Have you had a doctor tell you to have a colonoscopy? If so, you may have been advised to cleanse your colon before the procedure. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is very important to do it properly to ensure a successful outcome. Today, we will talk about how to cleanse your colon using MiraLAX® and a sports drink like Gatorade®.Bowel Preparation ).
What is a MiraLAX® colon cleanse?
Simply put, MiraLAX® is a laxative that helps cleanse your large intestine, or colon. It works by softening your stools and making them easier to pass. You mix the MiraLAX® powder with a clear, non-carbonated drink like Gatorade® and drink it.
Why is Bowel Prep so important?
Now you may be wondering, "Why is this bowel prep so important?" A good bowel prep is like the secret to a successful colonoscopy. It removes everything inside your colon so your doctor can see it clearly. That's when you can really spot things like polyps, which can sometimes turn into cancer.
Imagine, your colon being well-cleaned is like driving a car on a sunny day when the doctor can see the road clearly. But if your colon is not well-cleaned, it's like driving a car in a heavy rain and you can't see the road. Therefore, it is very important to follow the instructions given by your gastroenterologist exactly. Otherwise, you may not be able to have your colonoscopy.
What is needed for MiraLAX® Bowel Prep? How do I use it?
To cleanse your stomach this way, you will need to buy a few things from the pharmacy. You don't need a prescription for this.
- 64 ounces of Gatorade®. Many people use two 946-milliliter (32-ounce) bottles. A clear, non-carbonated liquid sports drink, such as Propel® or Crystal Light®, is fine instead. But avoid red, orange, or purple drinks, as they can stain the stool and interfere with the test. If you have diabetes, choose a sugar-free drink, such as Gatorade G2®.
- A 238 gram bottle of MiraLAX®. Or a similar (generic) Polyethylene Glycol 3350 powder is fine.
- Four Dulcolax® tablets (each containing 5 mg of Bisacodyl). These are not stool softener tablets, but laxative tablets.
Be sure to remember these things!
It is essential to follow these instructions for a successful colonoscopy:
- Your bowel should be completely empty so that the doctor can see clearly. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
- Do not eat any solid food the day before your colonoscopy. Only clear liquids may be drunk.
- Prepare the things you need to cleanse your bowel (Bowel Preparation) at least five days before your colonoscopy.
Things to consider when planning a colonoscopy
You must have a responsible driver with you on the day of your colonoscopy . This person must be with you when you are scheduled for the test and must stay in the hospital until you are released. You will not be allowed to go home alone after the test. If you do not have someone to drive you home, you may not be able to have your test. So plan ahead for this. You will only be able to take a taxi, Uber®, or Lyft® home if the adult accompanying you is also in the vehicle. You will also not be able to drive the day after the test.
You need to be careful about the medication you take.
For your safety, some medications may need to be stopped or the dosage adjusted a few days before the test.
Blood Thinners
If you are taking blood thinners (e.g., Clopidogrel (Plavix®), Warfarin (Coumadin®), Ticlopidine Hydrochloride (Ticlid®), Anagrelide (Agrylin®), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), Dabigatran (Pradaxa®), Apixaban (Eliquis®), Prasugrel (Effient®)), be sure to talk to your doctor about these medications at least two weeks before the test.
Diabetes medication and insulin
If you take diabetes pills or insulin, ask your doctor about adjusting your dose in the days before your colonoscopy. Do not take your diabetes pills the morning of your test. If you take insulin (such as Insulin Glargine Injection (Lantus®), Insulin Lispro (Humalog®), long-acting insulins such as Insulin Isophane (HumulinN®, NovolinN®, ReliOn®) or 70/30 insulin), take half of your usual dose the day before your test.
Weight Management Medication
If you are taking any weight loss medication (e.g., canagliflozin (Invokana®), dapagliflozin (Farxiga®, Forxiga®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®), empagliflozin (Jardiance®), ertugliflozin (Steglatro®), exenatide (Byetta®, Bydureon®), liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®), lixisenatide (Adylyxin®), semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®), or tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)), you may need to change the dose of the medication or stop taking it for a few days. Please consult the doctor who prescribed the medication for you about this.
Iron Pills
If you are taking iron pills, stop taking them a week before your colonoscopy.
Learn about other medications as well.
Medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, or diuretics can be taken with a sip of water on the day of the test. However, if you are unsure about which medications you can continue to take and which you should stop, be sure to ask your doctor.
Stop eating these foods three days before a colonoscopy
You should stop eating these high-fiber foods three days before your colonoscopy:
- Popcorn
- Beans
- Nuts (e.g. Flax, Sunflower, Quinoa)
- Multigrain bread
- Nuts
- Salad/vegetables
- Fresh and dried fruit
If you eat these, your intestines will not be properly cleansed.
Eating and drinking the day before a colonoscopy
You can only drink clear liquids the day before your colonoscopy. Do not eat any solid foods.
You can drink clear liquids up to three hours before your colonoscopy.
Things you can drink:
- Water
- Clear soup (no oil, no chunks)
- Unsweetened tea and coffee (no milk or cream)
- Clear fruit juices (e.g. apple, white grape) - avoid those with chunks, red, orange, or purple ones.
- Jelly (red, orange, purple ones)
- Clear sports drinks (like Gatorade®) - not red, orange, or purple.
Things you can't drink:
- Milk and dairy products
- Fruit juice with pieces
- Alcohol
- Red, orange, purple liquids
How to make and drink a bowel preparation with MiraLAX® and Gatorade®
This stomach cleansing mixture should be taken in two portions, with a break of several hours between the two portions. Your doctor will tell you the exact times. You should definitely follow those instructions.
First, prepare these things:
- 64 ounces (about 1892 ml) of Gatorade® (or another approved clear sports drink). Avoid the red, orange, or purple ones. For people with diabetes, try Gatorade G2®, which is sugar-free.
- 4 Dulcolax® tablets (each should contain 5mg of Bisacodyl).
- 238 gram bottle of MiraLAX® powder (or Polyethylene Glycol 3350).
The day before your colonoscopy, combine 64 ounces of your prepared Sports Drink with 8 ounces of MiraLAX® powder in a large pitcher and stir well. Stir or stir until the MiraLAX® powder is completely dissolved. You can also refrigerate and drink it cold, if desired.
Part One: The Evening Before the Colonoscopy
- Take all four Dulcolax® tablets at once around 5:00 PM.
- Starting at 6:00 PM, start drinking 32 ounces (about 946 ml, or half) of your prepared MiraLAX® mixture. If you have difficulty drinking it all at once, drink small amounts of it, about 8 ounces (about 236 ml) every 15 minutes.
- In the meantime, continue to drink clear liquids.
From now on, you will need to go to the bathroom more often. That's normal, don't worry. It means the medicine is working. Stay home as much as possible and make it easy to go to the bathroom.
Part Two: Six Hours Before the Colonoscopy
- Six hours before your colonoscopy, drink the remaining 32 ounces (about 946 ml) of MiraLAX® mixture, and then sip an 8-ounce (about 236 ml) glass every 15 minutes.
- You can drink clear liquids up to three hours before the test. After that, do not drink anything.
Some people have a slightly different bowel habit. They may need different advice. If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor to get advice that's right for you:
- If you have any illness that requires special care.
- If a previous bowel prep was not done properly and the results were not good.
- If there has been a problem with anesthesia during a previous examination.
What do you do if you have problems like this?
What if you have constipation?
If you are someone who is constantly constipated, your doctor may tell you to take extra laxatives for a few days before the cleanse. This will help to relieve some of your constipation by the time you cleanse.
What if the previous bowel prep didn't go well?
If you had a bowel movement that didn't go well during a previous colonoscopy, be sure to tell your doctor. He or she will give you additional instructions.
What if you have changes in bowel function due to another illness?
Some diseases (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)) and some medications (e.g., narcotics, gabapentin, anticholinergics) can cause slow bowel emptying and constipation. This can happen even if you are a wheelchair user. Tell your doctor about your condition and any medications you are taking. You may need extra time to empty your bowels and additional laxatives.
What if it's hard to drink a lot of fluids at once?
If you find it difficult to drink large amounts of liquid at once, start your bowel prep two to three hours earlier than usual. This will give you more time to finish the entire mixture.
What if I can't complete the bowel prep?
If you are unable to drink this colon cleansing mixture completely, your colonoscopy will likely have to be postponed because your colon will not be properly cleansed.
If you have had bariatric surgery, do you need to drink the entire mixture?
Yes. Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, affects your stomach and small intestine. It does not change the length of your colon. You may be limited in the amount you can drink at one time, so you should drink the entire mixture, even if it takes longer.
What if you are on dialysis?
If you are a kidney patient and on dialysis, be sure to see your nephrologist for specific advice before scheduling a colonoscopy. Dialysis patients are usually given a different type of bowel prep and the test is performed on the same day as dialysis (e.g., colonoscopy in the morning, dialysis in the evening).
What exactly is a "Clear Liquid Diet"?
This is very simple. If you can pour a liquid into a glass and see through it, it is considered a "clear liquid." Remember, don't drink anything that is red, orange, or purple.
The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask.
Finally, a few things to remember
Good Bowel Preparation is a very important part of your colonoscopy. So follow the instructions given by your gastroenterologist exactly. When your bowel is clear, they can easily detect polyps, inflammation, and other abnormalities.
If you have any questions about mixing MiraLAX® and Gatorade® (or other sports drink), or about this entire process, please ask your doctor. Don't worry, this is all for your health.
` Colonoscopy, colon cleanse, Miralax, Gatorade, colonoscopy, digestive system, medical advice
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