Elliot at River's Edge
185 Queen City Avenue
Manchester, NH 03103
Phone: 603-663-5900
Hours: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Is there any way that I can make this taste better? You can try sucking on hard candy or rinse your mouth with water or a mouthwash.
Why avoid red liquids? The red color can persist in the colon and potentially look like blood, obscuring visualization of polyps.
One of the medications I was instructed to take the morning of my procedure is red. Can I take it? The medications that are listed above should be taken the morning of your exam, regardless of the color.
I feel like vomiting and do not think I can drink any more. What should I do? It is important that you continue to drink the solution if possible. Without a clean bowel, the doctor will not be able to thoroughly see inside of your colon to complete the examination. You can stop drinking for 30 minutes, then resume. If you do vomit, wait 30-60 minutes then begin drinking the solution again. If not improved, call us and have a phone number of an open pharmacy in case we need to call in a prescription.
I drank a lot of the solution and have not gone to the bathroom yet. What should I do? Keep drinking and be patient. Move around a bit. Most people have a bowel movement after an hour; however, some patients may take several hours.
I am taking the prep and now having loose, watery stool. Do I still need the rest of the prep? Yes, you may have solid stool higher in the colon that needs to be eliminated.
I already have diarrhea before taking the prep, do I still need to take the laxative? Yes, you must take the entire prep. Your colon is approximately six feet long. The entire colon must be emptied for your physician to see the colon clearly.
I see yellow color in the toilet bowl and a few flecks. What do I do? If you drank the entire solution or if your last bowel movements were clear enough that you were able to see the bottom of the toilet, you should be fine. It is okay if you have some flecks of material. The yellow color is a result of bile that normally colors the feces. This should not interfere with the examination.
Can I drink alcoholic beverages? Alcoholic beverages can cause dehydration and some wines thin your blood. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you do not drink any alcoholic beverages prior to your procedure.
Can I chew gum or suck on candy? Yes, only up until 4 hour prior to your procedure time and nothing with soft centers or red color.
What if I am still passing stool the morning of the test? You may use a Fleets enema. Follow the instructions on the packaging. If this does not work, please call the office.
Can I brush my teeth? Please do. You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth without swallowing.
Can I wear my dentures? Yes, you may wear dentures to the endoscopy suite. However, if you are having an EGD as well as a colonoscopy, you may be asked to remove them prior to the procedure.
What can I take for headaches and pain relief the night before and morning of the procedure? You may take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as directed.
Can I have chicken soup? You can have broth up until 8 hours before your procedure; no noodles, chicken or vegetables are allowed.
Can I have the colonoscopy if I am on my period? Yes, the procedure can still be performed. We ask that you use a tampon if possible but it’s not absolutely necessary.