Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

[sevenoclk]

I have a colonscopy scheduled for next Monday. The prep includes not eating anything for about 36 hours + beforehand save for the following: no dairy products or juices with pulp, but you can have broth (clear), sports drinks, juices without pulp, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, boost, popsicles, jell-0. Also, the prep liquid must be mixed with a huge 64 oz. jug of Gatorade and then drunk. This makes you have diarrhea and "clears you out".

I think we can all see the problems with this.

I am on OWL Rung 2 as of today. I had Fage yogurt today for the first day.

So, I can't do the yogurt b/c it's "dairy", but I can have some broth. But, any other suggestions? I don't want my blood sugars to be whacked. Maybe I should do the Atkins shakes? I've never done "frankenfoods", but this might be justified. I am going to starve!!!

Also, any sugar free alternatives to Gatorade? I believe the Gatorade is mixed with the solution to provide electrolytes and prevent dehydration.

I have struggled a bit recently and regained a bit of my loss, but my TOM started today (wasn't supposed to have one anymore b/c of an endometrial ablation). I hope the 5-7 lb. gain is gone when TOM leaves.

I have been pretty good with no cheats except a few things like too much cheese, splenda, etc. No "pre-atkins" foods/meals.

I DO NOT want this to send me in a downward spiral!

HELP!

[sadie147]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I can't answer your question..but am myself about to make an appt for a long overdue colonoscopy (my mother died of colon cancer at age 47). I will follow any instructions they ask as not too hamper the test...but will inquire with my dr if an electrolyte drink that is sugar free is good as well? as well as sugar free jello or popsicles. The broth should be fine and i would imagine if you can have Boost you can have a protein shake (like the atkins shakes). I would think it's the electrolytes in the gatorade and not the sugar that you need since youw ill most likely lose alot of water/sodium. This is just a guess though...

Perhaps you should call the dr.s' office or clinic first? I think it's extremely important for your health in the long run if you do this properly.

[sevenoclk]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I read somewhere that there may be a sugar free propel or powerade, so I might inquire about that.

I realized that the "Boost" they are referriing to is not a shake, but kind of like a new Crystal Light. So, Atkins shakes are out, too!

I'll survive, but I'll be hungry!

I will let you know if I come up with any brilliant ideas.

Thanks!

[lc_angel_08]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

The first thing I would do is call your doctor and ask if there is some thing else you can mix your prep solution with. My guess is that there will be there are alot of diabetics and they could not drink that mixed with gatorade. The popsicles and jello you could get sugar free. Try not to worry to much about this colonoscopy its not great but its not that bad either.

[sevenoclk]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Hey, thanks!

I just noticed we have almost the same start weight and same goal weight. How long did it take you to lose? Did you move up the rungs quickly b/c you had less to lose? I can't decide.

Any tips?

As far as the procedure, you are probably right about diabetics. i'll call today and see what my alternatives are.

Thanks!

[Aya]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Hey Sevenoclk,

I looked into your thread because of the colonoscopy subject (my dad had colon cancer and I have 'concerns' shall we say). If it's not too personal a question, may I ask why you have one scheduled? I have to go early too because of my dad but not for a while yet they say... We're similar stats/ages.
I presumed they want you to drink Gatorade because of the electrolites and energy you'll need, you could try making one off this site although I've never tried it or maybe an alternative like this Ultima one.

The first thing I did when I moved up the rungs was to have a Fage yogurt too When you have less to lose you definitely lose slower (as you should) but it's easy to get a little too loose if you're anything like me. I have to constantly pull back the reins, especially if I read too many of these yummy-sounding low-carb recipes.

Good luck, hope all goes well!

[TIME2SHINE4-08]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Reading your post I now know why my mom was so sick before her surgery for a puncture in her colon! She is very anti even healthy carbs. She took her prep liquid with diet sprite and had nothing besides water. By the time I got her to the hospital her potassium etc was so low it caused heart palpitations etc and they had to hook her up to IV's and postpone surgery. Here I blamed it all on the prep. She never told me she was supposed to use gatorade.

I know propel is SF. Could you add potassium salt to your liquids?

[TitianWasp]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

And, ultimately, this is for your health. I am sure that the doctor can recommend less sugary vehicles for the prep solution, but do not fixate so much on Atkins for this instance that you interfere with test preparation. The next day you can be perfect again.

[dreamof145]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I just had one a few weeks ago. I had sugar-free popscicles (no red flavors), broth, water and sugar-free jello (no red flavors). Yeah, it wasn't following the plan, but it didn't involve any sugar. I drank lots of water in between my broth meals....Mine went fine and then the meal after my procedure....I started right back on my plan. Don't worry, its not going to mess you up.

[sevenoclk]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Wow! We are almost weight loss twins! How tall are you?

Yes, I love Fage Yogurt. I am going to try it 3 times/ week this week.

What rung are you on? I'm in week 5, but wasn't organized enough to get to Rung 3!

I am having a colonscopy for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It's just to rule out other stuff.

Every month or so my abdomen gets very distended (almost like a cartoon) and painful. It's apparently caused by IBS and stress sets it off, primarily. My internist suggested exercise to lessen stress. I started this week with the exercise.

I don't have any family history of colon cancer, but a friend's husband (36) just discovered he has Stage 4 and will probably die within the year. She will be widowed at 33 with a 3 year old and 1 year old. So, I think people should be screened earlier, too!

Any hints on weight loss? I am shocked sometimes that my calories are around 2000 at times. That worries me.

I am waiting for TOM to leave before I reevaluate my losses. I shot up to 137 before I started and I hope to be back down to 133 when TOM leaves.

Thanks for the response. I will check out the links!

[sevenoclk]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Dream,
What did you use to mix the Miralax (or whatever they gave you) with? I am guessing you didn't use Gatorade?

Thanks!

[dreamof145]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I used water. Its nasty, but I just took a deep breath and drank it, then followed it with lots of water and brushed my teeth.

[sadie147]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I realized that the "Boost" they are referriing to is not a shake, but kind of like a new Crystal Light. So, Atkins shakes are out, too!

That's interesting, boost here is a protein shake/meal replacement drink. Good thing you mentioned that, i'd have assumed it was ok.

I'm with Titianwasp that this is ultimately for your health so i wouldn't stress too much over it..it really shouldn't set you back too much....

[ShiningStarr]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

I don't really know anything about this subject but if they are looking at electrolytes We have this thing called Smart Water. It taste like water but has electrolytes in it to. I have never used it but they say if you drink the smart water you don't have to drink as much as you would if you would just drink water. Hope this helps...either way I would talk to your doctor about your concerns.

[Aya]

Re: Help with Colonscopy (prep involves Gatorade, lots of sugar, etc.)

Wow! We are almost weight loss twins! How tall are you?

Yes, I love Fage Yogurt. I am going to try it 3 times/ week this week.

What rung are you on? I'm in week 5, but wasn't organized enough to get to Rung 3

I'm 5.5 Same as you! I can gain four to five lbs before TOM which IO presume is just water but always very depressing.

I agree with what eveyone says, just make sure you go in there as strong as possible and you'll get right back on track afterwards.