Author Topic: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?  (Read 25660 times)

Exflyboy

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #50 on: November 12, 2014, 04:52:04 PM »
Good for you man.. My Aunt died of colon cancer.. it can happen and colonoscopies are covered for free these days so why wouldn't you?

Frank

Dicey

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #51 on: November 12, 2014, 06:09:29 PM »
I'm going to jump on Frank's bandwagon, too. My husband's first wife died at age 50 of colon cancer. When you turn 50, schedule the damn procedure! If you have ANY family history (as she did) insist on it sooner than 50. Do not think it can't happen to you!

And RapmasterD, thank you for bringing this very important topic to the forum! Glad you enjoyed your "nap"...

Nords

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #52 on: November 12, 2014, 06:38:52 PM »
But really it was great. They DID find two polyps...most likely benign, but I have to go back in three years -- a definitive call to action for folks contemplating NOT to get a colonoscopy to indeed get a colonoscopy.
Glad that's over!

When the biopsy comes back benign then you might be "upgraded" to five years. 

RapmasterD

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #53 on: November 13, 2014, 03:02:44 PM »
Thanks Nords!

Biopsies came back benign -- one was benign/pre-cancerous.

I still go back in three years. Something to look forward to, at LAST!

Dicey

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #54 on: November 13, 2014, 03:15:46 PM »
Thanks Nords!

Biopsies came back benign -- one was benign/pre-cancerous.

I still go back in three years. Something to look forward to, at LAST!
Glad the labs came back well. That pre-cancerous one just underscores how important it is to have the procedure done!

When I had mine done three years ago, I also had a couple of polyps removed and was given a five-year pass. They then diagnosed a "tortuous colon" and I was told not to ever have a traditional colonoscopy again, only a virtual one. Well, now I have Kaiser and they don't provide virtual colonoscopies... Other than pray for them to upgrade their technology in the next two years, what's a girl to do?

guitar_stitch

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #55 on: November 14, 2014, 08:35:40 AM »
The funniest thing is that you know it has made a full 'passage' when it comes out the other end. I looked into the bowl to be sure it was what I thought it was.. and it was still flashing! So to my horror, the last picture the specialist saw was probably my face looking into a toilet bowl!

This has me laughing like a maniac right now...  co-workers are giving me funny looks.

be

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #56 on: November 14, 2014, 10:57:29 AM »
Have a family history of colon cancer in my family.  My dad was diagnosed in his 50's.  So as his daughter, the guidelines are that I start at 40 and go in every 5 years.  Had to practically beg and bludgeon my dr for him to approve, but that's a whole other story.  So if you've been diagnosed in your 50's and have kids, tell them to get their colonoscopy early.  Ok, i'll get off my soap box now.

I want to add:

Put extra tp in the bathroom before colonoscopy prep night.  I can't remember if I went thru 3 or 4 rolls of tp, but I say, put an extra 4 pack or even 2 extra 4 packs in there.  You're going to want to have everything conveniently located.  Just keep it out of the walk way so you don't trip over it during a bathroom dash.

Response time to laxative may vary.  My aunt 5 mins, me 7 hours.  What can I say, I have a slow transit time.  And yes, my abdomen was very distended.  Oh and no more pills.  the FDA pulled it, so back to the liquid. 

Use multiple straws for drinking laxative.  and use the biggest cup you can when drinking your water. 

apply baby diaper rash cream after each trip to bathroom.  buy the smallest one you can find, i think the dollar store sells it.  you want to create a bit of a barrier.

i have to admit, i reduced what i ate 3 days before prep night.  so test on fri, prep thurs, reduced eating mon.  with my slow transit time, family history. and the fact that i had to work so hard just to get the test, i wanted to make sure the dr. had good visualization.  no nuts, seeds, hulls, or skins.  no beef.  ate foods with LOW fiber.  (you want that food to pass easily since you'll be giving it serious help.)  Nothing with red dye. no insoluble fiber.  and yes, i was grumpy by wed.  but on thur i was a happy person knowing the next day i could actually eat food.

I just kept reminding myself, good prep = nice clear colon for dr's visualization.  I wanted him to be able see as much as possible in case of a flat polyp.  so think instead of polyp standing up like say broccoli, it's lying flat like a pancake.

really the prep is the worst part.  the procedure is a breeze, esp with the meds.  better living thru chemistry.

good job for getting testing.  for some it really is a matter of life or death.

begood

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #57 on: November 14, 2014, 11:50:40 AM »
Happy to hear from you, RapmasterD!  Glad it all went well and that you've got your mandate for when to return. Now you'll be an old pro! And you've already got the sweatpants! :)

frugledoc

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #58 on: November 14, 2014, 01:27:41 PM »

Most important of all: [/b] No matter how nasty the drink may be, follow instructions and don't cheat on the diet.  The worst of all situations would be to half-ass it (pun intended) and end up having to do it all again because the doctor couldn't get a good view.

I am a gastro physician and this is definitely the most important thing.

If you are having a screening colonoscopy they are looking for small, benign polyps - not large cancers.  They can be difficult to spot and if the bowel prep is anything less than perfect the chance of missing them is much higher.

Your poo should basically looks like water when you last open your bowels before the procedure.

The Borgs

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #59 on: November 14, 2014, 08:18:49 PM »

Your poo should basically looks like water when you last open your bowels before the procedure.

Discovering that it's possible to do what essentially feels like urinate from your ass during colonoscopy prep is initially disturbing, but at the same time makes you very grateful (when you don't leak from there after) for how wonderful the anal sphincter is!

RapmasterD

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #60 on: November 15, 2014, 12:17:24 PM »
I'm also working in a tablespoon of Vitamineral Green with a big glass of water into my diet regimen as many days per week as I can - when I'm home....because yes, I'm that kind of crazy. And no, the cost of that big ole bottle does not fit MMM criteria.

Thanks again, everybody!

david51

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #61 on: December 19, 2014, 12:51:25 AM »
    Had my done 10 months ago.. I declined the nap.  They fought hard to put me under, but i wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. Didn't want them missing anything.

be

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #62 on: December 19, 2014, 01:32:59 PM »
david51,

I get wanting to watch the procedure on the screen.  I wanted to see my colon, too.  I asked my GI for a DVD of the procedure.  He gave me sort of a strange look, as in "you are a crazy person."  He said no.  Still pictures only.  :(


MayDay

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #63 on: December 19, 2014, 01:45:26 PM »
Just had my annual fun this morning. Apparently I was not cooperating with going to sleep with the usual drugs, so they gave me benadryl too. Uuuuuugh that wiped me out. I'm telling them no next time.

couponvan

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #64 on: March 19, 2019, 10:31:55 AM »
OMG....No shitting....Best thread I have read all month. I spit laughed so many times.  It won't be that funny when I'm doing my own prep in a bit, but for now it was just what the doctor ordered.  Since this thread is 5 years old....any new prep advice/poop advances!?!

Dicey

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #65 on: March 19, 2019, 10:37:14 AM »
OMG....No shitting....Best thread I have read all month. I spit laughed so many times.  It won't be that funny when I'm doing my own prep in a bit, but for now it was just what the doctor ordered.  Since this thread is 5 years old....any new prep advice/poop advances!?!
Coup, I'm glad it helped. I updated my post (#21) with the gummies tip before I linked it, so that one's new. The more recent colonoscopy thread was even better, so hopefully someone else will find it and share the link.

hops

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #66 on: March 19, 2019, 10:38:14 AM »
Wow, this was a blast from the past.

I'm scoped at least once a year, sometimes much more often than that (Crohn's + j-pouch = lots of surveillance), and my favorite part of every visit to the endoscopy clinic is listening to how other patients respond when the nurse asks when, and what, they last ate, and what they've been drinking. At least one person is always either sent home, or their procedure is delayed for many hours, by failure to follow instructions. Just a couple weeks ago I heard a woman reply that she'd eaten biscuits and gravy on her way to the hospital.

Cassie

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #67 on: March 19, 2019, 10:45:44 AM »
My second experience was much better than the first one. Besides not using the pills my friend told me instead of stopping eating at midnight eat 2 eggs for breakfast and then stop. It made a huge difference.  Also many doctors are no longer recommending them after age 70 because your colon thins and you are at a much higher risk of puncturing your colon which is often fatal due to infection developing.

Dicey

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #68 on: March 19, 2019, 10:50:09 AM »
Wow, this was a blast from the past.

I'm scoped at least once a year, sometimes much more often than that (Crohn's + j-pouch = lots of surveillance), and my favorite part of every visit to the endoscopy clinic is listening to how other patients respond when the nurse asks when, and what, they last ate, and what they've been drinking. At least one person is always either sent home, or their procedure is delayed for many hours, by failure to follow instructions. Just a couple weeks ago I heard a woman reply that she'd eaten biscuits and gravy on her way to the hospital.
HaHaHa! Why do all that work just to get thrown out on a "technicality"? I've only had two, but they both went like clockwork, in part thanks to the advice given here.

Sorry you have to have them so often, but I hope they help improve your quality of life.

Speaking of listening along in the waiting room. Last time, some dumbass was LOUDLY blathering on about all kinds of unrelated stuff to anyone around him while waiting for his GF to have her procedure. I finally complained and they moved him to another waiting room. What an inconsiderate jerk.

Once I was inside, I overheard an entirely different conversation. Seems a patient had made comments deemed suicidal and the medical staff was consulting about what to do (my curtain was closed, but they apparently thought it was also magically soundproofed). In the end, they decided to go ahead since she had done all the prep correctly and went about arranging for a psych consult for after she woke up. I have no idea what happened, but I wish her all the best. I also appreciated the obvious concern of the medical staff.

Imma

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #69 on: March 19, 2019, 11:16:41 AM »
I've had 10+ of them and don't hate them anymore. Some tricks I've learned over the years:
- while drinking the Movi-prep you need to also drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. I pour one cup of laxative and one cup of extremely sweet lemonade, stick a straw in both cups and drink from them at the same time. The sweet lemonade masks the taste and the sugar makes me less dizzy in the morning
- as a woman, I always wear a dress to hospital to feel less exposed. You have to take off your underwear, trousers or skirt but you can keep on your dress. Of course you need to pull it up during the colonoscopy itself, but before and after you can cover yourself up a bit
- My hospital won't let you leave until you've had something to drink and to eat. They offer coffee, tea and bread. If you think you might not want to eat that, bring some other food so you can go home. I like having fresh fruit afterwards and usually buy an unmustachian prepared fruit salad
- Take a blanket or shawl with you to the hospital. You'll feel much colder than normal due to the laxative

Holyoak

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #70 on: March 19, 2019, 11:28:43 AM »
    Had my done 10 months ago.. I declined the nap.  They fought hard to put me under, but i wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. Didn't want them missing anything.

How was the discomfort/the experience during the procedure w/o sedation?  Have read how in many other countries, no sedation is regularly done.  Never had one w/o sedation, and like the fact I could take myself to and from the procedure, or take the bus if no sedation was used.  Be kinda cool to see what's going on inside too.  Thanks.

Dicey

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #71 on: March 19, 2019, 11:37:16 AM »
I've had 10+ of them and don't hate them anymore. Some tricks I've learned over the years:
- while drinking the Movi-prep you need to also drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration. I pour one cup of laxative and one cup of extremely sweet lemonade, stick a straw in both cups and drink from them at the same time. The sweet lemonade masks the taste and the sugar makes me less dizzy in the morning
- as a woman, I always wear a dress to hospital to feel less exposed. You have to take off your underwear, trousers or skirt but you can keep on your dress. Of course you need to pull it up during the colonoscopy itself, but before and after you can cover yourself up a bit
- My hospital won't let you leave until you've had something to drink and to eat. They offer coffee, tea and bread. If you think you might not want to eat that, bring some other food so you can go home. I like having fresh fruit afterwards and usually buy an unmustachian prepared fruit salad
- Take a blanket or shawl with you to the hospital. You'll feel much colder than normal due to the laxative
In the US, I suspect street clothes won't be allowed, but one trick is to ask for two gowns and wear one backward and one forward. Also, your own blanket probably won't be let in. I asked for and was given heated blankets both times. It's pretty common to have these available and they are delicious. In fact, during the delay caused by the woman I mentioned above, they piled on more heated blankets.

As to @Holyoak's sedation query, I have a tortuous colon, so going natural is not an option. I was very concerned about the effects of anesthesia, so the doctor was very careful about the type and amount of medication administered. I woke up quickly and easily, which is not my typical experience.

I had a heart catheterization once where I was immobilized but awake and could watch the procedure. It was pretty cool for about twenty minutes, then I got bored and fell asleep, which was helpful since the test took more than twice the estimated time. Seeing my colon? Nah, no thanks.

Cassie

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #72 on: March 19, 2019, 11:58:12 AM »
My mom had a sigmoidoscopy which is only halfway and they didn’t offer sedation. She said it was horribly painful.  She never had another one.

hops

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #73 on: March 19, 2019, 12:38:07 PM »
My mom had a sigmoidoscopy which is only halfway and they didn’t offer sedation. She said it was horribly painful.  She never had another one.

Ouch! I've woken up a few times during colonoscopies (pre-colectomy) and flex sigs. Only briefly, usually. But once, as a kid, I couldn't signal that I was awake and listened to my doctor and a nurse finish things up and discuss their weekend plans.

For me it was more uncomfortable than painful, but I was used to a lot of invasive intestinal stuff by then. Given the choice (currently irrelevant since my GI wants you asleep), I'd be happy to pay for anesthesia, even on an annual basis.

Cassie

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #74 on: March 19, 2019, 12:42:21 PM »
That’s horrible that you have woken up. I wouldn’t do it without anesthetic.  Maybe my mom’s colon was unusual because normally she was tough. The

Exflyboy

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #75 on: March 19, 2019, 03:51:16 PM »
my 83 year old Mum just decided to have hers done with no anesthesia at all.. Apparently it was awful.

Don't ask the obvious question.. I already tried...:)

Imma

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #76 on: March 19, 2019, 04:06:35 PM »
    Had my done 10 months ago.. I declined the nap.  They fought hard to put me under, but i wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. Didn't want them missing anything.

How was the discomfort/the experience during the procedure w/o sedation?  Have read how in many other countries, no sedation is regularly done.  Never had one w/o sedation, and like the fact I could take myself to and from the procedure, or take the bus if no sedation was used.  Be kinda cool to see what's going on inside too.  Thanks.

I have had all 10+ of them without sedation and to me it's perfectly do-able. It's a weird feeling and sometimes a bit uncomfortable but not painful. It gets easier every time. I have to say I have not had any bowel surgery and I am able to fully relax. If you get tense / nervous,  it's going to be painful.

They don't offer anasthesia in my country but they will give you some stuff that makes you relax and stops you from forming memories. They don't knock you out completely because the procedure is easier if you can cooperate. Sometimes they need you to move from your side to your back or move your legs etc. I have never tried it because I need to take the train home, the hospital is in a different city. I could ask my s/o to come with me now, but when I had my first colosconopy I was single so I had no other choice.

Morning Glory

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #77 on: March 19, 2019, 04:23:20 PM »
I My first thought was that the most mustachian way to do the prep would be to find some research study that would pay for your poo.

wenchsenior

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #78 on: March 19, 2019, 05:11:29 PM »
Other best practices:  claim a bathroom, and put a chair in it.  Go to the library and stock up.  Wear stretchy waist pants.  Sit in your chair, read a book, and when the urge comes, you will quickly whip your pants down, get on the pot, and the rocket will explode out your butt (google the Dave Barry colonoscopy article if you don't get this reference). 

You don't want to have to be fussing with belts and zippers and buttons on your pants. 

It may be hard to sleep.  Just as you drift off you awake to either a real or phantom need to poo.  It's hard to get restful sleep when you are on the verge of poo-zing yourself all night.  Thus, have lots of books to read while you are up at 3 am. 

When you drive to the hospital tomorrow, either wear a depends, or stick a towel down your pants.  If possible, know where the closest restroom to the hospital drop off is, so you can beeline towards it if needed.
Agree. With all of this, esp the depends on the way to the clinic.  I actually had to go while already in the gown and hooked to the iv drips (had to waddle down the hall carrying the iv bag). Ugh.  And that was after starting the prep 2 days prior.  I have the slowest digestion on the planet (tortuous colon).

Also, you must have a driver to take you home. The drugs they give you knock most people absolutely loopy for hours afterward.

ETA: I just had one a few months ago, and they knocked me out completely for it b/c they did 'both ends at once'.  I was SO thankful b/c I am prone to migraines, and just as I expected all the purging and erratic blood sugar brought one on a few hours before the procedure (when it was too late to load myself up with painkiller and pseudoephedrine).  I was in severe pain by the time I was at the hospital, and when they told me they were going to knock me out with fentanyl, I have NEVER felt so excited to be undergoing an invasive medical procedure LOL. 
« Last Edit: March 19, 2019, 05:23:17 PM by wenchsenior »

Exflyboy

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #79 on: March 19, 2019, 05:34:06 PM »
    Had my done 10 months ago.. I declined the nap.  They fought hard to put me under, but i wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. Didn't want them missing anything.

How was the discomfort/the experience during the procedure w/o sedation?  Have read how in many other countries, no sedation is regularly done.  Never had one w/o sedation, and like the fact I could take myself to and from the procedure, or take the bus if no sedation was used.  Be kinda cool to see what's going on inside too.  Thanks.

I have had all 10+ of them without sedation and to me it's perfectly do-able. It's a weird feeling and sometimes a bit uncomfortable but not painful. It gets easier every time. I have to say I have not had any bowel surgery and I am able to fully relax. If you get tense / nervous,  it's going to be painful.

They don't offer anasthesia in my country but they will give you some stuff that makes you relax and stops you from forming memories. They don't knock you out completely because the procedure is easier if you can cooperate. Sometimes they need you to move from your side to your back or move your legs etc. I have never tried it because I need to take the train home, the hospital is in a different city. I could ask my s/o to come with me now, but when I had my first colosconopy I was single so I had no other choice.

Do they use Propofol? Looks like milk (its jokingly called "milk of amnesia"..:)

hops

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #80 on: March 19, 2019, 05:45:35 PM »
    Had my done 10 months ago.. I declined the nap.  They fought hard to put me under, but i wanted to watch the procedure on the screen. Didn't want them missing anything.

How was the discomfort/the experience during the procedure w/o sedation?  Have read how in many other countries, no sedation is regularly done.  Never had one w/o sedation, and like the fact I could take myself to and from the procedure, or take the bus if no sedation was used.  Be kinda cool to see what's going on inside too.  Thanks.

I have had all 10+ of them without sedation and to me it's perfectly do-able. It's a weird feeling and sometimes a bit uncomfortable but not painful. It gets easier every time. I have to say I have not had any bowel surgery and I am able to fully relax. If you get tense / nervous,  it's going to be painful.

They don't offer anasthesia in my country but they will give you some stuff that makes you relax and stops you from forming memories. They don't knock you out completely because the procedure is easier if you can cooperate. Sometimes they need you to move from your side to your back or move your legs etc. I have never tried it because I need to take the train home, the hospital is in a different city. I could ask my s/o to come with me now, but when I had my first colosconopy I was single so I had no other choice.

Do they use Propofol? Looks like milk (its jokingly called "milk of amnesia"..:)

Midazolam, maybe? Other parts of the world might be more relaxed about propofol, but here you'd need a ride home for that one. I much prefer propofol to the midazolam/fentanyl combo (I think that's the one, Abe or someone else who works in medicine, please correct if that's wrong) they do sometimes.

Imma

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #81 on: March 20, 2019, 08:59:28 AM »
I think it's midazolam that they offer, but you're not allowed to travel home on your own afterwards so I haven't tried. Of course they can't detain you in the hospital but there's a reason why they tell you not to do it.

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Re: Colonoscopy prep the MMM way?
« Reply #82 on: March 21, 2019, 01:42:11 PM »
I had my first procedure last year and I liked it so much I would LOVE to do it every year.  I felt completely clean afterwards and my doctor is awesome. 

The prep they gave me is called EZ-2-Go.  A couple of pills, some powder that I mixed with cold gatorade, etc.  The instructions were very good about "mix the solution now and put it in the fridge until 6pm tonight", etc. 

The other thing I did that may have made things easy -- I ate low-fiber food for a week ahead of time.  I'm talking white bread, grilled chicken, and roasted carrots.  And that was it. 

I also have a toto washlet, so the toilet paper thing wasn't a problem.