Please help me prepare for my colonoscopy.

[happybaker]

I just had my third colonoscopy about 2 weeks ago. This was the first time I tried a low residue diet 5 days prior to my procedure. I didn't have to do it; just did so voluntary.

Basically I ate the way no one is supposed to. I had pancakes for breakfast, lots of white rice, white breads, lean turkey and chicken cuts, mac and cheese, ramen, etc.

My husband and I went this route last year when we each had our colonoscopy. We started three days before prep figuring it would make the prep easier. It was my first, so I'm not sure if it made it easier or not, but the prep wasn't as bad as I thought.

I will emphasize to hydrate well the days before the prep. I got an awful headache around 1am while doing the prep. I was afraid to take anything fearing it would screw something up. It went away almost immediately once I got to the facility and they started fluids.

 

[KPeterso]

Had my first one in May. The doctor's office gave me a whole packet with details on what I could eat leading up to it. Mainly, no nuts or seeds starting about 3 days beforehand as I recall. Surprised your doctor did not give you something similar. My doctor does a Miralax prep and I actually did not start it until the morning of the procedure since I was scheduled in the afternoon for my procedure. I put my Miralax in water (do not recommend), gatorade (ok), and sparkling lemonade (best option to me). I did have to stop solid foods 24 hours in advance and go to the clear diet at that time. I do agree with another poster to make sure you are drinking extra water or fluids. The worst part for me was the IV - I am a tough stick but even more so when dehydrated. Took 5 different people (had all the nurses who were usually the ones who can get the tough ones plus the anesthesiologist) trying in 4 different spots to get it going. Finally were successful but not in the best spot overall.

 

[Disneyland1084]

44 is less then 45, the benchmark to start screening.

OP already said the procedure is being performes due to bleeding.

He should follow protocol as listed by his medical team.

Not that it matters, but I'm female.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I'm surprised they didn't give you all of this information in your prep materials. It should tell you what to do in regard to your diet.

They gave me instructions, but all it basically said was 5 days before to stop eating anything with Oelstra in it. It's often found in low fat potato chips. It also said no nuts, vegetables, a day or so before.

 

[Micca]

They didn't tell me to alter my diet at all until the day of the prep (the day before the procedure) that was just clear liquids / jello. So I ate normally up until the point that I was supposed to not eat.

Same here. I know the procedure sounds like the worst thing in the world, but it really isn't. The drugs are awesome and you'll be in & out and off to lunch in no time

 

[Disneyland1084]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far. My doctor did give me instructions, it just wasn't really clear on what I CAN eat leading up to it. I'm just very paranoid something will go wrong and thought I'd ask questions here before calling my doctor.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The best advice I got was the mix the prep with white grape juice.

I used Crystal Lite Peach flavor. Also made sure the prep was super ice cold. And used 7UP to rinse my mouth after each dose.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far. My doctor did give me instructions, it just wasn't really clear on what I CAN eat leading up to it. I'm just very paranoid something will go wrong and thought I'd ask questions here before calling my doctor.

Call them if you have questions. Thats what you're paying them for. Relying on the internet isn't always the best option. Look at the responses on here about Coke. Some say "no", some say "yes".

The doctor's office is the best source of information.

 

[mbroadhead]

I know, not a very pleasant topic to talk about on the Disboards. I'm 44, and getting one this month on the 24th. I already talked to a medical assistant from the hospital I'm getting it done at. She went over the preparation with me, and I already have the preparation kit I drink the day before. I believe I'll be starting clear liquids a day or two before. It's all in my notes at home. I asked her what foods I can eat in the days leading up to it. She suggested potatoes and rice. For all you Disers who've had one, or experience helping others prepare for one, what food did you eat the days leading up to it? For example, if I have white rice, is it better to cook it on the stove, or would the microwaveable ones be ok? Any suggestions or experiences of your own would be appreciated. The medical assistant suggested I call my GI doctor 's office directly and see if they have any certain food suggestions since some vary. I'm going to make that call soon, but first want to see what other Disers have done. Thanks.

Just follow the directions the doctor gives you. And don't worry much about what you eat, it will all come out after you drink your gallon of medicine mix.
You don't feel anything- you go to sleep and when you wake up, it's done.
There's nothing to worry about it and besides it won't help.
Then before you know it, it's done and someone's driving you home.

 

[disneychrista]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far. My doctor did give me instructions, it just wasn't really clear on what I CAN eat leading up to it. I'm just very paranoid something will go wrong and thought I'd ask questions here before calling my doctor.

If it isn't on the no list then assume it is okay. If you aren't sure call the doctor and ask.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Drink the prep cold, on ice and thru a straw.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Drink the prep cold, on ice and thru a straw.

Might be true in your case but that was 'distinctly' ill advised for my liquid.

That's the problem with asking for advice on a forum, lots of great suggestions but lots of different preps.
Follow your written instructions and ask the provider if confused.

 

[Genie+]

Call them if you have questions. Thats what you're paying them for. Relying on the internet isn't always the best option. Look at the responses on here about Coke. Some say "no", some say "yes".

The doctor's office is the best source of information.

I agree here. Sticking to their list could be important since they know what to expect of those specific things.

I’ve heard of white mac and cheese allowed day before. Broth during the cleanse. But if my doctor’s list did not include them I’d call and ask first.

 

[3rd_time_the_charm]

Call them if you have questions. Thats what you're paying them for. Relying on the internet isn't always the best option. Look at the responses on here about Coke. Some say "no", some say "yes".

The doctor's office is the best source of information.

Definitely this.

I had colon cancer last year at 47. Multiple procedures. Follow your docs instructions and don't go by us. Even though we are super smart ha ha.

 

[NotUrsula]

For the miralax prep, what I found worked the best to let me get it down and keep it down was mixing it in Jarritos Pineapple soft drink. I mixed it petty concentrated and chugged each dose, then alternately followed with either Gatorade (white frost flavor) or a quart of water, drinking that more slowly.

I can't use any of the prescription preps; they contain so much salt that I can't keep them down. (I normally eat a very low-salt diet, and my stomach rebels if I suddenly ingest a lot of it.)

Taking a time-release Excedrin works to combat caffeine withdrawal if you can't stomach black coffee.

 

[Cadiewampus]

They didn't tell me to alter my diet at all until the day of the prep (the day before the procedure) that was just clear liquids / jello. So I ate normally up until the point that I was supposed to not eat.

Make sure the special drink is nice and cold!

Didn't alter my diet either. I have never minded my prep. Mine is 64 ounces of gatorade with a bottle of MiraLAX mixed in so no problem at all

 

[Cadiewampus]

44 sounds young for routine screening. You may have different prep procedures for your specific issues.

Chicken broth, Gatorade and jello are popular.

Not too young. They do recommend starting at 45 now

 

[ChrisFL]

I drank a lot of gatorade zero with my miralax per dr. recommendations...32 oz with half the miralax bottle, drank 1/4 in 15 minute intervals the day before....then another gatorade zero with the other half the morning of (4 hours+ before appointment) then lots of water to a certain point a few hours before.

That worked out well for me...but after the procedure I was quite dehydrated, got super dizzy the next morning, so I drank more gatorade and water

 

[Dznypal]

unfortunately my last one didnt go well==Im always a basket case getting these done
the last thing I remember was talking to the RN (not an anastelogist but an Rn maybe that was part of the problem) about the fentanyl they were going to use
(just to back up a bit I told my DH that as soon as my eyes were open we were out of there)
they were running an hr and half late which could have been part of the issue too with the anxiety
so finally Im wake after and told my DH lets go he said you have to stay here for a while and that he would tell me later I insisted he tell me then or I was leaving

turns out I was a bit frigidity on the table so the dr kept ordering more fentanyl finally went it started to work all the med hit my system at once causing me to stop breathing not once but twice I was given narcan to reverse the drug over dose
not a good feeling
a few people said we should have sued but I was ok and really didnt know how to even start
sorry I didnt mean to scare OP with this but it is something to keep in mind
good luck

 

[Christine]

unfortunately my last one didnt go well==Im always a basket case getting these done
the last thing I remember was talking to the RN (not an anastelogist but an Rn maybe that was part of the problem) about the fentanyl they were going to use
(just to back up a bit I told my DH that as soon as my eyes were open we were out of there)
they were running an hr and half late which could have been part of the issue too with the anxiety
so finally Im wake after and told my DH lets go he said you have to stay here for a while and that he would tell me later I insisted he tell me then or I was leaving

turns out I was a bit frigidity on the table so the dr kept ordering more fentanyl finally went it started to work all the med hit my system at once causing me to stop breathing not once but twice I was given narcan to reverse the drug over dose
not a good feeling
a few people said we should have sued but I was ok and really didnt know how to even start
sorry I didnt mean to scare OP with this but it is something to keep in mind
good luck

Don’t most places use Propofol now. I don’t know of anyone who is able to out-anxiety propofol but it can certainly happen with the other meds.