Colonoscopy preparation with GoLytely - TidalHealth Gastroenterology in Ocean Pines

Instructions for colonoscopy preparation with GoLytely for patients of TidalHealth Gastroenterology in Ocean Pines

Your procedure will be performed at TidalHealth Delmarva Endoscopy Center located at 11103 Cathage Road, Berlin, MD 21811, near the north gate of Ocean Pines. This office can be reached at 410-677-6654.

Turn right into the second parking lot for building 4, drive around the building and stop underneath the canopy, which is one way.

Patients who develop COVID symptoms, travel internationally or are exposed to COVID between the time of scheduling their appointment and the date of the procedure, must contact our office.

Please note:

• You will be sedated. You must have a responsible adult over 18 to drive you home after the procedure. This person must pick you up from the endoscopy center and plan to stay with you.
• Do not plan on returning to work that day, making any important decisions, operating heavy machinery, no driving or drinking alcoholic beverages for the next 12 hours.
• You may not take a taxi, bus, Uber, Lyft or medical transportation, etc. home unless accompanied by a responsible adult over 18.
• If you do not have a responsible adult to drive or accompany you home, your procedure will be rescheduled.

We need 48 hours prior notice if you are going to cancel or reschedule this appointment. Please call our office at 410-912-6021 or 410-677-6654.

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7 days before the procedure

Seven (7) days prior to your procedure you must STOP the following medications:

• Advil
• Aleve
• Celebrex (celecoxib)
• Daypro (oxaprozin)
• Indocin (indomethacin)
• Iron
• Mobic (meloxicam)
• Motrin
• Naprosyn (naproxen)
• Voltaren (diclofenac)

We will contact your prescribing physician for permission to hold blood thinners. Please follow up with your prescriber to confirm they have given permission to hold the medication and for how long.

If you are a diabetic and take pills, injections or insulin, please contact your medical provider who prescribed this medication for instructions as these may lower blood sugar too much before the procedure.

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3 days before the procedure

Three (3) days prior:

Please purchase Dulcolax Laxative 5 mg tablets at the pharmacy.

You will take Dulcolax 5 mg tablets daily at bedtime for 3 days prior to your clear liquids prep day.

For example, if your procedure is scheduled on a Monday, you will take one (1) 5mg Dulcolax tablet on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday will be your Clear Liquids day.

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The day before your procedure

Upon awakening, you may only have clear liquids. You may not have any solid foods including breakfast. Please follow the clear liquid diet below.

Do not consume:

• Red or purple colored liquids or products.
• Milk, cream or non-dairy substitutes (such as artificial creamer, soy or nut milks)
• Juices containing pulp (I.e. orange, grapefruit, pineapple, tomato & V-8 juice) or frozen juice products containing pulp
• Alcoholic beverages
• Solid foods

Do not follow the instructions on the GoLytely box. Follow the below instructions.

6 pm - first dose

• Mix one (1) gallon of the preparation solution according to the directions on the label. You may add enough Crystal Lite to flavor one gallon as long as it has a lemonade or citrus flavoring. Do not add any pink or red colored flavorings to the solution. Refrigerate.
• At 6 pm, begin drinking the preparation solution. Drink an 8 oz. glass every 15 to 20 minutes. It is best to drink the whole glass rapidly, rather than sipping small amounts continuously. Drink 3/4 of the prep solutions over three (3) hours by drinking 8 oz. every 15 to 20 minutes. Bowel movements usually occur about one hour after the first glass. Note: It is normal to feel very “full” or “bloated” during your preparation. Some people may also experience nausea and vomiting. If this occurs, simply wait about 30 minutes before resuming drinking.
• Place the remainder of the prep solution in the refrigerator.
• You may drink clear liquids until you go to bed.

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The day of your procedure

6 hours before your procedure time - second dose

• Six (6) hours before the procedure, begin drinking the remaining ¼ of the solution. Drink 8 oz. every 15 to 20 minutes until the entire container has been consumed.

Take your medications such as aspirin, blood pressure, Parkinson's, seizure, or asthma medications. Please take these medications four (4) or more hours prior to the procedure start time with only a small sip of water.

If a physician has prescribed for you an inhaler for asthma, bring it with you to the procedure.

Additional instructions:

• Bring your photo ID, insurance cards and co-payment, if required.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables.
• Do not wear perfume or lotions, deodorant is allowed
• If you use a CPAP or BIPAP please bring your device the day of the procedure.

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What to expect

• Expect to have frequent bowel movements and diarrhea within 1-4 hours. Be patient and try walking around to stimulate bowel motility. Remain near a restroom. During this time, continue your preparation.
• Expect to pass clear or yellow fluid at the completion of your preparation.
• You must complete all doses of your preparation even if you are passing clear or yellow fluid early in the process.
• Patients should continue drinking clear liquids up to four (4) hours before the procedure. During the four (4) hours before your procedure, consume nothing by mouth, not even water, chewing gum or candy.
• Your procedure may be cancelled under the following circumstances: failure to fully complete the preparation or inadequate preparation (not passing clear or yellow fluid); consuming anything (including liquids) by mouth within four (4) hours of the procedure.

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What to do to make preparation easier

• Use Desitin, Anusol, Tucks pads or Vaseline to coat the rectal area to avoid irritation during the preparation.
• Drink the preparation solution with a straw or hold your nose when drinking.
• Slow down between doses if feeling nauseous.
• If you vomit the preparation, take a break and then continue drinking the preparation slowly once vomiting passes.