“PLENVU” Colonoscopy Instructions

Locations:       

  • Endoscopy Center of the North Shore,
    1732 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 256-1855, Fax (866)375-3001 Office Directions
  • Evanston G.I. Lab, 2650 Ridge Ave. Suite 1134, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 570-2236 or (847) 570-2298. Registration/ Covid Testing: 888-364-6400 Evanston Hospital Directions
  • St. Francis G.I Lab, 355 Ridge Ave, Evanston IL 60202 (847) 316- 7338 St. Francis G.I. Lab Directions
  • This is a general copy of the instructions for this prep. Please adhere to the specific instructions that were given to you by your provider. If you have been told to do a 2-day prep, contact our office for the appropriate instructions. DO NOT follow the instructions listed on the medication.
  • Please reach out to our office for location confirmation and COVID-19 guidelines. A Covid-19 test may be required prior to your procedure, even if you have been fully vaccinated. (We will keep you updated on this as Covid-19 protocols keep changing).

Preparation for colonoscopy involves a restricted diet, drinking the prep with the goal of clearing the colon, fasting prior to the procedure, and some further instructions regarding blood thinners and having a ride. Please see the details listed below in Special Instructions.

A note about oral intake and what “nothing by mouth” means on the day of the test:

    • midnight – stop all intake by mouth except as listed
    • 4 hours – finish everything including preparation and fluids for hydration
    • 2 hours- only essential medications with a sip of water
  • 6 Days Before
      • Please see instructions below on blood thinners. Each one has a different duration. Talk to your PCP or cardiologist.
      • No elective NSAID’s (Advil, Motrin, Bayer aspirin, Aleve)
      • No iron
      • Send your registration papers back to office
      • Arrange a ride (NO UBERS, BUSES, OR TAXIES.)
      • Arrange COVID testing with the office
      • Pick up your prep prescription from your pharmacy.
      • Pick up the following over the counter medications (OTC):
        • One bottle of MiraLAX
        • Small box of simethicone
  • 3 Days Before
      • Make sure you have picked up the preparation medications at the pharmacy
      • MiraLAX is OTC. Don’t forget to buy this.
      • Limit fiber, seeds, and nuts
  • The Day Before
      • Light breakfast without fiber
      • Clear liquids only rest of the day – Avoid red or purple dyes
      • Discontinue metformin-containing diabetes medications
  • 7PM The Day Before
      • At 7 pm, Take Dose1: Please see below for more detailed instructions.
      • Take 250 mg of simethicone at bedtime
      • Nothing by mouth after midnight except as listed above
  • The Day Of: (Between midnight and 4hrs prior to procedure)
      • 5 HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE: Begin taking Dose 2: Please see below for more detailed instructions.
      • Take two doses of the MiraLAX if stools are not clear at least 4 hours before your procedure
      • YOU MUST FINISH PREP 4 HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE SO PLAN AHEAD.
      • Please also plan to arrive to your appointment early as shown below (depending on the location, the requirements are different):
          • Endoscopy Center G.I. Lab – 30mins before your appointment time.
          • Evanston Hospital G.I. Lab – 45mins before your appointment time.
          • Ascension St. Francis G.I. Lab – 60mins before your appointment time.

A note about anesthesia:

If you have special anesthesia needs, we encourage you to make an office appointment. All procedures done at the office involve the use of propofol and an anesthesiologist. For the hospital, this has to be arranged. You will not be able to drive home because of the use of anesthesia or sedation. (NO UBERS, BUSES, OR TAXIES.)

A note about billing:

You may see charges for consultation or physical exam as well as the procedure. You may see separate bills from the hospital, anesthesiologist, and pathologist.

Afterwards: 

Dr. Mehta or Dr. Bianchi will speak to you before you leave anda will generally give you a copy of your actual procedure note.

Special Instructions:

  • If you are on a blood thinner talk to your physician whether it can be discontinued and when. Do not discontinue unless approved by primary doctor, cardiologist, or another prescribing doctor.
  • Do NOT take elective pain medication such as naproxen or ibuprofen for 6 days before your procedure. Aspirin for your heart is OK.
  • Diabetics should NOT take diabetes medicines the day of the procedure, but you should bring these medicines with you. If you take metformin or a metformin-containing diabetes medication, do NOT take it for 24 hours prior to the procedure. If you have brittle diabetes, talk to your primary doctor or endocrinologist regarding glucose management the day before and the day of the test.
  • You should take all your other regular medications every day, including the day of the procedure.
  • Patients with pacemakers or automatic implantable cardiac defibrillators (AICD) must contact the GI lab once the procedure is scheduled. The hospital may require interrogation of your device before and after the test. The office will NOT perform procedures with AICD’s.
  • Should you cancel your procedure for any reason we ask that you notify the office at least 48 hours in advance or a fee will be charged. 

If you have any questions, call the office well in advance. If you have any urgent issues the night before, you can page the physician through the office number. You can also check the website for FAQ’s.                       

Prep & FAQ’s

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