Anyone have a colonoscopy prep fail?

[maxaroni]

I know, I know the dreaded prep. DH and I both scheduled ou procedures for today. We have 3 toilets in the house, so that was covered. We have both had several colonoscopies before, various preps with no issues. We were on a clear liquid diet yesterday and had split dosing prep. First dose was 5:00 and within an hour I was in the bathroom. DH not once. Took the 2nd dose at 11 and thought that would be the answe for DH. Nope. Had some cramping and did eventually start going. I will add that we did call the doctor and he didn't have much to say except drink more water, even if it meant after midnight. We got to the facility at 6:30 AM DH was taken first and his was aborted as he was nowhere near cleaned out. I was prepped well and happy to say no findings. DH has to resedule and start in again. Epic failure. We follows directions to the T.

 

[yoopermom]

Did he eat normally or even heavily in the days leading up to it (like a "last meal" so to speak?). When I had my most recent surgery, my doctor recommended not only the prep and fasting after midnight, but a "light" diet the week before, and a "liquid" diet for the last few days. He said that it gives your system more time to totally come clean, and doesn't put so much pressure on it.

DH had his colonscopy a year ago, and was told something similar, NOT to eat like a piggy for his last meal before the prep, because it would just make it more difficult for the meds to work their magic.

How disappointing for your DH, though, to go through all that and not be able to complete it.

Terri

 

[LisaR]

Was the prep he used yesterday the same prep he has used in the past? If not, he may want to go back to one of the ones he knows worked well. Bummer to go through all that for nothing, though.

 

[DebbieB]

Was it a prescription prep? Maybe it was not mixed properly.

 

[maxaroni]

This was a new doctor as our prior doctor retired. It was a different prep, one that this doctor thinks is wonderful. I asked him about the prep I had used the last 2 times and he said he preferred this one. Neither of us ate differently in the days leading to the prep and no "last meal". We were not told to eat lighter, nor have we any other time. However, it makes sense. The doc will prescribe something different for the next one. Ugh. The next thing will see how insurance handles the aborted procedure.

 

[maxaroni]

Was it a prescription prep? Maybe it was not mixed properly.

It was a prescription and we prepared it side by side. Take packet, mix with 5oz water and stir 2-3 minutes. We followed up with all necessary liquids. I am assuming that, like everything else, it's different for people. It should work but we each have a different make up. Of course, he's cleaned ou NOW. lol

 

[Christine]

My couson's DH gets colonoscopies regularly due to Crohn's Disease. He had this happen once. I don't think there was anything wrong with the prep or anything different, but the doctor said that sometimes people have slow motility issues and it takes longer. If he gets a patient that has a history of that then he will start them on the prep earlier. It only have happened one time to her husband but they do the prep a tad bit earlier now just to be safe.

 

[anniemae]

What was the prep called?

How disappointing for your DH. Did he get all IV'd up and sedated?

 

[tvguy]

Only had one done. I cannot imagine the prep not working. I had to drink a gallon of that yucky prep stuff and it kicked in within 30 minutes, and all had passed through with everything else in 90 minutes.

 

[maxaroni]

This prep was Prepopik. There are 2 packets of powder - one dose at 5:00 and 2nd at 11:00. The first dose, mix packet with 5oz of water. Mix 2-3 minutes. Follow with 5 - 8oz clear liquid of choice over the next 5 hours. 2nd dose do the same with the powder and follow with 3 - 8 oz of clear water over the next hour and done.

Yes, all IV'd, sedated and in procedure room. Wake up to find it couldn't be done.

I've used Colyte in the past as wee as movi- prep. Can't recall what DH used in the past but it worked.

Thanks everyone. Glad I am done but feel badly for him.

 

[maxaroni]

Only had one done. I cannot imagine the prep not working. I had to drink a gallon of that yucky prep stuff and it kicked in within 30 minutes, and all had passed through with everything else in 90 minutes.

This time I was up all night. Awful. You were fortunate for your first one....90 minutes!

 

[anniemae]

This prep was Prepopik. There are 2 packets of powder - one dose at 5:00 and 2nd at 11:00. The first dose, mix packet with 5oz of water. Mix 2-3 minutes. Follow with 5 - 8oz clear liquid of choice over the next 5 hours. 2nd dose do the same with the powder and follow with 3 - 8 oz of clear water over the next hour and done.

Yes, all IV'd, sedated and in procedure room. Wake up to find it couldn't be done.

I've used Colyte in the past as wee as movi- prep. Can't recall what DH used in the past but it worked.

Thanks everyone. Glad I am done but feel badly for him.

OMG the poor guy!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Usually they give instructions that stools should be clear before testing can begin, and they ask you that when you arrive before the process starts. Was that not done?

 

[maxaroni]

Usually they give instructions that stools should be clear before testing can begin, and they ask you that when you arrive before the process starts. Was that not done?

Yes, he was asked and he answered honestly. He was told they would take a shot at it as they can suction at the same time. He told them it was still brown and he questioned it more than once. I am not sure if the doc didn't think it was as bad as DH said or not. On top of that, we were on the phone with another doctor at the practice at 12:30 this morning to try and avoid this.

 

[Cadiewampus]

I have always just used the small bottle of Miralax powder mixed in 64oz bottle of gatorade

 

[kimblebee]

Usually they give instructions that stools should be clear before testing can begin, and they ask you that when you arrive before the process starts. Was that not done?

Sorry for being gross but the poo has to be clear? So it just looks like a lump of jelly or something? I think I'd be most grossed out by having to look at it.

 

[Jaya]

Unfortunately, nothing works better than the old method where you had to drink almost a gallon of the yucky stuff over several hours. It's absolutely horrible, but you could drive a Mack truck the length of your colon afterwards - lol.

 

[Meriweather]

yep....had it happen once. Had to reschedule a month later to go through it again

 

[Kitty 34]

DH and I never had that problem, thank goodness. Prepping the first time was "fun" enough....I would hate to think I went thru part of it just to have to reschedule and do the prep over!!!

 

[SirDuff]

Sorry for being gross but the poo has to be clear? So it just looks like a lump of jelly or something? I think I'd be most grossed out by having to look at it.

It looks like water - it is just fluid.