Colonoscopy Prep: viii Skillful Tips for the Dark Before

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Colonoscopy prep is one of the most dreaded steps when it comes to colorectal cancer screening, only information technology's not optional. You must clean out your colon then the doctor tin get a skilful expect at the inside!

We've asked colorectal cancer survivors and caregivers who undergo colonoscopy prep often for their "expert" tips on surviving prep night. Here's what they said:

one. Adjust Your Nutrition a Few Days Before Prep Begins

Eating smaller portions and low-cobweb foods a few days before you programme to do colonoscopy prep can help the evening go smoothly.

What to Eat Before Bowel Prep

What you choose to consume and drinkable a few days prior to a colonoscopy can bear upon how "make clean out" night goes. Hither's what our advocates recommend:

  • Digestive tea
  • Soups
  • Smoothies
  • Eggs
  • Rice
  • Salmon
  • Craven
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Lighter-colored foods

What Not to Eat Earlier Colonoscopy Prep

  • Nuts and seeds (including wraps and breads containing them)
  • Popcorn
  • Cerise meat
  • Fried, heavy foods
  • Raw vegetables
  • Corn, peas, apple skins, and other fiber-filled foods that are difficult to digest
  • Anything bright red in color

Subtract meal size

Several survivors say decreasing the size of their meals a few days earlier starting colonoscopy prep also makes it go easier and smoother.

2. Potable the Colonoscopy Prep Laxative Cold

Survivors recommend drinking the laxative cold - and through a harbinger - for the nigh pleasant experience.

I put the prep drink in my large Tervis Tumbler with a straw. For some reason, drinking it with a harbinger helps me."

Trish Lannon, phase Three survivor

3. Choose Yummy Treats for the Liquid Diet

The day prior to a colonoscopy, patients must stick to a liquid diet - i.eastward., no solid foods. What y'all choose to eat and beverage can make or break your colonoscopy prep feel.

apple juice colonoscopy prep

Favorite Drinks for Colonoscopy Prep

  • Organic low-sodium broth
  • Really adept JELL-O (not blood-red, orange or purple)
  • Martinelli's Gold Medal apple tree juice
  • White grape juice
  • Flavored sparkling water
  • vii-Upwards or Sprite
  • Good java (without creamer)
  • Gummy bears - pull out the scarlet and purple ones, and suck the light ones for a little treat

Electrolytes

Some survivors have also found electrolyte drinks, such every bit Pedialyte, can provide important hydration prior to the procedure.

"Pedialyte hydrates me improve than water. I become dehydrated very easily and it makes for difficulty when putting in my IV before the exam. It besides now comes in packets so y'all can mix information technology yourself."

Kristen Keesen, stage 3 survivor

four. Bathroom Prep for Bowel Prep

toilet paper colonoscopy prep

Once the colonoscopy prep laxative begins working, y'all'll spend A LOT of fourth dimension in the bathroom! Hither'south what you'll demand to make it a good feel.

Wet Wipes

Dude wipes and Preparation H are ii abet favorites, but several brands produce medicated and non-medicated wet wipes.

Good Toilet Paper

Double-ply, soft toilet paper will be important every bit y'all prep for your colonoscopy. (And a disquisitional must-have if you don't apply moist wipes.) Several brands make "gentle" toilet paper with aloe that tin alleviate itching and burning - something that is common when yous're making frequent tips to the toilet.

Creams and Oils

Some survivors say creams and oils can assist either forestall or soothe irritation. Favorites include

  • Vaseline
  • Coconut oil
  • Barrel paste

Some find that a absurd, wet washcloth or drawing a bath too helps with irritation.

Chargers and Light Reading

"Accuse your phone and get a good volume to read - yous will be in the bathroom a lot!"

Amanda Houston, phase II survivor

Whether you programme to be on your phone, laptop or tablet, notice your chargers before your laxative kicks in. Magazines like Beyond Bluish and videos with patient stories tin can remind y'all of the reason you lot're going through colonoscopy prep night and its importance!

Stretchy Pants

Elastic-waisted pants will exist a lifesaver once the laxative begins working - you won't take time to mess with buttons!

five. Double Cheque What Time to Kickoff Your Prep

doctor instructions colonoscopy prep

Double cheque your doctor's instructions regarding when to begin your colonoscopy prep and bump information technology up a few hours earlier, if possible, so you lot're not up all night rushing to the bathroom.

Depending on the prep recommended for you, your doctor's office should signal what time to begin taking either pills or the laxative drink. Some colonoscopy preps are taken in one evening, others may be a "split-dose" and taken between an evening and the following morning.

If you brainstorm drinking the colonoscopy prep in the evening, bump upwards the commencement time a few hours earlier to prevent running to the toilet all night. Each person's torso is different - for some it works correct abroad, and for others information technology takes several hours. Give yourself enough of fourth dimension for the laxative to start working.

Closely Follow Colonoscopy Prep Instructions

Despite what the packaging or instructions on your colonoscopy prep product may say, always check with your doctor'southward part and know what fourth dimension they advise y'all to end drinking liquids. This can touch your anesthesia during the colonoscopy.

6. Finish the Prep - All of It!

Information technology may exist tempting to finish drinking all of the colonoscopy prep if your stools are running clear, but information technology'south important to complete all of the steps.

Information technology's not uncommon for the laxative to piece of work correct away and within the first few trips! But, even if yous start to "run clear," significant your stools accept turned liquid and are lighter in color, it's important to cease the entire colonoscopy prep process.

Many bowel prep products include several drinks or pills to take - make certain to take them all for a total cleanout and effective scope. If you're wanting to quit early on, just remind yourself the prep is the hardest function!

7. Ease Dorsum Into Eating Solid Foods

Afterwards your colonoscopy, go piece of cake on what yous eat.

Yous may exist starving subsequently your procedure (y'all likely haven't eaten in over a twenty-four hours), but your gut may take a few days to experience normal again. Don't blitz into a heavy, greasy repast - or you may regret it!

Some survivors say probiotics assistance the gut bounciness back, and they avoid spicy foods for a few days if a polyp was removed.

8. Celebrate… and Tell Your Family

Practise self-intendance and exist proud of yourself - you got screened! Don't forget to tell your family almost your results!

Many patients exit a colonoscopy and go for a good meal and a long nap. You lot won't be able to drive or work following the process, so plan to take it easy for the residuum of the twenty-four hours!

Because colorectal cancer take a chance is increased if you take a family history of polyps AND/OR colorectal cancer, share your results with your family - especially your children, parents and siblings.

If the doctor removed colon polyps, or whatsoever signs of cancer, it may have a few days, upwardly to a few weeks, before biopsy results come in.

Your doctor'south function will follow up with next steps and when your adjacent colonoscopy should be scheduled.

Get More Colonoscopy Prep Tips

For more colonoscopy prep tips, or to acquire about other means to screen for colorectal cancer, download our Screening Mini Mag!