Hi ... I have my takedown scheduled Tuesday so starting my prep tomorrow morning. My doctor wants me to take 5oz of Magnesium Citrate in morning and another 5 in the evening. He also wants me to take several antibiotics tomorrow too. My question: I had a similar prep for step 1 (with the exception of Fleet instead of magnesium citrate). That, coupled with the antibiotics, made me extremely nauseous all day and I even ended up getting sick. So.. a couple questions. Has anyone tried the Magnesium Citrate? Pharmacist told me it is awful.. Did it make any of you nauseous? Does anyone have to take antibiotics too? My surgeon's nurse told me most important thing is to be cleaned out vs the antibiotics. Should I even try to take them?

Hey,

I don't know your history or why they want you to take antibiotics with your prep - I have never had to take them with a prep (and I have had 10 surgeries and only one infection) - my doc always gives me an IV dose in pre-op. I wonder if you are even able to absorb them in conjunction with the prep? Antibiotics will make you nauseated when taken on an empty stomach - try to take it with a lot of gatorade.

I have done the mag (I think I have done every prep imaginable!) - and I won't lie - it is pretty bad. It was several years ago when I did that one, as I remember, it works, but my doctor went to using Miralax which is now over the counter. You mix a powder with juice or gatorade, you have to drink a lot of fluid, but it doesn't taste like anything, but what you mixed it with.

If you are starting your prep today and not having surgery until Tuesday - are they letting you eat anything today? If so, I would take the antibiotic several hours before you start the mag, this may avoid the nausea some and allow you to absorb the antibiotic.

Good Luck - I hope your prep is not too bad and your surgery goes well!

-Mikaela

One question in response to your question: Have you ever used Fleet phospho-soda? If so, you will think Magnesium Citrate is from heaven itself. The phospho-soda is about a 10 on the gag meter, and the magnesium citrate is about a 5 in my book. No comparison. I would prefer it over phospho or go-lytly any day.

My surgeon never had me take antibiotics prior to surgery. The Hibba-cleanse soap seemed to clean me up good enough to ward off any post-op infection.

Steve

the only prep i have before takedown in 2 1/2 weeks is no liquids after midnight the night before surgery. i asked about antibiotics before my takedown because of the raging e-coli infection from step 1 that kept me in hospital for almost 4 weeks, and my surgeon said they would give them to me pre-op before surgery. still scared to death of another infection.

Mag Citrate was given to me as well, and I didn't care for it one bit! It tasted really salty to me (like flavored sea water), and I really cant stand salt on anything.

People are different though....my dad had to take it a couple times as well, and he chugged it down like it was a Pepsi. Didn't mind it one bit!


Good Luck with your TD!


Bill

I cut a lime into quarters and after every gulp of the Mag Citrate, I'd lick that lime. Call me crazy but I encouraged my mind to think I was doing shooters of tequila, followed by a lick of salt and then lime! Licking the lime last left that as a final taste in my mouth. Not too bad! I also had the Mag Citrate really cold....kept it in the refrigerator!

If you currently have an ileostomy, you should NOT take the prep - 12 to 24 hours of clear fluids is all that is needed to clean us out (that's one of the good things about an ileostomy - no more bowel prep needed ). Taking the prep can make us become severely dehydrated.

Good luck.