Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. Let’s review how to get ready for your colonoscopy using a 2-day prep with PEG solution split-dose and magnesium citrate. We’ve provided a Prep Checklist on the last page to help you plan your prep.
1 Week Before Test
Arrange Transportation
Due to the sedation medicines, you must have a responsible adult drive you home. It is recommended that you are observed for at least 6 hours after discharge.
Health Changes
Please tell us about any major health changes, illnesses, or recent hospital stays you have had since you scheduled your test.
Blood Thinners and Diabetes Medicines
You must call the doctor who prescribes this medicine to see if you need to stop or adjust your medicine before your test. Your doctor will tell you how to safely do this.
Iron, Multivitamins with Iron and Fish Oil
Stop taking these 5 days before your test. (You do not need to contact your doctor first).The
UW Digestive Health Center suggests using the schedule below to adjust your blood thinning medicines before your GI procedure. The list below has common blood thinning medicines. It does not include all blood thinning medicines.
If your prescribing provider tells you to not hold your medicine, please call the Digestive Health Center at 608-890-5010, as this may affect your procedure.
Constipation
You may need extra prep if you are often constipated or if you have had problems prepping before. Please call to talk about this in more detail.
3 Days Before Test
Low Fiber Diet
Stop the following foods and medicines. These foods may slow your digestion, and your colon may not be clean enough for your test:
Corn, popcorn, seeds or nuts. Uncooked vegetables, beans and lentils, potato skins.
Fruits with skins or seeds.
Whole grain breads, granola or high fiber cereals.
Fiber supplements (like Metamucil®, Citrucel®, or Benefiber®).
Anti-diarrhea medicines (like Kaopectate®, Lomotil®, Pepto-Bismol® and Imodium® or loperamide).
Pick up Bowel Prep
Your bowel prep will be ordered about two weeks before your test. Three days before your test:
Call the pharmacy to tell them you will be picking up your bowel prep.
Pick up your bowel prep. Do not mix the prep until the day before the test.
Also pick up the 10 oz. bottle of magnesium citrate, this is bought over the counter.
Buy soft toilet paper.
2 Days Before Test
Diet
You can eat and drink like normal until 12 pm, noon. After noon, do not eat or drink any solid food or dairy products.
Clear Liquid Diet
Water, clear sports drinks like Gatorade®
Broth
Black coffee, tea, soda
Apple juice
Jell-O®
No creamers, milks or other dairy products
No red or purple liquids or Jell-O
No solid food
Medicines
Take your daily medicine, except those you were told to stop. Take your medicines at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.
Begin Bowel Prep
Between 3 pm-5 pm, drink a full bottle of magnesium citrate. This may give you loose stools and mild cramping. It could take from 30 minutes to 8 hours to start working.
1 Day Before Test
Mix the Prep
This part of the bowel prep is done in 2 steps called “split dosing.”
In the morning, mix the PEG solution by adding lukewarm water to the fill line.
Cap the bottle tightly and shake to dissolve.
Diet
Continue clear liquid diet. No solid food.
Medicines
Take your daily medicine, except those you were told to stop. Take your medicines at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.
Bowel Prep
Start drinking your prep at the time listed on your Prep Checklist.
Follow the directions on the checklist. Do not follow the directions on the jug. Once you have finished the amount of prep listed on your checklist based on arrival time, put the rest of the prep in the fridge.
Stay near a bathroom. You will have loose, then liquid stools. This is normal.
Nausea
You may have cramping, bloating and/or nausea. If you have a lot of nausea or vomiting, slow down or stop for 30 minutes, then start again.
Test Day
Diet
No food
Stay on only clear liquids (no red or purple)
Stop drinking everything, even water, 4 hours before you arrive.
Medicines
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before your test, drink no more than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces). Follow your provider’s directions for your diabetes or blood thinning medicines.
Bowel Prep
Start drinking the rest of the prep 6 hours before you arrive for your test. This may be in the middle of the night.
Drink 1 cup (8oz) every 10-20 minutes.
As you finish the prep, your stools should be watery clear or yellow, with no solids (flecks of stool are OK). If you are still passing solid or brown stools, please call the procedure center.
What to Bring
CPAP or BiPAP and any inhalers that you use
Eyeglass or contact lens case, denture cup
Ostomy supplies
Wear comfortable clothing
Phone number for your driver
Do not bring:
Jewelry
Money
Other valuables
Before the Test
When you arrive, you can choose if your driver waits in the waiting room or in your private room where they will hear private health information.
The doctor will talk with you, answer questions, and ask you to sign a consent form.
A nurse will review your health history, take your vital signs and attach a heart monitor.
A nurse will place an IV and give you medicines to help you relax and keep you comfortable.
Your visit will take about 2-3 hours.
After the Test
Your doctor will review the results and give you a report. We strongly suggest that you have your driver in the room with you to hear the results.
You may feel tired when you leave.
Spend the day resting at home. You cannot drive or return to work. You can return to your normal routine the next day.
It may take up to a week for your bowel habits to return to your normal.
Results
If you have biopsies taken or polyps removed, you can expect to get lab results 1-2 weeks later. Your results will be sent to your MyChart account. If you don’t have a MyChart account, someone will call you with results or results will be mailed to you.
When to Call
If you are unable to keep your appointment, let us know 5 days before.
Any questions about your bowel prep
If you are having bad stomach pain, or dizziness
If you don’t have a bowel movement
Who to Call
Patient Resources
(If you need help finding a ride to and from your test)
608-821-4144
Digestive Health Center
(608) 890-5010
UW Hospital GI Procedure Clinic
(608) 263-8094
See website to find out more such as, prep video, diet tips, and prep worksheet. https://www.uwhealth.org/digestivehealth
If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.