I literally start to dry-heave when I think of phospho soda. I told the doc that is why I was past due on my colonoscopies (I still have my colon) and he told me they have pill preps now. So I gave it a try. It was still rough as they were HUGE salty-tasting pills (to swallow, not chew). So I broke them in half. But I had to take like a dozen every 15 minutes with water or ginger ale (and like many of you, I gag at ginger ale now thanks to the prep/phospho soda). However it was still better than drinking that horrible stuff! You'd have to check with your docs to see if you could still do it if you don't have a colon (i.e. due to absorption, etc.) - you may need the liquid. I think the pills disolve almost immediately (seemed to in my mouth, hee-hee) so maybe you could. Worth asking!

Although it's probably too late for 99% of the people on here, a recent study just showed that the 'virtual colonoscopy' is just as good as the real one in most situations, however I think we all agree that the prep is worth than the procedure!

Soph, I think the liquid you are thinking about is Golytely. When I did that prep it was a big 4L jug with some powder in the bottom, you add water and shake it up, and then enjoy
The phospho-soda tastes worse but is only like half a glass.
I didn't like the Golytely either, and it is a ridiculous amount of fluid to drink. Although i once had the Fruit flavor and it was Much Much better than the regular.

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Chris just had to take 2 3 oz bottles mixed with 4 oz water.one at 1 pm, then again at 7 pm. Honestly he didn't complain, surprising me.
He drank cranrasberry after to chase it and then a nice cup of home made beed broth strained.
Tomorrow he gets scoped for the first time since k pouch creation.

I am having the 1st step of three step surgery tomorrow. I have to start drinking the 1st bottle of Phospho soda at 10 am today and then the 2nd bottle at 10 pm. The store only had ginger lemon flavored. I think I have had that flavor before (like it matters if it is flavored though). In the past with colonoscopies I have made the mistake of drinking it too slow so I think this time i will get it down as fast as possible. I also bought some limes to try the trick someone else posted on here.

Erin, Do you have to wait until 10pm to take the second one? I'm just wondering because I don't know if you'll be able to get much sleep! When I take phosphosoda it usually takes about an hour to kick in and after that it's back and forth to the bathroom for at least 3 hrs.

Pixie, I had thought about that already that I wasn't going to get much sleep. My surgery is at 7:30 am and I have to be there at 5:30 am. So I am going to have to be up by atleast 4:30 am. Do you think it is ok to take it before 10pm?

well i'm not really a healthcare person so i don't know anything for sure. but before my first step i had to do the 2 phospho-yummy drinks as well, and i did mine at 9am and 5pm. and my surgery was at 9am the next morning. I can't really see it being a problem to take it a bit earlier, it just means that you'll be cleaned out sooner. for one of my colonoscopy preps i was finished drinking everything by 4pm (i did the 4L of Golytely that time). and my GI said everything was fine. I guess every doctor/surgeon has their own regimine (sp?) that they like to give. i didn't get a lot of sleep the night before my surgery, but i knew i'd get a good snooze on the OR table so it was fine.