How to Prepare

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

1. Do NOT eat any foods containing nuts or seeds
2. Do NOT eat any food containing sweet corn

MEDICATION ADJUSTMENTS

1. Aspirin (ASA), Anti-inflammatories
   Should be stopped 7 days prior to procedure (including ASA 81 mg and Entrophen)
2. Coumadin (Warfarin)
   Should be stopped 5 days prior to procedure
3. Iron pills should be stopped 1 week prior to procedure
4. Ticlopidine (Ticlid), Clopidogrel (Plavix)
   Should be stopped 3 days prior to procedure

Please check with your family doctor before stopping any of these medications.

PURCHASE FROM YOUR PHARMACY

• One package of PICO-SALAX bowel preparation (tastes good!)
• Follow the instructions below; not those on the package insert

THE DAY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Do NOT eat any solid foods starting from 24 hours before your exam time. You may have plain Jell-O (no cream or fruit) or other clear fluids. NO RED/PURPLE

Drink a large amount of fluids throughout the day. Clear fluids only. Examples include water, apple juice, white grape juice, white cranberry juice, Gatorade, soda water, clear soup, tea and coffee (sugar is allowed but NO cream/milk). NO RED OR PURPLE.

DIABETICS

• Take ONE-HALF (1/2) the dose of oral hypoglycemic medications
• Take ONE-HALF (1/2) the dose of usual insulin
• Check your blood sugar levels regulary

ALL PATIENTS

1. NO SOLID FOOD (no congee!)
2. NO MILK OR MILK PRODUCTS – NO ORANGE JUICE
3. DRINK CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY – AT LEAST 1 glass per hour when taking the prep and at least 8-10 throughout the day.

TIMETABLE FOR TAKING PICO-SALAX BOWEL PREPARATION

Patients with appointments from 7:30 - 12 noon:

1st sachet	5:00 pm
2nd sachet:	8:00 pm

Patients with appointments from 12:30 until 3:00 pm:

1st sachet:	8:00 pm
2nd sachet:	6:00 am

In a mug dissolve the contents of 1 sachet in 150 ml of COLD water. Stir for 2-3 minutes and drink the solution. If it becomes hot, wait until it cools before you drink it.

DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS

Please note: Failure to properly cleanse the bowel will result in cancellation of your procedure!

ON THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE

DO NOT eat ANY foods.

DIABETICS

Delay morning diabetic medications until after the completion of the colonoscopy.

MEDICATIONS

Take your regular blood pressure and heart medications with a small sip of water. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN, ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES, COUMADIN, PLAVIX, TICLID OR IRON PILLS!

Otherwise do not drink water or any fluids for 6 hours before the procedure. 

Arrive and check in for your appointment 10 minutes prior to your appointment time. Our staff will admit and prepare you.

If you have ever received antibiotics prior to undergoing a dental procedure or have had a heart valve, hip or knee replacement and normally take antibiotics prior to any dental or surgical procedure, take your antibiotic prior to attending your appointment here.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be permitted to drive after undergoing your procedure. Another adult must accompany you upon arrival and discharge. If you do not have another adult accompanying you, your appointment will be cancelled!

We are located off Woodbine Ave. four stop lights north of Hwy 7 and two stop lights south of 16th Avenue. Turn on to Hooper Rd. Straight ahead at the stop sign (South entrance).

100 Renfrew Drive
Suite 130

Please Note:  There is a $150.00 fee for cancellations less than 48 hours prior to appointment time.

AFTER YOUR EXAMINATION

As soon as the exam is done, you will be taken to the recovery area. Recovery time varies with each patient – typically ranging from 30 – 60 minutes. Once ready, you may leave.

We suggest a light diet for the remainder of the day.

You will not go to work for the rest of the day. Do not drive, operate machinery or drink alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after the examination.

You may resume your regular medications.

Get plenty of rest for 24 hours. During that time, you may experience some cramping, gas or a “full” feeling.

Although complications are rare, colonoscopy is a medical procedure that does carry with it possible risks and complications including, but not limited to pain, hemorrhage or perforation.

The procedure is commonly done and is not associated with a high incidence of problems. The most common problems are pain during the procedure, which is caused by distention of the bowel with air or stretching of the bowel while maneuvering the tube, more serious but very rare problems are hemorrhage (bleeding) and/or perforation (puncture) of the bowel. If either of these problems occur, it is sometimes necessary to operate in order to fix the problem. The incidence of these problems is approximately 1 per 10,000.

A little blood on the toilet tissue is not unusual. Bleeding that is persistent or heavy requires immediate medical attention. In such an event, please contact our office during our office hours at (905-948-9119) or proceed to your nearest Emergency Room.

Overall, colonoscopy is a very accurate and safe method of diagnosing gastro-intestinal problems. If you have questions about the procedure or anything in this brochure, please contact our office.