Prepping for Colonoscopy with Dialysis and Diabetes

[Learning_as_we_go]

Hi, all! My mom recently completed a Cologuard test as part of her annual physical, and it came back positive. Her PCP sent her to see a GI specialist for a second opinion and they’re recommending a colonoscopy, which will require her to drink a lot of liquid and avoid solid foods 24 hours beforehand. This would be her first time getting a colonoscopy, and she’s a little worried about how to handle the whole “tons of liquid and no solid foods” thing while on dialysis and as a Type 1 diabetic. Can anyone who has gone through something similar offer some tips on how they got through it, especially not being able to eat solids? I was thinking she might be able to use Nepro shakes and chicken broth to get needed nutrients and minerals, but I’m not sure if it will be enough. She also suffers from dangerously low blood pressure whenever she stands for more than a few minutes, so there’s also come concern about the prep leaving her very weak.

Any advice you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated!

[bumblebee_tuna]

I did one about a year ago, it wasn't particularly concerning as far as I remember. They give you a cocktail to drink to clear the colon but the amount of fluid wasn't huge. It had gatorade so might need to ask about an alternative to sugar.

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to bumblebee_tuna]

Thank you for sharing! We feel a lot better knowing it probably won’t be a huge amount of fluid. I’ll see if they have any diabetic-friendly alternatives.

[Bassetmommer]

My husband just did one and the product they use are much milder. He is diabetic so we did sugar free popsicles, jello and broth and he was fine. e ha sugar free soda and regular which he mixed together to keep his levels good. I have to do one in spring as part of the transplant process. No big deal

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you for your input! Glad to know the product is milder now.

[drmind]

Can you share your concerns with her PCP and/or the gsstro doctor and kidney doctor? Your mother shouldn't have to be that worried. Hopefully, a step by step procedure can be explained to both of you. Good luck and Hopefully there will be no position results

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to drmind]

Thank you for your kind words!

[OperationKidney]

Hi, I happen to work in gastroenterology prepping patients for procedures. We see quite a few patients in the same situation. I would recommend Nepro shakes, broths, and other maybe slightly sweeter soft foods and/or liquids to keep her sugar from tanking & keep her blood pressure high enough. It may also be a good idea to give her more of those types of foods and liquids than someone without diabetes, kidney, and blood pressure issues would need so that her sugars and blood pressure don't bottom out. Also, I would recommend the Miralax prep because it is the most gentle and will be the easiest on her. It would be a good idea to contact the center where she will be getting the procedure done to ask for ideas as well, and perhaps her nephrologist too. I hope things go well and am wishing her the best of luck!

[Learning_as_we_go in reply to OperationKidney]

Thank you so much for the tips!

[RhenDutchess123 in reply to Learning_as_we_go]

They most likely will put her first on the schedule that day due to being diabetic...if not I would request it...

[Darlenia]

For anyone facing a colonoscopy, I think the type of dialysis you're on matters. My husband, a T2D, was on PD (peritoneal dialysis) involving a catheter (and dialysate) in his lower abdomen. A good number of people on PD are already on Mirolax to ensure relatively smooth and clean bowels. Anyway, my hubby started out with the prescribed prep and ran clear about midway through it. He stopped at that point since he was also becoming weak and pale. So it's important to examine what is happening. If consecutive bowel movements are clear, it's probably okay to stop. As my gastroenterologist explained, the scopes are very expensive - anything over "bean sized" will break them. So doctors will quickly stop the procedure if they notice larger-sized particles in the colon and intestines. However, itty bitty things will quickly "vacuumed up" by the scope and the procedure will go on. So keep an eye on what you're seeing; exercise good judgement so you don't have to return for a repeat colonoscopy. I've often wondered why bowel prep is "one size fits all". A 100 pound frail individual gets the same solution as does a 250 pound linebacker. It makes no sense to me.

As an aside, his gastroenterologist complained about the the scope finding resistance at one point which we believe was caused by my hubby's catheter in his peritoneum. I'm not sure if others on PD experienced that. We also worried about how medical staff would handle the external part of his cath, and were pleased no one questioned my husband keeping it securely attached to his body in his PD pocket belt throughout everything. They were very respectful, no one touched or inspected it, so nothing was contaminated. I hope our experience offers some direction to anyone facing a colonoscopy.