in my opinion. I wouldn't put it off.
Posted 1/20/2023 11:06 AM (GMT -8)
What kind of prep is he having you use? And when are you going to start it?.

Clo
Posted 1/20/2023 12:16 PM (GMT -8)
My GI is a she, not that it matters. The assistant sent me the instructions and it was for the standard CitroMag or Pico Salax, but neither of those work for me. Last time my GI had me use Colyte, which worked (6L though, instead of the usual 4L). So I am just going to use Colyte. My scope is at 2:45 pm, so the first round would be the day before and the second round the morning of. I need to decide if I want to do an additional third round. The timing of all this I still need to determine. I will look at the previous prep instructions (which I still have) and adjust. The scope is on Feb 8 so I have a bit of time yet to decide all this.
Posted 1/20/2023 12:17 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks Sara, I don't think I will put it off.
Posted 1/20/2023 7:13 PM (GMT -8)
Serenity Now,

Sorry about that.

My daughter frequently encourages me to get female doctors. She read a study that alluded to better outcomes for women with female doctors.

I've never heard of your prep before. Last time I did a scope he prescribed a powder you drank in 8 ounces of water followed up with whatever clear liquids you wanted as long as it met the designated amount. Then you did it a second time. That one did not work as well for me... So I know this next time he's going to prescribe something brutal.

I'll be thinking of you.

Clo
Posted 1/21/2023 7:47 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks Clo. The prep you did last time, with the powder you drink in 8 oz x2 sounds like the Pico Salax. That one I found to be the easiest to drink, but least effective. The Colyte comes in a big jug. You drink 2L over two hours, then repeat (in my case the next morning) with another 2L over two hours. It is difficult to drink so it is a very bleak 2 hours which is why I think most people prefer the smaller amount that you drink in an hour x2. But I have to do what works... Turns out I will be having a phone appointment with my GI next Friday so I will have a chance to discuss all this with her.

I had heard something similar about what your daughter told you, but about female surgeons having better outcomes. I am always more comfortable with female doctors, dentists, whatever. I am intimidated by doctors as it is, find it hard to speak up. With males it is even worse.
Posted 1/21/2023 5:09 PM (GMT -8)
Did you end up starting on any other meds? Enemas, steroids, etc? Good luck with the scope and prep!
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