"Colonoscopy" I can taste the prep and smell the sterile operating room just by saying it.
"Colonoscopy" The word everyone dreads hearing at their doctor appointments.
Should we really react this way? Not really. Colonoscopies aren't fun but are often necessary. Don't let fear keep you from receiving this sometimes life-saving procedure.
In this post I'll be leaking my secrets for getting through a colonoscopy with minimal discomfort.
Enjoy my dark humor (with some tips mixed in maybe, idk).
Chill Your Prep
Trust me on this one! You're going to want to drink your prep very cold. I'm not sure what the science behind this is, but drinking a cold prep minimizes the nasty taste and helps you get it down easier.
For those who aren't 100% familiar with colonoscopies, prepping is when you drink a large quantity of a liquid laxative from hell its self. It's usually taken in multiple doses, and completely clears out your intestines over the span of several hours. Yes, several hours!
It sometimes comes in a huge, intimidating jug. Kind of like a large jug of motor oil. Delicious!
Drink with a Large Straw
Using a wide smoothie straw is best for getting the liquid down quickly. Stick the end of the straw to the very back of your throat and gulp away. Keeping the straw to the back of your throat minimizes the amount of liquid touching your tongue, keeping you from tasting too much.
The liquid tastes salty, chemically, and artificially sweet. You want to avoid the taste!
Start the Liquid Diet Sooner than Instructed (Possibly!)
Your doctor will have you begin a clear liquid diet the morning of the day BEFORE your surgery day. This means 24+ hours of clear liquids only. I know it's tough, but having less solid food in your system will make your prep experience much easier, as there will be less to clear out.
For this reason, I suggest starting the liquid diet at least 36 hours before your surgery time. I want to stress that this isn't 100% necessary! If you think you'll have a hard time starting clear liquids sooner, please don't! If in doubt, just follow your doctor's instructions, or ask your doctor if this is a good idea for you.
Be Prepared with Many Clear Liquids
Be sure to shop for your clear liquids a few days before your prep day. You'll want to pick a large variety so you don't feel completely restricted in what you eat. Many favorites are:
Gatorade or Powerade (good source of electrolytes!)
Homemade veggie broth
Lemon Italian ice (personal favorite)
Popsicles (w/ no fruit chunks)
Jello
Tea (no milk)
Clear juices
Clear gummy bears (surprising.. I know!)
Keep in mind that you can't consume any red or purple dyes! This could be mistaken for blood during your procedure.
My favorite low-FODMAP veggie broth (and favorite broth in general) by FODMAP Everyday is linked at the bottom of this post!
It is very, VERY important to stay hydrated on your prep day. Homemade veggie broth is my favorite because it's full of nutrients and can feel very filling. It's not a good idea to be feeling weak when you start your bowel prep. This is why you should be cautious if you decide to start your liquid diet sooner than instructed. Make sure you're getting the calories and nutrients that you need! Bowel prep requires a lot of energy.
You'll NEED Soft Toilet Paper
I think this is self-explanatory. Don't torture yourself with cheap, rough toilet paper. You'll also need wet wipes, Desitin, and possibly Vaseline. Again, don't torture yourself. Just do it.
Pro-tip: Use the Desitin and/or Vaseline BEFORE you drink the prep. You'll thank me later.
Drink Up
Most bowel prep will instruct you to drink a certain amount of water along with your prep liquid. I used Suprep bowel prep and had to drink 64 ounces of water for every 32 ounces of bowel prep. Please follow these instructions! You could easily become dehydrated by the laxative, since every liquid you drink goes straight through you.. literally.
If you want to feel your best, stay hydrated!
Make Something Good of Your Prep Day
Prep day can be boring and depressing. Making it a self-care day or movie-binge day could lift your spirits and take your mind off of your situation. Paint your nails, take a bath, or do a facial! Spend time doing a low-activity hobby. Put your favorite movies on and sip your clear liquids. Call a friend or family member and laugh with them.
It really helps!
Beware: The After Effect
I know I made this sound scary.. it's really not. Just know that you will most likely experience pain after surgery. The first thing I said upon waking up was, "My stomach hurts." I was in moderate pain and felt very weak for 2-3 days after. It takes a little while to feel normal.
During the procedure gas is pumped into your colon, and biopsies are taken from your intestinal tissue. You'll feel sore, bloated, and gassy. I suggest having a heating pad and Gas-X capsules on hand. Take the whole day off of school or work, and go easy the next day.
It will also take several days to have your first bowel movement after surgery. Some people notice a small amount of blood in their first stool due to biopsies being taken. This is usually normal, but call your doctor if you're concerned.
Other Random Tips:
Don't chug! You'll get nauseous. Take breaks between drinks.
Ask your doctor for Zofran or another anti-nausea drug prescription if you're prone to nausea.
Bring an extra change of pants/underwear to your procedure.
If your hospital is farther away, find a hotel to do your prep at the night before. Also scope out possible emergency bathroom stops.
Keep your phone charged and have entertainment in the bathroom. You'll be there for awhile. I couldn't leave my bathroom for over 9 hours. It will feel like your new home.. It's seriously weird.
If you're known to be tolerant to sedatives/anesthesia let your anesthesiologist or CRNA know! You want to stay comfortable throughout the procedure. Speak up for yourself.
You may want to add plain lemonade-flavored Crystal Lite powder to your prep. I believe it really helped me get it down.
Talk to your doctor about your prep options. Go to Drugs.com and check the reviews, but don't be frightened by the bad reviews. They most likely didn't follow the instructions or had an underlying condition causing a complication. This is your sign to follow the instructions!
Overall, I can say that my colonoscopy experience was not bad at all. Follow these tips and your prep should go smoothly. The procedure its self is over before you know it.
I know this is weird to talk about, but that's why I'm talking about it! It can be especially awkward for a young person like myself, so I think it's important to share my experience to make others feel a little less alienated. Colonoscopies are NORMAL for those with IBS or IBD, and are NOT something to be hidden.
Also.. I have to give big thanks to my IBS group chat for helping me come up with some of these ideas. You guys rock!
Thank you for reading! I hope these tips ease your anxiety and make getting a 6ft garden hose stuck up your booty a little bit easier. I'm kidding.. don't get scared. Go get that colonoscopy!
XO, Gracie
*Please note that I am not a medical professional of any kind. I'm simply here to share my personal experiences.
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