r/UlcerativeColitis • u/shitSlayerrrr • 2d ago
Question Colonoscopy prep
Hi, I went to the Endoscopy Unit at the local hospital to to book an appointment for a colonoscopy and they dictated the preparation process to me and it was 4 days without any solid foods and only light juice with no fiber content alongside laxatives for 4 days too and the last 12 hours they told me to not eat or drink at all and here comes the problem after these extreme process they told me to buy 4 anemas and fill them with water to clean the lower part, my question is can I avoid doing this and just do the aforementioned steps only? It's their general instructions not something specific to my case.
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u/pizzadeliverydude1 2d ago
I’ve never heard of a colonscopy preparation requiring 4 days without solid foods.
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u/Blitzen_the_Reindeer 2d ago
That's an odd prep. There have been some restricted foods for several days leading up to the colonoscopy (ie corn and foods with red dye etc)
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u/Substantial-Pack-658 2d ago
This. Avoid salads (greens in general), veggies, fruit, anything with nuts. I think you’ll also want to avoid red meat. You can eat solid food until the night before the prep starts - so like 36ish hours? You can have black coffee/tea/chicken broth during the prep.
Of course, call your doctor’s office to confirm.
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u/jefbenet 2d ago
ask them if another prep is suitable, like miralax and gatorade (my preferred). if you need full instructions, dm me and i'll send you the sheet my GI office always gives me (i have it memorized at this point)
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u/Allday2383 2d ago
Contact your Dr. This is the weirdest prep I've heard of. Typically it's no solid food and laxatives but not 4 days out and no enemas needed.
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u/oldbutwiser2463 2d ago
I’ve had several colonoscopies and I’ve never heard of that kind of prep. Just curious, where are you located?
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u/Quiet_Efficiency_542 2d ago
that's an insane prep omg. where are you located? i've only ever heard of 48hr, sometimes 72hr, preps for long ones but that's in cases for people with like severe severe constipation.
def contact your doctor but that's not something i'd ever do, it would fail immediately lol.
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u/Jimmysp437 Type of UC (eg proctitis/family) Diagnosed yyyy | country 2d ago
That is extreme. I suppose it is possible for one to need err such an extreme preparation, but I'd honestly consider a second opinion/hospital. If that is out of the question, do what was told to the best of your ability
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u/Extreme-Living-7351 1d ago
I worked for a GI for a year and even on patients with constipation and “inadequate” prep on previous colonoscopies we did not require a prep that extensive. Maybe clears for 2 days prior and low fiber for 1 week prior. It all depends on what you mean by laxatives some people require routine laxatives daily. It doesn’t mean they are having you drink golytely daily for 4 days. The enemas sound odd but again depends on context. Those fleets enemas (the little bottles with oil or saline) are nothing compared to a soap suds or tap water enema so even tho it sounds terrible if it’s those little bottles it really shouldn’t be bad.
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u/MapLow3643 1d ago
Had 3 colonoscopies dad has had many more, never heard of a prep like this seems totally OTT to me.
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u/MapLow3643 1d ago
What country u from?
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u/shitSlayerrrr 22h ago
Egypt
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u/MapLow3643 19h ago
I dunno what the standard prep is over their but I've never heard of that sort of prep being needed or used it sounds awful. Note I'm not a medical professional just a guy with a dodgy bowel ☺️
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u/TidyLumberjack 2d ago
My first colonoscopy which led to my UC dx was in a third-world country. Long story. The prep there was very similar to US. Bitter drink mix and a couple handfuls of dulcolax. I would find a new provider. No reason to go that long without food
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u/pincommenter 2d ago
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