Prepping for a colonoscopy can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it’s a lot better than it was ten years ago. While your prep may vary slightly based on your doctor’s recommendations, here are five ways to make colonoscopy prep easier.
Prepping for a #colonoscopy can be inconvenient, but it’s a lot easier than it was ten years ago. How did you make your prep easier? Michael Sickler shares his tips via @MedStarHealth’s #LiveWellHealthy blog:
Click to Tweet
1. Be thoughtful about when you schedule your colonoscopy.
Since colonoscopy prep requires a liquid diet the day before the procedure, you probably don’t want to be tempted by a big Thanksgiving meal or birthday cake when you’re supposed to be restricting food. Avoid scheduling your colonoscopy around a special event or holiday so you’re more likely to stick to the dietary guidelines.
The time of day can help to make prep easier too. Since you can’t eat solid food on the day of your procedure, it may be a good idea to schedule your colonoscopy for the morning so you don’t have to wait until the afternoon or evening to eat.
Is it time to schedule your colonoscopy? Call 877-715-HOPE tofind out if you qualify.
2. Find creative ways to fill up on the liquid diet.
You’re more likely to slip up on your prep diet if you’re hungry, so make sure you’re consuming a high number of calories from your liquid options. You can’t eat any solid food, but you can consume an unlimited amount of clear liquids which may include:
- Water
- Black coffee or tea
- Bouillon/broths
- Clear sodas (e.g., sprite or ginger ale)
- Clear juice (e.g., apple or white grape),
- Pulp-free lemonade
You can also have popsicles, Jell-O, and sports drinks, but steer clear of certain colors, like red, purple, or blue.
3. Chill and add flavor to the medication drink.
You’ll need to drink a laxative medication over about four hours starting at 4 p.m. the day before your colonoscopy. Your doctor will direct you to drink the entire container of solution which will ensure your colon is as clear as possible when you go in for your screening. It may look visually overwhelming but there are a few things you can do to make it easier to drink, such as:
- Use a straw
- Chill the drink in the refrigerator
- Mix in Crystal Light (avoiding flavors that are red or purple)
- Drink from a cup rather than straight from the jug
4. Make the bathroom as comfortable as possible.
Once prep begins, you’ll be spending a lot of quality time in the bathroom. Try the following tips to pass the time as comfortably as possible:
- Stock up on quality, soft toilet paper and wet wipes
- Wear loose, comfy clothing
- Bring entertainment (e.g. crossword puzzles, book, phone, or tablet)
5. Do it right the first time.
Your colon needs to be completely clear when you go in for your colonoscopy. If you don’t stick to the dietary guidelines or don’t consume all of the prep liquid, your doctor may not be able to see the colon wall where polyps are likely to hide. If your doctor doesn’t get a good look at your entire colon, you may find yourself re-doing the dreaded prep again in a year.
However, if you follow your physician’s instructions for colonoscopy prep, your doctor is more likely to get an unobstructed view of your colon. As long as you don’t have any polyps or signs of cancer, you won’t need another colonoscopy for ten years.
FAQs
Many say the preps have a salty taste. PEG-based preps include GoLYTELY, MiraLAX, and MoviPrep. There are also sulfate-free PEG preps that some people prefer because they taste a little less salty. A few of these brands include NuLYTELY and TriLyte.
Is there anything to make colonoscopy prep easier? ›
Here are a few recommendations that may minimize discomfort and help you get the most from your colonoscopy.
- Prep for your prep. ...
- Cut back on fiber. ...
- Find the right prep for you. ...
- Chill it, flavor it and drink it through a straw. ...
- Stay close to the bathroom. ...
- Share your concerns with your doctor.
Many say the preps have a salty taste. PEG-based preps include GoLYTELY, MiraLAX, and MoviPrep. There are also sulfate-free PEG preps that some people prefer because they taste a little less salty. A few of these brands include NuLYTELY and TriLyte.
What is the best prep for an elderly colonoscopy? ›
Recent studies have shown that the 4 liter polyethylene glycol with a split preparation is safe and effective for elderly patients, and is the preferred preparation for patients with medical comorbidites.
What is the fastest way to prep for a colonoscopy? ›
Quick Colonoscopy Prep Timeline
Three days before your procedure, eat a low-fiber diet and avoid seeds, nuts, corn, and popcorn. One day before, drink clear liquids and avoid solid food and red liquids. Two to four hours ahead of your colonoscopy, avoid all liquids.
Does drinking extra water help colonoscopy prep? ›
Sucking on hard candies after drinking the laxative will also help dispel the taste in your mouth and make the preparation process more tolerable. 6. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS: It is very important to stay well hydrated during your bowel preparation process. The more liquids you drink, the better you will feel.
What is the most gentle prep for colonoscopy? ›
Pros of PEG bowel preparation kits: Polyethylene glycol and electrolytes solutions are highly effective for colonoscopy prep. The PEG molecule doesn't disturb the intestinal mucosa, making it the gentler choice for people with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What to do if you can't tolerate colonoscopy prep? ›
If you are struggling to drink your colonoscopy prep without throwing up, survivors recommend drinking the laxative cold – and through a straw – for the most pleasant experience.
How can I satisfy my hunger during colonoscopy prep? ›
Allowed Clear Liquids
- Apple juice, white grape juice.
- Plain gelatin (no fruit or marshmallows added).
- Clear broth.
- Tea, coffee (no milk or creamer added).
- Sports drinks. You should drink a fair amount of these anyway to stay hydrated.
- Popsicles.
- Soda.
Will this help me lose weight? This is a rough way to do it, but yes, you will have a very temporary weight loss of one to three pounds typically. But, just as with your bowel habits, these few pounds will return as well once you resume your normal diet.
3:00 p.m. Mix Miralax (Polyethylene glycol) 1 capful in 15-18 oz. of water, Sprite, 7UP, Gatorade, Powerade, Propel, Pedialyte, or Kool-Aid, (no red or purple). Start drinking 6-8 oz. of the mixture every 30 minutes until it is gone.
What is the new type of prep for colonoscopy? ›
The first tablet colonoscopy preparation to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in over 10 years is now available in the United States. SUTAB is a sulfate-based tablet colonoscopy preparation that is taken orally in a split-dose administration starting the evening before a colonoscopy.
What is the alternative to colonoscopy prep? ›
Some newer colonoscopy preparation alternatives
Suprep is a low-volume prep, and the tablets are the other alternative. The liquid is typically 8 to 12 ounces of fluid. The concentration of the solution is higher, but it's much less than the gallon we used to use more often. One thing to know is that.
What is the least unpleasant colonoscopy prep? ›
SUTAB is more tolerable for many patients due to its pill form and may cause fewer side effects, such as nausea or vomiting, as a result. CLENPIQ is another solution-based regimen including sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and citric acid.
How can I make my colonoscopy prep more bearable? ›
Here are some tips he regularly gives his patients:
- Try one of the new preps. ...
- Mix the colonoscopy prep with lemon-lime Gatorade or Crystal Light. ...
- Use a flavor packet. ...
- Drink it with a chaser. ...
- Chill it and shake it. ...
- Use a straw. ...
- Split-dosing the prep. ...
- Blot to avoid irritation.
How can you tell if your colon is clean and ready for a colonoscopy? Your stool after finishing your bowel prep agent can act as a guide. Your stool should be clear, yellow, light and liquid. The presence of dark particles or thick brown or black stool means you are not ready for colonoscopy.
How can I make my colonoscopy prep less painful? ›
On drinking the prep
- My doctor uses a Miralax and Gatorade prep…so much easier to deal with! ...
- Drink it cold, lemon flavor worked for me. ...
- Don't mix with your favorite drink flavor because you'll always associate that flavor with the prep. ...
- Use a straw to drink any prep stuff.
If you can't finish the bowel prep, let the doctor's office know. Better to cancel and reschedule the appointment than to have an incomplete colonoscopy because your colon wasn't empty.
