If your colonoscopy is in the early morning, you will probably be instructed to take the second half of your prep in the wee hours, say 3 or 4 a.m. — so you'll spend much of the night running to the bathroom. If you don't want to give up a night of sleep, schedule an afternoon colonoscopy, Lee suggests.
Will I be up all night with colonoscopy prep? Probably not, if you start on time. While everyone's body is different, most people are able to complete their round of purging before going to sleep for the night.
Most people stop moving their bowels about 2 – 3 hours after finishing the solution. People are different and some have liquid movements until the time of the procedure. The instrument used during the colonoscopy will suction out any liquid left in the bowel. You will not have an “accident” during the procedure.
The night before your colonoscopy you'll take strong laxatives to clear your digestive tract. The method recommended for most people is called split dosing. You'll drink a half-gallon of liquid laxative in the evening.
A: It is normal to feel hungry whilst preparing for a colonoscopy, particularly in the liquid-only stage. It is important to follow the food intake plan in order to ensure that the prep is effective. Drinking sodas with a high sugar content can help to keep feelings of hunger at a minimum during this stage.
Conclusion: Abstinence of solid food for either 24 hours or 14 hours prior to the colonoscopy both produced clean bowel preparation scores. Patients who can afford to skip more meals should stop solid food intake at 24 hours prior to colonoscopy.
The medicine you received during the procedure may stay in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day.
After the colonoscopy is completed, you'll move to a recovery area where you'll remain for about 30 to 45 minutes while you fully wake up from your sedation. Nurses will make sure your vital signs are stable and monitor you until the sedation wears off.
1 Day Before Your Colonoscopy (Prep Day)
Do not eat anything solid. No red, orange or purple products.
What to Do if You're Still Passing Stool. If come the morning of your colonoscopy you haven't finished your prep or your bowel movements aren't reduced to clear liquids, contact your healthcare provider's office. They may want to reschedule your procedure or recommend additional steps to finish clearing your colon.
A bowel prep to clear the rectum and colon completely of stool is necessary to adequately visualize the inner lining of the colon. Your surgeon or his staff will give you instructions regarding the cleansing routine to be used. It is recommended that you shower the night before or morning of the procedure.
How can you tell if your colon is clean and ready for a colonoscopy? Your stool after finishing your bowel prep agent can act as a guide. Your stool should be clear, yellow, light and liquid. The presence of dark particles or thick brown or black stool means you are not ready for colonoscopy.
Nothing to eat or drink, including water, after midnight until after the procedure unless instructed otherwise.
May I take my sleeping pill or my muscle relaxant the night before my procedure? Yes, you may take your prescription sleep medication and or muscle relaxants as prescribed by your physician.
Yes. You must drink all the prep to fully clean out your colon for a safe and complete colonoscopy.
After your procedure:
You will be discharged when you are alert and stable. The doctor or nurse will speak to you about your plan of care. Remember you must have an escort to drive or accompany you home. You may return to work the morning after your colonoscopy (Not the evening of the colonoscopy).
One day after your colonoscopy, you'll finally start to feel more like yourself again. In fact, most patients feel up to returning to normal activities within 24 hours.
Pain after the colonoscopy
Some people experience mild stomach pain for a day or two after the procedure. A person may also have temporary changes in digestion, such as constipation or diarrhea. If the tube irritates the rectum, anus, or intestines, there may be some discomfort when having a bowel movement.
In the first few days after a colonoscopy, you may feel slight discomfort and tiredness, so allow yourself to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects or exercising until you get clearance from your doctor.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
Eating the right food after a colonoscopy is essential for a successful recovery. It is important to follow what your doctor recommends and to avoid spicy or fatty foods for at least the first few days. Additionally, you should wait at least two hours before consuming any food post-procedure.
Typically, bowel prep medication is a solution that you will need to drink starting one day before your procedure. You will be asked to take the colon prep in two doses: the first dose, 3-6 pm the night before your procedure; the second dose, 6-8 hours before your procedure.
Usually, doctors recommend patients undergoing a colonoscopy to stop drinking clear liquid or water at least three to four hours before the procedure. However, patients with diabetes and who are dehydrated may take a few sips of water after consulting their doctor.