So I had 4 colonoscopies in 20 months and learned a lot of ways to help it go easier. I am a polyp maker (thanks, Dad) and have a redundant colon (thanks, Mom) so they are more challenging for me, as well as the polyps are precancerous, so I have yet another diagnosis of serrated polyposis syndrome.
First eating low fiber 5-7 days prior to the procedure is very helpful in making the prep go easier, less roughage you might say. No nuts, seeds, fried foods, red meat, beans, spicy foods, whole grains, raw veggies or fruits, etc. Eating less quantity helps too. Makes for less urgency as well I have found. No messing your clothes! 💩 Also stop taking iron and multi vitamins 5 days before too as it can make it look like blood in the colon. There are other meds that need to be looked at but nothing else I personally am taking needs to be stopped.
I have to do a two day prep and the prep I just did for a procedure, I didn't get done as I had a cold (😭,) so beforehand I discussed with my GI fellow that I feel I only need two days and not two gallons of prep like I did the previous two colonoscopies and he agreed and told me to take half the first day and half the second (which seemed like it was going to work fine even though I hadn't finished the last quarter of the jug.) I did buy some Miralax in case I didn't feel finished. I also was told to buy Gas-x and take at night both nights. I started both days at 10AM, so that I start having movements around 6PM, yes, it takes me 8 hours before I go and I feel like a bloated tick before I start going! I also learned that I keep going for about the same length of time after stopping the prep! Which is why I need 2 day preps.
I set up a station right outside my bathroom with a glider rocker and a small table to hold my laptop and my drinks, set up so I could watch the laptop from the chair or the toilet! I got a bidet installed prior to this last one, and it is marvelous!!! No hurting behind from so much wiping. I used a washcloth to dry my butt off gently. If you don't have a bidet, make sure to have wipes and coconut oil or something similar and put on early and when dry. Cushy toilet paper is also nice to have on hand. Make sure your devices are charged up if you can't plug them in at your station. Wear loose clothes like sweatpants so you can quickly pull your pants down. You may need a few pairs of underwear and pants, but this last time I had no issues with that! Have reading material, puzzle books, etc for entertaining yourself, besides a laptop.
Speaking of drinks, I mix the prep the day before and put in fridge. I have a quart canning jar with a lid and straw, any container with straw should work but I like the measurements on it and being clear. I also have two chaser drinks - one is juice (no red or purple!! I like Tangerine Juicy Juice,) one is ice tea or broth (chicken or beef.) When I drink a couple of gulps of prep, I chase it with one of each of the other drinks. It helps get rid of the taste and helps you stay hydrated. After I finish half the prep, I switch back to (alkaline) water which is the only thing I drink normally. Being well hydrated helps all the way around, from helping with cramps, to getting IV in, etc. I am not much of a cold foods person, but popsicles are an option as long as they aren't red or purple, and are clear.
The day before I also make 2 containers of jello that is not red or purple, and I also make one container of jigglers (half the amount of water) makes for a firmer finger food, as well as gummies that are not purple or red. I found Albanese gummi bears have less red and purple in them. I pull the red and purple out into a ziploc bag and try to give them to someone else, as I get sick of them after prep!
Since I always get polyps cut out, this means I need to continue being on a liquid diet the rest of the procedure day. I finally figured out to bring cashew kefir (since I am dairy, gluten and soy free) in a small cooler with an ice pack so it can sit in my driver's car during the procedure. I have to go to bigger hospitals so have a one to one and half hour ride to the hospital.
Make sure you get a driver long before your appointment and have a back up plan too!
The week after I also do low fiber and ease back onto regular foods. Don't be thinking you can go get a huge meal right after!!! I also double up on my probiotics for a week or two to build the flora back up.
I have to keep telling myself, the alternative is far worse!!! Hope this is helpful!
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