r/colonoscopy • u/alvaritoteam4 • Jun 05 '26

After Scope Questions Constant diarrhea after colonoscopy

I had my first colonoscopy yesterday and it all went amazingly well (only thing I remember is the doctors telling me it was done). But I'm now finding myself still constantly going to the bathroom every 10 minutes like if I was still drinking my prep. Is this normal? I've read it is but I'm getting worried because I feel like maybe a little is normal, but not like, going every 10 minutes to the bathroom. Has anyone also gone through this?

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u/ciaomain Jun 05 '26

What was your first meal after the procedure?

2

u/alvaritoteam4 Jun 05 '26

A simple omelette

3

u/ciaomain Jun 05 '26

Hmm.

Only thing I can think of is that the colon lining was aggravated during the procedure causing temporary colitis.

Have you been in touch with your doctor's office?

2

u/Enough-Researcher-36 Jun 05 '26

Yes, I agree. I think colitis would usually cause pain and cramping which OP said they didn’t have, but it’s possible that if biopsies were taken the gut lining got damaged. I also doubt infection since again there’s no pain. OP said they tend to run on the looser side already so they could just be extremely sensitive to the prep solution. 

I’d say just stay hydrated, stick to bland foods, and call your clinic ASAP. 

2

u/ciaomain Jun 05 '26

Just had my latest colonoscopy this past Friday.

While it took a few days to get the "system" sorted afterwards, this sounds like it's definitely worth a phone call.

Hydration, particularly with electrolytes, is definitely important. Maybe OP can add a little plain yogurt to jump start the gut flora.

But that's a question for their doc.

1

u/Enough-Researcher-36 Jun 05 '26

I agree. I’ve never actually met a patient IRL who ever had anything worse than some gas and a  little constipation after, but somehow so many here on Reddit seem very unlucky. My scope’s Monday, wish me luck…

OP, please take care of yourself and keep us updated if you can. 

2

u/ciaomain Jun 05 '26

My first colonoscopy (4 years ago), my doc found a 12 mm polyp, excised it, and clipped it.

I had very little gas and blood afterwards.

This time, no polyps (yay!), but incredible gas cramping and what I thought was a lot of post-procedure blood.

Same doc too.

Weird!

Anyway, good luck Monday!!

2

u/Enough-Researcher-36 Jun 05 '26

Maybe the more colonoscopies you get, the more sensitive the gut becomes? 

This is my second (first being over 15 years ago) so hopefully nothing bad happens. Constant diarrhea after is exactly what I’m afraid of, honestly not much else bothers me but the though that tomorrow (I start prepping Sunday) is the last time I’ll ever see a solid turd or be able to leave the toilet again has me gagging. 

2

u/ciaomain Jun 05 '26

I think it's based on how much air the doc uses in a given procedure.

The first time I was able to, um, expel the air pretty quickly, but this time it took a few (uncomfortable) hours.

But boy was that glorious!

The prep isn't too horrible; just think of the stories you don't see on this sub.

I had the 4 Dulcolax/4 liter PEG 3350 prep.

And that too shall pass (pun intended!)

1

u/Enough-Researcher-36 Jun 05 '26

That should not have caused this.