Colonoscopy prep: make it easier

Sep 8, 2020 | Joey Keillor | @joeykeillor | Comments (37)

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Among the many discomforts of having a colonoscopy, people often say that the prep work before is the worst part. Below are a few tips can help make the process easier:

Two days beforehand. Start eating a low-fiber diet. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and seeds.

The day before. Don’t eat any solid food. Stick to clear liquids, broth soups, and popsicles and gelatin that aren’t red or purple. The evening before your procedure, drink the first dose of your laxative preparation as directed.

The day of. Drink clear liquids only and stop drinking all liquids two hours before your scheduled report time. Take the second dose of your laxative preparation at the time instructed.

Throughout. Take your medications as directed. Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, except two hours prior to your test.

It’s important that you drink all of the laxative preparation. If you find it difficult to do so because of the taste, try these tips:

Refrigerate the solution and drink it cold.
Suck on ice or a lemon or lime wedge.
Chew gum right before you drink each glass of the solution.
Drink the solution through a straw.

There are several colon-prep products that involve significantly less fluid that the standard prep. Brand names include Prepopik, Suprep and Plenvu. The main downside to these is that they are not recommended for those with heart, kidney or liver disease, which may prevent many older adults from using them. Plus, they are more expensive.

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Apr 29 3:21pm

In reply to @ymustuknow "Can we eat chocolate pudding the day before the procedure?" + (show)

Welcome to Connect, @ymustuknow. In answer to your question about whether you can eat chocolate pudding the day before your colonoscopy is that it’s not recommended.

In order to thoroughly prepare the colon so that it’s squeaky clean for a colonoscopy the process begins many days before the procedure.

Five days prior, it’s recommended to switch to a low fiber diet.
The last 1-3 days, depending on instructions from the doctor, patients are limited to liquids, broths, jello.
That means:
no dairy products, including milk, smoothies or shakes
no orange, grapefruit, or prune juice
no red or purple juices or any liquids that people are unable to see through.

You can eat canned fruits such as peaches but no fruits with a peel. So that would leave out grapes unless they are peeled.

Here’s a great article from medicalnewstoday.com which should answer your questions about what you can consume during the days preceding your colonoscopy.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-to-eat-to-prepare-for-a-colonoscopy
Hopefully you saw this in time! When is your colonoscopy scheduled?

mgunderson | @mgunderson | Jun 11 10:52pm

Thank you for this site. I am schedualed for a EDG at the same time as the colonoscopy next week. 6/18/2024. I am so nervous. Been a basket case since friday when I was diagnosed w/advanced colon cancer. This procedure is suppose to find out what type of cancer it is so they can treat it, is it a slow growing or fast. So as to know what treatments I need. That tells me I am given a death sentence. My issue is they have been telling me if I don't bring a responsible adult w/me they will turn me away. That is what I've been told for several yrs. When I tried several different hospitals & they all said I couldn't have the precedure because I didn't have someone to drive me home. Well if they didn't have these rules I would be alive this time next year. I am 72, not on meds. Healthy. Atleast I thought I was. I wish I would of had a chance at them colonoscopies denied to me because I couldn't find anyone other than bus or taxi. This is America land of the free(as long as your not american.) I am really angry that the med field has let me down again. This website has helped me to know that I am not alone & I found better advice here than at the hospitals. Thanks

siosal | @siosal | Jun 12 7:36am

It might be possible to get help from social serves at the hospital or thru your state senior service programs.
There are volunteers to help with trandportation

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 12 10:02am

In reply to @mgunderson "Thank you for this site. I am schedualed for a EDG at the same time as..." + (show)

Welcome to Connect, @mgunderson. My husband has had several EDG (scopes) and he said they’re a ‘piece of cake’. There was no prep for that except no eating for a couple of hours before hand.
You’re having your EDG in conjunction with your colonoscopy. So you’ll be having a mild anesthesia which will have you asleep through both procedures. The worst part is the prep beforehand. Make sure you follow the guidelines given to you by the prep team so that you can minimize the discomfort. I posted some guidelines too in this discussion that can be really helpful to make the cleanse easier: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1059347/

The anesthesia is the reason for requiring someone to accompany you to any of the colonoscopy or EDG appointments. I had to laugh while my husband was in the recovery area after his first EDG. He was so sure he’d be able to drive because he was feeling fine (No way was I going to let him even try!!) As soon as he stood up, it was another story. He realized full well there was no way he could drive a car nor should any one for 24 hours afterwards. The anesthesia can cloud judgment. So that’s why your previous teams had to cancel the appoints if you didn’t have anyone with you.
It’s understandable to be a nervous when you get a diagnosis of advanced colorectal cancer. We have several other members who also had the diagnosis so I’d like to connect you with them. It can be so helpful being able to speak with someone else who has gone through the same trials as yourself.
Here are a couple of links for you to try:

Hi, stage 4 colorectal cancer here: with @wifemom3 @makatak47 @rilk and many others
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-stage-4-here/
As for transportation options if you don’t have a means to get to your appointment @siosal had great information for you in this comment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1085339/

You can also contact the American Cancer Society. They have a program called RoundTrip, where patients can schedule the rides they need. https://roundtriphealth.com/acs/

Do you have someone who will be available to take you to your appointment this time?

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 12 10:16pm

In reply to @mgunderson "Thank you for this site. I am schedualed for a EDG at the same time as..." + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @mgunderson ! I’m sorry to hear of your bad news and the issue of a responsible adult with you. Did they explain the reasons behind the rule? And do you have someone to accompany you on the 18th?

lindarobbins | @lindarobbins | Oct 18 10:20am

I had a colonoscopy the other day and the prep was not enough for me. I couldn't believe that starting at 6:00PM the night before a 8:00AM test would be enough. The nurse said that that 4 to 5 people a day have the same results. Why don't they have a better way to prep?