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Original poster

Colonoscopy prep..

38 replies

LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 11:44

Hey! Hope this is the right place.

i’m having a colonoscopy next week due to a positive FIT test of 10. Anyone else had a FIT positive and NOT been diagnosed with cancer?

I just need some advice
for the prep. When do I start prepping? With the diet? Also two days before I have a wedding. I can cut fibre no issue but am I allowed to have some alcohol? The wedding is Saturday and my colonoscopy is monday.

any advice would be appreciated! Thanks :)

OP posts:
CC4712 · 11/04/2023 11:56

I haven't had a colonoscopy myself, but helped my mum and nan with their preps many times and used to work on a surgical ward years ago. The hospital should have given you detailed prep guidance. 2 days before no fibre, 1 day before clear fluids, drink the 2 litres of prep etc etc. Each consultant with have a different prep preference too so someones experience will be different to what they want you to do.

The main thing is to ensure you are just passing clear fluid at the end. IF the bowel isn't completely clear- they will need to reschedule the procedure and you'll have to do it all again! I recall having the prep solution cold and using a straw was more palatable for my mum and nan. Loosing so much fluid can be draining, so we used to prep clear or light coloured jelly beforehand, and also clear cosume soups- to keep sugar and salts up. They were advised no red or purple coloured jellies/drinks.

My mum needed colonoscopies so often, that she bought a commode chair so she could sit in her room and watch the TV. Once things are moving- you are often better to just sit on the loo and wait. Read a book, watch TV etc- rather than getting up and down. You can get caught short VERY quickly!

If you dont have much info in regards to what day to drink the prep, what you can/can't eat and when etc- contact the department and ask.

ApplePippa · 11/04/2023 12:00

I had a colonoscopy last week - I'm an Ulcerative Colitis sufferer, so a colonoscopy veteran.

Yes, you will be fine to drink alcohol at the wedding on Saturday. Just don't go overboard, and keep off it on Sunday!

With the diet, I usually start going low fibre 3 days before hand.

For the prep on Sunday, you should have been provided with timings for stopping eating and when to drink the bowel prep stuff. The bowel prep itself is not so bad, just stay near a toilet for a few hours. Once you stop eating, you can still drink clear fluids - I always find apple juice good.

All the best, and here's hoping you have a good outcome.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 11/04/2023 12:04

Haven’t you had details of the preparation already?it’s 4 years since my last colonoscopy but I seem to remember that you need to start eating a low residue diet for 2 days before the procedure so that would be Saturday and Sunday for you and then the medication drinks the day before. You could probably get away with clear alcoholic drinks but no red wine, blue WKD etc!

Once the drinks start working (after a few hours) you don’t want to be leaving the house for any time. They are definitely most palatable cold and through a thick straw. Don’t sip them, just get it over and done with!

Mine are for screening sorry so I don’t know about the FIT test

it’s really important that you follow the preparation instructions really carefully. If you’re not passing clear golden fluid with no bits in before the procedure it may have to be repeated. They can easily tell if you’re not completely honest!!

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 12:05

ApplePippa · 11/04/2023 12:00

I had a colonoscopy last week - I'm an Ulcerative Colitis sufferer, so a colonoscopy veteran.

Yes, you will be fine to drink alcohol at the wedding on Saturday. Just don't go overboard, and keep off it on Sunday!

With the diet, I usually start going low fibre 3 days before hand.

For the prep on Sunday, you should have been provided with timings for stopping eating and when to drink the bowel prep stuff. The bowel prep itself is not so bad, just stay near a toilet for a few hours. Once you stop eating, you can still drink clear fluids - I always find apple juice good.

All the best, and here's hoping you have a good outcome.

That’s great! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I had a colonoscopy 10 years ago but really can’t remember the prep at all! (Only the awful pain during the colonoscopy)

thanks for the info about alcohol! Will definitely limit it but would like to enjoy a few Proseccos to celebrate the married couple!

they’ve given me a little menu of what I can eat, just trying to figure out what to have to make it enjoyable.

OP posts:
Ban6 · 11/04/2023 12:07

Positive FIT test here and no cancer - they found two small polyps, both removed during procedure. Apparently one was the sort that could have grown into cancer if left so utterly brilliant that they found them. Do the prep to the letter and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 12:08

Muchtoomuchtodo · 11/04/2023 12:04

Haven’t you had details of the preparation already?it’s 4 years since my last colonoscopy but I seem to remember that you need to start eating a low residue diet for 2 days before the procedure so that would be Saturday and Sunday for you and then the medication drinks the day before. You could probably get away with clear alcoholic drinks but no red wine, blue WKD etc!

Once the drinks start working (after a few hours) you don’t want to be leaving the house for any time. They are definitely most palatable cold and through a thick straw. Don’t sip them, just get it over and done with!

Mine are for screening sorry so I don’t know about the FIT test

it’s really important that you follow the preparation instructions really carefully. If you’re not passing clear golden fluid with no bits in before the procedure it may have to be repeated. They can easily tell if you’re not completely honest!!

I have a whole pack! But there was no mention of alcohol. I’ll be having Prosecco at the wedding but won’t go overboard of course.

i’m going to start limiting on Friday. Just doing an online Tesco shop for the week and accounting for the low fibre diet too.

OP posts:
Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 12:09

Ban6 · 11/04/2023 12:07

Positive FIT test here and no cancer - they found two small polyps, both removed during procedure. Apparently one was the sort that could have grown into cancer if left so utterly brilliant that they found them. Do the prep to the letter and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Really re assuring to hear! Do you remember what your score was?

glad it all worked out for you!

OP posts:
Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 12:11

CC4712 · 11/04/2023 11:56

I haven't had a colonoscopy myself, but helped my mum and nan with their preps many times and used to work on a surgical ward years ago. The hospital should have given you detailed prep guidance. 2 days before no fibre, 1 day before clear fluids, drink the 2 litres of prep etc etc. Each consultant with have a different prep preference too so someones experience will be different to what they want you to do.

The main thing is to ensure you are just passing clear fluid at the end. IF the bowel isn't completely clear- they will need to reschedule the procedure and you'll have to do it all again! I recall having the prep solution cold and using a straw was more palatable for my mum and nan. Loosing so much fluid can be draining, so we used to prep clear or light coloured jelly beforehand, and also clear cosume soups- to keep sugar and salts up. They were advised no red or purple coloured jellies/drinks.

My mum needed colonoscopies so often, that she bought a commode chair so she could sit in her room and watch the TV. Once things are moving- you are often better to just sit on the loo and wait. Read a book, watch TV etc- rather than getting up and down. You can get caught short VERY quickly!

If you dont have much info in regards to what day to drink the prep, what you can/can't eat and when etc- contact the department and ask.

thank you for taking the time to reply :)

really helpful thank you!

they did give me a sheet but there was no mention of alcohol! (Obviously!!!)

OP posts:
Thisismyluckyday · 11/04/2023 12:22

I had a positive fit test and my colonoscopy was completely normal. Good luck!

Ietthemeatcake · 11/04/2023 12:26

When I had one it was brought forward by 2 weeks as the ward was about to close for COVID, so I had not changed my diet at all in the lead up. I got the phone call to collect the pack and had to start the prep a few hours later, and everything was still clear for my procedure.
Have the prep very cold and through a straw. Good luck OP.

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 13:09

Thisismyluckyday · 11/04/2023 12:22

I had a positive fit test and my colonoscopy was completely normal. Good luck!

Amazing news! Thank you for replying! And reassuring me

OP posts:
Original poster
LibbyL92 · 11/04/2023 13:09

Ietthemeatcake · 11/04/2023 12:26

When I had one it was brought forward by 2 weeks as the ward was about to close for COVID, so I had not changed my diet at all in the lead up. I got the phone call to collect the pack and had to start the prep a few hours later, and everything was still clear for my procedure.
Have the prep very cold and through a straw. Good luck OP.

Really good to know! Thank you :)

OP posts:
Ban6 · 12/04/2023 12:28

Sorry, slow to reply. I don't remember what my score was. Not helpful of me! It's not at all unusual to have a positive test and not find cancer though. Easy to say from the other side, but honestly it is. I hope you get through with the best of news xxx

Missingthegore · 12/04/2023 13:04

You can mix your prep with cordial to mask the taste but do NOT mix it with anything red or purple
As PP state make it as cold as possible it will go down easier
Saturday you can have a drink or 2 but if you are doing prep on Sunday you will be dehydrating yourself so a hangover not recommended
Stay away from plums, beetroot and blueberries on Saturday as well.
A low fibre diet e.g. white bread, well cooked white pasta, white fish, eggs etc.

Positive FOBTs can be from haemorrhoids, a polyp, IBD, diverticulitis.

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 12/04/2023 22:16

Ban6 · 12/04/2023 12:28

Sorry, slow to reply. I don't remember what my score was. Not helpful of me! It's not at all unusual to have a positive test and not find cancer though. Easy to say from the other side, but honestly it is. I hope you get through with the best of news xxx

Thank you! I keep telling myself that. It’s always the what if though… and I’m deffo a glass half empty type of person!

OP posts:
Original poster
LibbyL92 · 12/04/2023 22:17

Missingthegore · 12/04/2023 13:04

You can mix your prep with cordial to mask the taste but do NOT mix it with anything red or purple
As PP state make it as cold as possible it will go down easier
Saturday you can have a drink or 2 but if you are doing prep on Sunday you will be dehydrating yourself so a hangover not recommended
Stay away from plums, beetroot and blueberries on Saturday as well.
A low fibre diet e.g. white bread, well cooked white pasta, white fish, eggs etc.

Positive FOBTs can be from haemorrhoids, a polyp, IBD, diverticulitis.

Thank you for the advice! Will deffo have it cold.

appreciated! X

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 12/04/2023 23:32

The doctor should have provided all the instructions you're seeking here wrt prep. Did they tell you nothing?

In addition to the advice here, you should have no food the day before your procedure, just clear liquids. This includes sports drinks, clear broth, squash, and water, but does not include milk or soup.

Please opt for being knocked out during the procedure. There is no need for you to feel anything.

mathanxiety · 12/04/2023 23:33

Avoid red and purple drinks the day before.

newjobnewstartihope · 12/04/2023 23:40

I had a fit test result of 53 back in Feb. Colonoscopy diagnosed diverticular disease , nothing sinister found luckily
It's very common to have a positive fit test with no sinister cause so fingers crossed for you

Original poster
LibbyL92 · 14/04/2023 14:10

newjobnewstartihope · 12/04/2023 23:40

I had a fit test result of 53 back in Feb. Colonoscopy diagnosed diverticular disease , nothing sinister found luckily
It's very common to have a positive fit test with no sinister cause so fingers crossed for you

Really reassuring! Thank you.

OP posts:
jannier · 14/04/2023 15:04

My GP recommended rehydration sachets before to avoid migraines.

Felix125 · 14/04/2023 15:11

If you get knocked out - it takes longer for the recovery so they can't let you home. You can have gas & air which means it will be quicker.

I had mine without anything - they had to withdraw the gas & air early on as my BP increased too much. So I had the whole procedure with no pain relief and it wasn't too bad

Linio · 14/04/2023 15:15

I have colonoscopies every couple of years as I’ve had cancer.

For me, drinking the prep is the worst thing. I get around it by mixing it with sprite / 7up. It’s meant to be lemon flavoured so mixing it with those drinks makes it taste like flat lemonade and is more bearable.

If you’re interested, what I do is mix the powder with half the amount of water needed (so half a litre if I need to mix it with a litre of water). And then when it comes to drinking, I fill up half the glass with the mixture and the other half with sprite.

Linio · 14/04/2023 15:16

Felix125 · 14/04/2023 15:11

If you get knocked out - it takes longer for the recovery so they can't let you home. You can have gas & air which means it will be quicker.

I had mine without anything - they had to withdraw the gas & air early on as my BP increased too much. So I had the whole procedure with no pain relief and it wasn't too bad

I had gas and air last year as I’m still breastfeeding. It was far from painless. That said I had a previous one with gas and air and it wasn’t bad at all. But I wouldn’t recommend it!

Felix125 · 14/04/2023 15:20

It might be different for different people

I can remember the nurse telling me to breath deep on the gas & air before the procedure started. She then went "Oh Dear" and removed it and either forgot or didn't try it again throughout the rest of it.