WHAT IS A COLONOSCOPY?
Using a long flexible tube that carries the image to a TV screen,
the doctors can see inside the large bowel. He/she can also take
small samples or remove small growths (polyps) if necessary.
WHEN IS A COLONOSCOPY NECESSARY
COLONOSCOPY
AFTERNOON
PROCEDURE
Your doctor will usually refer you to a specialist for a
colonoscopy when he/she suspects something may be wrong
with your large bowel. Bleeding, loose motions or a family history
of large bowel cancer are likely to be the most common causes
for referral.
WHY A CLEAN BOWEL FOR COLONOSCOPY
An unclean bowel means that any abnormalities may not be
seen.
NB: Please follow the
Instructions in
THIS BOOKLET ONLY
IGNORE ALL OTHER INSTRUCTIONS
If you have not had the laxative preparation and the special diet
your colonoscopy could be cancelled.
COMPLICATIONS OF THE COLONOSCOPY
Complications can range from discomfort, pain, the possibility of
bleeding requiring transfusion, and if the bowel is perforated,
surgery or artificial feeding may be needed until the bowel is
healed. Surgery could require the formation of a stoma (a bag)
and or removal of part of the bowel. The rate of perforation is
around 1:500.
If you decide not to proceed please phone:
(09) 4304101 ext 7277 to cancel
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THINGS TO WATCH FOR
Sedation
Do not exceed this dose of preparation mix as serious side effects
may occur. Things to watch for could be:
Prior to the colonoscopy you will receive an injection, which will
have some sedative effect, make you drowsy and may cause
you to forget what has happened.
You may experience some discomfort during the procedure.
More pain relief /sedation can be used up to a maximum dose.
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Dehydration
Vomiting
Weakness
Severe headache
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Because of this, until the next day, we advise you not to:
STAYING NEAR THE TOILET
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Drive
Use public transport
Use machinery
Go back to work
Sign legal documents
YOU MUST ARRANGE FOR SOMEONE TO PICK YOU UP
AND FOR SOMEONE TO BE WITH YOU UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY
Individual responses to laxatives do vary; this preparation may
cause multiple bowel movements and may work within 30
minutes. However it may take as long as three hours for results to
occur, and because of this we recommend you stay within easy
reach of toilet facilities.A barrier cream bought from a chemist may
be beneficial to prevent irritation to the anal area.
MEDICATIONS
If you are taking medications (including herbal medications)
please consult your GP with the diet sheet for additional
instruction before beginning this procedure. If you are on iron
tablets, please stop 5 days prior to the colonoscopy. Continue
taking all your normal medication except aspirin, warfarin, and
diabetic medication. On the day of the procedure, you can have a
mouthful of water to swallow tablets.
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PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
3 and 2 days before;;;;;;..
DAYS:
FOOD GROUP
Bread and cereals
We need you to start following this Special diet plan
3 days before the Colonoscopy please
If your appointment is on :;;;
Fruit and
vegetables
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Start the diet
Start the diet
Start the diet
Start the diet
Start the diet
Friday before
Saturday before
Sunday before
Monday before
Tuesday before
Milk and Dairy
The aims of this dietary plan are to:
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•
Clean your bowel for clear pictures of your bowel wall
Have your bowel motions clear, like weak clear tea,
prior to the appointment
Please check you have 2 sachets of the laxative before you
begin this dietary plan.
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Meat and
Alternatives
Miscellaneous
AND:
FOODS ALLOWED
White bread/toast
Rice Bubbles
Cornflakes, Special K
White rices
White pasta
Crumpets
White pita bread
Plain rice crackers
Clear apple/cranberry
juice
Pumpkin (NO skin)
Potatoes (NO skin)
Kumara (NO skin)
Milk on cereal in drinks
& desserts
Soy milk
Goat milk
Plain Ice cream
Plain custard
Plain yoghurt
Steamed, microwave
or boiled fish, chicken
Eggs-poached, boiled,
scrambled
Vegemite, Marmite
Promite, Meringues,
Jelly, Soy sauce,
Vinegars, Olive Oil,
Sugar, Honey, Barley
Sugars, Salt, Pepper
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AVOID
Breads that are
wholemeal, brown,
have seeds, dried
fruits or nuts,
Brown rice
Pasta-coloured,
brown or wholemeal
Avoid all other fruit
and vegetables
Avoid cheese, butter,
margarine, cream
All other meat
Fried foods
Fried eggs
All other foods
Jams with seeds,
skins, pips
Marmalade
Pastry foods
Cream
3 and 2 days before8888888..
ON THE DAY BEFORE8.
Your meals could look like,
NO SOLID FOOD-DRINK ONLY THESE CLEAR FLUIDS
Breakfast:
CLEAR fluids are:
Rice Bubbles/Cornflakes/Special K
Milk
Clear apple juice
Sugar (optional)
White bread /Toast
Vegemite/Marmite
(NO butter/Margarine)
10.00am:
Plain crackers
Vegemite/Marmite
(See list)
(NO butter/Margarine)
Midday:
Poached/boiled egg x1-2
Pasta/rice/mashed potato
White bread or toast
Spreads
Ice cream/jelly/meringues
(NO butter/Margarine)
(see list)
(NO fruit/cream)
Plain crackers
Vegemite/Marmite
(see miscellaneous)
(NO butter/Margarine)
3.00pm:
Dinner:
Supper:
Steamed fish/chicken
(NO skin)
Potato boiled/steamed
(NO milk/butter/skin)
Pumpkin boiled/steamed
(NO skin)
Ice cream, jelly, meringues, (NO fruit/cream)
Barley sugars
Plain crackers
Vegemite/Marmite
(see list)
(NO butter/Margarine)
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Aim to have at least 2-3 litres or around 8-12 cups/glasses of fluid
during each day. This is to prevent dehydration.
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Water
Clear soup (vegemite, Marmite, Promite, bouillon cube)
Coffee or tea, herbal teas (NO MILK or dairy
whitener, sugar is optional)
• Dilute cordials (NO fruit juices with segments of
fruits)
• Clear Ice Blocks
• Lemonade
• Jelly DO NOT add fruit
• Barley sugars- you may suck on these throughout the
day
Aim to have around 2 –3 litres or 8 – 12 glasses of CLEAR
FLUIDS on this day.
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At 5pm
Add one sachet of laxative to 250mls warm water and drink.
Follow with 3 or more glasses of CLEAR FLUIDS before going to
bed.
DAY OF COLONOSCOPY
At 7am
Add one sachet of laxative to 250ml warm water and drink. Follow
with at least 4 or more glasses (250ml) of CLEAR FLUIDS.
AFTER 8:00 am
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING
Northland District Health Board
PO Box 742
Whangarei
PH: 09) 4304100
Review Date: Feb 2008
QRU: SAU 043