barium enema and virtual colonoscopy prep instructions
make a good effort to be well cleaned!
This 'tasty', 'pleasant', nearly enjoyable prep requires you to purchase 3 ingredients:
Four DULCOLAX LAXATIVE tablets from the pharmacy-- MUST BE THE LAXATIVE PILLS! (over-the-counter).
MIRALAX POWDER 238gm bottle (over-the-counter).
64 oz. of Gatorade or Powerade. Diabetics may use diet soda, any flavor.
Preparation In detail: Please take all your normal medication. You may have a LIGHT LUNCH the day before the procedure.
After lunch, drink only fluids - anything you can read through. (Water, seltzer, black coffee, tea, Gatorade are okay.)
IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT ALL FLUID INTAKE, INCLUDING WATER, SHOULD END SIX (6!) HOURS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE.
In order to prevent hunger, some patients drink liquid Sustacal or Ensure, nutritional supplements available over-the-counter in pharmacies. You can drink up to 4 cans up until midnight. (Sustacal and Ensure are not clear, but are completely absorbed in the small bowel, and are okay.) –OVER—
Directions
DIRECTIONS FOR DULCOLAX/MIRALAX/GATORADE PREP:
Mix the entire 238-gram bottle of Miralax with 2 quarts of Gatorade in a large pitcher.
At approximately 4-7 PM the evening before the procedure, take all four Dulcolax tablets. It will probably take about 2-3 hours before the action begins. If you are a frequent laxative user, please start with double your USUAL effective Dulcolax dose (or call the office if questions).
Two hours after the Dulcolax, start drinking your chilled Miralax cocktail. You should pace yourself to drink about eight 8 ounce glasses (64oz.) over a 2-4 hour period, roughly one glass every 15-30 minutes, until finished.
Expect to use the facilities at least 10-15 times. The stool should be clear, lemonade-like, not sludgy or brown. Expect some cramps. If you have questions about success, call at 8 am, when the phones get turned on. We can improvise in the morning if necessary.
