I have to have a colonoscopy next Thursday 21st Nov '24. I have IBS and severe diverticulosis (lots and lots of pouches in intestines) and I did one of those by-post poo tests and said further tests needed. I had a colonoscopy 7 years ago, not pleasant due to the severe diverticulosis but this time I am told it may well be much better/less painful bc last time I had a spasm of some kind and soemthing to do with a loop. I do strain a lot to poop, and sometimes bleed, so praying this is nothing more than a few diverticula bleeding ( I'm told they do bleed) or polyps or something benign. I had a patch of colitis last time but was told no treatment required, and nurse I saw to arrange the procedure said it may have healed, fingers crossed she's right.
DIET PREP question re milk. The NHS diet guidance leaflet I was given said (handwritten on by nurse) that I can have milk, but then later in the leaflet it says no milk. Internet says 2 cups a day ok but leaflet says half a cup. I love a daily small can of Jimmy's Ice Coffee which gives me a little bit of caffeine, but it's 250ml of semi skimmed milk, so my question is has anyone risked having little more milk and found it's been ok?
I do not recall the prep diet being as strict last time, do not recall it being so long as 7 full days either, and my prep was marked last time as adequate.
Thanks for any tips.
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Hi From memory, the prep starts only 24 hours beforehand and involves only clear liquids so definitely no milk. My only thought is if yours is slightly different due to the diverticulosis? If so, then i cant help but otherwise it is always like that. You then have to take the moviprep etc
Thank you, Barney. That's a good point re diverticula but the leaflet says no milk, or not much milk, and that's standard leaflet for everyone, and yet the nurse wrote on the leaflet I could have milk and dairy. Anyway, from today I will be 'more' good, and cut out my can of coffee or just have half of it, as seems like half a cup of milk is fine. Yes, I have the moviprep to take from Wed and no food after B/fast Wed (procedure booked for 2.30pm on Thurs) but my recollection from last time is similar to yours re clear liquid etc 24-48 hours before but not for 7 days, and the last time my notes said I was adequately prepared. Thanks a lot again.
Most UK hospitals have their own printed guidelines on what to eat/drink leading up to the procedure. I have had 3 colonoscopies and from a few days before I had to eat more bland foods but no mention of changing milk amounts from a few days before. From 24 hours before no milk and no dark coloured squash etc. Your best bet is to contact the nurse that gave the info to you or the hospital you are going to and check. Better to be safe and follow what they say.... good luck Thursday - just ask for max sedation and you will be fine!
Thank you so much, Frasina. That's helpful. It's not until next Thursday so from today I will be 'more' good, haha. I did have my can of coffee yesterday, so a cupful of milk, but similar to what you say I do not recall having to cut out milk for so long the last time I had a colonoscopy and my notes said I was adequately prepared. Many thanks again.
jimmys iced coffee love it. It’s a while since I had a colonoscopy . Found out I had a couple of small polyps. They snipped them off as a precaution. They take years to grow and get dodgy. You’d know if you had a biggie . My test was fine they gave me fentanyl. Not in anyway advocating it but I can see its attraction . Watched the “ operation “ on a screen actually found it fascinating particularly when they did they snip, I had diverticula watching was useful though . Excuse the detail I had done well with the Moviprep but I asked the consultant what something was. It was a small piece of poop nestling between the ridges.
He told me he was glad I’d noticed it because if it doesn’t move it can cause infection. Apparently plenty of water and stay regular solves them.
I had 2 colonoscopies in a month early 2021 just after that covid stuff they found 5 polyps 1st time then 3/4 more the 2nd time as I had a history of Breast Cancer so they kept me under there radar so I had to have another one last month 19th Oct 24 I was given a very good diet to follow you should "NOT" have much milk before taking the prep stuff and try if you can no IRON vitamins or ribena at least a week before as they want your colon as clear and cleaned out so they can have a better result (NO POLYPS) this time so I can only suggest drinking water but as they did not give you a proper diet to follow ring the Hospital/place where you are having it done sorry I can't be of better use!!!!
Thank you, Bungi, helpful to hear your experience, and I'm glad you got good results. I didn't have my coffee today and shan't now until it's done. It says half cup of milk a day is ok so can have a cuppa but not once laxative prep has started, but I'll stop milk 3 days before to be on safe side. Enjoy your weekend and thanks again
I am wishing you all the best for when you have your colonoscopy this week and you have nothing for you to worry about!!! I had a big bowl of cornflakes/rice krispies for my last meal with little milk ( lacto-free) stuff as that is what I have in my tea as I have been on that for over a year but I was a bit naughty as I put lots of sugar on it!!! and I tried not to look at the screen while they did it well look after yourself please and again I wish you well
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