My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Preparation for a colonoscopy - ideas please

7 replies

aviator · 04/07/2016 11:51

DS is due to have colonoscopy soon. I've heard the prep drink is grim and I'm concerned about getting it down him. (I'm waiting for it to be delivered, so no instructions to read yet). Can anyone advise what they were allowed to take with the drink to get it down easier? After a search on the internet I see that squash and certain flavours of jelly are allowed - really annoyingly DS (4yo) doesn't like fruit flavoured things - doesn't like any sweets like haribo, jelly, Ribena etc. He will drink apple juice and chocolate coconut water (a new thing for us!), not sure if either are allowed. Any tips from anyone whose child has had this? When we met with his consultant he suggested that a small chocolate bar the day before would not do any harm if he was struggling nil by mouth. I was surprised at that.

OP posts:
Report
finnmcool · 04/07/2016 11:55

I don't have any experience of preparing a child for a colonoscopy, however I had one.
I used a straw to drink the prep and if he doesn't like jelly, clear soup was a winner for me.

Report
doesntmatterwhoyouare · 04/07/2016 12:07

I drank mine really cold and sucked a sweet after each prep drink. Might be worth having it as separate little drinks as a full dose is just a lot of liquid to get through, and have a lollipop to lick between gulps/ glasses. Clear jellies and liquids are fine but the list varries a little between hospitals so see what yours says.

Will he be under a general for the procedure itself?

Report
aviator · 04/07/2016 12:20

Yes he would be under general because of his age. He does like lollipops so thats an idea.

OP posts:
Report
bobblewobble · 04/07/2016 21:07

Hi my 5 year old had a colonoscopy and gastroscopy in October last year. The diet was over 2-3 days prior. First 2 days had to avoid a lot of foods but I remember there was cereal she could eat (ricicles). As far as I remember was mainly liquid based. No fruit or veg. Low fibre.
The day before mainly sweets like jelly babies and jelly but nothing with red colouring. She coped really well.
She didn't have much prep to take but took it really well. Was called picolax. I was surprised. I'm pretty sure my daughter could have tea and I think that is what we let her have as a treat after taking the picolax.

If I come across the letter we were sent with all the details I will post it for you. Hope it goes well.

Report
TrivialBlah · 04/07/2016 21:59

The prep is worse than the procedure ime.

Definitely prepare by chilling in the fridge beforehand. You can add squash (orange or lemon) to it, nothing red. You can drink 1 litre over 2 hours, so I'd definitely advise your ds to take it slow. That's if it's Moviprep. I used straws and drank mine as quickly as I could stomach it. I wouldn't recommend this though. It tends to taste thicker the more you drink. I had a glass of elderflower cordial by the side a drank this with every mouthful of the prep.

For the fasting I bought ready made jellies, lollies, jelly sweets, chicken oxos, you could also buy beef consommé, anything nice and clear.

Good luck to your ds.

Report
TrivialBlah · 04/07/2016 22:00

You can have tea but no milk.

Report
Namechanger2015 · 04/07/2016 22:14

My DD was not allowed to eat or drink anything except non-red colour squash. I think this varies from one hospital to another so it's worth calling to check with them beforehand in case you can take things in.

Also take some easy quick food for you - you won't want to leave your child in the ward and they usually have a parent room where you can stash some fruit or something quick.

My DD struggled a lot with the liquid. First time she gulped it down but cried after and had some water. Second time we went she had it via a big syringe she put in her mouth. It was terrible idea she threw up everything including the very little food still in her tummy and her bowels didn't clear at all.

We were never given the option of having it cold so that's a great tip.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.