Colonoscopy Preparation
Have you heard horror stories about colonoscopy preparation and are wondering just how dreadful your colonoscopy prep is going to be? Well, chances are it is not going to be the most fun or pleasant experience of your life….probably far from it. Everyone’s tolerance level is different, but most patients’ discomfort stems from the awful tasting mixtures, the amount of the mixtures that need to be consumed to properly clean out the colon and the subsequent time spent on the toilet expelling everything. While it may sound bad, it is important to keep in mind that proper bowel preparation is extremely vital to having a successful and complete colonoscopy procedure. Colonoscopy prep is better to do right the first time and endure any of the hardships that may arise than to have to go through the entire process again a second time.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure of examining the colon using an instrument called a colonoscope, a flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to the end, which is inserted directly into the anus. It allows for a careful examination by a doctor of the inside condition of the colon. The physician, usually a gastroenterologist, is looking for any colon polyps or lesions that can be treated or biopsied. In order for the doctor to be able to fully evaluate the condition of the colon, all fecal matter must be expelled. Lingering stool can block the physician’s view of the colon and possibly cause colon polyps or other areas of concern to be missed during the procedure. An unobstructed view of the colon is why thorough colonoscopy preparation is so essential.
A colonoscopy is an important procedure for the screening of colorectal cancer, often referred to as colon cancer. The earlier it can be diagnosed the better the chances for survival. So enduring the unpleasantries of colonoscopy preparation is well worth it if it can lead to early detection of something potentially fatal.
Your doctor should hand you a detailed list with all the steps laid out for a complete colonoscopy prep. It is imperative to follow the instructions to the letter. A successful colonoscopy procedure is dependent on a successful colonoscopy preparation.
Colonoscopy Preparation Diet
The day before the exam it is usually recommended to stop all solid food intake and go on a liquid only diet. To fight the urge to eat you may take supplemental drinks such as Ensure to stave off the feeling of hunger early in the process. You can drink liquids such as soda, tea, coffee, broth and juice. Avoid anything with red, blue or purple dyes added as it can discolor the inner lining of the colon making it harder on the doctor to differentiate normal areas from areas of concern during the colonoscopy procedure. Avoid nuts, milk or anything with insoluble fiber a day or two beforehand. This is the first step in colonoscopy prep which leads into the next step, the bowel clearing mixtures.
Bowel Clearing Mixtures
This is the beginning of the most dreaded part of the entire colonoscopy preparation process for a lot of people. The patient usually is prescribed a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) mixture to clear out all fecal matter from the colon and rectum. These require an inordinate amount of liquid to be consumed in a small amount of time. A lot of patients have trouble with the taste as well as the volume of the mixtures required. Some of the more common brands include Golytely, Nulytely, MoviPrep and Suprep. These may have an overly salty taste. To help combat this some patients add some Crystal-Lite or ginger ale to the mixture. Patients sometimes find it more palatable if the mixture is taken cold as well. See the video at the bottom of the page for an illustration of what this step is like.
Oral Sodium Phosphate (OSP) tablets may also be prescribed as an alternative to the mixtures. These also have the function of clearing out the colon and rectum of fecal matter. These are usually taken 4 at a time with at least 8 ounces of liquid 10-15 minutes apart for about an hour the night before the colonoscopy procedure. Common brand names include OsmoPrep and Visicol. Proper liquid intake is key during this step.
What Goes In Must Come Out
After you have completed the steps above and taken in a large amount of liquid, it soon will be time for that liquid to want to make its exit. It may be just as unpleasant coming out as it was going in. With such a large volume of liquids it will be best to be extremely close to a bathroom. It will be hard to fight the urge and to avoid any possible accidents you may just want to camp out in the bathroom until after the expelling part of the process has ended. You may be in there for a while, at least until you are sure everything has made it through your system. Taking the mixture and expelling it will usually have to be done at least twice before a colonoscopy to ensure an empty colon.
Tips To Make It Through
This can be a stressful and unpleasant experience to go through, but here are some tips to try and make it a little more bearable.
Prepare yourself mentally. Remember why you are doing this. Keep in mind the health benefits that a colonoscopy can give you. A lot can be said for mind over matter, even if in this case the matter is rushing through your digestive system at seemingly the speed of light. Knowing what to expect during colonoscopy prep can minimize the risk of unwanted surprises.
Prepare your bathroom. Add some scented candles or incense inside your washroom. It not only will help everything smell a little better, but it may also have a relaxing effect. Also stock up on some reading material or music. You don’t know how long you will be in there so having something distracting may help take your mind off of this highly distressing part of the colonoscopy prep process.
Use soft wipes. With the high volume of fecal matter being expelled the use of soft wipes should help with some of the irritation and discomfort normally experienced around the anus.
Chill your mixtures. Some of the mixtures have gotten better tasting over the last few years but they still can be hard to swallow. Some patients have found it a little more palatable to keep the mixture in the refrigerator prior to taking it. Also adding a packet of Crystal-Lite or some juice or ginger ale might make it a little more manageable to swallow.
Adjust your schedule. Having a free day before the exam to prepare yourself slowly and ease your way into your colonoscopy preparation can be beneficial. Also, having a free day after the colonoscopy procedure to relax and rest can be equally valuable.
Try to relax. It is important to not psyche yourself out. Colonoscopy prep may be an unpleasant endeavor but it also may not be as bad as you think. Try to relax and not get too worked up or overly anxious about it. Lounging around the house in comfortable, loose clothing and listening to soothing music might relieve some of the stress associated with having to go through colonoscopy preparation or a colonoscopy exam.
Have a friend near. Since your diet is restricted and you may feel weak, and since you will not usually be able to drive yourself home after the procedure, it can be extremely helpful to have someone with you during your colonoscopy preparation.
Use a straw: Drinking your mixtures with a straw may help deliver everything to the back of your mouth better, bypassing most of the taste buds of the tongue.
As bad as it may seem, it is crucial to not take any shortcuts and make sure you follow your doctors instructions closely. A successful colonoscopy preparation is one where the entire length of the colon is free from fecal matter (stool). Your physician needs to be able to see the inner walls of the colon to find any problems and having a clear colon helps ensure nothing will get overlooked.
It takes some endurance to make it through the colonoscopy preparation process. You will probably question your resolve to complete everything and will definitely want to quit at some point, but you must remember why you are putting yourself through this. A colonoscopy is a valuable asset in colon cancer screening and finding anything else that can endanger your colon health. If you are exhibiting colon cancer symptoms or are concerned about colorectal cancer then this is something you will most likely have to go through.
For a demonstration on what you may expect from a colonoscopy preparation liquid treatment used to cleanse out the colon before the procedure, check out the video below. A generous patient documents her ordeal of having to take a massive amount of a polyethylene glycol solution (MoviPrep in this instance) used to make sure the bowels and colon are empty before a colonoscopy. Her reaction to her mixture is priceless. As you can see, it really is a lot to swallow and there is no sugar coating how awful some people might find the taste. (Check out our colonoscopy prep videos page for more patient accounts plus added prep tips and instruction.)
If taking the mixtures sounds troubling, you may also inquire with your doctor to see if colonoscopy prep pills may be an option for your colonoscopy prep needs.