| COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
My doctor told me I need antibiotics before any dental procedure. Do I need antibiotics before this procedure?
These procedures are not as invasive as dental procedures. We typically have patients take antibiotics if they have had a mitral valve replaced (not a mitral valve prolapse), or they have had joint replacement surgery within the last 6 months to 1 year. If you have any concerns, please call our office or your primary doctor for clarification.
There is iron in my multivitamin. Do I need to stop taking it?
Usually the amount of iron in multivitamin tables is not a problem. If you were taking iron tablet supplements, such as if you have anemia, or a recent blood loss, then we would have you stop taking those at least 5 days before the procedure because it can stain the lining of your intestinal tract and make it hard for the doctor to assess your intestinal tract accurately.
Why do I have to stop taking aspirin, plavix, advil, aleve, or NSAIDS for 1-3 days before the procedure?
The reason we like to have you off of your blood thinners for 1-3 days before the procedure is because if you are taking any of these, they can increase the risk of bleeding. Sometimes patients have a special situation where they cannot stop the blood thinners at all. Some of these situations are when patients have had a stent placed, or a recent stroke or heart attack. We recommend you contact your primary medical doctor or cardiologist to verify that it is OK to be off of these blood thinners for a few days.
If I can’t find a driver, can I wait at the facility until the medication wears off, call a taxi, or walk home?
No! You are given what is called conscious sedation. It does take awhile for the medication to wear off. Legally, the facility cannot release you until you have a responsible adult that can take you home.
The time to arrive that I was given when I scheduled my procedure is different than the time they tell me during my confirmation phone call.
Sometimes the time can vary by 15-30 minutes. This is because there is often times a cancellation, a procedure that is before you is going to take longer than was first thought, or there has been a change to when the physician is starting that day. We try to keep your procedure time as close as possible to when we first schedule you. Please plan on being a little flexible that day!
I don’t have a prescription for the Dulcolax or Bisacodyl. Should I have your office call a prescription in?
These are both an over the counter medication and can be picked up at your regular pharmacy.
Can I eat my regular breakfast and then start on the clear liquid diet the day before my colonoscopy?
No. You need to be on a clear liquid diet ALL DAY the day before your procedure. It is very important that you do not eat solid foods, otherwise it will be harder for you to clean out your digestive system and your doctor may not be able to visualize everything that is necessary during the procedure. This helps to ensure that you are getting the best examination possible.
After I took my Bisacodyl/Dulcolax tablets, my stomach had terrible cramps. What can I do?
Unfortunately, this can be a side effect of the medication. One way to help prevent this side effect is to drink plenty of clear liquids before you take the tablets, as well as after you take the tablets. Once you have a bowel movement, then you will begin drinking the liquid laxative and will not drink any clear liquids while drinking the liquid laxative.
I am having a hard time drinking the laxative. I feel very nauseous.
Slow down! It is OK to take up to 30 minutes to drink an 8 ounce glass of the liquid laxative. The most important part is that you ingest at least ½ the gallon, possibly even more depending on how your stools look.
The liquid laxative tastes horrible! What can I do?
When you fill your prescription, your pharmacist will either include flavor packets, or give you an option of flavor packets to choose from. Some patients have told us that the flavor packets don’t taste that good. It is OK for you to add Crystal Light powder to it for flavor. Just don’t add any that turns the mixture red or pink! If you can find it, Kiwi flavored Crystal Light has been a popular choice.
It is 4:00 p.m., and I still haven’t had a bowel movement. Can I start drinking the liquid laxative now?
Just give it time. If you haven’t had a bowel movement by 6:00 p.m., then you can start drinking the liquid laxative.
Am I going to be up all night running to the bathroom?
We hope not! You may have to stay up later than you normally would, but a lot of times your liquid stools will stop 1-2 hours after you finish your prep.
Why do I need to follow the Visicol tablets with a 12 ounce can of ginger ale?
The importance of this is to wash away the pill particles left behind by the tablets. The carbonation in the ginger ale works well to do that.
How come my friend is taking a different preparation than I am?
There are 4 different types of preparations that we use in our office. Some doctors prefer one over the other. Other times, your physician has decided that the prep chosen is best for you due to medical reasons. Occasionally people have medical conditions that would not make it safe for them to do some of the preparations. That is why your doctor likes to visit with you before the procedure.
Is it OK for me to drink alcohol as one of my clear liquids?
No! Even though alcohol is a clear liquid, it could be harmful to you if you have alcohol in your system before or during the procedure. Alcohol can thin your blood and increase your risk of bleeding.
Are my medications OK to take the day before and the day of the procedure?
Most of your medications will be OK. It is very important that you let the nurse or doctor know of all medications, including over the counter medications, that you are taking. The medications we look for are medications that thin your blood. Some of these include aspirin, advil, ibuprofen, aleve, bayer, naproxen sodium, celebrex, plavix, and coumadin. We also like to be aware of any oral medications people take for diabetes, as these need to be adjusted. Please have a list of all of your medications you take daily, as well as any you take occasionally, with you when you visit the doctor.
Do I have to mix the fleets phosphor-soda with ginger ale?
No. Any carbonated beverage will do. Ginger ale is recommended because it has a mild taste.
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