Outcome with Enema Prep was an Easy Colonoscopy

I read Scott's comments about colonoscopy prep and thought I would share my experiences with you.

I have two friends that suffered the horrors of Golytely, and many years ago I suffered through Fleet Phosphosoda for a gall bladder X-ray prep. My friends spoke about Golytely as being as bad as a serious case of "stomach flu," sitting on the toilet exploding and simultaneously vomiting into a waste basket. The Fleet product worked explosively for me, and left me very uncomfortable. In addition to the Phosphosoda, I was still advised enemas until clear the next morning. I realized I could have just done enemas and achieved the same result.

Growing up my mother believed enemas could cure anything from hangnail to the plague, so I've never had a problem taking them, and already knew if I fasted I could be squeaky clean for the exam. My gall bladder issues turned out to be spastic colon (now called IBS). So when I went back for the first of a dozen or so barium enemas I've had in my 65 years, I just prepped with a series of enemas. Never a problem, never a complaint from a radiologist, and never a problem holding and retaining the barium for the series.

When I was scheduled for my first colonoscopy, Golytely was prescribed, and when I told my physician I would be just fine with a series of enemas, she said no. Like Scott from Salt Lake City, I was told Golytely or no exam.

I said nothing, did my fasting and series of enemas, I was squeaky clean after the third, but took two more to be sure. The outcome (no pun intended) was an easy colonoscopy, and when I advised my physician she said I was as clean as any colon she had examined and that the reason for the objection to enemas is that most people don't know how to use them effectively.

Oh, back in the days of my IBS, after several doctors and a number of useless medications I had an older physician who suggested that enemas give the best relief, and he was right. After a routine of weekly and sometimes twice weekly enemas, always a series of three, during my 30's I got permanent relief from spastic colon.

Now I do at least one series a month and colonics about once a quarter. My daughter and 14-year-old granddaughter also use both colonics and enemas and are very healthy. In fact we always notice other kids seem to be sick far more often.

Keep up the good work you are a great resource.

L. R. N.