Colonoscopy Prep/Did I mess it up?

[Mr_Magoo]

I am scheduled for a colonoscopy tomorrow. I was supposed to take a potassium pill yesterday at noon and forgot. I took the second one today at noon that I was supposed to take today. Today I am supposed to be on a clear liquid diet and besides the potassium pills, I am also supposed to drink Fleet Phospho Soda today between 3:00pm - 7:00pm today and also tomorrow morning at 7:30am. I am doing everything I'm supposed to do except for the potassium pill I was supposed to take yesterday afternoon.

It is Sunday today, so I can't call the hospital's surgical center or the doctor to ask them about this because they are closed. My colonoscopy is tomorrow. What is the purpose of the potassium pills, and did I mess this colonoscopy prep by forgetting to take this potassium pill yesterday, or is this ok?

My appointment is for 11:30am tomorrow morning. I have to be there at 10:30am

[ebjb]

Thanks for your reply. I hope you are feeling better. Had Hysterectomy about 10 years ago with ovaries removed so no GYN problems. Had gallbladder removed 6 years ago so that's out. I'm not throwing up and I guess if I had appendicitis I'd have the pain all day? I had an abdominal X - Ray (not scan) which was fine and a scan of bladder and kidneys which was also fine but showed 'bladder did not quite empty properly. That's why I'm having the cystoscopy. I've also had some bowel changes which is why I'm having the colonoscopy, but it's so odd that the pain is really only there when I wake up - no matter what time I waken - even if it's the middle of the night - then I'm lying there in agony trying to get back to sleep and can't because of the pain. My doctor prescribed slow release Tramadol capsules but they don't give me much pain relief. I can be in agony in my bed and when I get out of bed the pain goes almost immediately. Most strange. Do you know anything about a low residue diet before the colonoscopy?

[smilie114]

First of all, I had a endoscopy done and since I'm 54, the doc said that probably a good time to have a colonoscopy.....so I did.  I'm having acid reflux and was constipated, more than likely due to undue stress. Yes, they found a polyp and hope to have the results today.  I'm told that a lot of people have them and don't know it. They can cause symptoms like bleeding, constipation..I'm told.  I'm not sure what the pain is, but painkillers should be the last resort. I would try some relaxation methods, like deep breathing and yoga if you can. Sometimes the pain that we're feeling is self induced. It could be the appendix....are you throwing up? Do you have any pain under your right breastbone?????  I had an abdominal ultrasound done, thinking that I had gallstones.....but nothing.  Doesn't mean that your gallbladder is functioning properly though. Did you have that checked? If you're a female, try going to OBGYN to see if they have some answers.  If not, then maybe an ulra of the abdominal might help.  It takes a look at your pancreas, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, etc.

Hope all of this helps....my colonoscopy showed that I have diverticula....which is pockets in the colon and certain foods now that I need to stay away from like popcorn, nuts, anything with a hull.

Hope this helps and let me know if you need anything else,

Smilie

[ebjb]

Just wanted to ask what you got the colonoscopy for? Do polyps cause symptoms? I have terrible lower abdominal pain when I waken in the morning but as soon as I get up the pain goes away! I do have a  slight amount of pain sometimes during the day but nothing bad. Painkillers don't help the pain I have when I waken in the morning. It's as if when I'm lying down something is pressing on something. Got colonoscopy appointment on 15th January and cystoscopy (sp?) on 18th January to check bladder.

[smilie114]

Hi!

Hope you went ahead and had your colonoscopy. Sounds like doodlebug gave you some sound advice. I think as long as what's coming out was clear, you have to be grateful. Being clean is crucial to the doc getting good pictures.

So, how was the anesthesia? Did you have a nice sleep?  I just had mine last Friday on the 28th.....Boy that MoviPrep really cleaned me out.  Everybody uses something different for their test and the MoviPrep was mine.  I'm glad that it's over.  Did you get your results yet for your test..?????

I had one small polyp and just waiting for the test results of that.....I'm positive everything is fine, but they always want to take a look in the lab to make sure everything is okay.  So, hope that you had yours and I don't see any reason why you wouldn't have been able to have it done.

Hey, let me know how things went...........I believe we are all here to help each other.....

Smilie

[doodlebug711]

I was told that as long as everything that is coming out is clear then you have successfully completed the prep. If it's not, I'd call the doc. It may not be that big of a deal.