8. Colonoscopy – Medications Morning Of
TAKE
Your usual medications EXCEPT
DO NOT TAKE
Diabetes Meds
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Anticoagulant Meds (e.g. Coumadin)
9. Colonoscopy – NO Driving
PLAN A RIDE HOME
No driving
No taxi
No bus
10. Colonoscopy – Good for You
Painless
Important for
screening and
diagnoses
Editor's Notes
The large intestine or colon is where everything you’ve eaten and then digested in the stomach and small intestine ends up.This is the waste material which is sometimes called stool, a bowel movement or poop.
For a colonoscopy to be useful the doctor needs to see the lining, or inside layer, of the colon. If there is stool or poop left in the colon, your doctor can’t see the lining and could miss critical findings like a polyp or even cancer.
The first step in preparing your bowel for colonoscopy is not putting anything into it – in other words stop eating. The day before – or 24 hours before - your colonoscopy and all the way until after your colonoscopy you can not eat any solid foods
Step two in preparing for colonoscopy is cleaning or flushing everything out that has previously ended up in the colon. This is done by drinking the medicine your received from your doctor or pharmacy. Like fasting, this is done the day before your procedure. The medicine can work in a few minutes or a couple hours, so once you take it stay near a bathroom!
Unfortunately the medication for bowel preparation makes your colon and small intestine contract and expand as stool is pushed out. You are going to go the bathroom a lot. You might also feel nauseated, bloated and have some cramping. But it is critical that you let the medicine work and clean out the bowel completely.
While you must not eat any food during the bowel preparation you can and should drink LOTS of clear fluids. These include water, Gatorade, coffee or tea without cream, apple juice without pulp, and clear colored sodas or fruit drinks. Do not drink fluids that are red, purple or blue. And do NOT drink any kind of milk products. Stop all fluid at midnight and don’t drink anything on waking the morning of the colonoscopy.
You should take all your usual medications with a little water the morning of your colonoscopy – EXCEPT any diabetes medicines.Your diabetic medications can be taken AFTER the procedure. During your bowel preparation watch your sugars closely to keep them normal.Taking or not taking anti-coagulants should be decided with the doctor that prescribed them – so call them now.
You will be sedated with medication during the colonoscopy. You cannot drive yourself home. We will also not allow you to go home by taxi or bus. You must have someone with you that can drive you home after the procedure. Ask someone to help you get home now.
Colonoscopy itself is not painful or uncomfortable – you will sleep through it. It is a very important procedure to help your doctor diagnose and bowel problems and screen or dangers likely cancer. Your efforts to prepare your colon are critical in helping your doctor accomplish that mission.
