CT Colonography Bowel Preparation and Diet Sheet - Gastrografin (Reduced Preparation 40ml)

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'' liquid that our pharmacy will send out to you in a separate envelope in the post.

• Otherwise the test may have to be repeated.

• If you are unable to take all of the Gastrografin or follow the instructions, please contact the Imaging Department before attending your appointment on the above number.

• In this pack you will find:

  • Two 20ml bottles of Gastrografin®
  • One 5ml measuring spoon

• 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.

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:

• Red meat, pink fish (e.g. salmon)
• Fruit, vegetables, salad, mushrooms, sweetcorn.
• Cereals, nuts, seeds, pips, bran, beans, lentils.
• Brown bread, brown or wild rice, brown pasta.
• Pickles, chutneys.

3 Days Before your test:

• Eat a low fibre diet throughout all of today

At Breakfast:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Take two 5ml spoonfuls (10mL) of Gastrografin® from the first bottle
• Do not mix it with water

At Lunch:

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

At Dinner:

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

• Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/ diabetic tablets as normal.

2 Days Before your test:

• Eat a low fibre diet throughout all of today.

At Breakfast:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Take two 5ml spoonfuls (10mL) of Gastrografin® from the first bottle.
• Do not mix it with water.

At Lunch:

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

At Dinner:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/ diabetic tablets as normal.

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).
• Take two 5ml spoonfuls (10mL) of Gastrografin® from the second bottle.
• Do not mix it with water.

At Lunch:

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

At Dinner:

• Eat only low fibre foods (see list above).
• Diabetic patients only: Take insulin/ diabetic tablets with your breakfast

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 5AM:
  • Take two 5ml spoonfuls (10mL) of Gastrografin® from the second bottle.
  • Do not mix it with water.

Diabetic patients only:

If you have a Morning appointment:

• 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.

If you have a Afternoon appointment:

• Continue to drink clear sugary fluids.
• Take half your normal dose of insulin in the morning only.
• Do not take diabetes tablets.
• Check blood sugar if you can in the morning and 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.