Alternative Prep for Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy--the word can send shudders down the spine. It conjures up images of forcing down a gallon's worth of nasty-tasting liquid, a cup at a time, and running for the bathroom in between. Many people can't make it through the ingestion of the requisite bowel cleanse solution, whether because of the volume, the horrible flavor or the nausea the solution causes. But, fear not; alternatives to the traditional colonoscopy preparation do exist and may be much easier for you to handle.
Pill Prep for Colonoscopy
Many doctors prescribe pills to clear the bowel before colonoscopy. These can include Visicol, OsmoPrep or other sodium biphosphate/sodium phosphate pills (the active laxative ingredient). Usually, you will take four tablets with 8 ounces of every 15 minutes, until 20 tablets have been taken over the course of about an hour. Later, you will repeat this regimen with 12 pills over 30 minutes.
You may also be asked to take an over-the-counter laxative, such as Dulcolax, later in the evening before the day of your test. While you will still be running for the bathroom, and the volume of liquid remains at a gallon, you will have your choice of good-tasting liquids, including water, tea, apple juice, and ginger ale.
Liquid Prep for Colonoscopy
Fleet's Phospho-Soda is a liquid mix-in medicine, available over the counter, that works by moving water from your body to your bowel. You will take two doses (each 1.5 ounces or 1.5 tablespoons), mixed in 8 ounces of water or root beer, three hours apart. You must also drink at least three 8-ounce glasses of clear liquid after each dose, and more if possible. This is also at least a gallon of liquid (your choice of clear), but only two doses of medicine, which some might find preferable to popping 32 pills, as above. Of course, you must still have a bathroom nearby.
Colonic hydrotherapy is yet another alternative to the traditional bowel prep, and does not require you to alter your diet, drink huge amounts of liquid or suffer a day of diarrhea. This procedure is done in the hospital or surgery center before the colonoscopy. It involves infusing warm purified water into the colon with a colonic hydrotherapy instrument, eliciting the urge to evacuate your bowels. When this happens, an outflow valve on the instrument is opened and the colon empties spontaneously. This is done several times, until the water leaving the colon is clear. The procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Though it is faster and more convenient for the patient, it is currently only offered at a few hospitals nationwide.
Cautions
As always, discuss with your doctor the colonoscopy prep that is best for you. There could be medical reasons why you must be prepped one way or another. No matter which prep is chosen (except in the case of hydrotherapy), you must be certain to drink sufficient amounts of liquid to avoid the dehydration that comes with diarrhea. If you purchase the Fleet's Phospho-Soda prep (which is taken orally), be sure not to confuse it with Fleet's enema (which is taken rectally).
Tags: Prep Colonoscopy, Alternative Prep, Alternative , amounts liquid, before colonoscopy, clear liquid, Fleet Phospho-Soda