One week before the examination

 

Stop iron tablets, and stool bulking agents such as fybogel.

 

Two days before the examination

 

Eat a light diet avoiding cereals, wholemeal bread, salads, fruits, or any food containing fibre, nuts or seeds. Please remove the skins from all vegetables and tomatoes. Continue to drink normally and take your usual medication.

 

The day before the examination

 

You may have a light breakfast only (tea and white toast). After this drink only clear fluids such as glucose, Bovril, black tea or coffee (no milk), lemonade, water, orange squash, jelly and clear soup. You should drink at least 2 to 3 litres of fluid during the day before your examination.

 

At 4pm on the day before the examination

 

Drink one sachet of picolax (mix with a glass of water). The drink may fizz and feel hot so wait a minute or two for it to cool before drinking. Drink a full glass of water after drinking the picolax.

Picolax can start to work within as little as 30 minutes but can take 2 to 3 hours to work.

 

At 6am on the day of the examination

 

Drink the 2^nd sachet of picolax. If your appointment is in the afternoon then you may wish to take this between 8am & 9am. Then drink a glass of water. You can drink clear fluids up until 2 hours before your appointment time.

 

Tips on bowel preparation

 

Apply barrier cream to your anal area and use soft tissue paper or wet wipes as repeated bowel actions can make you sore.

If you feel uncomfortable, stop temporarily, keep moving about and you should feel better.

No alcohol should be drunk the day before, the day of and the day after your examination.

 

Suggested meals

 

Two days before the examination it is important to reduce the amount of fibre you eat. Below are some suggested meal plans.

 

Breakfast

Fruit Juice

Rice crispies / corn flakes / sugar puffs

White bread and butter / seedless jam / honey

 

Light meal

Lean meat, eggs, cheese or fish

White bread & butter

Plain sponge cake, jelly, ice cream

 

Main meal

Clear soup

White bread

Lean meat, eggs, cheese or fish

Peeled potato, white rice, pasta

Yoghurt

 

Supper

Plain biscuits

Cheese

Milk or plain chocolate