Colonoscopy Prep: 8 Expert Tips for the Night Earlier

hero symbol

Colonoscopy prep is ane of the nigh dreaded steps when it comes to colorectal cancer screening, but it's not optional. You must clean out your colon then the medico tin can get a good await at the inside!

We've asked colorectal cancer survivors and caregivers who undergo colonoscopy prep oft for their "expert" tips on surviving prep night. Hither's what they said:

1. Adjust Your Nutrition a Few Days Before Prep Begins

Eating smaller portions and low-cobweb foods a few days earlier you lot plan to do colonoscopy prep tin can assistance the evening become smoothly.

What to Eat Before Bowel Prep

What you choose to consume and drink a few days prior to a colonoscopy can touch on how "make clean out" nighttime goes. Hither's what our advocates recommend:

  • Digestive tea
  • Soups
  • Smoothies
  • Eggs
  • Rice
  • Salmon
  • Craven
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Lighter-colored foods

What Non to Eat Before Colonoscopy Prep

  • Nuts and seeds (including wraps and breads containing them)
  • Popcorn
  • Cerise meat
  • Fried, heavy foods
  • Raw vegetables
  • Corn, peas, apple tree skins, and other fiber-filled foods that are hard to digest
  • Annihilation vivid red in color

Subtract repast size

Several survivors say decreasing the size of their meals a few days before starting colonoscopy prep also makes it go easier and smoother.

2. Beverage the Colonoscopy Prep Laxative Cold

Survivors recommend drinking the laxative common cold - and through a straw - for the most pleasant experience.

I put the prep potable in my large Tervis Tumbler with a straw. For some reason, drinking it with a straw helps me."

Trish Lannon, stage III survivor

three. Choose Yummy Treats for the Liquid Diet

The 24-hour interval prior to a colonoscopy, patients must stick to a liquid diet - i.due east., no solid foods. What you lot cull to eat and drinkable tin can make or break your colonoscopy prep experience.

apple juice colonoscopy prep

Favorite Drinks for Colonoscopy Prep

  • Organic depression-sodium broth
  • Really adept Clot-O (not ruby, orange or regal)
  • Martinelli'southward Gilded Medal apple juice
  • White grape juice
  • Flavored sparkling water
  • 7-UP or Sprite
  • Good coffee (without creamer)
  • Gummy bears - pull out the red and regal ones, and suck the calorie-free ones for a little treat

Electrolytes

Some survivors accept besides found electrolyte drinks, such as Pedialyte, can provide of import hydration prior to the procedure.

"Pedialyte hydrates me better than water. I become dehydrated very hands and it makes for difficulty when putting in my Iv earlier the test. Information technology likewise now comes in packets and so y'all can mix it yourself."

Kristen Keesen, stage Iii survivor

iv. Bath Prep for Bowel Prep

toilet paper colonoscopy prep

Once the colonoscopy prep laxative begins working, you lot'll spend A LOT of time in the bathroom! Here'due south what you'll need to make it a good experience.

Moisture Wipes

Dude wipes and Preparation H are ii advocate favorites, merely several brands produce medicated and non-medicated moisture wipes.

Good Toilet Paper

Double-ply, soft toilet paper will be important equally yous prep for your colonoscopy. (And a critical must-have if you don't use moist wipes.) Several brands brand "gentle" toilet paper with aloe that can alleviate itching and burning - something that is common when y'all're making frequent tips to the toilet.

Creams and Oils

Some survivors say creams and oils tin assistance either prevent or soothe irritation. Favorites include

  • Vaseline
  • Kokosnoot oil
  • Butt paste

Some find that a cool, wet washcloth or drawing a bath also helps with irritation.

Chargers and Calorie-free Reading

"Accuse your phone and become a good volume to read - you will be in the bathroom a lot!"

Amanda Houston, stage Ii survivor

Whether you program to be on your phone, laptop or tablet, detect your chargers before your laxative kicks in. Magazines like Across Blue and videos with patient stories tin can remind you of the reason you're going through colonoscopy prep nighttime and its importance!

Stretchy Pants

Rubberband-waisted pants will be a lifesaver once the laxative begins working - you lot won't accept fourth dimension to mess with buttons!

five. Double Check What Time to Start Your Prep

doctor instructions colonoscopy prep

Double check your doctor's instructions regarding when to begin your colonoscopy prep and bump it up a few hours earlier, if possible, and so you're not up all night rushing to the bathroom.

Depending on the prep recommended for you, your medico'southward part should indicate what time to begin taking either pills or the laxative drink. Some colonoscopy preps are taken in one evening, others may exist a "split-dose" and taken between an evening and the following morning.

If yous begin drinking the colonoscopy prep in the evening, bump up the start time a few hours earlier to preclude running to the toilet all night. Each person'south body is different - for some it works right abroad, and for others it takes several hours. Give yourself plenty of fourth dimension for the laxative to beginning working.

Closely Follow Colonoscopy Prep Instructions

Despite what the packaging or instructions on your colonoscopy prep product may say, e'er check with your medico's office and know what time they advise you to stop drinking liquids. This can bear on your anesthesia during the colonoscopy.

6. Finish the Prep - All of Information technology!

It may be tempting to finish drinking all of the colonoscopy prep if your stools are running clear, merely it's important to complete all of the steps.

It's not uncommon for the laxative to piece of work right away and within the first few trips! Only, even if you outset to "run clear," meaning your stools have turned liquid and are lighter in color, information technology's important to stop the entire colonoscopy prep process.

Many bowel prep products include several drinks or pills to take - brand sure to accept them all for a total cleanout and constructive telescopic. If y'all're wanting to quit early on, just remind yourself the prep is the hardest part!

7. Ease Back Into Eating Solid Foods

After your colonoscopy, go easy on what you consume.

You may be starving after your procedure (you likely haven't eaten in over a 24-hour interval), but your gut may have a few days to feel normal once more. Don't rush into a heavy, greasy meal - or y'all may regret information technology!

Some survivors say probiotics assist the gut bounce back, and they avert spicy foods for a few days if a polyp was removed.

viii. Celebrate… and Tell Your Family

Practice self-care and be proud of yourself - y'all got screened! Don't forget to tell your family about your results!

Many patients leave a colonoscopy and become for a good meal and a long nap. Yous won't be able to bulldoze or work following the procedure, and so plan to take information technology easy for the rest of the mean solar day!

Because colorectal cancer risk is increased if you accept a family history of polyps AND/OR colorectal cancer, share your results with your family - especially your children, parents and siblings.

If the physician removed colon polyps, or any signs of cancer, information technology may take a few days, upwardly to a few weeks, before biopsy results come in.

Your doctor's office will follow upward with adjacent steps and when your next colonoscopy should be scheduled.

Get More than Colonoscopy Prep Tips

For more colonoscopy prep tips, or to acquire virtually other ways to screen for colorectal cancer, download our Screening Mini Mag!