Colonoscopy prep is likely one of the most dreaded steps with regards to colorectal most cancers screening, however it’s not non-compulsory. You have to clear out your colon so the physician can get have a look at the within!
We’ve requested colorectal most cancers survivors and caregivers who endure colonoscopy prep typically for his or her “expert” tips about surviving prep evening. Right here’s what they stated:
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Table of Contents
1. Alter Your Food plan a Few Days Earlier than Prep Begins
Consuming smaller parts and low-fiber meals a number of days earlier than you intend to do colonoscopy prep may help the night go easily.
What to Eat Earlier than Bowel Prep
What you select to eat and drink a number of days previous to a colonoscopy can impression how “clean out” evening goes. Right here’s what our advocates advocate:
- Digestive tea
- Soups
- Smoothies
- Eggs
- Rice
- Salmon
- Hen
- Steamed greens
- Pasta
- Lighter-colored meals
What To not Eat Earlier than Colonoscopy Prep
- Nuts and seeds (together with wraps and breads containing them)
- Popcorn
- Purple meat
- Fried, heavy meals
- Uncooked greens
- Corn, peas, apple skins, and different fiber-filled meals which might be exhausting to digest
- Something brilliant purple in colour
Lower meal measurement
A number of survivors say lowering the scale of their meals a number of days earlier than beginning colonoscopy prep additionally makes it go simpler and smoother.
2. Drink the Colonoscopy Prep Laxative Chilly
Survivors advocate ingesting the laxative chilly – and thru a straw – for probably the most nice expertise.
I put the prep drink in my massive Tervis Tumbler with a straw. For some motive, ingesting it with a straw helps me.”
Trish Lannon, stage III survivor
3. Select Yummy Treats for the Liquid Food plan
The day previous to a colonoscopy, sufferers should persist with a liquid weight loss program – i.e., no stable meals. What you select to eat and drink could make or break your colonoscopy prep expertise.

Favourite Drinks for Colonoscopy Prep
- Natural low-sodium broth
- Actually good JELL-O (not purple, orange or purple)
- Martinelli’s Gold Medal apple juice
- White grape juice
- Flavored glowing water
- 7-UP or Sprite
- Good espresso (with out creamer)
- Gummy bears – pull out the purple and purple ones, and suck the sunshine ones for a little bit deal with
Electrolytes
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Some survivors have additionally discovered electrolyte drinks, equivalent to Pedialyte, can present necessary hydration previous to the process.
“Pedialyte hydrates me better than water. I become dehydrated very easily and it makes for difficulty when putting in my IV before the test. It also now comes in packets so you can mix it yourself.”
Kristen Keesen, stage III survivor
4. Lavatory Prep for Bowel Prep

As soon as the colonoscopy prep laxative begins working, you’ll spend A LOT of time within the rest room! Right here’s what you’ll have to make it expertise.
Moist Wipes
Dude wipes and Preparation H are two advocate favorites, however a number of manufacturers produce medicated and non-medicated moist wipes.
Good Rest room Paper
Double-ply, gentle rest room paper shall be necessary as you prep on your colonoscopy. (And a important must-have in case you don’t use moist wipes.) A number of manufacturers make “gentle” rest room paper with aloe that may alleviate itching and burning – one thing that’s widespread whenever you’re making frequent tricks to the bathroom.
Lotions and Oils
Some survivors say lotions and oils may help both forestall or soothe irritation. Favorites embody
- Vaseline
- Coconut oil
- Butt paste
Some discover {that a} cool, moist washcloth or drawing a shower additionally helps with irritation.
Chargers and Gentle Studying
“Charge your phone and get a good book to read – you will be in the bathroom a lot!”
Amanda Houston, stage II survivor
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Whether or not you intend to be in your cellphone, laptop computer or pill, discover your chargers earlier than your laxative kicks in. Magazines like Past Blue and movies with affected person tales can remind you of the explanation you’re going via colonoscopy prep evening and its significance!
Stretchy Pants
Elastic-waisted pants shall be a lifesaver as soon as the laxative begins working – you received’t have time to mess with buttons!
5. Double Test What Time to Begin Your Prep

Double verify your physician’s directions concerning when to start your colonoscopy prep and bump it up a number of hours earlier, if doable, so that you’re not up all evening dashing to the takeoutfood.bestnding on the prep beneficial for you, your physician’s workplace ought to point out what time to start taking both drugs or the laxative drink. Some colonoscopy preps are taken in a single night, others could also be a “split-dose” and brought between a night and the next takeoutfood.greatest you start ingesting the colonoscopy prep within the night, bump up the beginning time a number of hours earlier to stop operating to the bathroom all evening. Every individual’s physique is completely different – for some it really works straight away, and for others it takes a number of hours. Give your self loads of time for the laxative to start out working.
Intently Observe Colonoscopy Prep Directions
Regardless of what the packaging or directions in your colonoscopy prep product might say, at all times verify together with your physician’s workplace and know what time they advise you to cease ingesting liquids. This will impression your anesthesia through the colonoscopy.
6. End the Prep – All of It!
It might be tempting to cease ingesting the entire colonoscopy prep in case your stools are operating clear, however it’s necessary to finish the entire takeoutfood.greatest’s not unusual for the laxative to work straight away and inside the first few journeys! However, even in case you begin to “run clear,” which means your stools have turned liquid and are lighter in colour, it’s necessary to complete the complete colonoscopy prep takeoutfood.greatest bowel prep merchandise embody a number of drinks or drugs to take – be certain that to take all of them for a complete cleanout and efficient scope. When you’re desirous to give up early, simply remind your self the prep is the toughest half!

7. Ease Again Into Consuming Strong Meals
After your colonoscopy, go straightforward on what you eat. You might be ravenous after your process (you seemingly haven’t eaten in over a day), however your intestine might take a number of days to really feel regular once more. Don’t rush right into a heavy, greasy meal – or chances are you’ll remorse it!Some survivors say probiotics assist the intestine bounce again, and so they keep away from spicy meals for a number of days if a polyp was eliminated.
8. Have fun… and Inform Your Household
Observe self-care and be happy with your self – you bought screened! Don’t overlook to inform your loved ones about your outcomes!Many sufferers go away a colonoscopy and go for meal and an extended nap. You received’t be capable to drive or work following the process, so plan to take it straightforward for the remainder of the day!As a result of colorectal most cancers danger is elevated when you’ve got a household historical past of polyps AND/OR colorectal most cancers, share your outcomes with your loved ones – particularly your kids, mother and father and takeoutfood.greatest the physician eliminated colon polyps, or any indicators of most cancers, it could take a number of days, up to a couple weeks, earlier than biopsy outcomes are available.Your physician’s workplace will observe up with subsequent steps and when your subsequent colonoscopy must be scheduled.
Get Extra Colonoscopy Prep Ideas
For extra colonoscopy prep suggestions, or to find out about different methods to display screen for colorectal most cancers, obtain our Screening Mini Magazine!
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