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 9/4/2023 at 7:49 PM, 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. 

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 10:32 AM, 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. 
 

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!