Prep using colon hydrotherapy

I would like some feedback and advice from any who has used colon hydrotherapy as a prep for a colonoscopy. Was it successful?

A few years ago I found an advertisement for a hospital in the northeast that used colon hydrotherapy for prep. I was scheduled for a colonscopy so I called the doctor's nurse and ask if I could use colon hydrotherapy for prep and she said NO. So I drank the crap. I had a colonscopy last fall and decided I am never having another one unless I can use colon hydrotherapy for prep. The stuff I had to drink was the nastiest stuff I ever put in my mouth and I am never doing that again.

A few years ago I found an advertisement for a hospital in the northeast that used colon hydrotherapy for prep. I was scheduled for a colonscopy so I called the doctor's nurse and ask if I could use colon hydrotherapy for prep and she said NO. So I drank the crap. I had a colonscopy last fall and decided I am never having another one unless I can use colon hydrotherapy for prep. The stuff I had to drink was the nastiest stuff I ever put in my mouth and I am never doing that again.

Don’t skip out on colon screening just because you didn’t like the taste of the prep. Tell your doc of your concern and ask for an alternate prep…there are more than one available. My last prep involved drinking a lot of lemon flavored polyglycol solution. It wasn’t at all nasty, just filling and the effects didn’t last all that long.

Last couple of times for me I skipped the prescription preps and did the one with Miralax and Gatorade. Not tasty per se, but effective enough and way better than the prescription. No coaching from the doc about the prep not being sufficient.

That said, using colonics for prep is now an option many docs will sign off on if done in a hospital. I looked into it, and it was too far for me, but the equipment looked no different than typical open system colonic equipment (LIBBE, Angel of Water, etc.). I'm sure insurance won't pay for it, and more expensive than other prep alternatives.

I have a sensitive stomach and I knew I couldn’t keep the massive fluids down that were required for my first colonoscopy. To make matters worse, my copay for the prep was $75. A lot to pay for something I would throw up. A friend that has annual colonoscopies suggested the Miralax prep. So I fasted for 2 days, did Miralax and enemas. All turned out well. Three years ago, I had my second colonoscopy with a new doctor. I expressed my concerns with the required prep and he said they used a new prep that was mixed with 8 oz of water, followed by 16 more oz. of water. The taste wasn’t bad at all. It worked within 20 min.

Rigel,

I appreciate your encouragement but over the years I have had several different preps. To me they were all awful. So unless I can do a prep with enemas or a colonic, I am never doing another colonoscopy.

I tried the colon hydrotherapy method for my last colonoscopy and it worked great. Or at least the gastroenterologist commented I prepped well. I didn't tell her I had three colonics instead of the normal laxative prep. I just reverted to a liquid diet and went for a colonic three days in a row. The colonic I had the morning before my procedure, all Jennifer my therapist flushed out of me was slightly cloudy to near clear water. Seems I was also able to pass air a little easier after my procedure. I get colonics fairly regularly. It's a lot more gentle on the system than taking the laxative.....not to mention avoiding having to drink the nasty tasting stuff.

I've had 3 colonoscopies - last 2 were done at Danbury Hospital in CT where they offer hydrotherapy prep. SO MUCH BETTER than the first one choking down a gallon of prep. I'll never do it any other way again. Both times I had a light breakfast and lunch the day before. In the early evening, took a few dulcolax pills and a few glasses of gatorade with miralax. Was able to sleep all night. Right before the proceedure, you get a 45 minute hydrotherapy treatment. Both times the doc said the prep was perfect! I also don't take the sedation, so I'm able to drive myself and no down time.

The first time I had that test, I drank stuff and then followed through with a couple of enemas. I didn’t use the bottle stuff they recommended, I got out my 2 quart bag with a curved douche nozzle and enjoyed two warm soapy enemas and a third water and salt rinse.

Had a few colonoscopies... comes with the territory.... some time ago, I asked if the Hydrocolon was acceptable cleaning... I was explained why not, by itself, but fine combined with the classical purging and dieting and that is recommanded only if done just before the exam... I went for my colonoscopy in different places, and only one offered the hydrocolon before the procedure, a short session, only about 20 minutes, but with no extra cost. The nurse that performed it, was an older gal prone to jokes and very talkative, we ended up talking about enemas and she actually winked at me saying she was available for home calls....to bad I had to come back here.... but I have her number for when I'll return to Italy....

I have has four colonoscopies over a period of four years. The last one continued to show no further cause for concern & I sincerely hope I never need another. A separate thread here queried whether the procedure is embarrassing? My view is that you are likely to be sufficiently concerned about what may or may not be found you won't give a rat's arse about that. I never had any sedation as I wanted to be alert & to ask questions. The process was never more than moderately uncomfortable at times. The worst part was swallowing the prep solution. At least a couple of pints of gloop that tasted disgusting & made me almost throw up. I never want that again.

With my experience already documented, I have to say that the biggest issue I had was with the prep, specifically, the drink. I seriously think that i could’ve cleaned myself out tons better (And without the harshness) via enemas and diet than with the prep drink. I had a little discussion afterwards with the doctor and I made a comment about the clean out and based on what he told me, I’ve decided that I’m doing my own clean out procedure for the next colonoscopy.

I have had 6 colonoscopies, and the early procedures 25 years ago included high enemas. The prep wasn't as bad as it is now because enemas finished the job. Wish they would return to the past prep. Would be a lot easier on the patient.

@Kathy4161

There is a colonoscopy Dr in Phila who uses enemas at his practice to prep for colonoscopy. I've done it and it is much better than drinking a gallon of nasty stuff. I did it without Anesthesia and it wasn't so bad and I could drive home. It was kind of an exciting experience