Colonoscopy Scheduled and dreading it

[Samo1]

Good evening everyone,

I have a scheduled colonoscopy and gastroscopy scheduled this week. I am getting very nervous. The instructions the Dr's office provided were seriously written by a child, no joke and of course provides no info on what to do as a person living with celiac. The instructions say, no seeds, grains, and nuts 7 days prior. However, there is no mention of brown rice, which is basically a grain in my view and in every gluten free bread or millet (which is a grain). I am so frustrated at how there's no consideration from those of us living with celiac. Can anyone provide some insight on this front and if they ate a specific bread that did not include, rice bran, brown rice flour, or millet. Thanks in advance. 

[FemmeK]

Hi there. I can totally understand your frustration. I just went through this myself. The prep was hard but felt worth it in the end. The procedure itself was a breeze thanks to anesthesiology. I was really scared, too. I still ate brown rice in the days leading up to colonoscopy and endoscopy. Two days before, I lowered my fiber intake overall and ate a pretty bland diet (meat, potatoes, yogurt, bit of apple sauce, etc.). The day before, I fasted from any solid food other than jello (yellow and green only) and sucking on lemon hard candy. I did that with clear liquids for the day and then at 5 pm began the GaviLyte colon clean-out solution. That process took a few hours and was not as unpleasant as I expected. I was more uncomfortable from not eating that day but it was bearable. I slept soundly that night. My procedures were 11 am the next morning. Woke up feeling a bit tired/rough (mostly nerves) and finished the last bit of GaviLyte solution as instructed (a split dose). After the procedures (which felt like a pleasant nap), they told me my cleanout was pretty good. So for what that's worth.... Wishing you the best of luck!

[trents]

  On 9/5/2023 at 2:49 AM, Samo1 said:

Good evening everyone,

I have a scheduled colonoscopy and gastroscopy scheduled this week. I am getting very nervous. The instructions the Dr's office provided were seriously written by a child, no joke and of course provides no info on what to do as a person living with celiac. The instructions say, no seeds, grains, and nuts 7 days prior. However, there is no mention of brown rice, which is basically a grain in my view and in every gluten free bread or millet (which is a grain). I am so frustrated at how there's no consideration from those of us living with celiac. Can anyone provide some insight on this front and if they ate a specific bread that did not include, rice bran, brown rice flour, or millet. Thanks in advance. 

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I believe the instructions given serve to prevent you from eating things that might get caught in your diverticuli such a nuts and whole grains. I think you would be okay as long as the grains are in flour form. That is my take on the intent of the instructions but I am not a doctor.

[Samo1]

Thank you everyone! I was so frustrated regarding the fact the instructions were not tailored to a celiac. When I contacted the office to get a better understanding about the brown rice flour, the receptionist told me I should consult Web MD. I asked her if she was joking. I was furious and explained I have a masters degree and do not need to consult that site and instead and asked if she could clarify with a physician or dietician at the clinic. She said no and that was it. Overall, hoping this goes by quick. 
 

[Nick Cheruka]

  On 9/8/2023 at 2:32 PM, Samo1 said:

Thank you everyone! I was so frustrated regarding the fact the instructions were not tailored to a celiac. When I contacted the office to get a better understanding about the brown rice flour, the receptionist told me I should consult Web MD. I asked her if she was joking. I was furious and explained I have a masters degree and do not need to consult that site and instead and asked if she could clarify with a physician or dietician at the clinic. She said no and that was it. Overall, hoping this goes by quick. 
 

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Hi Samo1, it’s always no surprise to me how little help most GP/PC Dr’s, nurses, staff and even Pharmacist are when it comes to anything pertaining to Celiacs! I was diagnosed over 20yrs ago and still today find the same unless your dealing with a group of GI’s Specializing in Celiacs then wow everyone is up to date and knows exactly what we deal with! It’s hard to find a group though if you move from the state you may have had one like I used to! I lived in Va for 43yrs moved to Sunny SW Florida 10yrs ago and everyone here is clueless for the most part when it comes to Celiacs! I can say I don’t know of anyone who likes Colonoscopies or preparing for them as I am one myself! It would be nice if they could come up with a better way to prepare for them for sure! Good Luck☘️I hope everything comes back normal!