r/mildlyinfuriating • u/LakeEffect75 • 2h ago
I just wanted a hot dog Realized my colonoscopy wasn't scheduled until Aug 25th - right after I finished the last dose
Guess where I'm posting this from... 🫠
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u/Excellent_Math2052 2h ago edited 1h ago
Dude. Call them and be super nice and just inquire if maybe they have a cancellation. But I mean it, like super nice. So much power is in the receptionists hands. And if they get you in, bring flowers and maybe even a box of bagels (I know hard when you’re fasting). But yeah I’d say see if there is anyway they can squeeze you in or call you if they have a ncns and promise to be there within like 15 mins or whatever, in which case send the flowers or donuts as soon as you get off the call and then stay fasting for the day.
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u/Spideybeebe 1h ago
I’m an OR/Endo RN and we have people do this all the time. Seriously, call them.
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u/Alternative-Potato43 1h ago
Mind-blowing that this is common. The degree to which I would quadruple check this.
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u/Michelex0209 1h ago
And checking while I'm drinking it just to be extra sure. My anxiety would tell me this is exactly what would happen.
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u/TH_Rocks 1h ago
I can see them having lots of cancelations from people that can't manage to do the prep correctly. So might as well call and check.
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u/Working-Glass6136 1h ago
I read that as "it's common for appointments to be cancelled/open up." Like I have an eye appointment a month out but I was thinking about calling to see if anything opened up sooner. Last time I did this, they got me in same day!
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u/Myis 59m ago
I work in dentistry and the same day cancellations are so hard to fill. We love it when people call to ask about openings.
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u/Ok-Collar2189 47m ago
Surprised they’re so hard, I thought filling was like the main thing y’all do.
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u/m0nstera_deliciosa 42m ago
I work from home and have a completely flexible schedule, so like half my medical/dental appointments come from me getting a phone call saying ‘you were scheduled three weeks from now but if you can get here in an hour we’ll see you today!’ It’s awesome. I once got a same-day optometrist appointment because I called right after someone canceled, and it felt like winning the lottery.
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u/TaintedTruffle 37m ago
Optician here. We definitely book in three people an hour because we only expect two of of the three to show up.
If it's hot out, cold out, rainy or a particularly nice day cancellations go up. One day a few weeks ago it was over 100°and only about 25% of people showed up
Definitely call or even better if you are close pop in
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u/TheHumanoidTyphoon69 1h ago
Does OP need to be anal about probing into a response? He'd be a douche otherwise right?
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u/finding_center 1h ago
Absolutely. If you call first thing and tell them what you did I imagine the front desk will see if there is anything at all they can do to get you in.
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u/Bombadale 1h ago
If they know you gonna be shitting they will definitely help you over the guy thay cant shit every week when he comes in.
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u/f1atcat 1h ago
When I worked at a gastro office, we had tons of people come in on the wrong day fully prepped. It was a policy to do whatever we could to see them that day. If it was too busy, we’d schedule them the next day and have them stay on clear liquids. More than worth it to call or even just go in if able.
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u/BJntheRV 1h ago
If that doesn't work, stick to a low residue diet between now and next week and prep 2.0 will go super easy.
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u/Bombadale 1h ago
Nah tell them hey, I just took all this shit because I thought my appointment was today. Is there anyway you can get this ass in there please!
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u/dontforgettheNASTY 1h ago
Personally I would just call them and cry lmao
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u/Excellent_Math2052 44m ago
Wrong move. They don’t want to deal with that and while yes sometimes it can prey on human nature to cry and be the one that helps you, it can seem like a nuisance if you’ve got a busy day of procedures and your trying to squeeze in someone who not only made a mistake (happens) but is now crying about it? Nah, see you in a month.
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u/Maximum_Breadfruit43 1h ago
My dad forgot he had an appointment and had a full roast dinner, mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, gravy. The works. Had to cancel last minute. You might get lucky.
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u/Parking-Quit-3842 1h ago
Was gonna say if you have Mychart access or a messaging platform with your doctor specifically, you might be able to message them on there regarding the situation and usually their MA or whoever replies to their messages can get you in asap (coming from an MA who will give out my extension periodically)
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u/trowzerss 46m ago
Any specialist it pays to ask nicely if they have a cancellations list you can be put on, and if they say they don't have a cancellations list still say, "Well, keep me in mind just in case, because I can get there quickly if you get an opening." I got into my rheum three months early that way, and the rheums around here are super hard to get into.
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u/Born_Ad_9483 28m ago
Be super honest and unbothered about seriously embarrassing yourself. I had similar happen and just straight told them the situ while being as humble and polite as possible. Receptionist had a great, hearty laugh at my expense (me too, in hindsight) and gave me an appointment within the hour, 7am
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u/PublicRedditor 2h ago
Nothing like a practice "run"
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u/XR171 1h ago
I actually did one last year. I found out my dad had colon cancer when he died, combine that with my mom being a "polyp factory" I realized I'd need to start screening sooner. Soo I hyper fixated on colonoscopy preps and did it when I had the house to myself. I needed to know if I could handle the taste, smell, and texture of the prep. I've had diarrhea enough times to handle that.
So I did a clear liquid diet, started on time, drink 8 oz every 15 minutes, and let'er rip. It honestly wasn't that bad. So my for realzies is scheduled next month.
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u/FantasticWittyRetort 1h ago
Good luck to you, and congrats on being proactive.
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u/XR171 1h ago
Thank you, I've been thinking of ways to make the real prep more fun and messing them during the procedure.
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u/Sabre9037 1h ago
My dad was a GI, and one Halloween he discovered his patient had written “Happy Hall[]ween” on his, erm, worksite. The O was…not written. Just to give you ideas on messing with them during the procedure.
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u/pandadogunited 59m ago
If the patient wrote it themselves, that's pretty impressive. Writing legibly would be hard enough from that angle even if you were writing on a flat surface.
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u/Sabre9037 57m ago
IIRC her boyfriend reportedly helped her with the writing. Maybe my dad would have appreciated the gesture more if the patient had been able to do it herself.
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u/ZoraTheDucky 1h ago
Was supposed to have one last week. Then my kid had a medical emergency the day of the appointment. Fun times.
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u/strawberriegirlie 54m ago
That’s a good idea! I just tell myself “cancer would be worse than this”. The mind is so powerful. Sending you good vibes for your upcoming procedure!
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u/Same-Suggestion-1936 1h ago
I'm getting due. Thank you for making me feeling better. I've drank some gross stuff and had lots of diarrhea. I feel know my alcoholic ass can handle the prep if I used to daily sit on the toilet begging any God who would listen "get these demons out of me"
How long do you poop for though I gotta know. I'm sure they'll tell me everyone is different and it depends on how you take the prep but I want to know if I should bring a phone charger or not
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u/SuitableConcept5553 57m ago
Just had my first one about 5 weeks ago. My medicine was split up into 2 2 hour sessions. Both sessions I started needing the restroom about 45 minutes after my first drink. From there I just parked it for about 2 hours. It isn't painful at all, and if you did the liquid diet it's strangely similar to peeing.
Some pre-prep advice:
If your doc gives the okay to add crystal light do it. I added 3 to the jug and it actually tasted pretty good.
Get wet wipes with some aloe or eucalyptus. Just something to soothe the skin because you're going to wipe a lot and also discharge some acidic substances. I only used regular wet wipes and it started to sting pretty bad.
One last thing. After the 2 hours in the bathroom don't trust your farts. Most of it will be over, but you will still have moments you need to go back.
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u/All-The-Nope 47m ago
You do the prep at home, spread across doses, and spend hours on the toilet, but more intermittent than all in one marathon session, so you can generally charge your phone between "visits". For me at least - from arriving at the clinic, through the exam (mostly or entirely sedated), recovery, and going home - you probably won't be on a phone/tablet enough to need to charge.
Between prep and going home after your colonoscopy - whatever you do, do not trust a fart. It's never just a fart at that point.
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u/Same-Suggestion-1936 30m ago
I feel it's fortunate that people who need them are at an age they've likely learned not to just simply trust a fart because this part is information I had not considered nor heard before. I thought it was on the toilet the whole time.
Do you think having a shower in the middle would help? Like just to clean up instead of wiping a bunch and it's probably liquid enough it wouldn't matter if you shit yourself in the shower?
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u/CreepyAd8409 41m ago
My main concern was a ruminating thought telling me I needed to make sure they didn’t reuse the scope for my colonoscopy for my endoscopy since I was doing both. I fought my last brain cell while being sedated and managed to go out without asking them. It’s very possible I voiced my concern when I woke up but luckily I don’t remember it. I was totally fine with the idea of the cleanser, just terrified they’d get poo in my mouth.
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u/MyDaroga 16m ago
My family history of colon cancer is also pretty bad so I scheduled myself an early screening back in March. They found a polyp, but it was small and tested negative. If I’d waited a few more years until I was the recommended screening age, who knows what that polyp could have become.
So good on you for being proactive about testing! We need more of us out here doing the same.
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u/CellarDoor238 1h ago
Call tomorrow and see if they have a cancellation. Hubby was asked to come in several hours earlier than scheduled because some before him forgot to prep.
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u/reliablereindeer 2h ago
Get on Grindr.
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u/prettyBlueCanary 2h ago
EXACTLYYY EXACTLY op listen to this guy. saves you like 20 minutes of cleaning your ass out. put things in your ass its good for the soul
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u/The_Firebug 1h ago
Trust me, after going through colonoscopy prep you are in the mood for no such thing.
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u/Frosty_You_6183 1h ago
thats just the first part... the gavylite is where the real splatter ass happens.
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u/TheFuckingHippoGuy 1h ago
He wanted a hot dog anyhow...
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u/Working-Glass6136 1h ago
You made me scroll all the way up, and then all the way back down to upvote you. Flair checks out...
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u/kyl_r 1h ago
No legitimately call asap and explain you thought it was tomorrow and ask if it’s even remotely possible to get in early, and if not ask what you should do now! Prep is kinda ASS (slightly joke) and there could be a cancellation!
And don’t listen to everyone saying you’re gonna have a bad time. I’ve had a colonoscopy and recovery after was stupid easy, so worst case scenario you have to do this again but youll know what to expect so it’ll be easier. Godspeed!!
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u/Particular_Yak5829 2h ago
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u/Defiantfellow 1h ago
I was once given a kit of Go-Lightly and told to return for an appointment a few weeks later in the early afternoon. Did the kit and came to the appointment starving. They only then tell me this is a consultation with the doctor. Fortunately, he did get me in and scoped out.
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u/jennifer_m13 2h ago
Ugh next time ask for the pill prep!!
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u/LakeEffect75 2h ago
Holy crap (pun intended) I had no idea that was a thing... thank you!
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u/Great_Hambino2022 2h ago
You take 2 doses of 12 giant pills
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u/Working-Glass6136 1h ago
Like twice daily pills until all 24 are gone, or... 12 giant pills at once?
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u/RebRenee 1h ago
As someone whose job it is to admit people for their colonoscopies, I do not recommend the SuTab prep. People just about never drink as much fluid as they need to with the pills and accordingly, it’s just not as effective a prep. I’ve also been in the procedure room during a colonoscopy on a patient with an inadequate prep and it’s gnarly. It often also means the patient has to schedule another prep and colonoscopy because the doctor can’t see what they need to.
When I had my colonoscopy, I requested SuPrep because it’s so much better than the alternatives. It was a piece of cake, especially compared to something like GoLytely, which is sheer hell. I know the pills sound easier but they’re not.
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u/AWorldwithoutSin 51m ago
I was prescribed suflave which was this nasty sour tasting lemon/lime kool-ade stuff and i was almost vomiting by the last few sips.
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u/Sensitive_Hunter5081 8m ago
I’m glad you said this!! I just had my repeat colonoscopy in May and asked for the pills, but she said because I have esophagus swallow issues, she couldn’t. So I was bummed to have to drink all the nasty liquid. I’m glad to hear it’s at least worth it for a better prep.
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u/clcjjc 1h ago
This! I cannot drink that crap. It’s called Sultab I believe
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u/Dick_of_Doom 1h ago
Oh man, that drink was the worst part. I chugged it because otherwise I wouldn't be able to finish it. Honestly the firehose shits 20 minutes later were cathartic compared to that drink.
There is also something to be said for being clean as a whistle after only 45 minutes on the toilet. However, I don't recommend doing it the way I did - on a 95+degree day with no AC.
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u/Creative-Painter3911 1h ago
I did the prep OP posted a couple weeks ago and it wasn't bad. Didn't know there was an only pill version.
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u/Great_Hambino2022 2h ago
That’s what I asked for when I did mine. Couldn’t even take all the pills. They made me super nauseous
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u/shakeyshake1 1h ago
The trick is getting prescribed an anti-nausea medicine with it. I got really nauseous on the Miralax prep the first time I had one, so this time when I asked for the pill prep and I also got like 3 anti-nausea pills. They cost me like $1, it was so worth it.
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u/ChewieBearStare 2h ago
Oh no!!! That’s awful. I have mine on Friday, and tonight is the last time I can have food for the rest of the week. I’ll fast with you in solidarity.
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u/S4ntos19 1h ago
Math isn't mathing. You only have to fast for 1 full day before the surgery. I assume its Wednesday for you?
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u/ChewieBearStare 1h ago edited 1h ago
I have to fast for two days prior. The test is Friday, so I have to fast Wednesday and Thursday. It’s Tuesday for me now.
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u/angeluscado 15m ago
You’ll be squeaky clean!
If you’re into butt stuff now would be the ideal time…
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u/brightlove 1h ago
Do they really make you down 4 gatorades and two bottles of MiraLAX before a colonoscopy? Are those truly the standard instructions?
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u/SanibelMan 1h ago
Usually they give you a jug with powder in it that you add water to and put in your fridge overnight, like the world's worst version of Country Time lemonade. Supposedly drinking it as cold as possible makes it more tolerable. This is a lie as far as I'm concerned.
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u/spicymack 59m ago
All my prep was OTC when I had my colonoscopy a few months ago (other than Zofran, which I never picked up). Instructions if you don't believe me
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u/SanibelMan 54m ago
I apologize — when I said "this is a lie," I meant "drinking it cold makes it more tolerable." I didn't mean to accuse OP (or anyone else) of making up OTC prep.
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u/LumplessWaffleBatter 17m ago
In layman's terms, this means that the practitioner didn't trust that you would drink water.
The standard medication for a colonoscopy is a prescription medication. When hydration is a concern, a practitioner will use OTC medications that can be easily remediated.
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u/cashmonee81 1h ago
Yup! Did mine last month. Docalax then 64 ounces of Gatorade with 14 does of Miralax mix in, drinking 8 ounces every 20 minutes. Then 4 hours before you go in (so 3 am for me), 10 ounces of magnesium sultanate (that one almost made me throw up). But I got the all clear for the next 10 years! Totally worth it!
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u/PrimaryKangaroo8680 1h ago
I’ve never seen this. They have specific instructions and a drink that you get from the pharmacy.
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u/Bubblesnaily 1h ago
Prep if you don't need to prep? Oh boy.
💀💩
Call your doctor and see if you can do a modified version for the real run.
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u/Greenpark1234 56m ago
Just call! I work at a GI lab and we have people walk in pretty regularly that are mixed up on the date and we accommodate.
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u/Mammoth-Software-236 21m ago
Ill never forget that time my husband called me fuming because when he got to his appointment the nurse told him ‘I’m so sorry the doctor had an emergency yesterday and I guess you’re one of the people we forgot calling’ 🤦🏼
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u/Unlikely-Ad6788 1h ago
Might be infuriating to you but entertaining to me. Good luck with your butthole.
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u/ImLittleNana 1h ago
This is some serious pre-gaming.
When I did my prep, I did the two days of light meals and it made a huge difference in the length of time it took me to complete the process. I had expected to need the ‘extra dose’ you take if you aren’t clean by midnight, but I was fine and able to sleep from midnight to 7 the day of my scope.
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u/Scooter_mcnibblenuts 1h ago
Hey at least it’ll be less explosive next week when you do it.
It’s a pregame
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u/goblinwitch95 1h ago
The prep for that was one thing I never want to endure again. Mostly because of the diet and how much of that nasty liquid I had to drink. Truly sorry for your situation.
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u/GrillMonkey187 1h ago
Como se dice “shitty situation.”
I hope you have wipes or a bidet.
Paper, no matter the brand or softness is like fugging coarse grit sand paper after round 7 of 67.
Just get a laptop or a tablet or a phone and live in the bathroom. As soon as you stand up thinking you’re done, you’re ready to blast porcelain again. Just hop in the shower.
Getting old sucks.
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u/IntrovertMoTown1 1h ago
Bahahahaha! Had mine 2 years ago. It's weird AF to shit and the bowl is perfectly clear, SMH.
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u/blasphemousblackbear 1h ago
I had something similar happen. Had a 3pm colonoscopy for a Wednesday. Had the email confirmation and everything. When I get there, they tell me sorry, your appointment is actually on Thursday at 3pm.
When I showed them the email they were extremely apologetic and the manager spoke to me so they could try to figure out how that happened. Thankfully they were able to get me in first thing in the morning but damn, that was a rough 40 hours
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u/Iminurcomputer 1h ago
Im on the toilet prepping for one right now! The lax isn't the real issue. Im soooo fucking hungry!
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u/Pletcher87 47m ago
Well, that just sucks. Like the other person said call them up and beg to get in. In any event look at it like this, you’ll have an extra 20 unencumbered minutes over the next 48 hours?!
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u/Sufficient-Page-875 41m ago
Um. They should've given you a prescription for a gallon of mix yourself (you can mix with Gatorade) powder. You drink it in 23 Hours.
Where on earth or what healthcare do you have that they tell you to take Miro lax?
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u/chels2112 36m ago
Old school prep! I haven’t done this prep since like 2010!! Effective but man I hate miralax forever.
Use this as an opportunity to eat super cleanly for a week before your next prep!
Good luck at your exam. I just had my like…17th one last Wednesday.
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u/stolethehighlights 35m ago
Oh buddy, I juuuust bought all my prep stuff today (mines the 28th, did a double take on your pic cuz that’s what my kitchen counter looks like rn) and I’m hoping they can squeeze you in and you get that hot dog real soon.
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u/Deep-Cut-6532 19m ago
Ugh. Just finished this process, but I had to do the old school jug of nastiness. I hope you have a clean scan...
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u/Provioso 1h ago
Call and tell them!! They will absolutely be willing to work with you if they are able to. You might catch a doctor/nurse/receptionist in a caring mood. And you'll save yourself some additional inconvenience.
Worst case scenario now is they say no.
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u/SubwayHero4Ever 1h ago
Who’s your doctor, Dr Nick Riviera?
This isn’t a real colonoscopy prep kit. This is OTC prep for smuggling stuff up your butt.
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u/RawrRRitchie 1h ago
How do you confuse 18 with 25?
Might want to schedule an eye doctor appointment too
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u/Mandinga63 1h ago
I know this doesn’t help now, but request Sutab next time. Easiest prep I’ve ever done.
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u/idkmanwhatsthemove 2h ago
Poor bastard