Frequently Asked Questions – Preparing For Your Procedure

Questions About Preparing for Your Procedure

My procedure is in several days and I have not yet picked up my prep solution and/or my pharmacy does not have it. What should I do?

• Call our office during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8-5 pm, and one of our staff members will be able to assist you and check on the prescription. Often, if your prescription is not picked up within 7 days of us sending it, your pharmacy will put the prep back on the shelf.
• If your procedure is tomorrow and you do not have your prep and it is outside normal business hours, call our phone number to connect with one of our on-call providers.

The instructions state that I have to be on a clear liquid diet before my procedure. What can I have?

• Hold a piece of newspaper or paper with print on it up to the liquid and try to read it, if you can read the words, the liquid is clear.
• The following are recommendations for clear liquids: water, soda, ginger ale, clear sports drinks, apple juice, white cranberry juice, tea, black coffee (no cream or milk), chicken broth, Jell-O, and popsicles (as long as they are not red, orange, or purple).

I accidentally ate seeds during the week leading up to my procedure, do I need to reschedule?

• It is important to follow all of the instructions provided by our office to ensure a successful exam, however, if you accidentally ate seeds or nuts you do not need to reschedule your procedure as long as you follow the clear liquid diet the day before your procedure and drink the prep solution as instructed.

I accidentally ate something the day before my procedure. Do I need to reschedule?

• It is important to follow all of the instructions provided by our office to ensure a successful exam, however, if you accidentally ate something the day before your procedure before 12:00 PM, you do not need to reschedule as long as you begin the clear liquid diet and follow the rest of the instructions to prepare for your colonoscopy.
• If you eat something after 12:00 PM, you will likely need to reschedule your procedure, please call our office.

What medications can I take the morning of my procedure?

• You should continue to take your regular medications, unless otherwise instructed by our provider or nursing staff. Take them with a small amount of clear liquid at least 2 hours before your check-in time.
• If you take any blood thinners or anti-platelet agents, i.e. Coumadin, Plavix, Pradaxa, etc., please follow the instructions provided by our office regarding these medications.
• You may continue to take NSAIDs, Aspirin, and Tylenol, if needed.

What are some tips to make drinking the prep solution easier?

• After mixing the prep, put it in the refrigerator; it may help to drink it cold (do not use ice).
• Drinking the prep through a straw may help bypass some of the taste buds on your tongue.
• You may suck on hard candy while drinking the solution. Remember, the candy should not be red, orange, or purple.
• Nausea is common while drinking the prep. If this occurs, stop drinking for 30 minutes before restarting. Walking around may help relieve nausea.

While drinking the prep solution I felt nauseous and ended up vomiting. How should I proceed?

• If you have retained enough of the prep that it has resulted in a bowel movement, you should proceed with the preparation and finish the prep solution. You should follow the tips in the answer above to help make drinking the prep solution easier.
• If you have been unable to retain enough of the prep to result in a bowel movement, please call our office.

I have started my prep solution but have not experienced a bowel movement yet, is this normal?

• Bowel movements usually occur within 3 hours of starting the prep but may take longer. If bowel movements have not started within 3 hours of starting prep, then an over-the-counter suppository (Dulcolax) is advised. Bowel movements should be watery. If they are not, drink a bottle of magnesium citrate. Proceed with the second dose of the prep solution at the appropriate time.

Can I drink all of the prep the night before instead of waking up in the morning to drink the second half of the prep solution?

• Studies have shown that split-dose preps produce better cleansing. While this may mean that you need to wake up in the middle of the night or early morning to drink the second dose, the most important thing is that you get a good quality exam. A good quality exam will reduce the chance of having to repeat the prep/procedure. If there is stool residue stuck to the side of your colon, your doctor may not be able to find and remove all polyps.

How do I know when I have been fully prepped for my colonoscopy?

• You will be fully prepped and ready for your procedure after drinking both doses of your prep and your bowel movements are a clear yellow fluid, like urine.

I have taken both doses of the prep solution but it is now the morning of my procedure and I am not having clear bowel movements. What should I do?

• As long as you do not have a solid formed stool, you should come in for your procedure. If, after taking the second dose of prep solution, you still have solid formed stool – call our office the morning of your procedure.

I am having a menstrual period. Should I reschedule my colonoscopy appointment? 

• No. Your menstrual period will not interfere with your physician’s ability to complete your procedure.