First, I have a little rule of what ever goes in must come out, kind of like Newton’s law but with a little digestive twist – call it Jill’s law. The older preps used to dictate a diet devoid of roughage and fat followed for three days before the test, with a clear liquid diet on the last day. Why? Because these things tend to hang out in the colon the longest. With less in there, it made the prep a little easier. People were told to eat baked chicken, baked fish or scrambled egg whites for protein; oils or fats less than two tablespoons for the whole day, which meant no cheese, egg yolks or fried foods; doses of soluble fiber such as plain pasta, white rice, baked potatoes and white bread; sweets like angel food cake or vanilla wafers; and plenty of clear liquids such as broth, weak tea or coffee without cream, soda pop and clear juices such as apple juice or white grape juice. The last part, the clear liquids, was all a person could have the day before. But some doctors theorized that the newer preps could do the job without the diet, still stripping everything in their path.
I, however, still believe in the old diet. As a patient who has more colonoscopies than I care to remember, the diet helps to eliminate the bulk of the feces prior to prep, leaving less to evacuate. It also makes the liquid fast easier to tolerate for me. I also add a Ducolax tablet two nights before the blessed event to help get some of the heavy lifting out of the way first. My feeling is that if I can get the prep done in one dose, I have eliminated some of the misery. I also add clear electrolyte beverages like Gatorade or Pedialyte to the diet, sipping them almost constantly in the two days before the test. This will help to boost some of your electrolyte levels as many electrolytes are lost during the prep, leaving some people to feel cold, shaky and faint. I am not a fan of Gatorade but I love the Pedialyte as it tastes almost like Kool-Aid. I mix a bit of the orange flavor with Canada Dry ginger ale and crushed ice, a sort-of pre-colonoscopy cocktail.
For swallowing the nasty prep liquids, the rules for swallowing yucky things apply again; only this time, you may have more options than you do in a hospital setting. With the Go-Litely and Nu-Litely, you can add a little Crystal Lite for a bit of flavor. Lemons or limes dipped in sugar and tucked into the cheek counterbalance the salty flavor as well as can hard candy. With the Fleets Phosphosoda, 7UP, ginger ale, Sprite or apple juice can be substituted for the water; I use the Sprite but be forewarned that you may not look at these liquids in quite the same manner in the future. Some people also swear by having the liquid as cold as possible. If you do this, be aware that you might have a sudden, sharp headache more commonly known as brain freeze.
Do not stray away from the bathroom. In fact, have it as stocked as it can be. You will need KY Jelly or Vaseline, the hemorrhoidal cream, the special toilet paper or baby wipes, reading material, bedtime clothing, a bath towel, the aromatherapy tools and anything else you can think of to add to your comfort. One friend of mine hauls in her television for the event.
You may feel somewhat nauseous and this is natural. Use cold cloths on your forehead or splash cold water on your face to fend off vomiting. Pacing helps as well but don’t go too far from the bathroom because soon you will have an urge to go that you have never known before.
Before you begin to empty out, it helps a bit to coat your anus with the KY Jelly or Vaseline. The velocity of which your intestinal contents exit pared with the volume of the intestinal contents and the fact that some unabsorbed digestive enzymes will find their way out can make for a very sore anus and rectum. To ward this off a bit, it helps to thoroughly coat the anus and anal canal with the petroleum products. As the emptying begins, use the gentle wipes and flush often.
As the bowel evacuation subsides, you may feel cold and weak with muscle cramps. At this time, I usually draw a hot bath filled with scented bath crystals or oils and surround it with scented candles. This is soothing. If I still feel the urge to go, I am two steps from the toilet and a bath towel is always nearby. Before getting into my nightgown, I use a little soothing hemorrhoidal cream.
Following the first part of the prep, most doctors allow their patients to continue drinking clear liquids until midnight. This is important as the bowel cleanse solutions often draw in water from the body; paired with the diarrhea during the prep, this can make you dehydrated. Try to shoot for at least 24 ounces if you can. Also, if you are particularly nervous, a glass or white wine or a shot of vodka both count as clear liquids in my book and can help you to sleep.
On the day of the test, you will be asked to disrobe. Women may have to take a pregnancy test. An IV will be inserted in your arm before you are wheeled into the endoscopy suite. Draping will cover your body and your doctor will place a sedative in your IV. Usually, the painkiller Demerol is used with the sedative Valium and Versed, a short-term amnesia drug. Another option is to use a short-term anesthesia, administered by an anesthesiologist. While you are out, your doctor will insert the endoscopic tool and examine the colon, taking biopsies as well.
The next thing you should remember is waking up in recovery. You may be given juice to drink. When you are able to stand up, you can get dressed. The doctor who performed the test will discuss his or her findings with you and with the person who drove you to the test before you are allowed to leave. You may be woozy the rest of the day but you should recover by the next day.
If you experience sharp pain or a lot of bleeding, you should call the doctor. Rarely, a perforation of the intestines can occur.
I hope this helps you. I know I follow it and it makes life so much more easier. Good luck! When is your's scheduled for?? If you can swallow pills, big ones, I would opt for the pills, yes, they cost more, but they are worth every penny!!
Have a good weekend!!
Hugs,
