Colonoscopy, an examination of the colon (large intestine) with a lighted flexible scope. During the colonoscopy, if an abnormality is seen, it is usually biopsied at that time. This involves removing a portion or all of the abnormal area for processing and subsequent examination under a microscope.
The key to accurate diagnosis of your problem is proper preparation. The bowel needs to be flushed completely free of waste material that might hide an abnormality. The thoroughness of this cleaning DEPENDS ON YOU. Without your cooperation, the examination cannot accomplish its purpose and may have to be repeated.
Other Medications: Take your usual prescription medications (except iron or blood thinners as noted below). If you have a history of heart valve or valve surgery or need antibiotics before surgery, please notify us.
Blood Thinners: If you are taking blood thinners,(Warfarin, Coumadin, Plavix) please contact our office and your primary physician for specific instructions at least one week prior to the colonoscopy. ONLY STOP THESE MEDICATIONS IF YOU HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY OUR DOCTOR OR YOUR CARDIOLOGIST. Aspirin is usually stopped one week before the colonoscopy.
NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
NO Hard candy, breathe mint, lozenges, chewing gum
Purchase these items ahead of time:
Golytely or Colytely or Nulytely Prep Kit (per your prescription from our office) Gatorade (no red flavors)
Colonoscopy Preparation Timeline
Five or more days prior to your colonoscopy:
- Arrange for a ride. If you do not have a ride, we will have to cancel the procedure. Purchase the laxative medications listed above.
- Check with your insurance carrier if you need pre-approval and that you understand your financial responsibility for the procedure. If you are having a colonoscopy for screening purposes (having no problems, but having the exam for preventative purposes), verify with your insurance company that “Screening Colonoscopy” is a covered benefit. There should be a number on the back of your insurance card to call.
- Stop taking iron and vitamins with iron five days before the colonoscopy
- If you have sleep apnea please discuss this with your primary care physician and call to notify us at the phone number above, in advance of the procedure.
- Make any needed arrangements to be off work or school on the day of the colonoscopy. Please remember, by law, you cannot drive the rest of the day of the colonoscopy.
- Read and familiarize yourself with the preparation instructions at right.
Three days prior to your colonoscopy:
- Review and plan dietary needs for the next two days.
- Confirm your ride.
- Last chance to cancel or you will be charged a NO SHOW fee of $50
- If you have questions, please call us.
Two days prior to your colonoscopy:
- Eat well-balanced meals but avoid nuts, popcorn, raw fruit, raw vegetables, and salads.
- List any allergies and all prescription medications and non-prescription products (over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory, herbal, vitamins, etc.) you are taking. Bring these lists with you on the day of the colonoscopy.
One day prior to your colonoscopy:
- Start a Clear Liquid Diet when you get up and continue all day.
- Clear Liquid Diet
Soups: Clear bouillon, chicken broth, vegetable broth, beef broth, or consommé.
Beverages: Tea, coffee, Kool-Aid, carbonated beverages, Gatorade.
You may add sugar to coffee and tea but not milk or creamer (non-dairy creamers are okay).
Juices: Cranberry, apple, grape, strained lemonade, limeade, and orange drink.
Any juice that you can see through and has no pulp is acceptable.
Dessert: Italian ices, popsicles, Jell-O and hard candy.
Do not drink RED colored beverages or eat RED Jell-O.
No solid food of any kind.
Throughout the day, make sure to drink at least eight glasses (two quarts) or more of fluids such as Gatorade, or a similar product, preferably not just plain water.
Diabetic Patients: You may have your usual breakfast today and should take your diabetic medications. The prep solution does not contain glucose sugar. Throughout the day, you should drink sugar-containing clear liquids, as needed to maintain your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar at your usual times.
8 a.m. Place Golytely or Nulytely or Colytely in refrigerator
Between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Begin to drink the preparation.
Drink one, eight-ounce glass of Golytely or Colytely or Nulytely every ten minutes until the preparation is finished. Shake the container before pouring each glass.
You will consume several glassfuls before you have the first loose watery bowel movement, and this may make you feel slightly bloated. You will become more comfortable as you start to have bowel movements. You may experience nausea, abdominal fullness, and bloating. If this occurs, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear. If you start to have severe abdominal pain and vomiting stop drinking and call our office.
Remember to remain close to toilet facilities!
You may continue to have clear liquids until midnight. After midnight, do not eat or drink anything except the colonoscopy prep and you should take your medications with sips of water.
The day of your colonoscopy:
Continue with all your usual prescription medications. Please be sure to take any blood pressure or heart medications the morning of the test with a sip of water.
Diabetic Patients: Do not take your diabetes pills today, but do bring a dose with you to take after your colonoscopy. If you are on Insulin, take ½ of usual NPH and no regular insulin. Bring the remaining doses with you to take after your colonoscopy.
When you are ready to leave, your designated driver will take you home where you can eat and relax the rest of the day. You will receive specific instructions about eating, activities, and medications before you leave.
TRANSPORTATION
Due to possible lingering effects from thesedation you cannot drive for the remainder of the day following your procedure, and therefore, you must have a ride home. For your own safety, you will not be discharged from the Endoscopy Center unless a responsible adult, over the age of 18, is present to either drive you home or accompany you in a taxi or public transportation