Read your instructions as soon as you get them so you can ask questions, get necessary supplies, and can follow the recommended timeline. Keep in mind that you may need to start your preparations as much as a week in advance.
For instance, you might ask questions like, “How long will it take to get my results?” “When should I eat my last meal before the exam?” and “What will the scope feel like?” You may need to stop taking some medications 7 days before your colonoscopy. For instance, medications for diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure may affect your results. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may also need to stop taking certain supplements, like fish oil, at least 2 days before your exam. [5] X Research source
Wet wipes to yourself after using your laxative Broth Jello Italian ice or popsicles Coffee, tea, clear soda, or sports drinks (not red, purple, or blue) Crystal Light or Kool-Aid mix to flavor a liquid laxative (not red, purple, or blue)
If you’re having trouble getting a ride, you might arrange for a ride-sharing service to pick you up.
You should be able to go back to work the next day, but check with your doctor to be sure.
Ask your doctor how much fiber you should eat. Track your fiber by writing down how much you’re eating or by entering what you eat into a nutrition app. It might help to prepare yourself a week in advance by decreasing the amount of fiber you eat and increasing foods that promote colon health, like prunes and prune juice, berries, and dark, leafy greens. [10] X Research source Dale Prokupek, MD. Gastroenterologist. Personal interview. 16 April 2020.
Don’t eat after your cut-off time. Otherwise, your doctor may cancel or reschedule your procedure.
Water Apple juice without pulp Tea or coffee without milk Clear chicken or vegetable broth Soda Clear sports drinks Flavored gelatin Popsicles Hard candy Honey
For breakfast, you could have a glass of coffee without milk and a glass of apple juice. During your coffee break, you could have a cup of coffee and a glass of water. Throughout your workday, you could sip on another 2 glasses of water. You could have a glass of sports drink and a glass of clear broth for lunch. As an afternoon snack, you could have clear hard candy, popsicles or jello. For dinner, you might have a glass of tea and a glass of vegetable broth. After dinner, you might relax with a cup of hot tea and a glass of water.
You’ll likely take the first dose of your laxative at 6:00 p. m. on the night before your colonoscopy. If your laxative is in 2 doses, expect to take the second dose on the morning of your exam at least 4 hours before your appointment time. If you’re using a liquid laxative, you may be able to improve the taste by adding a packet of Crystal Light or Kool-Aid, as long as it’s not red, purple, or blue. Just check with your doctor first. [18] X Research source
Stay in a room that’s near your bathroom so you won’t have to go far.
Check the label on your wet wipes to see if they’re flushable. You may need to throw them in the trash to avoid clogging your toilet pipe. If this is the case, it might help to keep a plastic bag in the bathroom to collect the used wipes.
Since enemas only clean your lower bowel, they’re not a replacement for the laxative your doctor prescribes.
You should still be avoiding food, as well.
