Colonoscopy Prep

Please note that I am not asking for medical advice, since that might make the hosting site liable if someone recommended something unsafe.

I'm getting my ninth colonoscopy Monday. (My sister had colon cancer at a young age. I have had several of the kinds of polyps that can become cancerous if not removed. Everybody get yourself screened!) I've been on the low-residue diet and tomorrow switch to all liquids--and the prep medications that give the patient diarrhea to clean the colon end to end. My doctor has me do it twice, once during the day on the day before the procedure (Sunday), than again about six hours before the procedure (very early Monday morning).

I'd thought a saline enema might make this less of an ordeal, clearing out a lot of waste (old tires, broken chairs, a few beer bottles) instead of multiple bouts of diarrhea, maybe with less of the inevitable anal irritation.

But when to administer? Before I start the prep on Sunday? Between the two? Or will it not ease things a bit, since the diarrhea is coming from the stomach and small intestines and the drugs I take to cause it?

Best thing I found to ease the irritation @PinotNoir , was to keep coating my anus with Anusol suppositories. Soothes the burning 🔥.

Good luck 👍 with the test.

Well, while taking an enema can support the cleanout it‘s not that good than taking the laxatives to clear out your intestines. These drugs completely flush your small intestine and your large intestine with a lot of fluid.

Coat your anus with vaseline, so the liquid stools doesn‘t get too irritating.

Personally, I would follow whatever directions your provider instructed.

One nugget of advice I can offer is learn to pat and don't wipe. It's all pretty much fluid anyway. The constant wiping irritates your anus.

I’ve got one coming up, my fourth I think. Plan on simply following the prep instructions. Per @user264 advice, I’ll use our bidet seat and blot dry.

Man, I really wish we had a bidet. (Whoever designed the fancy bathroom wasted some space with the little hallway leading to a private room for the toilet that could easily have been a toilet and bidet!) Can I come to your house?

Pinot, kidding