I thought I'd add my experience prepping for my first colonoscopy later on today. Like many, I was feeling very apprehensive about the preparation, as well as the actual procedure. I've found my fair share of horror stories on the internet, but so far, I'm pleasantly surprised!
Bit of background - I'm a 25yo female in the U.K. I've never had to go to hospital for anything, other than a trip to A&E for a dog bite.
I spent all day yesterday, nervously watching the clock and dreading the fasting, what the moviprep would taste like, if it would make me nauseous etc etc. I mixed up 1litre of the moviprep at 5pm. I spent a good 5 mins stirring it, and called my husband for a second opinion as it was still cloudy. However, once I stopped stirring it soon cleared and I popped it in the fridge. I was very conscious I didn't want to get a dehydration headache, so I drank my through nearly 2 litres of water during the day - I can usually never drink so much fluid, but I think nerves made my mouth dry! At 7 pm, I poured as much as I could into a mason jar with a straw through the lid (my thinking was, a jolly cup might make the drink slightly more tolerable!). I hesitantly took my first sip, expecting nasty flavours, but honestly, it's not that bad. Kind of like, salty citrus. I sipped through the straw as I saw others recommend, however I could still taste it so, not sure if it's worth doing. At 730ish, I had my first bowel movement. Nothing urgent or distressing, still solid at this point. I continued drinking my way through, and found having a mouthful of water straight away got rid of the flavour. By 8pm, I was stuck to the toilet. It really was fine. I had stocked up on sudocreme, moist toilet tissue etc, but it was no worse than a bad IBS day, minus the cramps! I set up my iPad and just binge watched Gilmore Girls for distraction. Honestly, the hardest part was drinking so much liquid in a short space of time. My first glass was tolerable, but I soon felt really full. I didn't wretch or vomit, but I did feel slightly nauseous. It took me 2 hours to finish it all, and I felt really proud of myself when I did! The liquid bowel movements stopped around 1030pm.
I completely slept through my 6am alarm. My husband woke me at 7 and I panicked I was behind schedule. I'd made up the second litre at bedtime, and in my sleepy haze I managed to down nearly all the liquid within 10 mins! I would highly recommend drinking it when you very first wake up, so you're too tired to think about it. I ditched the straw, and took big mouthfuls, just got it over with. By 720am, I was stuck on the loo again. It's basically just water, but bright orange! By 830, it was yellowy. Now it's 930 and it's all stopped. I feel so relieved and proud of myself for drinking so much moviprep, and surviving this far! My appointment is at 3pm. I'm opting for sedation. Wish me all the best..
