Has your doctor told you that you need to have a colonoscopy? He or she will probably tell you that you need to cleanse your colon thoroughly before doing so. This may sound a bit daunting and uncomfortable to some people. But for this test to be successful for your health, it is essential that you follow these steps to cleanse your colon properly. Don't worry, let's see how to do it easily and properly.
What is the Two-Day Bowel Prep?
Simply put, this is the process of completely emptying your colon of stool, starting two days before your colonoscopy. We use several types of laxatives (medicines that loosen stool). Some of the medications your doctor may prescribe include Magnesium Citrate, Dulcolax®, and Golytely®.
These medications help to loosen your stool and make it easier to pass. They also help prevent dehydration due to the electrolytes in these fluids. All of this together prepares your colon for the exam.
Why is this stomach cleansing so important?
Think about it this way... In order for the gastroenterologist who examines your colon to do an accurate examination, he needs to be able to see the inside of your colon clearly. If there's stool stuck in your colon, it's like driving a car on a foggy, rainy day. You can't see the road clearly, right? That's how it is.
If your doctor finds small growths in your colon (polyps) or cancer cells covered in stool, they may be missed. That's not good for your health.
Therefore, the sole purpose of this bowel prep is to completely clean out your colon and allow the doctor to see inside your colon as if you were walking on a clear day . If this is not done properly, your colonoscopy may need to be canceled or repeated.
What medications are needed for this preparation?
You will need to get these medications from a pharmacy at least five days before your colonoscopy. Some of these medications may not require a prescription, but some do. Your doctor will advise you about this.
- Magnesium Citrate Liquid: 296 ml (10 oz) bottle.
- Dulcolax tablets: A packet of four tablets containing 5 milligrams of bisacodyl (a laxative, not a stool softener).
- Golytely/Nulytely/Trilyte/Colyte Liquid: This is a prescription medication that you will need to take by mouth. So, prepare this a few days before the test.
The most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Only then will you be able to pass the test successfully.
What do you do with your usual medications?
This is a very important point. Some medications you take daily may need to be stopped or the dosage adjusted for a few days before this test. You should definitely talk to your doctor about this. See the table below.
| Type of medicine | Things to do and tips |
|---|---|
| Blood thinners | Examples: Clopidogrel (Plavix®), Warfarin (Coumadin®), Apixaban (Eliquis®). Talk to your doctor at least two weeks before the test to see if you should stop taking these medications or change the dosage. |
| Insulin and Diabetes medication | Ask your doctor for advice on this medication. Do not take diabetes pills the morning of the test. If you take insulin, take exactly half your usual dose the day before the test. |
| Weight management medication | Examples: Medications such as Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Rybelsus®), Liraglutide (Victoza®). These may need to be stopped a few days or a week before the test. Be sure to ask your doctor about this. |
| Iron pills | Stop taking iron pills completely a week before your colonoscopy. |
Medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, or diuretics can be taken with a sip of water the morning of the test. However, if you have any doubts, consult your doctor directly and do not ask anyone else.
How do you control your eating and drinking?
Three days before the test
From these days, you should stop eating foods high in fiber, as these can accumulate in the intestines and interfere with cleansing.
- Popcorn
- Beans
- Grains (Seeds - flax, sunflower, quinoa)
- Multigrain bread
- Types of Nuts
- Salads/vegetables (especially those with skins)
- Fresh and dried fruits eaten with the peel
One day before the test
This day is very important. You are not allowed to eat any solid food during this entire day. You can only drink clear liquids . You can get a good idea of this from the table below.
| Good things to drink (Allowed) | Things that are not good to drink (Not Allowed) |
|---|---|
| Water | Milk and dairy products |
| Clear fruit juice (like apple, white grape - no chunks) | Orange juice with pulp |
| Clear broth/consommé | Alcohol |
| Black tea or coffee (without milk or cream) | Red, blue, or purple colored drinks (these colors can look like blood in the intestines) |
| Jelly (no red, blue, purple) | No solid food |
Remember, you can drink clear liquids up to three hours before the test. After that, don't drink anything.
Here's how to take stomach cleansing medicine step by step:
Read these instructions carefully, understand them, and then follow them.
Two days before the test:
- 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Drink a glass of clear liquid (about 240 ml) every hour.
- 5:30 PM: Drink the entire bottle of Magnesium Citrate.
- 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Continue to drink a glass of clear liquid every hour.
- 9:30 PM: Take four Dulcolax tablets with a glass of water.
One day before the test:
- Morning: Remember to drink only clear liquids throughout the day today.
- Afternoon: Mix your Golytely liquid according to the instructions on the package and store it in the fridge. If you find a flavor pack with it, you can add that. But do not add ice, sugar, or anything else to it.
- 6:00 PM: Now you should start drinking half of the Golightly liquid you made. Drink a large glass (240 ml) every 15 minutes until half of the liquid is gone.
- 6 hours before the test: (For example, if your test is at 8am, drink half of the remaining Golightly solution as before, one glass at a time every 15 minutes .
After taking this medicine, you will need to go to the bathroom more often. This is normal. So stay home and stay in a place where you can easily go to the bathroom.
Do you have questions like these? (Frequently Asked Questions)
What if I have frequent constipation?
If so, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend that you take extra laxatives for a few days before your cleanse.
My colon wasn't completely cleaned during a previous colonoscopy.
So be sure to tell your doctor about it. He or she may be able to give you a different or additional set of instructions.
What if I have a condition like Parkinson's that causes slow bowel function?
Conditions such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis (MS), or certain medications (such as painkillers) can slow down your bowel movements. Talk to your doctor about this. You may need more time and additional medication to prepare for this.
What if I have difficulty drinking large amounts of liquid at once?
If so, start taking the medicine two to three hours earlier than you are supposed to. That way you have more time to take it slowly.
Be especially mindful of transportation on the day of the test.
This is also very important. You will be given some sedation during the colonoscopy. Therefore, you are completely prohibited from driving after the examination.
- When you come to the hospital, a responsible adult (responsible driver) must accompany you.
- That person should stay at the hospital until your test is finished and then take you home.
- You will not be allowed to go home alone. If you do not have a responsible person with you, your test will have to be canceled.
- You can go home in a taxi or Uber, but only if the adult you brought with you also comes home in the same vehicle.
- After the test, you will be in the hospital for a while and will not be able to drive the vehicle alone if you are "sleepy." You should avoid driving for the rest of the day.
Take-Home Message
- Follow your doctor's instructions for cleansing your stomach exactly as they are written. This is the first step to a successful test.
- Talk to your doctor in advance about all medications you are taking, especially blood thinners and diabetes medications, and make any necessary changes.
- Avoid solid foods completely the day before the test. Drink only clear liquids that are allowed.
- If you have difficulty swallowing the medicine, start a little earlier and drink it slowly. It is important to finish the entire dose.
- Be sure to bring someone responsible to drive you home on the day of the test. You will not be allowed to go home alone.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න