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What Causes Fainting Followed By Confusion After Having Golytely?

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Posted on Fri, 10 Jul 2015
Question: ThursdayI am going to have a follow up colonoscopy. I had one in October, but the surgeon was too small to complete the procedure, so I had another in December. Two very subtle 12 to 18 mm polyps in the cecum were piecemeal resected and retrieved. Clip was placed. Now a repeat colonoscopy for surveillance. In Oct and Dec I used Golitely as the bowel prep. In Dec I started the process at 5 p.m. Nothing happened. Went to bed. At 2:30 a.m. woke in puddle of shit with my anus acting as a firehose. STILL I felt that there was more IN me than had come OUT of me. My body was buzzy, numb and itched intolerably. I bathed in tea tree oil, especially scalp, to cut the itch. In the morning took more golitely and a fleet enema. Just before the procedure another unexpected and out-of-control deluge of shit. THE QUESTION. There was golitely in my body for over 9 hours. I think this could have been destructive to my brain health. I am concerned because thereafter I had a seizure [?] fall and increased confusion for many weeks w continuing thinking problems. I speculated, at first, that it all had to do with the anesthesia, which is going to be changed this time around. BUT now I am thinking that this golitely stuff must be poison if it stays in ANY body for that long period of time. I understand that my bowel is "tortured" so that it takes a long time for anything to pass through it but I don't think all those hours is way too long. I am eager to know your thoughts.
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You also have pre-existing brain conditions.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
Read and understood your history and concerns and the Medical history and Current Medications you have provided.

THE QUESTION. There was golitely in my body for over 9 hours. I think this could have been destructive to my brain health. I am concerned because thereafter I had a seizure [?] fall and increased confusion for many weeks w continuing thinking problems.

> Golytely actually starts action in one hour. How can it be retained in the intestine for so long?
Is it possible that you did not consume it as advised on the direction to use leaflet?
It contains POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350, SODIUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS,
SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE- 5.86 g in 2 L, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 2.97 g in 2 L...All the contents are supposed to draw the water from the body into the intestines and thus cause the diarrhea by sheer volume thus produced, cleaning the fecal matter on the way.

Possibly does not cause any harm to the brain, but considering your past history, it is possible that your previous problems might have crept up.
A Neurologist's opinion, fresh MRI and Neurological studies alone would have possibly given the answer.

There can be another reason like gastroparesis or so for the long retention and may be not following the instructions. You can consult a Gastroenterologist and discuss with him the possibilities. Secondly, you can go for barium follow through studies to find the answer for the late action.

Well, discuss this in detail with your Gastroenterologist, take care, get a review colonoscopy done and further management as needed.
Continue medical management of the other problems you have.

I hope this answers your query and enlightens you for correlations between various problems you already have.

Take care.

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19779 Questions

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What Causes Fainting Followed By Confusion After Having Golytely?

Brief Answer: You also have pre-existing brain conditions. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query and an elucidate history. Read and understood your history and concerns and the Medical history and Current Medications you have provided. THE QUESTION. There was golitely in my body for over 9 hours. I think this could have been destructive to my brain health. I am concerned because thereafter I had a seizure [?] fall and increased confusion for many weeks w continuing thinking problems. > Golytely actually starts action in one hour. How can it be retained in the intestine for so long? Is it possible that you did not consume it as advised on the direction to use leaflet? It contains POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350, SODIUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE- 5.86 g in 2 L, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 2.97 g in 2 L...All the contents are supposed to draw the water from the body into the intestines and thus cause the diarrhea by sheer volume thus produced, cleaning the fecal matter on the way. Possibly does not cause any harm to the brain, but considering your past history, it is possible that your previous problems might have crept up. A Neurologist's opinion, fresh MRI and Neurological studies alone would have possibly given the answer. There can be another reason like gastroparesis or so for the long retention and may be not following the instructions. You can consult a Gastroenterologist and discuss with him the possibilities. Secondly, you can go for barium follow through studies to find the answer for the late action. Well, discuss this in detail with your Gastroenterologist, take care, get a review colonoscopy done and further management as needed. Continue medical management of the other problems you have. I hope this answers your query and enlightens you for correlations between various problems you already have. Take care.