Colonoscopy tips?

[Ice cream]

I'm taking my first colonoscopy this week. I'm already super constipated to start with. Dr prescribed Golytely.
Any prep tips to ensure I cleanse fully?
Any tips to help drink it?
Thanks.

 

[mrjohns2]

If you already are having issues with constipation, I would start earlier than they say. For mine, I went on clear liquids the day before the exam, prep'ed that night, and then the next morning. I tried to go low residue 2 days before.

In doing a search on a more aggressive prep, Duke University Health has you going low fiber / low residue 5 days before, then 3 days before take milk of magnesia (still on low fiber), then 2 days before go to clear liquids, clear liquids and prep the night before, nothing by mouth except prep the morning of.

Duke Health

 

[rrhood1]

Just had my scope on Thursday, prep was low fibre for 3 days before. Then clear fluids the day before and start the prep at 6 pm that night. Do only half the prep and then the rest the next morning at 6 am. I really hated the Colyte. My GI says I can try Pico- Salate next time as the Colyte makes me nauseous. I tried keeping a bowl of peppermints beside me and when I finished a glass of Colyte I sucked on one. Others have tried a lemon wedge.

Prep worked and scope was fine. Glad it's over. The prep is the worst part.

Good luck!

 

[Ice cream]

What is considered low residue? All fruits and vegetables, or are carrots or zucchini ok?

 

[mrjohns2]

I think those on on the high side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_residue_diet

What is considered low residue? All fruits and vegetables, or are carrots or zucchini ok?

 

[Ice cream]

I think those on on the high side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_residue_diet

Yeah I meant to write high

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

For general prep tips, there's a great thread here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=44105

For making sure you're fully cleaned out, the advice you've been given so far is good. I would say eat lightly for at least a few days before you prep, and starting the liquid diet early is a good idea too. Remember, the less food that's in your system, the less you'll have to clean out and the easier the prep will go.

rrhood1 - you mentioned requesting Pico Salax next time because another type of prep made you nauseous. I did Prepopik for my last scope, which is the US name for Pico Salax (same prep, different names for some odd reason). Maybe I just had a weird reaction, but it made me super nauseous and dizzy. Head was spinning and I had a bucket next to me and was sweating and waiting desperately for my Zofran to kick in. Fortunately it did and it took the edge off the nausea. But if you're looking to avoid nausea with prep, that may not be the one to ask for. Hopefully I'm just weird though and that wasn't a common reaction.

 

[rrhood1]

Ick. I hope that's not how it will work with me. I just can't take 4 litres so salty fluid. I was hoping that would work better. Thanks for the warning.

 

[colin324]

Drink plenty. Some of the cleansing solutions need you to drink lots of water. If you don't, it doesn't work properly.

 

[SOJA96]

It helped to me to mix the really salty stuff with lemonade vitamin water. You have to drink more overall but the taste is much more bearable

 

[Axelfl3333]

I feel for you I,d sooner drink cat pee

 

[Trysha]

Just had my scope on Thursday, prep was low fibre for 3 days before. Then clear fluids the day before and start the prep at 6 pm that night. Do only half the prep and then the rest the next morning at 6 am. I really hated the Colyte. My GI says I can try Pico- Salate next time as the Colyte makes me nauseous. I tried keeping a bowl of peppermints beside me and when I finished a glass of Colyte I sucked on one. Others have tried a lemon wedge.

Prep worked and scope was fine. Glad it's over. The prep is the worst part.

Good luck!

What was the time of your scope?
I am scheduled for 2.15pm and have the same instructions as you did.
I am a bit concerned about being ready in the time frame., I would hate to be running to the bathroom just prior to the scope
Would appreciate the help.
Trysha

 

[rrhood1]

My scope was at 2:30 pm. I was cleared out by 9:00 am and finished running to the bathroom before I had to leave for the hospital. We live an hour and a half away so there was no time for bathroom breaks. Good luck!