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  • My father died of colon cancer a few months after his 38th birthday. Because of this, I began having colonoscopies at age 29. I will have to have them every five years for the rest of my life. Preparing for a colonoscopy and having one are not the most pleasant things to do, but colonoscopies can save lives and are well worth the discomfort. Here are a few things you can do to make the colonoscopy preparation easier:

    Listen to Your Doctor

    Follow the doctor's instructions. Do not eat seeds or nuts for the recommended amount of time before the procedure. Check with your doctor if you are taking medications; you might be asked not to take certain ones for a few days before the procedure.

    Don't Eat Too Much

    Try not to eat too much before you begin the cleansing process. Your body will just have to rid itself of the food. Most doctors recommend that you just have Jell-o and a clear liquid diet beginning 12 to 24 hours before you prep. (Note--avoid Jell-o or drinks with red dye in them.)

    Liquid Laxative

    If you are prescribed a liquid laxative solution, refrigerate it. It goes down much easier when it is chilled. If someone is available to help you, have them bring you the drink at the recommended time intervals, usually 8 oz. every 10 minutes. Once the cleansing process begins, you might find it hard to leave the bathroom at the recommended times to drink more.

    Before You Start

    Make preparations to be comfortable before you begin the cleansing process. During my first cleansing process, I tried to go back to my bed after each bout of diarrhea. After a while, this becomes difficult. You will be on the commode much of the prep time. Preparing for my second procedure, I set the TV up right outside the bathroom door and made myself comfortable. Buy soft toilet paper and disposable wipes, which might be less harsh than regular toilet paper.

    A Time to Rest

    At the end of the preparation you will not be having diarrhea at such frequent intervals, so you might want to lie down, as you will also be feeling weak.

    After the Colonoscopy

    Expect runny stools for a few days. After the exam, do not expect your bowels to get back to normal right away.

    Source:

    American Cancer Society: Frequently Asked Questions about Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy

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