Top How do I prepare for a Endoscopy exam - (stomach scope test)?

You need three things to prepare for a endoscopy examination:* An appointment for the examination.* An empty stomach. You must be fasting for 6 hours prior. No food or drink.* A driver to take you home since you will not be able to drive until the following morning. We ask that your driver come with you and plan to stay the entire time you are here. This time averages about 2 hours which is about 1 to 2 hours less than the average length of stay at the hospital outpatient surgery department.

Top How do I prepare for a colonoscopy exam - (colon scope test)?

The standard preparation for colonoscopy begins the morning of the prior day. After having a light breakfast, the rest of the day should consist only of a clear liquid diet. No solid food or milk products. Just tea, Jell-O, clear broth, and water. Most patients will be asked to use the standard lavage solution (GoLytely, Colytely, Nulytely, PEG solution, or Fleets Phospha Soda) which you drink the day prior to your test. Don't make any plans for that evening. You will be at home in your bathroom most of the time

Top Should I take my normal medications before a scope test?

Yes. In general, it is best that you take all of your normal medications before and after your scope test. The exceptions would be those patients on diabetic medications (insulin or pills) and those who take medications to prevent clotting such as Coumadin and Ticlid. If you are diabetic or on these "blood thinners," our doctor needs to review your medications and decide what should be done.

Top What happens if I start vomiting while taking the laxative preparation solution?

If you are taking your laxative solution and develop symptoms of nausea or vomiting, stop the preparation process for an hour or so. Then, if you feel better, try to pick up where you left off. If you can not complete the preparation, let our staff know. Your test may need to be rescheduled or an alternative preparation tried. During the day, call our office. After office hours one of our doctors is always on call to help you

Top I am drinking the laxative preparation solution and my bowels have not moved?

Be patient. This laxative solution rarely fails. Most patients have a bowel movement within an hour or two of starting the solution. Sometimes, there may be a delay. If you have drunk at least half of the solution (8 glasses) and your bowels have not moved, just stop for a while. If nothing happens in an hour, try taking a small disposable 4-oz Fleets enema. They are available at your drugstore. (A hint: don't drive. Send someone else. Your bowels may "wake up" enroute.) Another hint that we tell patients in the office. Don't be constipated the day your take your laxative prep. This laxative solution works best if your "pipes are open" before you start the flushing process. Otherwise, you may have a delayed response. If you feel that you are constipated the day before the prep day, take whatever laxative works for you to open things up a bit. A good choice would be several ounces of Milk of Magnesia and several glasses of water.

Top Does it matter which brand or flavor of the laxative preparation solution I use?

No. There are several brands of the lavage solution - GoLytely, NuLytely, CoLyte, and generic PEG lavage solution. Which one you get depends on what your druggist has in stock, your insurance company, and your preference for flavor. They are all clear in color and come in a variety of flavors and unflavored. They all work the same. We don't have a preference.

Top The instructions on the bottle of laxative solution are different from what you gave me?

We provide most patients with printed instructions for their preparation. If you have those, follow them. If you didn't receive any written instructions, simply follow the instructions on the bottle.

Top I lost my instructions on how to prepare for my scope test.

We provide most patients with printed instructions for their preparation. If you have those, follow them. If you lost your instructions or didn't receive any written instructions, simply follow the instructions on the bottle. Please call the office.

Top Can I put flavoring into the laxative preparation solution?

Yes. If you were given the unflavored solution and wish to add some flavoring, it is OK. Ignore the warning on the label about not adding any flavoring and add one packet of Crystal Light Lemonade or Iced Tea Mix. These two flavors do not interfere with the preparation or testing. Do not add any brightly colored flavoring, such as cherry.

Top Won't my rectum be sore after having so many bowel movements during my "cleanout?"

It might be. The very nature of the cleanout process means that you will have many liquid bowel movements over several hours. This might cause some soreness around the anal area. You can minimize this by using Charmin PLUS toilet paper (sometimes hard to find) followed by a baby wipe (Huggies, etc) after each bowel movement. Some patients report less problems if they apply 1% Hydrocortisone cream to the anal area after each bowel movement. You might consider purchasing these 3 items when you go to pick up your laxative solution.

Top Do I have to drink all of the laxative preparation solution?

Yes, please. Don't forget that you have 30 feet of digestive tract that we are trying to clean out from the top down. Even though it's hard to believe, it takes this whole gallon of laxative solution to really do a good job. If you want an accurate examination, it is important that your preparation for the test is complete. If your colon is not well cleaned out, the test may have to be aborted and rescheduled for another day.

Top Should I hold my aspirin prior to a colonoscopy?

Theoretically, aspirin and drugs like ibuprofen can inhibit blood clotting and make the risk of bleeding higher. You would think this would be important if you are going to have a biopsy taken or polyp removed. In practice, this does not seem to be a problem. However our doctors routinely ask their patients to stop aspirin products before a scope test. If you are on daily aspirin or ibuprofen, you must stop it at least a week before your test to get it out of your system. NOTE: If you are taking a daily aspirin to prevent a stroke or heart attack, don't stop it without your doctor's approval. Of course, if you have any bleeding tendencies, let your doctor know.

Top Why do I need to bring a driver for my scope test appointment and why does he/she have to stay the whole time I am there?

Scope examinations such as endoscopy and colonoscopy require sedation to prevent pain and discomfort. These medications make the test quite simple for the patient, but do not wear off immediately. Because of this, you can not drive your car until the following morning. Therefore, it is necessary for you to come with a friend or family member who can safely drive you home after your test is over. We ask that your driver come with you and stay the entire time. This makes them available for questions, and allows the doctor or nurse to meet with them in the recovery room after your test to explain the results.