# What was your colonoscopy recovery like? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772 "2026-02-18T00:37:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/61 "2026-02-19T16:52:21Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > But my last colonoscopy was 10 years ago, and I have heard that there are modern products that are easier to take. Can someone confirm this? Mine was 10 years ago, too. I’m due for another, but have been dragging my feet. I’ve had some friends tell me that they just had to drink two bottles of Gatorade with powder mixed in, and others have said that they only had to take a pill! When I asked about these methods, I was told that the Go Lightly (I think that’s what it was called) is the best method and that is what my clinic uses. The Go Lightly was in a gallon jug. I had to drink 3/4 of it that evening and the rest the next morning. It was salty, slimy, and it felt cold inside my body. The morning portion was even worse. It had thickened up by then. UGH ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/62 "2026-02-19T16:55:31Z")
For my colonoscopy, the doctor prescribed Suprep (a combination of sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate), which as I remember, I took with about a pint of water or Gatorade, in two doses about four or six hours apart. It certainly wasn’t a gallon of vile tasting liquid. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/63 "2026-02-19T17:17:39Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > There is no recovery when you nap the nap of the gods. I felt like a million bucks afterward. Same here. They told me I would have the greatest nap of my life, and wake up feeling refreshed and fantastic, and that’s exactly what happened. No wonder Michael Jackson got hooked on, and eventually OD’ed on the stuff (I believe they told me I was given Propofol). I had no discomfort afterward whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/64 "2026-02-19T17:19:04Z")
I remember the nurse telling me to roll onto my left side and then waking up in the recovery room. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/65 "2026-02-19T17:38:36Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Same here. They told me I would have the greatest nap of my life, and wake up feeling refreshed and fantastic, and that’s exactly what happened. I’m jealous of y’all. When i had propofol, i woke up convinced that I’d nearly died, and with a profound sense of having been violated. That was for an upper endoscopy, which (unlike a colonoscopy) leaves you sore in lots of places. I had PTSD and couldn’t sleep for more than a week afterwards, and finally was helped by talking to the anesthesiologist, who walked me, minute by minute, though his notes of exactly what had was done. (Which was routine, by the way.) I remain terrified of needing to take propofol again. But most people enjoy the experience. (And the worst physical after effect I’ve had from a colonoscopy is feeling slimy from the lube. Really, no recovery needed at all. Any recovery needed will be from the anesthesia.) ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/66 "2026-02-19T17:41:29Z")
A big nothingburger. I remember coming out of anesthesia and the nurses shouting my name repeatedly. “Mr. [Mylastname]!! Mr. [Mylastname]!! Aaron!!!” and I remember one of them shoving my inhaler into my hand. Then I realized I was having an asthma attack. I very much doubt it was brought on by anesthesia but whatevs, I was fine within seconds. Got lunch on the way home. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/67 "2026-02-19T17:42:14Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m jealous of y’all. When i had propofol, i woke up convinced that I’d nearly died, and with a profound sense of having been violated. **That was for an upper endoscopy, which (unlike a colonoscopy) leaves you sore in lots of places.** [Bolding mine] Maybe your experience was more a result of the specific procedure than of the anesthetic, then? In any case, I’m sorry to hear of your bad experience. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/68 "2026-02-19T17:46:21Z")
Nope, I’ve done several upper endoscopies sober, too. It leaves me with a sore throat, but when I’ve been awake and able to consent to the procedure, I’ve had no psychological issues after. And the aching jaw is a side effect of having your mouth propped open when you are too deeply sedated to guard your own breathing. That’s a common side effect of a sedated upper scope, but isn’t an issue if you do it sober. I have no idea if it’s sometimes a problem with sedated colonoscopies. I have severe gastric reflux, (mostly controlled by drugs) and for a while the doctors wanted to monitor how my stomach and esophagus were doing pretty regularly. I’ve done a _lot_ of upper endoscopies. The one with propofol was by far the worst. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/69 "2026-02-19T17:53:20Z")
Anyway, I’m an advocate of doing colonoscopies sober. You can drive yourself there and back, there’s no recovery time, it’s cool to watch, and there’s not very much pain. And it’s cheaper and slightly safer. [https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/benefits-of-sedation-free-colonoscopy](https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/benefits-of-sedation-free-colonoscopy) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/70 "2026-02-21T09:00:46Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > I have IBS, my father was a big polyp producer, and my grand father had colon cancer. That’s me. I had my first colonoscopy mid 40s, and will have my third later this year, on a 5-year schedule. They found 2 polyps with my first, I think only 1 with my second. My PCP at the time of my first colonoscopy said he always does it without anesthesia, and I could if I wanted, no problem. I’ve always gone for the anesthesia. I remember the post procedure discussion with the doctor. My husband doesn’t remember any of the post procedure discussion, so it was good that I was with him. I had actual surgery in September, was intubated, etc. There was a long recovery period - it took days for me to get out of the fog, and weeks to totally recover. I went home in a taxi - taking a bus was out of the question. Colonoscopy recovery? Finished by the time I got home - less than 2 hours after the procedure was done. And I went home on the bus, with my husband escorting me. (Parking in that area is horrible.) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/71 "2026-02-21T15:03:37Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > But my last colonoscopy was 10 years ago, and I have heard that there are modern products that are easier to take. Can someone confirm this? Between my colonoscopy 10 years ago and the one 5 years ago, they halved the product volume, but still have to drink a lot. For the one I have 5 years ago, I took a swig of product, and then a swig of some other liquid - might have been tea or some other pale liquid. Hubby confirmed - his latest was 2 years ago, and his first was 12 years ago. He really had an issue to complete the prep the first time, but the second one was a lot easier. As he has no family history of colon cancer, and because his first colonoscopy was clear, his one small polyp during his second colonoscopy earned him another 10 years before his next screening. Make sure the product is cold, and use a straw. We have a metal Starbucks tumbler with a metal straw. We both used it for the product. Because the product is cold, alternating with something warm will help prevent getting chilled. After the procedure, our doctor’s office offers a choice of broth or coffee or tea or even just water. I had time to finish mine before going to chat with the doctor about his findings. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/72 "2026-02-21T16:25:15Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > Between my colonoscopy 10 years ago and the one 5 years ago, they halved the product volume, Between mine, 1 and 11 years ago, the product was the same, except the first included its own flavoring (go lytly) and the second was the same drug, dissolved in the same volume, but with Gatorade. Different doctors have different preferences, and most also take patient preference (and prior experience) into account. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/73 "2026-02-21T18:42:00Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Different doctors have different preferences, and most also take patient preference (and prior experience) into account. I did a bit of searching, and found the brand that both my husband and I used for our second colonoscopies. We only had to drink 1 liter of solution plus another liter of liquids compared to 4 liters solution before. Same practice, but different doctors between the first and second rounds. > **[A Formula Designed With You In Mind](https://www.myplenvu.com/)** > > PLENVU® (PEG 3350, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Sulfate, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Chloride, and Potassium Chloride for oral solution). Or for @EinsteinsHund [https://www.plenvu.de/](https://www.plenvu.de/) They even have an app! 😆 ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/74 "2026-02-21T19:07:21Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > Or for @EinsteinsHund [https://www.plenvu.de/](https://www.plenvu.de/) They even have an app! 😆 Thank you very much! I bookmarked the site and will remember it when I schedule my next colonoscopy, which is due this year after ten years. The vast amount I had to drink was my main issue of discomfort, because I’m really not used to that much liquid. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/75 "2026-02-22T16:52:07Z")
The tablets made me vomit. I’ll go back to the liquid next time. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/76 "2026-02-23T23:37:05Z")
Which one? (I’ve had ELEVEN). Well, the answer is the same each time: 1. I woke up quickly in recovery. I wasn’t fully functional, but I felt pretty alert. 2. They removed the IV and had me get dressed, and fed me crackers and juice or similar. 3. I went home, ate some real food, and took a nap. 4. The gut was back to normal within 24 hours. Sometimes I have a bit of the runs once or twice afterward - good old gastrocolic reflex kicks in when I eat something. I only had the elephant-call farts the first time, never since then. I feel robbed. I’ve used OsmoPrep (pills, now discontinued), PrepoPik (called Picolax or similar in other countries) which is very low volume liquid, Clenpiq which is a premixed version of the same, and Sutab. The only one of these I would not do again is Sutab which is a pity: easiest one ever to take, but it worked too well. I took an Imodium the minute I got home, after that one. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/77 "2026-03-06T08:14:21Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I bookmarked the site and will remember it when I schedule my next colonoscopy, which is due this year after ten years. Guess who got a reminder to schedule their next colonoscopy? Just made my appointment for mid-June. And they still use Plenvu and will send out the paperwork and prep meds in the next week. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/78 "2026-03-06T08:29:47Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > PrepoPik (called Picolax or similar in other countries) Yes, it’s called Picolax in Canada. It is indeed low volume, and tastes more or less like bad tea, but tolerable. You take two doses, each one less than a cup. The first dose gives you diarrhea. The second dose is not necessary and is required, I presume, just because the medical profession has a sadistic streak. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Which one? (I’ve had ELEVEN). JFC!!! I’ve had one, and though there wasn’t anything really bad about it – the diarrhea from the prep was really the worst part by far – I’d prefer not to have any more. I’m fine with the biannual (every two years) poop test for colorectal cancer. If someone wants to look at a sample of my poop under a microscope – or whatever the hell it is that they do with the poop that I mail them – that’s their problem! 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/79 "2026-03-06T10:55:06Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Yes, it’s called Picolax in Canada. It is indeed low volume, and tastes more or less like bad tea, but tolerable. This is what I’ve used for both my colonoscopies. Ice cold and with a straw it’s tolerable. I can’t imaging drinking 4L of the other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772/80 "2026-03-06T13:56:47Z")
Coincidentally for this thread … Yesterday while digging in my files for the paper scrip for my quarterly blood tests I ran across another paper scrip for my periodic colonoscopy to be used near year end. Which will be lifetime #4 for me. So in ~8 months we’ll all have another data point in the Great Ongoing SDMB Fascination With All Things Colonoscopic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-colonoscopy-recovery-like/1027772.md?page=5)