Question from CarolynB
My Mother will be having a colonoscopy soon. Does anyone have any advice about anesthetics? They use Versed for amnesia twilight zone? What about the pain killer? To clean out, she will be using 1 cap of Miralax mixed with Pedialite. I think it was 8 oz of Pedialite. My husband said they use saline to flush her out as needed, and either air or gas to help her colon open up. Any feedback? Suggestions? Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Any experience with this?
You might try Health Care Without Harm.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. The formula is one cap of Miralax to 8 oz of Pedialite. She is to have 32 oz starting at 5 pm, drinking one glass every 15 minutes, followed by 16 oz water and 32 oz the morning of, I think also followed with 16 oz water. More details, like fasting, no need to go into them. The two answers so far are helpful, thanks. Anyone else?
I had a colonoscopic exam. I took a quarter dose of Versed only. No pain killer–it was unnecessary. I was awake, watched the camera but felt no discomfort. (I have been seriously chemically sensitive for decades, diagnosed in 1982; this went well. As for the pre-procedure “clean-out” it was a fleets enema. Best of luck. If you decide to use anesthetic, be sure it is a non-histamine forming one. They are much easier for those of us who are very reactive.
I discovered after the 2nd colonoscopy that my doctor was using India Ink to mark sites where polyps were removed. This makes the site visible after many years. Some say india ink is non-toxic but the MSDS sheet says remove from skin immediately if on skin. Inquiring further I learned that some doctors use it and other don’t. Has anyone more information?
Hi Carolyn B.
Colonoscopy prep is done differently by each physician as to which bowel cleansing products are used to prep a patient for the procedure. It is very important that you and your mom are very clear about what to do to prepare. It is common for patients to be required to to drink multiple quarts of liguid to flush out completely before procedure or you will not get an accuarate result and sometimes if the patient is not properly prepared, will not get a procedure and be sent home to do it all over again ! Anesthesia can vary as well. I am concerned about the prep you described above as it is not adequate for a bowel clense. Please check with the doctor and write down all instrictions she is to do so he will be safe. By the way, if she is allergic to eggs, be aware that the seditive, Propofol, is made with egg yolk and should be avoided by allergic foks. Jeri in Calif.