How long does it take for suprep to work?

Like most of you, I was pretty anxious about the whole thing but it hasn't been as bad as I built it up to be. About the best advice I can give on top of what has already been given is trust that the medicine will work and that your doctors will do their job well.

I was in the bathroom an hour or so. I started with a Vaseline barrier and that seemed to do the trick for me. I was able to sleep just fine and the colonoscopy part was a breeze. You just don't feel very good after putting your body through all that and the drugs. No side effects whatsoever with the scoping part.

Again, I'll use a straw.

Then I fixed 16oz of sprite zero on ice and drank that quickly (the Suprep taste coats your gums and is so gross), and then I decided I'd skip the carbonation and had 16oz of water flavored with orange Mio.

I didn't experience any of the cramping, bloating, etc. BUT - my doctor asked if I have a bowel movement every day - and I don't - so she recommended that I take a stool softener every day for the week before the prep. I'm going to say that was a wise idea after reading some of the comments!

About 45 minutes after starting the prep, I felt like I was going to pass gas - and wisely thought... "better not" - and went to the bathroom. I was halfway through my second 16 oz glass of water. I didn't spend any marathons on the toilet - maybe a 15 minute stay the first time, and then subsequent trips every 5-10 minutes or so. I'm wearing comfy sweatpants that are easy on/off, too. Another thing I'd recommend is Balmex or Desitin - that stuff is awesome - and reapply throughout (your bum will thank you). Wet wipes, too. The wet wipes are good for your bum and also to get the diaper creme off your finger before washing your hands! Soap doesn't do it.

I got cold - but I am ALWAYS cold - so I didn't think anything of it until I read that a lot of other people (who aren't normally cold) got cold, too! Lucky for me, I had an wifi controlled thermostat installed yesterday and had my phone app with me to raise the heat to 75 degrees in the house. That, and socks, and I felt better - but still cold with my drawers down. I'm ready for tomorrow morning at 6 am with a space heater set up and pointing at the toilet (another tip from here)!

The running to the bathroom lasted about 2.5 hours with frequency decreasing in the last 45 minutes. By the end, the liquid was mostly clear. I was consuming broth and popsicles throughout the "purge," and I've gone to the bathroom since 8:30, and I only had to pee - the normal way! I feel optimistic that I'll sleep well tonight. I hope I can go to bed early since the Suprep dose time is 6 am. I'm feeling a little hungry tonight - but not homicidal - which I was sure I would be.

It's helpful to read tips from everyone else, so read the variety available and you may gleen something new. Here's to hoping tomorrow is as relatively easy and that I can shower before I depart for the hospital and make the 25 minute drive there!

I drank 48 ounces of broth after standing to warm me up, and hopefully help with the dehydration; had a headache for a bit, but it eventually passed. Around 11pm, I felt confident enough to go to sleep, woke up at 5am entirely unrelated. It's now 6am, I'm able to go to the bathroom and only urinate which I wasn't doing before. Scheduled to take the next dose at 8am for a 12pm appointment, but I've decided to start it at 7am and not mix it with the water, since nearly tripling the amount of it is only going to make it harder. Starting an hour early because it's a 30 minute drive to the hospital from my house, and I'm not confident a 3.5 hour window is enough time to be able to hold the stool in. Hopefully, the morning dose won't be as bad.

4. As I believe I stated above... total time was around an two hours +/- 10 mins. If your perhaps maybe making the process easier maybe ask the doctor if it would help to go on a low residue diet in the 3 days before the colonoscopy. I didn't have much choice with what's going on. Ask your doctor for suggestions to make it easier if your concerned.
5. Stay hydrated. I wasn't able to due to certain things as much as I would have liked... and am slightly dehydrated. So please make sure your as hydrated as possible if your able
6. Most of important of all. Follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Don't deviate from them. If you have any questions for your doctor nearing the colonoscopy. Don't be afraid to ask him or her. My GI and his office was extreme helpful. Your doctor should be as well as they want the best prep possible as to not have to repeat the process.

Good luck on your Suprep bowel prep and on your colonoscopies!!! I hope this helped. In actuality this wasn't to bad and while not enjoyable... nothing to get to worked up about in my opinion. Of course everyone is different. :)

I figured since it was mostly solid that this was residual waste from another transaction, and that the terrorist attacks on my bowels would ensue within the 1 to 5 hour timeframe (according to the paperwork my GI gave me). Inaccurate. After making a brief sabbatical from the toilet, I quickly returned to its welcoming seat. Tomorrow morning at 3:30 a.m. I will get up, pour, drink, and repeat. It seems in this forum that there is a split between those of us who experience the immediacy of this drug v. those who suffer the waiting effects. If you are fortunate enough (yes, I say fortunate enough) to fall into the immediacy group, I gather that your suffering will be expedited. If you are in the latter, you have my sympathies. In either event, colonoscopy prep is not terrible, but it's worth the research and the prep before the prep. Cozy on up to that throne of yours, and make the space yours. :) - Oh, and an added tip - if you're like me, you will get cold, so find a way to bundle on up and wear thick, cozy socks. I believe in you!

It seems most people started feeling effects immediately. I did not. I was expecting to so I sat on the toilet for 20 mins but nothing happened except I was extremely nauseous. I sniffed some peppermint oil and that helped the nausea a little.
I then sat on the bed watching the clock getting ready to sprint the the bathroom. After 90 mins of waiting and dealing with bloating, cramps and nausea I was beginning to think I was one of those people this just wouldn’t work on and I would be cramping all night. Then at 2 hours I had a small urge to go to the bathroom probably because of all the water. Then it kicked in! When people say it’s like you are peeing from your butt they aren’t kidding. That’s exactly what it feels like. It lasted on and off for 2-3 hours. I was able to sleep through the night and woke at 6a for round 2.

Next round much much harder to get down but I suspect some of that is mental. I tried drinking it much slower this time hoping it would ease my nausea. I think it helped a little. I also chased each sip with ginger ale which helped with the after taste. At 40 mins I was back in the bathroom and things were happening again. My appt isn’t until noon so I have a little time to get everything out.
Overall I was expecting a miserable night and it wasn’t bad at all. Luckily I was able to start early enough the first day that I could sleep through the night. I wouldn’t want to do this often however once every few years isn’t that bad. Get in a good mindset and know that you are cleaning out potentially years of toxins in your system.
So in short, everyone’s experience is different and do what YOU need to do to make it easier on you. Like many I did get the chills as well and even put a small heater into my bathroom to keep me warm. My husband thought I was moving in since I had bottles of water, heater, hard candies, bowl in case I threw up, iPad and headphones. Good luck and don’t be nervous. :)