CT Colonography Bowel Preparation and Diet Sheet - Gastrografin (Full Preparation 160ml)

Patient Information Leaflet

• Please read this information and follow the instructions carefully before your CT colonography scan.
• The test depends on your large bowel being as empty as possible by taking the 'Gastrografin' by closely following the instructions below.
• Otherwise the test may have to be repeated.
• If you are unable to complete the preparation or follow the instructions, please contact the Imaging Department before attending your appointment on 02072885888.

In this pack you will find:

• Two 100ml bottles of Gastrografin (See above)

• One measuring cup (See above)
• Gastrografin is essential to prepare your bowel for the test.
• It contains iodine and tastes quite strong. It can have a laxative effect (may give diarrhoea)
• If you have been told that you are allergic to X-ray dye (contrast), which contains iodine, then call us before going any further 02072885888

3 Days before your test :

• Stop any iron tablets, but continue to take all other medications and laxatives you usually take.

2 Days before your test:

Eat only low fibre foods, which includes the following:

• Milk (2 cups per day), plain yoghurt, cheese, butter, margarine.
• White fish or chicken (boiled, steamed or grilled).
• Eggs, tofu, white pasta, white rice, white bread.
• Potatoes with no skin (e.g. mashed, boiled).
• Clear soups (no solid bits e.g. sieved chicken noodle), Bovril, Oxo.
• Clear jelly, boiled sweets, ice cream, chocolate (no fruit or nut pieces).
• Salt, pepper, sugar, sweeteners and honey.

Have plenty to drink throughout the day:

• Water, tea, coffee, squash, fizzy drinks, clear fruit juices (e.g. apple/ cranberry).

Do not eat high fibre foods, such as:

• Fruit, vegetables, salad, mushrooms, sweetcorn.

• Cereals, nuts, seeds, pips, bran, beans, lentils.

• Brown bread, brown or wild rice, brown pasta.

• Pickles, chutneys.

• Do not eat red meat or pink fish (e.g. salmon)

• Eat a low fibre diet throughout all of today

At Breakfast:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see above).
• Drink 20mls of the First bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix with water.

Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/ diabetic tablets with your breakfast

At Lunch:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink 20mls of the First bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.

At Dinner:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).

• Drink 20mls of the First bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.

The Day Before your test:

Diabetic patients only: Check blood sugar four times during the day. If at any point your blood sugar is below 5, drink clear sugary liquids to avoid a 'hypo'.

• Continue the low fibre diet throughout all of today.

At Breakfast:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink 20mls of the First bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.

Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/ diabetic tablets with your breakfast

At Lunch:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink 20mls of the First bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.

At Dinner:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Drink 20mls of the Second bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.

Diabetic patients only: Reduce your insulin dose by half, continue your diabetic tablets as normal.

On The Day of the test:

• Do not eat any solid food, you may drink water or sugary drinks.
• You can eat and drink normally as soon as the test is finished.

At 7AM or earlier:

• Drink 40mls of the Second bottle of Gastrografin using the measuring cup provided. Do not mix it with water.
• You will have some Gastrografin liquid still left in the bottle, please discard this.

Diabetic patients only: Continue to drink clear sugary fluids.

• DO NOT take anymore insulin/ diabetes tablets until after the test.
• Check blood sugar if you can before arriving at the hospital.
• Bring insulin/ diabetic tablets and a light meal (e.g. sandwich) with you to the hospital to have after the test.

Produced by UCLH and used with their kind permission.