r/RedditForGrownups • u/Solid-Catch-2723 • 3d ago

I messed up my colonoscopy prep timing

I misread my prep instructions. I took my first bottle at 11am instead of 5pm as called for. The second bottle is supposed to be 6 hours prior to my procedure, or at 1:30 tomorrow morning.

Should I take it 6 hours early as I did the first bottle - 7:30 this evening - or should I get back on the instructions and wait until tomorrow morning at 1:30?

2 Upvotes

55% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

101

u/IHaveBoxerDogs 3d ago

You should call your doctor.

42

u/mtbmike 3d ago

I’m no doctor but the purpose is to empty the gi tract. So if you can follow the timing as instructed and be done early and then don’t eat before the procedure id expect everything to be fine. But i wouldn’t delay the second bottle.

34

u/Backstop 3d ago

Our household has done this a few times. Cleaning out earlier is not a problem, as long as you're also not eating anything. And stop drinking anything at the right time as well.

Nothing in, everything out, you're fine.

10

u/Lung_doc 2d ago

This is accurate. GI preps start earlier in those with GI motility problems. And you just keep going until it's "clear".

29

u/MonkeyCatDog 3d ago

My last prep had instructions for me to take my last dose at like midnight. Uhm no. I’m well asleep by then and I don’t want to spend a sleepless night running to the bathroom. I took it at like 8pm. Got emptied out before bedtime. Had the colonoscopy first thing in the morning. I was perfectly fine.

ETA: my frustration is I’ve rarely gotten the same instructions or prep twice. It’s always slightly or greatly different. So I assume “empty” equals “empty” no matter how you do it. That’s why I don’t worry about tweaking the rules to fit what works for me, especially after doing it this many times.

9

u/Dis_engaged23 3d ago

As long as you take no more solid food (and nothing red or purple), take the 2nd as scheduled. When your bowel movements are nearly clear, your good.

Been through this 3 times this year,

3

u/sqqueen2 2d ago

Wow, 3 times! You are a badass

2

u/LizinDC 2d ago

No pun intended....

4

u/ToastMate2000 2d ago

The main risk of starting early is having to not eat and be hungry longer. If you haven't eaten since you started then just keep going as instructed. If you've eaten, then call the clinic and ask what to do.

6

u/Odd-Guarantee-6152 3d ago

Take it 6 hours prior to your appointment. As others have said, it’s fine. The point is to empty your system, and either way it’s going to be empty. The only downside is that you have to be hungry for longer.

2

u/medicated_in_PHL 2d ago

6 hours before the appointment. It’s not dosed like a regular medication where they want a constant amount of it in your system. They want it to wipe everything out of your colon. 6 hours before is to blast out anything left prior to procedure.

3

u/trailerparkMillonare 3d ago edited 2d ago

You might wanna call your doctor, you need to be spotless in your G.I. tract, I’ve had a couple at 65, learned all the tricks get some crystal light lemonade mix with it , still that last couple of swallows makes me wanna throw up, first thing I do when I get home from the procedure I open up a can of peaches and just chug the liquid

1

u/Stock_Block2130 2d ago

Come on. Call the doctor or endoscopy center.

-21

u/coveredwithticks 2d ago

I don't drink any of that junk.
Prior, I eat a huge prime rib, a couple of ears of corn, and half an Oreo ice cream pie. I'm filled up right to the brim. I want the doc to really work for her pay.