Best Colonscopy Prep Tips Please.

eat lightly and low-residue foods for a day or so before hand

clear liquids - I liked jello (pineapple for me) because it felt more food like but still counted. Gatorade and clear broth were my other go-tos.

Once everything starts moving - stay close to the toilet and don't trust a fart.

Honestly I've had two colonoscopies now and it's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Did they give you the option of Sureprep or the easier preps?

Chill it, drink w/a straw and hold it to the back of your throat. Some people don't mind it at all, while others can't stand it. Hopefully, you'll be in the former group. Plan to spend lots of quality time in the bathroom. Get your blanket, pillow and book/tablet etc. and make yourself at home. Stay near the bathroom and at the slightest twinge, run.

On the other hand, the procedure will be totally comfy and easy. You won't feel a thing, because they'll give you sedation that makes you take a quick nap. The procedure is usually around 15 mins and once the IV is inserted in pre-op you're all done w/anything uncomfy.

As I always so to those having a colonoscopy, may your have healthy, normal results. Bottoms up!

Get the liquid cold. Use a cup with a straw and mark where 8 oz is on the cup. Put the straw as far back in your mouth as possible and suck down as much as you can (i can get 4 oz down usualltly), then while still holding your nose, take a sip of Vernors (or whatever). Repeat with the second half of the glass.
With Golytely, you only drink it til things are clear- the most Ive ever had to use was one glass past half.

Eat light a few days before, simple carbs, lots of fluids. Nothing in the red family- your prep instructions should include this. Clear liquids includes black coffee or tea and Coke. Clear means see through, not actually clear like water.

Some Vaseline around the anus will help with the irritation from all the bowel movements.

I always pop a piece of peppermint gum in my mouth right after drinking a cup of the prep. It helps get the taste from my mouth and settles my stomach.

A squirt bottle with cool water to settle down an irritated cracky doodle. Or a bidet if you have one.

Ditto on eating carefully a few days before - makes it all so much easier.

Also, something I didn't think about: stay at least somewhat propped up if you rest/try to doze during the night and your tummy is still very full of all the liquids. I ended up dozing on my side and the result was unpleasant - essentially like when you cough after a drink and end up with it in your nose. Sorry for the ick factor, but if mentioning it here can help you avoid it...

Baby wipes! But don't flush them!

10 years if ok!

When people say "stay close to the bathroom" they mean it! The closer the better. Make sure the path to the bathroom is clear. If you have more than 1 bathroom, designate one as only for you. When you have to go, you cannot wait for anyone! Sometimes you might not make it.

Ugh I keep getting texts from the dr that I'm due for my 5 year as they found polyps in my first one. I don't remember the prep being all that bad but I definitely had to stay near the bathroom.

Good luck!

I have done the Dlucolax/ Miralax prep in the past. Now they are saying to mix the Miralax with Gatorade, I’ve used 2 liters of ice tea with lemonade in the past and it has worked just fine. I can’t stand Gatorade.

I eat very light foods a couple of days before, nothing red or purple. This is the secret to success.

I refuse to take Golytely. I had to take it in the hospital once and will not take it again. The Surprep is fine, but ultra expensive, even with insurance.

I have had two colonoscopies and had to drink the giant jug fulls of prep "cocktail."

TMI warning - I'm gonna give it to you straight. A cautionary tale...


First time, I should have known better, but I had no idea that i should eat lightly before prepping. What did I do?? Thinking there would be soooo many hours without food, I had a giant burger and fries!! HUGE MISTAKE! I followed tips and made sure the prep stuff was ice cold, drank with a straw and quickly. I didn't find it bad, other than the sheer volume. (And I did have to save some for the morning.)

I camped out in a recliner steps from the powder room. I had lined it with a giant heavy duty trash bag and a thick old towel. At the worst of it I was hunched over on the toilet for about 90 minutes moaning and groaning. Sweating. I had DH bring me a small table so I could prop my arms on it. If I hadn't read about the possibility of this happening, I might have thought something was seriously wrong: the force of the stuff being expelled from my body was reminscent of a power washer spray. Not exaggerating. It was frightening.

I slept ok and there were no horrible effects after drinking the morning allotment.

Fast forward ten years to colonoscopy #2. I ate lightly, prep was a breeze. Night and day difference.

The procedures themselves felt like they lasted about 20 seconds. I said, "Is that it, we're done?"

The fentanyl combo is better now than my last time with another combo. Get the milk. No problems and see you in 10 years. Start the prep early, drink it through a straw, cold, so you can sleep. Once your voids are clear, you dont have to keep drinking the liqud. Drink some in the morning before you leave to make sure voids are clear, everything aok. Don't have to drink the full liter.