Colonoscopy prep - contradictory advice re food

[Live33]

Hello All

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.

[Barney100]

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

[Live33 in reply to Barney100]

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.

[Frasina]

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!

[Live33 in reply to Frasina]

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.

[dexter92]

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.

[Live33]

Thanks so much, Dexter. I appreciate the detail It's helpful and what you say is reassuring. Many thanks

[bungi1961]

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!!!!

[Live33 in reply to bungi1961]

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

[bungi1961 in reply to Live33]

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

bungi1961

[Live33 in reply to bungi1961]

Aah, bless you, thank you so much! I'll let you know how I get on X

[bungi1961 in reply to Live33]

Sorry to be a pest but my brain fog !!!this is just a thought but if you could can you get a packet of TENA pants just to give yourself a bit of security before your colonoscopy if you can't go and get them perhaps someone in your household could as I don't know your situation or how bad the weather is in your area??? as that is what I did if not have you got any sanitary pads!!! well take care and try not to worry

bungi1961

[Live33]

Oh bless, that's so thoughtful of you, thank you X I've got some pads if I need them but I was okay last time so fingers crossed same this time. I'll just be glad to get it out the way and even more thrilled and glad to get a good result! I will let you know how it goes.

[bungi1961 in reply to Live33]

I hope all went well with your colonoscopy?? No nasty things (i.e Polyps) and hope you are relieved now it's over as I was after I had mine the colon prep is the worse thing than the actual procedure as with me I got myself in a right old state and was quite scared but it is over and done with for both of us now even if I am still having problems with my bowels will try and see the GP about it if I can get an appointment!!! so as they didn't find anything this time will have to have another in a few years time maybe!! as I still got Diverticular Disease/IBS and quite scared about eating& drinking but try my best still trial and error well that is enough doom and gloom hope you did not get flooded with this nasty weather? all ok with me

Take care

bungi1961

[Live33 in reply to bungi1961]

Hi Bungi, I had my colonoscopy Thursday, then went to my daughter's only back yesterday so no time to reply. It went well, in that it was a little less painful than last time, and the colitis patch found last time, in 2017, had healed. One small polyp was removed with wire loop and another larger polyp was retrieved and has been sent for biopsy but nurse said it didn't look suspicious so fingers crossed. Will take few weeks for result.

It was bit painful at times bc I have severe diverticulosis but also bearable and as I say better than last time. There were times when I even looked at the screen.

Yes, the prep was not at all pleasant!

I also have IBS, and Diverticula Disease, and my bowels can really play up. I kept a food diary for a bit some years back but I didn't learn much, as sometimes I can tolerate a food and a few weeks later I can't, the body just decides at different times what it likes and doesn't. Stress and anxiety are definite triggers for me, and when I'm more relaxed I can eat a wider variety of food. I'm currently following low fodmap diet, and think that is helping.

Take care, Bungi, and I hope your tum settles down.

Vx

[Pollyboo]

Good morning, hope yesterday went well. Take time for yourself and rest over the weekend. Sending you best wishes.Pollyboo

[Live33]

Hi Pollyboo, thank you. I will post proper reply over weekend as just off to my duaghter's,but all went ok, better than I expected X

[noneveralone]

hi Live33 ,

I had a colonoscopy(3rd one) a few months ago (diagnosed with Diverticular Disease)and agree with the advice from Frasina . It would be worth contacting your GI clinic nurse and follow the specific advice on your leaflet as each hospital’s use their own kind of prep and dietary advice. I know this from my own experience as I had my last colonoscopy at a different hospital where I was admitted as an inpatient. In regards to the milk query, I have the understanding that you may need to taper down bland diet to clear fluids nearing the procedure(your hospital leaflet and nurse should be able to explain it correctly so that you get the best of your appointment). Best wishes . Please look after yourself

[Live33 in reply to noneveralone]

Hi Noneveralone Thank you for taking the time to respond. I had colonoscopy yesterday and it went well, less painful than last time. One polyp retrieved and sent for biopsy but nurse said it didn't look suspicious so fingers crossed. Will take few weeks for result. I had a little milk up to three days before, then just clear liquids, and I got top marks for bowel being clean, form said excellent, so I was glad about that. Enjoy your weekend and thanks again for reply Vx

[noneveralone]

good to hear Live33 . I hope all goes well with the biopsy results. Please ensure adequate rest and replenish fluids. On advice from a GP friend and given my previous poor post recovery experience, I added a probiotic supplement + dietary prebiotic rich foods this year. I can say it certainly helped me recover better. It maybe worth trying if you get on ok with just a standard high quality probiotic supplement.

Best wishes

[Live33 in reply to noneveralone]

Thanks for tip 😊 I have IBS and have lactose free milk and yoghurt, so prebiotic not suitable, but good reminder re rest and replenishment as easy to forget the procedure is exhausting for the body. Best wishes VX

[noneveralone in reply to Live33]

Great Live33 . In that case you should be getting enough probiotics from your lactose free/plant based yoghurt. There are also dairy free probiotics available at h&b . I used them due to being lactose intolerant too. Again best wishes for your recovery.