Colonoscopy Prep
October 12, 2022 6:59 PM Subscribe
Inspired by this post, I have some questions about colonoscopy prep! Namely, I have had a poor prep in the past and have only managed to extract the very vaguest of instructions from my GI clinic about how to have a better prep this time.
I’m guessing I have a long colon, given some of the other comments. My GI office sent some instructions (extremely vague) about doing a low residue diet for the week ahead of time. I am doing the mirilax and Gatorade prep, they had no opinion about whether I should do extra prep even when I told them I had failed prep before. My questions:
1) Did a low residue diet help you have a better prep? Do you have any sources for what that means, especially with food examples for vegetarians?
2) I was planning on transitioning to a liquid diet the day before my prep day (so Saturday liquid diet, Sunday prep, Monday scopy). Is this likely to make a difference?
3) What worked for you in getting a clean prep if you had previously had a bad one?
The GI office was basically like “if you want to do that it’s fine” as their advice, which is … not terribly helpful. I would rather not do it unless it will help! They do at least have a very responsive nurse line and I have a personal nurse with them (probably because I keep calling to ask questions 😂) so I will ask before I do anything! I am hoping that if I ask more direct questions like “this worked for someone I know (on the internet)” they’ll be able to give me better guidance than the packet. Thank you!
I’m guessing I have a long colon, given some of the other comments. My GI office sent some instructions (extremely vague) about doing a low residue diet for the week ahead of time. I am doing the mirilax and Gatorade prep, they had no opinion about whether I should do extra prep even when I told them I had failed prep before. My questions:
1) Did a low residue diet help you have a better prep? Do you have any sources for what that means, especially with food examples for vegetarians?
2) I was planning on transitioning to a liquid diet the day before my prep day (so Saturday liquid diet, Sunday prep, Monday scopy). Is this likely to make a difference?
3) What worked for you in getting a clean prep if you had previously had a bad one?
The GI office was basically like “if you want to do that it’s fine” as their advice, which is … not terribly helpful. I would rather not do it unless it will help! They do at least have a very responsive nurse line and I have a personal nurse with them (probably because I keep calling to ask questions 😂) so I will ask before I do anything! I am hoping that if I ask more direct questions like “this worked for someone I know (on the internet)” they’ll be able to give me better guidance than the packet. Thank you!
Here are the instructions typically used where my family gets our colonoscopies.
We have had no trouble with preps, and think the office does a good job with instructions.
posted by NotLost at 7:47 PM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
We have had no trouble with preps, and think the office does a good job with instructions.
posted by NotLost at 7:47 PM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]
I have my instructions on hand, since I'm having a colonoscopy in a couple weeks.
For the low residue part:
HIGH FIBER FOODS TO AVOID INCLUDE:
• Whole grain breads, oatmeal/cereals, granola
• Nuts, seeds, raw/dried vegetables or fruit (NO salads)
• Beverages with pulp
• Nutritional supplements that contain fiber
• Pepper, beans, corn/popcorn
FOODS YOU MAY EAT INCLUDE:
• Cream of wheat/grits, white rice, and refined pastas/noodles
• Cooked fresh/canned vegetables
• Vegetables without seeds including asparagus, beets, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, and potatoes without skin
• Bananas, soft cantaloupe, honeydew, avocado
• Chicken, fish, beef, pork, tofu, eggs
• Margarine, butters/oils, smooth sauces and dressings
• Cakes, cookies, pudding, ice cream without nuts or seeds
• Hard candy, popsicles, yogurt and cheese
1 DAY PRIOR to your procedure, eat only a CLEAR LIQUID DIET. A clear liquid diet consists only of liquids that you would be able to read a newspaper through.
CLEAR LIQUID DIET INCLUDES:
• Water, mineral water
• Clear fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry, lemonade, etc.)
• Clear carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks or sports drinks
• Store-bought and >99% fat-free broth (chicken, beef, vegetable, or bone broth)
• Popsicles or gelatin (such as Jell-O)
• Coffee or tea (without milk or cream)
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:14 PM on October 12, 2022 [7 favorites]
For the low residue part:
HIGH FIBER FOODS TO AVOID INCLUDE:
• Whole grain breads, oatmeal/cereals, granola
• Nuts, seeds, raw/dried vegetables or fruit (NO salads)
• Beverages with pulp
• Nutritional supplements that contain fiber
• Pepper, beans, corn/popcorn
FOODS YOU MAY EAT INCLUDE:
• Cream of wheat/grits, white rice, and refined pastas/noodles
• Cooked fresh/canned vegetables
• Vegetables without seeds including asparagus, beets, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, and potatoes without skin
• Bananas, soft cantaloupe, honeydew, avocado
• Chicken, fish, beef, pork, tofu, eggs
• Margarine, butters/oils, smooth sauces and dressings
• Cakes, cookies, pudding, ice cream without nuts or seeds
• Hard candy, popsicles, yogurt and cheese
1 DAY PRIOR to your procedure, eat only a CLEAR LIQUID DIET. A clear liquid diet consists only of liquids that you would be able to read a newspaper through.
CLEAR LIQUID DIET INCLUDES:
• Water, mineral water
• Clear fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry, lemonade, etc.)
• Clear carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks or sports drinks
• Store-bought and >99% fat-free broth (chicken, beef, vegetable, or bone broth)
• Popsicles or gelatin (such as Jell-O)
• Coffee or tea (without milk or cream)
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:14 PM on October 12, 2022 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: Well I see why I failed before - apparently everything I like to eat is high fiber and a no go. Ok! I will lean into the carby deliciousness.
And yes, sorry, should have been more clear - I completed the prep but after they looked in my butt they told me it wasn’t very cleaned out. I had been having clear movements so was surprised to hear it wasn’t a good clean prep.
posted by Bottlecap at 9:04 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
And yes, sorry, should have been more clear - I completed the prep but after they looked in my butt they told me it wasn’t very cleaned out. I had been having clear movements so was surprised to hear it wasn’t a good clean prep.
posted by Bottlecap at 9:04 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Congratulations and good luck on the colonoscopy. Self-care is important.
posted by TrishaU at 3:34 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by TrishaU at 3:34 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
A tip: I find off-the-shelf Jello to be nasty. I bought plain gelatin powder and mixed it with white grape juice (the instructions are on the gelatin packs). Avoids the artificial sweetener and weird flavors.
posted by SoberHighland at 4:36 AM on October 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by SoberHighland at 4:36 AM on October 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Is Miralax sufficient? Usually I do the magnesium citrate prep (make sure you have plenty of fluids) and have done the GoLytely (kudos for the most ironically named product) prep and both made me wish that I had 5 point harness installed on my toilet. But yeah, enjoy your mushy carbs. It doesn't mean you need to be devoid of nutrition. For example, sweet potatoes, canned pumpkin, bananas, avocado, honeydew, lean meats, eggs. See here for some more things.
posted by plinth at 8:36 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by plinth at 8:36 AM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
One thing I don't see above is that my prep always includes the warning of nothing that has red dye in it. The reason is it can hide bleeding/blood. If you do gelatin or Gatorade-type liquids, avoid the color red. (The nurse actually said to me to avoid all artificial dyes just to be "safe").
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:05 AM on October 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by agatha_magatha at 9:05 AM on October 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
Prepping the colon is like flushing a pipe.
Meaning, it's important to drink the prep solution over a relatively short period of time, and relatively closely to the time of the procedure.
One of the reasons for a poor prep is starting the prep (the chugging liquid part) too soon so that by the time we start the scope there is already new stool coming down the drain.
Split prep (with half the prep taken the day before and half the morning of) works better than single dose prep but might be less practical when pt needs to be fully NPO for the sake of sedation.
Drinking a lot of clear liquids in addition to the prep is important. The more the better.
Also, avoid constipation the week before.
Good luck!
posted by M. at 12:50 PM on October 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
Meaning, it's important to drink the prep solution over a relatively short period of time, and relatively closely to the time of the procedure.
One of the reasons for a poor prep is starting the prep (the chugging liquid part) too soon so that by the time we start the scope there is already new stool coming down the drain.
Split prep (with half the prep taken the day before and half the morning of) works better than single dose prep but might be less practical when pt needs to be fully NPO for the sake of sedation.
Drinking a lot of clear liquids in addition to the prep is important. The more the better.
Also, avoid constipation the week before.
Good luck!
posted by M. at 12:50 PM on October 13, 2022 [3 favorites]
This might not apply to you - but - I also recently had a failed prep but it was because they gave me the WRONG directions. I was wrongly told to take dose 1 of the stuff at 5:00 pm and then disease 2 at 9:00 pm. But my procedure was not till 4:00 pm the next day. I was supposed to do the second dose the morning of the procedure. Just wanted to mention this in case the same thing happened to you.
posted by wittgenstein at 5:48 PM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wittgenstein at 5:48 PM on October 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
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If it’s the latter - 7-10 days prior to prep cut out all seeds, nuts, whole grains, popcorn, quinoa, shredded wheat, any bread with seeds, nuts, whole oats on it. Honestly, to me, low res diet really seems like lots of processed foods - white bread products and carb heavy - like mashed potatoes with creamy gravy. Think things that are mushy, soft and easy to digest.
My mom has had failed preps and now does a liquid/soft food only the day before actual prep and it has helped. Although the last time it was iffy since she was never informed about the 7-10 days prior of no seeds, nuts, etc. But they were able to do the colonoscopy and just bypassed the pumpkin seeds. Had she not had that extra day of liquid diet, she probably would have failed.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:32 PM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]