Can people tell me what type of prep they do for scopes..I used to just take a few enemas prior and that was it but my new doc is ordering a prep for sigmoid..drinking gallon of that awful stuff and laxative..I don't think this is necessary for individuals with no colons..let me know

When the doctor orders the sigmoidoscopy, that is mainly to get the right room and equipment. They tend to forget that the staff will send out standard instructions for prep. You need to call back and tell the nurse that you do not have a colon, but an ileal pouch and should not need a full prep, AND to check with the doc about specific instructions for you.

Jan

I agree with Jan. I recently had an unpleasant experience. The MA told me I needed to do standard prep for the sigmoidoscopy. I disagreed and told her I had a j-pouch, no colon, and typically just did an enema. She insisted that I needed to do the full prep, so I followed the written directions she provided. I ended up getting so dehydrated from the prep and vomiting and feeling so awful that they let me come in early for the scope. No surprise about what happened next -- I had to get iv fluids and then, to make matters worse, the MA tried to say that she never told me to do the prep. The point is that you need to be vigilant and assertive and ask questions, even if people get frustrated. I didn't do that last time and I paid a price for it Ask your doctor directly to confirm the prep involved. I'm having another scope next month and my doctor told me to be sure to do two enemas before the scope, but nothing else.

Good luck.

I think your doc has it wrong. I have had a few scopes, once a year for 4 years and I just eat lite the day before, don't eat the morning of the procedure and use 2 fleet enemas. We all have a problem that GI docs often lack experience with our J-Pouches while the surgeons don't know much about what goes on more than a month or two post surgery. This is worse in more rural areas where there are fewer doctors of any kind.

Oh I must admit I am over due for a scope myself.
But the last time many years ago my surgeon told me to ignore the advice posted and not drink that prep stuff - not good for a pouch. As L-Mac found to his/her detriment. Eat light, fast from night before I can't remember for sure if I even had to take a pico-lax, possibly one. I definitely did not have an enema tho.

I go for a scope next week and all I have to do is 2 enemas and not eat after midnight...

My doc has me do clear liquids 24 hours before the scope and nothing to eat or drink after midnight- never had enemas before a scope.

Thank you all for your comments..I contacted my Doc and he said lite dinner nite before with enemas prior to procedure is fine..We don't have to drink that awful stuff!(Only benefit of not having colon!)

I am going for my first scope soon (what's it like by the way?) and the nurse wrote in large letters on the form NO NORMAL PREP NEEDED and told me I would be given an enema on arrival. It's such a simple solution,isn't it?

Scope is a piece of cake compared to colonoscopy or nl sigmoidoscopy..takes 5 min..they take some biopsies, mild discomfort but no sedation needed for most of us..I've had 4 with no issues..JB

I've learned to request lydocaine (sp?) to help with discomfort of having the scope put in. It may just be the way my body is constructed, but it makes a difference for me if that initial area is numbed. Then there's not much feeling other than some pressure.

Hope it goes well for you.

Nothing, and I have about 2 or more scopes a year due to chronic pouchitis/cuffitis or whatever I have.

My 10 year old son is going in tomorrow morning for his 3rd scope in 6 months (his pouch is a little "angry") we just do a salt water enema in the morning and take a little adivan before we go in to help with the discomfort (and nerves). Last time he did it without anything and he felt a bit crampy and uncomfortable. They also numb the area before inserting the scope.