The colon preparation is the most important step leading to the successful completion of a colonoscopy. We know it is inconvenient, but a clean colon will lead to an efficiently and safely performed colonoscopy that will lead to good gastrointestinal health.
Seven Days Before The Procedure
1. Diabetics taking insulin will need dose adjustment the day before the exam. Please ask for advice from the physician that prescribes your insulin. For diabetics only taking diabetic pills simply stop the pills the day before the procedure (see below)2. Blood thinners including Coumadin, aspirin, and Plavix type medicines. These can increase the risk of bleeding during endoscopic procedures to a varying degree. We recommend stopping Coumadin FIVE days before the procedure, if possible. Please ask for advice from the physician that prescribes your Coumadin. If aspirin is used for preventative reasons and not for active cardiac or stroke prevention then it should be stopped for 5-7 days before the procedure. Plavix has to be stopped for 5-7 days if ok with your Cardiologist or Primary MD
3. Stop Iron supplements and Multivitamins if you take them
Items o Purchase
2. Fill the prescription for Phenergan/Ondansetron/Tigan (anti-nausea) drug.
3. Any over-the-counter hemorrhoid ointment for anal discomfort (if needed).
Three Days Before The Procedure
No seeds, nuts, popcorn or peels from fruits and no raw vegetables or salads. Stop Multivitamins 3 days before the procedureOne Days Before The Procedure
1. Clear liquids only for the remainder of the day.2. You cannot have milk or orange juice for the entire day.
3. Drink as much as you can to prevent dehydration. You may have bouillon, broth, black coffee (sugar is okay), tea, juice (apple, grape, cranberry), Gatorade, lemonade, soda, water, Popsicles and Jell-O (any flavor or color). No Red Jell-O and red Gatorade as these may turn your bowel movements red, should not be used.
4. Do not take oral diabetic pills.
5. If you have diabetes and take insulin, take one half of your usual morning dose of NPH, Lente or Novolin 70/30 or Lantus insulin. DO NOT TAKE Regular or Humalog insulin the morning of your test.
If you take Ultralente insulin or are taking three or more injections per day, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes for specific instructions
Evening Before The Colonoscopy
This is a 2 liter prep divided into two 1 liter sessions. You must drink the entire MoviPrep to ensure your colon will be cleaned out. A poor prep can mean missed lesions (flat polyps) and cancellation and rescheduling of your procedure.Starting at 4:00 p.m.
(first liter)1. Empty 1 Pouch A and 1 Pouch B into the disposable container. Add cold water to the top line of the container. To improve taste, add a squeeze of lemon or lime or iced tea (try it first, and then add small amounts gradually to taste if needed). Mix to dissolve. You may mix the solution in the morning and refrigerate.
2. The MoviPrep container is divided by 4 marks. Every 15 minutes, drink the solution down to the next mark (approximately 8 oz), until the container is empty. Drinking the solution through a straw to allow liquid to bypass your taste buds may help.
3. Drink 16 oz or more of a clear liquid of your choice after the first liter dose.
4. If you become nauseated, stop drinking the MoviPrep. Take one of the anti-nausea capsules. Resume drinking the MoviPrep after 30 minutes, or when the nausea passes.
5. Empty 1 Pouch A and 1 Pouch B into the disposable container. Add cold water to the top line of the container. To improve taste, add a squeeze of lemon or lime and some sugar or iced tea, same as in step 1. Mix to dissolve. Refrigerate until it is time to continue the preparation later in the evening.
Starting at 8 pm (second liter)
1. Beginning 8 pm repeat steps 1-2 as listed above for the second liter of your preparation. Use anti-nausea medication if needed for nausea; see step 4 above2. Continue clear liquids till midnight and nothing by mouth after midnight except medication as instructed,
3. If you have diabetes and take evening insulin, take one half of your usual evening dose of NPH, Lente or Novolin 70/30 or Lantus insulin. DO NOT TAKE Regular or Humalog insulin the evening of your test. If you take Ultralente insulin or are taking three or more injections per day, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes specific instructions
Morning of the procedure
1. Take nothing by mouth.2. Take your regular medications on the morning of the procedure with sips of water.
3. Arrive at your scheduled appointment time.
4. Bring a list of your medications, insurance cards and photo ID.
5. Do not take oral diabetic pills
6. if you have diabetes and take insulin, take one half of your usual morning dose of NPH, Lente or Novolin 70/30 or Lantus insulin. DO NOT TAKE Regular or Humalog insulin the morning of your test.
7. If you take Ultralente insulin or are taking three or more injections per day, please contact the health care provider who manages your diabetes for specific instructions
8. After the procedure you must have a responsible adult drive you home. It is best if your driver waits for you at the endoscopy center. You may be dropped off and picked up by a responsible person approximately one and a half hours later. Taking a cab home is not an option.
9. You may not drive or work until the next day.
Questions or Problems
- Phone number is 407-843-0443- Internet website address is www.tummydoctor.org