Getting Ready for Afternoon Colonoscopy Using PEG Solution, Split-Dose Method

 

What is a Colonoscopy?

 

A colonoscopy is an exam of your colon (large bowel).  Your doctor uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a built in camera and light.  This tube lets the doctor see the lining of your colon very clearly.  If needed, the doctor can remove growths in the colon called polyps or take tiny samples of tissue to detect certain conditions.

 

 

Getting Ready

1.  7 days before, you should stop taking the blood thinner Effient® (prasugrel).

 

2.  5 days before, you should stop taking:

• Iron.
• Blood thinners, such as Coumadin® (warfarin) or Plavix® (clopidogrel). 

 

3.  2 days before, you should stop taking the blood thinner Pradaxa® (dabigatran).

 

Blood thinning pills should never be stopped without discussing this with the doctor who prescribes it for you.  The doctor will give you instructions on how to safely do this.  Contact us if you have questions.

 

4      Diabetic medicines (oral and insulin) will need to be adjusted for the time you’re not eating as normal.  Please  discuss this with your primary doctor.

 

5      You must have an adult to drive you home or your exam will be cancelled.  You may take a cab or bus home only if you have a responsible adult with you other than the driver.

 

6.    Three days before your exam, avoid these foods (corn, peas, popcorn, nuts, and fruits with skins or seeds) which are digested slowly.  They interfere with your prep and our ability to see your colon.

 

7.    You will need to purchase bowel prep supplies at least 2 days before your exam.  You will be given a prescription to fill at your local drugstore.

 

8.    Plan ahead.  For your exam you will be given sedatives which can greatly affect your judgment.  On the day of your exam, you will not be able to drive or return to work.

 

9.    Our staff will need to review your health history, prior surgeries, allergies, and medicines you take.  Please bring this information with you, including a list of your medicines or your labeled medicine bottles.

 

10.    If you use CPAP or BiPAP for sleep apnea, please bring it with you.  We will need your machine in order to sedate you safely.  

 

11.   If you have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, we will need specific information about it before your procedure day.  If you haven't already given us this information, please call us during business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday) at (608) 263-8097.  Ask to speak to the Procedure Coordinator.

 

Day before your Exam

 

Follow your bowel prep instructions carefully.  A clean colon is needed for your test to be accurate.

 

Prepare the Bowel Prep

 

1.   In the morning, mix the PEG Solution by adding lukewarm water to the fill line.  Cap the bottle tightly and shake to dissolve contents.

 

2.   You may add 2 packets of Crystal Light^® yellow lemonade or a flavor pack if one is provided.  Do not add any other liquid or flavors.  Crystal Light^® yellow lemonade may be added by the glass, if you prefer.

 

3.   Refrigerate.  It will taste better if chilled.

 

4    You will drink one half of the solution (2 liters) on the evening before your exam and the other half on the morning of your exam.

 

Diet

 

 

1.     You may eat as usual (avoid slowly digested foods listed above) until 3:00 pm.  After 3:00 pm, do not eat solid foods, milk, or dairy products

 

2.     You may drink clear liquids until bedtime.  Keep drinking to stay hydrated.  Avoid red or purple liquids.  These resemble blood in your colon.

  

Clear liquids include:

 

 

Medicines

 

If you take medicines, take them 1 hour before drinking the bowel prep or 1 hour after you are done.  Do not take them while you are drinking the prep.

 

Bowel Prep

 

Plan on this half of your bowel prep taking 2 to 4 hours.  Stay near a bathroom during this time.

 

1.    At 5:00 PM, start to drink the PEG Solution at a rate of 8 ounces (1 cup) every 10 - 20 minutes.  It works best when taken rapidly but you can drink more slowly if you feel too full or nauseated.  You should begin to have some abdominal cramping and liquid bowel movements within 1 to 6 hours.  You may feel cold while drinking the chilled solution.

 

2.    Drink only one half of the prep (2 liters) tonight and refrigerate the rest for the morning.

 

3.    Stop drinking if you feel sick to your stomach and resume, as soon as you are able, at a slower rate.  

 

4.   Keep drinking clear liquids tonight to prevent dehydration.

 

For problems with your bowel prep, you can reach us at the contact numbers listed below.  If severe, steady stomach pain occurs or you don't expel any of the bowel prep, call the paging operator at (608) 262-0486 or toll free at 1-800-323-8942.  Ask for the Gastroenterology (GI) doctor on call. 

 

Day of the Exam

 

Bowel Prep

 

1.    At 6:00 AM, finish drinking the remaining 2 liters of PEG Solution in the manner described above. You must finish drinking at least 4 hours before your arrival time (remember to allow for your travel time).

 

2.     It is normal for your stools to start out darker than they were last night.  When finished with the prep, your bowel movements should be watery and see-through, and free of solids (flecks are OK).  The color may appear clear to yellow, green or tan.

 

Diet

 

• No solid food, milk, or dairy products until after your exam.

 

• Keep drinking clear liquids to prevent dehydration.  You should have nothing by mouth for 4 hours before you arrive.  You must stop drinking liquids for sedation to be given safely.  It is OK to rinse your mouth. .

 

• Take your normal medicines with a small sip of clear liquids up to 1 hour before you arrive. Do not take the medicines listed under “Getting Ready”.

 

• Follow the arrival and registration instructions in your cover letter.  If you are delayed, call us at (608) 263-8094 to let us know you are going to be late.  If you are over 30 minutes late, we may have to cancel and reschedule.  We do our best to stay on time.

 

• Plan to be with us about 2 to 3 hours.  Your driver will need to be available in our waiting room or by phone during this time.  You may not leave the recovery room without a responsible adult.

 

The Colonoscopy

 

A nurse will review your health history and place an IV.  The IV is used to give you medicines which make you feel drowsy and relaxed during your test.  The procedure will take 45 to 60 minutes.  You will then go to our Recovery Room for about an hour.  Your driver may sit with you there.  Once awake, you will be given something to drink.  Your doctor will discuss results with you before discharge.  You and the doctor who referred you will receive a copy of the report.  If you have a colostomy, please bring extra supplies for after the test.

 

After the Colonoscopy and for the Rest of the Day

 

• Do not return to work.
• Do not use hazardous machinery.
• Do not make any important decisions.
• Plan to rest.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not drive.

 

You should be able to resume normal daily tasks on the day after your test.

 

You may feel bloated for a few hours.  This is caused by air that was put into your colon during the exam.  It’s best to wear loose fitting clothes.

 

Most often, you may eat and drink what you wish after the exam.  Plan on starting with something light.

 

How to Contact Us

 

GI Procedure Center, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays, (608) 263-8094.

 

After clinic hours, this number will connect to the paging operator.  Ask for the Gastroenterology (GI) doctor on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942. 

 

If you are not able to keep your appointment, please let us know 5 days in advance.

 

University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics	Madison Surgery Center
600 Highland Avenue	1 South Park Street
C5/2 Gastroenterology Clinic	3rd Floor
Madison WI  53792	Madison WI  53715
608-263-8097	608-287-2200
800-323-8942	800-921-3444

 

The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6999.

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 05/31/2011

Copyright © 10/19/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6877

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