Colonoscopy prep - can't drink the trilyte, help

I am scheduled for a colonoscopy tomorrow.  I have been doing the prep today.  I took the intial four pills to jumpstart my system then four hours later I started the trilyte.  My problem is this, I was supposed to drink it between 12:00 and 4:00 and it is now 9:30 and I still have not finished it.  DO I HAVE TO???  I am not passing anything solid but I am not clear.  Will it be a failed procedure if I do not accomplish this?  What are the risks?  My head is hurting and I am a little nauseas.  TIA!

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  You probably should finish it.  There is a risk that the procedure will not be able to be completed.  I don't know what you mean by "risks."  What I was told for my prep, is that if you start vomiting, then you can take 15 minutes off but then you should start again.  This is what I did when I started vomiting during the prep.  You can do it, just keep on drinking!

[blabhamilton]

when I had my two done they let me chew gum after every drink that way I could keep it down. sugar free gum. hope this helps.

[kidsnchicks]

Well, its all over with.  I was able to drink about two thirds of the trilyte then I got sick.  My stools were not completely clear but I could see through them and the  doc said it was ok - PRAISE GOD!  I did not want to go through that again.  The colonoscopy revealed nothing and I am happy with that.  I was anemic and have been placed on a twice daily iron supplement in hopes that will help with my cronic (chronic) constipation.  Thanks for the help!

[patient915]

I'm glad it went okay.  I warn you though, iron is constipating so I would watch out for that.

[kidsnchicks]

Yeah, that is my experience as well.  I had to have it regularly as a child.  I mentioned that to him and he still seems to think it will help.  I will watch it closely as it seems that the more meds I take, the more trouble I have with this.  I hope this to be the opposite.

[patient915]

If you are anemic, iron will help.  If you just have low iron (but not low enough to be anemic), then it almost surely won't help.  I hope everything turns out okay.

[blabhamilton]

I also have IDA, eat more iron enriched foods and if you can cook out of cast iron pans the food will help asborb the iron in them. I take 150mg 8x daily. you can talk to a diet aid at the hospital or at you local heath office and they should beable to give you more help on what to eat to keep your levels up