What pills are given to prepare for a colonoscopy, and is the liquid prep absolutely necessary with the pills?
I know the liquid prep is best, but I tried it and failed miserably. It made me violently ill. I’d like to know exactly what I should be asking the doctor for prior to making the next appointment. Plus, I want to know if what I am asking for is even in the realm of possibility.
There is actually a pretty good selection of options for the prep; however, most doctors have bought (or been bought) in to the myth that the PEG is the best choice. PEG is Polyethelyne Glycol (same as some anti-freeze. It trades under CoLytely, GoLytely and I believe Half Lytely. There is nothing lyte about it. It is slime and disgusting.
On the liquid side there is Fleet (or generic) Phospho Soda. That is 1.5 oz of a very salty laxative that gets mixed in an 8 oz glass with any clear liquid. I’ve tried margarita mix with and without the Tequila. Leave out the Tequila as it does provide a fire in the belly. Consume lots of other clear liquids after drinking this. I drink Gatorade as it replenishes the electrolytes.
On the pill side the Doculax pills are an option; but, not real popular. There are other choices such as E-Z-EM’s LoSo Prep™ and NutraPrep™ products.
There is a misconception that the decision of pill vs. liquids and sedation versus no sedation is up to the physician. Most physicians believe they are the final word. You are the consumer. If they won’t negotiate, tell the doctor "It appears we are at a stalemate and will have to agree to disagree. Since you don’t offer the choices I want I am leaving, thank you for this free session". If they get upset, Remind them the decision to terminate this is theirs. It sends a message loud and clear.
I told mine "I don’t drink PEG nor will I take any PEG product (Miralax) and it’s not negotiable." Then I shut up and the doctor replied "you’ve been doing research on the internet". Then the doctor offered several alternate preps.
You are the consumer of the doctor’s services. If they don’t offer what you want, find a GI doc who will. My last advice is to select an experienced (thousands of successes and no sanctions) Board Certified Gastroenterolgist do your colonoscopy. Good Luck and God Bless
Usually patients take dulcolax tabs and then either have to drink golytely or fleets phosphosoda. People usually don’t do well with the golytely because they have to drink too much. See if you can do the phosphosoda instead.